Breville Barista Pro (BES878) vs SMEG EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder
Same class, different tax brackets.
The Barista Pro (BES878) runs ~13% more (listed in different currencies) — the split below is what the gap buys.
Breville
Strong consensusUS$699–849
The Barista Pro threads a real needle: genuine PID temperature control, a 30-setting conical grinder, and a 3-second heat-up in a single machine at a mid-range price. The ceiling on shot qua…
Full record & live prices →
SMEG
US$899 · CA$865–980
The EGF03 is a competent grind-and-brew semi-automatic for buyers who want a single-appliance workflow and can live with Smeg's 50s aesthetic as the primary reason for the premium. Accept a…
Full record & live prices →The split
Where they actually differ
On 9 of 11 measures these two tie. The 2 rows below are the entire argument.
Barista Pro (BES878)
EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder
Value per dollar
Barista Pro (BES878) leads, clearly
Parts & repair
Barista Pro (BES878) leads, clearly
The price
EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder costs less, clearly
US$699–849· CA$865–980
weakerstronger
The counter’s vote
The EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder is the one the crowd demonstrably buys partly for its looks — we report the vote; the judging is yours.
Barista Pro (BES878): Sleek, minimalist stainless design has broad kitchen approval, but polarizes against heirloom-lever and industrial aesthetics some espresso enthusiasts prefer.
EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder: Retro aesthetic is the revealed purchase driver—"bold curves", kitchen approval, design-committed owners—but polarizes on the price-to-performance axis; enthusiasts tolerate it only if already…
Only the Barista Pro (BES878): PID temperature control.
Only the EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder: the standard 58mm ecosystem.
Only the EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder: no accessory lock-in.
Where they tie: milk & steam · shot ceiling · back-to-back drinks · ready when you are · reliability record — don’t let a spec sheet invent a difference.
On the counter
The size difference, to scale
So — which one?
Take the Barista Pro (BES878) if —
- Every dollar has to earn its place
- You plan to fix, not replace
- You want the temperature argument settled
Take the EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder if —
- The difference stays in your pocket — or goes into beans
- Baskets, tampers and mods transfer, forever
- Upgrades should never strand your kit
Both columns reading true? Take the EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder and put the difference into fresh, roast-dated beans — they move the cup more than this choice will.
Known weak points
Barista Pro (BES878)
Thermal stability issues under sustained pulling, solenoid wear (steam side), inconsistent pre-infusion calibration over time, non-standard 54mm portafilter locks accessory ecosystem.
For the row-by-row readers
The whole sheet, side by side
Matching rows fade back — the ink is where they differ.
Barista Pro (BES878)
EGF03 Manual Coffee Machine with Grinder
Type
Thermoblock / thermojet
Thermoblock / thermojet
Heat-up time
3 seconds
~1 min
Steam power
2.5/5
2.5/5
Brew + steam at once
No
No
Guest recovery
2/5
2.5/5
Shot quality ceiling
3.5/5
3/5
PID temperature control
Yes
No
Milk system
Manual steam wand
Manual steam wand
One-touch drinks
2
2
Removable brew group
No
No
Hot-water tap
Yes
Yes
Cup clearance
10.2 cm
0 cm
Workflow demand
3/5
3/5
Maintenance
2.5/5
3/5
Noise
3.5/5
3/5
Build longevity
3/5
2.5/5
Dimensions
35.6 × 40.6 × 39.4 cm
44.3 × 34 × 44.3 cm
One owner each
“Smeg's EGF03 Espresso Coffee Machine with Grinder unites the two, allowing you to grind just enough beans, tamp and brew faultless espresso in one beautifully stylish package.”
Wrong match-up? Change one side → — any two on file compare.
Still torn?
This page weighs them against each other. The finder weighs them against your mornings.
Two minutes of questions — milk, noise, budget, space — scored across everything on file. It’s honest when the answer is neither of these.
Take the two-minute finder →