Bravo Espresso: A Comprehensive Guide and Comparison
The name "Bravo" is associated with several distinct products in the world of coffee, causing some confusion. It can refer to a high-volume commercial beverage dispenser, a discontinued manual home espresso machine, or even a professional barista accessory. This guide clarifies the different "Bravo" products, combines all available information, and compares them against their respective competitors to help you understand which one might be right for you.
The One-Touch Drinks Bravo: A Commercial Super-Automatic Machine
The One-Touch Drinks Bravo is a commercial-grade, super-automatic espresso machine designed for high-traffic, self-service environments like offices, hotels, convenience stores, and cafes. Unlike traditional commercial machines that require a skilled barista, these units are built for user-friendliness and consistency with minimal training. They are "bean-to-cup" machines that grind, brew, and dispense a variety of drinks at the touch of a button.
Strengths and Features
- High Volume: Capable of producing up to 500 drinks per day to handle high-traffic locations.
- Drink Variety: Offers a wide range of beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, mocha, hot chocolate, and tea, using one or two bean hoppers and canisters for soluble ingredients like milk powder.
- Hygienic and Low-Maintenance: Features a touchless selection screen for sanitary operation, an automatic hot-water flush and self-cleaning cycle, a blocked-grinder sensor, and an “out-of-beans” alert to reduce downtime. It also logs drink counts for preventive service.
- High Cost: The up-front cost is substantial, and access to professional service is essential, making it overkill for home kitchens.
Commercial Machine Comparison
The following table compares the One-Touch Drinks Bravo with other popular commercial super-automatic machines.
| Feature | One-Touch Drinks Bravo | Schaerer Coffee Art Plus | Franke A-Series (A600/A1000) | La Cimbali S-Series (S15/S30/S60) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | High-traffic locations (offices, hotels, cafes) | Medium to high-volume restaurants and coffee shops | Restaurants, offices, self-service locations | High-demand locations, coffee shops, restaurants |
| Output Capacity | Up to 500 drinks/day | Up to 80 lattes/cappuccinos per hour | A600: Up to 150 drinks/day, A1000: Up to 300 drinks/day | S15: Up to 150 cups/day, S60: Up to 600 cups/day |
| User Interface | Touchless screen | Touch screen | 8-inch or 10.4-inch touchscreen | 7-inch or 10.4-inch touchscreen |
| Bean Hoppers | 1 or 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Drink Variety | Espresso, cappuccino, mocha, hot chocolate, tea | Espresso, cappuccino, latte, americano | Espresso drinks, brewed coffee, hot/cold milk, flavored syrups | Espresso drinks, hot/cold frothed milk, hot chocolate |
| Cleaning | Automatic hot water flush hygiene system | 5-minute espresso cleaning cycle | Automated (CleanMaster system) | Automatic washing system |
The Krups Bravo: A Legacy Home Espresso Machine
The Krups Bravo (models 871 and 872) is a discontinued, manual espresso machine intended for home use. It is a compact, budget-friendly machine that operates using steam pressure. It features a simple three-way selector switch and a steam wand, often with a "Perfect Froth" attachment, for making cappuccinos. It brews up to 4 cups of espresso at a time into its glass carafe. As an older model, it is typically only found on resale sites.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Cheap, small, and simple to operate; can still be found on resale sites for under $150.
- The use of steam pressure (~5-6 bar) limits the quality of espresso, resulting in thin crema and no ability to adjust shot parameters. It produces "stovetop-style" coffee rather than true espresso.
- Parts like seals and carafes are scarce, often requiring salvaged parts or 3D-printed replacements.
How it Compares: Steam vs. Pump
The main difference between the Krups Bravo and modern entry-level machines is how pressure is created. The Krups uses steam, which generates less pressure than the electric pump found in machines like the De'Longhi EC155. This significantly affects the quality and consistency of the espresso shot. Modern pump machines also offer more convenience with removable water tanks and compatibility with ESE pods.
| Feature | Krups Bravo Plus (Steam-Driven) | De'Longhi EC155 (Pump-Driven) |
|---|---|---|
| Heating System | Steam-driven boiler | Single boiler with pump |
| Pressure | Lower, generated by steam (~5-6 bar) | 15-bar pump |
| Water Reservoir | Boiler filled for each use | Removable 34 oz (1 liter) tank |
| Milk Frothing | Basic steam wand | Manual frother wand |
| Pod Compatibility | No | Yes (ESE pods) |
Krups Bravo vs. Modern Semi-Automatic Machines
For home users seeking genuine espresso, the Krups Bravo is outclassed by modern semi-automatic pump machines. The table below compares the specifications of both Bravo types against popular consumer models.
Specification Comparison at a Glance
| Model | Type & Pump/Steam Pressure | Boiler / Heating | Grinder | Footprint (W×D×H) | Water Tank | Approx. Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bravo Espresso, Tea & Chocolate | Super-automatic; high-pressure pump | 700 cc brass boiler | Flat-burr, 1 hopper (4.5 lb) | 19″×23.25″×30.5″; 121 lb | Plumb-in or bottled | ≈ $8,975 new |
| Krups Bravo 871 | Steam-driven; ~5–6 bar | Aluminium boiler / steam; heat-up 60 s | — | 10.5″×9″×—; 3.2 lb | 12 oz (4 cups) | ≈ $50–150 used |
| Breville Barista Express (BES870) | Semi-auto pump; 9 bar extraction | Thermocoil + PID | Conical-burr, 16 settings | 12.5″×13.8″×15.9″ | 2 L (rear) | $699 list; $552 promo |
| Gaggia Classic Pro (E24/Evo) | Semi-auto pump; factory-set 9 bar spring | 0.1 L single boiler, brass on E24 | — (requires external) | 9.5″×8″×14″ (approx.) | 2.1 L | ≈ $449 street |
| De’Longhi Dedica EC685 | Semi-auto pump; 15 bar | Thermoblock; 30 s warm-up | — | 5.9″×13″×12″ (149×330×305 mm) | 1.1 L | ≈ $299 street |
| Rancilio Silvia | Semi-auto pump | Single Boiler, commercial-grade | — (requires external) | 9.2" x 11.4" x 13.3" | 2 L | ≈ $865 street |
Choosing a Modern Pump Machine
- Breville Barista Express: Offers an excellent all-in-one workflow with its integrated grinder, PID temperature control, and pressure gauge. You can go from grind to extract in under a minute, and frequent discounts keep it competitive. Parts are available, but repairs may require proprietary spares.
- Gaggia Classic Pro: Remains the hobbyist favorite due to its commercial-standard 58mm portafilter, mod-friendly design, and sturdy Italian build. Its readily available parts and large user community make it a great choice for long-term ownership and for enthusiasts who value control and upgrade paths.
- De’Longhi Dedica: The slimmest option at just 15 cm (5.9") wide, it's ideal for small counters and renters. It still delivers 15-bar pump pressure and has a very fast 30-second heat-up time.
- Rancilio Silvia: A step-up in build quality, the Silvia features a commercial-grade group head and a larger boiler for better temperature stability and steam power, making it a durable choice for serious home baristas.
Other "Bravo" Branded Products
The Bravo Tamper: An Espresso Accessory
It is worth noting that there is also a product called the "Bravo Tamper," which is not an espresso machine but an accessory. A tamper is used to press coffee grounds evenly in the portafilter basket before brewing. The Bravo Tamper is a high-quality, calibrated tamper designed to provide consistent tamping pressure every time, which is a key variable for repeatable, high-quality espresso shots.
"Bravo" on Alibaba and OEM Machines
A search for "Bravo espresso machine" on platforms like Alibaba will show a range of machines from various manufacturers. These are often sold as "white-label" or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) products that another company can brand as their own. When considering these machines, it's important to evaluate them carefully against established brands.
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Build Quality and Materials: Established brands have a long track record and user reviews attesting to their durability. Look for details on materials used, such as stainless steel vs. plastic construction.
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Key Components: Compare the stated specifications. Most home machines use a vibratory pump. Heating systems (thermoblock, single boiler, dual boiler) and portafilter size (58mm is a common prosumer standard) are key indicators of a machine's capability.
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Support and Parts: A significant advantage of established brands is the availability of customer support, warranties, and a reliable supply of replacement parts.
Conclusion: Which Machine is for You?
The name “Bravo” can mean anything from a $9,000 unattended drink station to a thrift-store steam toy. Before choosing, you must first identify your needs regarding drink volume, countertop space, workflow expectations, and budget. For most home baristas, a modern pump machine from a brand like Breville, Gaggia, or De’Longhi will deliver far better in-cup results than either the commercial or legacy Krups Bravo. Conversely, commercial venues like cafés and offices will value the super-automatic’s high throughput, consistency, and automated hygiene features.
Works Cited
- Bravo Espresso, Tea & Chocolate by One-Touch Drinks
- Bravo Espresso brochure PDF, One-Touch Drinks.
- KRUPS - Espresso Bravo - SmallAppliance.com
- Breville Barista Express specification page.
- New York Post deal coverage on Breville Barista Express (July 3 2025).
- Gaggia Classic Pro review, CoffeeBlog.co.uk.
- Gaggia Classic Pro product support, Whole Latte Love.
- De’Longhi Dedica EC685 specification sheet.
- Coffeeness.de review of Gaggia Classic Pro.
- TechRadar “Best Espresso Machines 2025” guide.
- EspressoSetupBuilder.com spotlight on Gaggia Classic Pro Evo.
- Tom’s Coffee Corner Dedica in-depth review.
- Ideal Home roundup of bean-to-cup machines.
- Ubuy product data for Krups Bravo 871.
- Schaerer COFFEE ART PLUS | TOUCH SCREEN Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- La Cimbali Espresso Machines - Professional & Home Coffee Solutions
- Franke A600 FM CM Superautomatic Coffee Machine
- TAMPERS: Decent vs. Force vs. Bravo - Home-Barista.com
- Espresso Tampers Reviewed: Bravo vs. the BOSeTAMPER - Whole Latte Love
- Rancilio Silvia vs. Breville Barista Express | Live Comparison - YouTube
- Breville Barista Express vs Gaggia Classic Pro - LifeStyle Lab
- Gaggia Classic Evo Pro - CoffeeGeek
- Dos and Don'ts Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine - YouTube
- KRUPS 872 INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE MANUAL Pdf Download - ManualsLib
- De'Longhi. (n.d.). Manual Espresso Machine, EC155. Retrieved from https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/manual-espresso-machine-ec155/p/EC-155
- Alibaba. (n.d.). OEM Automatic Coffee Machine, Stainless Steel Body, 15Bar Pump. Retrieved from https://www.alibaba.com/product-introduction/Automatic-Express-Espresso-Coffee-Machine-Maker_1600762630831.html