Are you considering buying your first home espresso machine? Perhaps you’ve noticed your coffee shop bills are adding up. Starting with a beginner-friendly machine is a wise choice, and you might be torn between the Breville Cafe Roma vs Duo Temp Pro. I’m here to help you choose the better one, and that is the Duo Temp Pro!
The standout advantage of the Breville Duo Temp Pro over the Breville Cafe Roma lies in its advanced pre-infusion technology, which significantly enhances the coffee’s flavor. Moreover, the Duo Temp Pro boasts a more comprehensive and superior-quality accessory set, not to mention that it heats up significantly faster.
Breville Cafe Roma Vs Duo Temp Pro: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Cafe Roma Vs Duo Temp Pro: Differences
The Duo Temp Pro clinched a victory over the Cafe Roma with a score of 4-0. Keep reading for my detailed breakdown to discover how these two models differ from each other in various aspects!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Duo Temp Pro
Built-in Grinder
To get the best from these machines, you need to get a high-quality grinder. If there’s one truth in the coffee universe, it’s that a good grinder is as crucial as a good coffee machine.
And while I’m on the subject, I’d like to say that Breville, known for various great semi-automatic espresso machines, also offers some top-notch stand-alone grinders, like the Smart Grinder Pro. Additionally, there are countless other options for you to choose from. Just ensure you choose one that’s specifically designed for espresso.
If the thought of investing in a separate burr grinder feels a bit overwhelming, then a machine like the Breville Barista Express might be more up your alley. It’s a bit more expensive upfront, but everything you need is right there, including a built-in cone grinder with 18 settings.
Dosing & Tamping
Breville equips these machines with all the tools you need for daily brewing cycles, but not the best ones. I promise!
Let’s start with the portafilter, which is locked into position in the brew head. The Cafe Roma uses a 50mm portafilter, while the Duo Temp Pro comes with a 51mm one. A larger portafilter can potentially offer a larger surface area for the water to pass through the coffee grounds, which may lead to a more even extraction. That is also the reason why the most high-end Breville machines, such as the Dual Boiler or the Oracle Touch, ship with a 58mm portafilter.
The portafilter and the filter basket are joined at the hip. You must agree with me! The Duo Temp Pro includes two sets of baskets: single wall and dual wall. The single-wall baskets require precision and skill but offer the best results, while the dual-wall baskets are great for beginners who are just starting their espresso journey and might not have a top-notch grinder yet.
Meanwhile, the Cafe Roma ships with three dual-wall baskets, including one for ESE pods. I’m a cheerleader for fresh ground coffee, but I still have to tip my hat to the convenience of ESE pods. Sure, they might not give you the best shots, but let’s be real: there are days when you’re just scrambling to get out the door, and that’s when ESE pods are like a coffee lifesaver.
By the way, the Cafe Roma has a plastic tamper with a dosing spoon attached to the end. Oh my goodness, it’s so pathetically flimsy and cheap. I bet a lot of people might not even realize it’s supposed to be a tamper. If you’re serious about your espresso, you might want to invest in a stainless steel tamper that works.
The Duo Temp Pro’s stainless steel tamper isn’t perfect, but it’s not terrible either. I also like the idea that it can be attached to the left side of the machine via magnets. You know, tampers have a habit of disappearing just when you need them most, and this feature is pretty nifty because it keeps your tamper from wandering off.
Heating System
If you thought “Duo Temp” meant dual boiler or dual heating system, well, my friends, you are not alone. I did too, until I realized that the Temp Pro is equipped with a single thermocoil.
But don’t be discouraged just because the Temp Pro can’t multi-task – with its thermocoil, this one can heat up in just 3 seconds. Yes, 3 seconds! When it switches from brewing to steaming, it’s so quick that you barely have time to blink.
The Cafe Roma uses thermoblock, while most Breville’s machines employ more durable thermocoil systems. Then, after all, this one is older than most of Breville’s current lineup. Just keep in mind that the thermoblock system can still heat your water rapidly.
Brewing System
Both have a mighty 15-bar pump that is good for the extraction process, considering 9 bars of pressure is enough for a delicious shot. Still, the Duo Temp Pro takes the lead with a trick people often call pre-infusion.
The pre-infusion step involves wetting the puck with a small amount of hot water before the main brewing process begins. As a result, the Duo Temp Pro brings to the table a better-tasting shot of espresso.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Breville Duo Temp Pro
Dimensions & User Interface
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Duo Temp Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.8 x 8.6 x 8.7 inches | 10 x 12.6 x 12.6 inches |
| Weight | 13 lbs | 18.2 lbs |
Their durability is no joke. Despite being categorized as entry-level, they aren’t cheap or flimsy gadgets. This aligns well with Breville’s reputation for crafting quality appliances.
The use of brushed stainless steel for most of their casing not only enhances durability but also adds a touch of timeless elegance to their design. Both have a steel plate on top to passively warm the cup with the heat generated during the heat-up process.
These machines are designed with a compact footprint, making them a perfect fit even for smaller kitchens. But to compare, the Cafe Roma is lighter and more compact.
They’re also incredibly user-friendly, with simple interfaces that make them a breeze to use. Essentially, all it takes is a twist of the large central dial to switch between steam and espresso. It’s as straightforward as it gets.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Duo Temp Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4 inches | 4.5 inches |
These machines come with a standard cup height designed to accommodate espresso cups of various sizes. While they don’t have adjustable spouts, they offer ample space for most cups. For those times when you’re filling something like a big travel mug, you can easily make more room by removing the drip tray.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Duo Temp Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.2 liters | 1.8 liters |
| Bean Hopper | N/A | N/A |
The Cafe Roma’s more compact size comes with a smaller water tank, meaning it needs to be refilled more often. I’m a positive guy, so I realized one benefit of refilling the tank regularly – your coffee is always brewed with fresh water.
Ah yes, water. Only the Duo Temp Pro comes with a water softener filter. You’ll need to change it every couple of months to prolong the life of your machine and eliminate the need for as much descaling. As a bonus, coffee always tastes better with filtered water!
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Duo Temp Pro
Both of these espresso machines sport manual steam wands. Unlike those Panarello wands on other entry-level machines that do all the frothing for you, you’re going to have to roll up your sleeves and practice with these wands. It might be a challenge at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’re all set to craft beautiful latte art with your own hands.
The steam wand on the Duo Temp Pro features a 360-degree swivel action, allowing you to easily find that perfect angle in your milk pitcher for the ultimate froth.
On the flip side, the Breville Cafe Roma’s steam wand doesn’t swivel, which might make positioning your milk pitcher feel like a bit of a puzzle. Just another reason to possibly steer clear of it.
Before I go, I’d give Breville an ovation for including a stainless steel pitcher with these machines. I’m on my feet, applauding Breville, and wishing other brands like Jura would take a page from their book!
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Breville Duo Temp Pro
Drink Options
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Duo Temp Pro |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Espresso Hot water |
I really appreciate how the Duo Temp Pro’s steam wand doubles as a hot water dispenser. Sure, it’s not quite as convenient as having a separate spout just for hot water, but as the saying goes, “half a loaf is better than none!” And by “none,” I’m referring to the Cafe Roma, which doesn’t offer this feature.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Duo Temp Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | No | No |
| Coffee Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | No | No |
When it comes to customization, both models offer the ability to time your shots, but that’s all you can do. The Cafe Roma doesn’t provide an option to adjust the brewing temperature, and surprisingly, neither does the Duo Temp Pro, despite it featuring PID temperature control. So, if you’re looking to get more deeply involved in the brewing process, neither of these models will meet that need.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Duo Temp Pro
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
- AUTO PURGE: The Duo-Temp Pro Espresso Machine automatically purges the heat system after steaming, ensuring your next espresso is extracted at the right temperature
- The Breville Duo Temp Pro lets you create third wave specialty coffee at home; This espresso machine ensures balanced flavors from even extraction using low pressure pre-fusion, managing sweetness, acidity and bitterness for the perfect cup every time
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Low pressure pre-infusion helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Breville Cafe Roma
- Stainless-steel espresso machine with 15-bar thermoblock pump
- Dual-wall filter system for excellent crema; froth enhancer, cup-warming plate
- Accesories: Stainless steel frothing pitcher Tamping tool/measuring spoon/cleaning tool
- Removable drip tray and grid; Frothing jug included
- Measures 9 x 9 x 12 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
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References
- Breville Duo Temp Pro: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes810.html
- Breville Cafe Roma: https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/espresso/esp8.html
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.