Kitchen & Dining · Product overview
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine (Bes870xl)
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine (Bes870xl) Review
The Breville Barista Express is a premium-style espresso machine built for people who want integrated grinding, more brewing control, and the ability to make café-style drinks at home.
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What stands out
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- Receive 2 free bags of specialty coffee when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T and Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
- MANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: The powerful steam wand performance allows you to hand texture microfoam milk that enhances flavor and enables creation of latte art
- ESPRESSO MACHINE WITH GRIND SIZE DIAL: Simple and intuitive, giving you control over the grind size no matter what type of bean you're grinding
- ESPRESSO MAKER WITH BUILT-IN COFFEE GRINDER: Innovative grinding cradle allows any at home barista to grind directly into the espresso portafilter for the perfect espresso
- INCLUDED: Razor Dose Trimming Tool, 54mm Stainless Steel Portafilter, 1 & 2 cup Single & Dual Wall Filter Baskets, Coffee Scoop, Integrated Tamper, Stainless Steel Milk Jug, Cleaning Disc, Tablets, Brush Tool, Allen Key, Water Filter & Filter Holder
- CAPACITY & SETTINGS: 1/2 lb Bean Hopper; 67 oz Water Tank; Single or double shots; Adjustable Grind Amount and Manual Override; WARRANTY: 1 Year Limited Product Warranty; Power: 1600 Watts; Voltage: 120 Volts
Pros
- Integrated grinder helps streamline the espresso workflow.
- Offers strong control over grind size, extraction, and milk texturing.
- Suitable for making both espresso and milk-based drinks.
- Designed for home users who want a more café-style result.
Cons
- Requires a hands-on approach rather than one-touch simplicity.
- Manual steaming can take practice to master.
- Best suited to users who will take advantage of its features.
Who it’s for
- Home baristas who want an all-in-one espresso setup.
- Coffee drinkers who want more control over grind and extraction.
- Users who plan to make latte-style drinks and microfoam milk.
Who should skip
- Buyers who want fully automatic operation.
- People who want the simplest possible espresso routine.
- Casual users unlikely to use grinder and steam-wand features.
Full review
Introduction
The Breville Barista Express is designed to bring third wave specialty coffee into the home with an all-in-one setup that grinds beans and moves you toward espresso quickly. It is a strong fit for buyers who want more control than a basic machine and are comfortable learning a more hands-on workflow.
Key features / specs
- Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand directly into the portafilter.
- Grind size dial gives simple control over grind settings.
- Low pressure pre-infusion helps draw out flavor more evenly during extraction.
- Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature.
- Manual steam wand lets you texture microfoam milk and make latte art.
- Built-in grinding cradle supports grinding directly into the espresso portafilter.
- The machine is positioned as an all-in-one espresso option in Breville’s Barista Series.
Pros
- Combines grinding and espresso-making in one machine.
- Offers more control over espresso quality than many entry-level options.
- Supports café-style drinks with manual milk texturing.
- Suits users who want to adjust grind size and extraction behavior.
- Helps streamline the path from beans to espresso.
Cons
- The hands-on workflow is not ideal for buyers who want a fully automatic experience.
- The manual steam wand requires practice for consistent microfoam.
- It is a more involved machine, so casual users may find it less convenient than simpler options.
Who it's for
This is a good match for home baristas, coffee enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to learn espresso-making with an integrated grinder and more brewing control. It also suits buyers who want to make milk-based drinks and value a machine that can handle both espresso extraction and steaming.
/ value
This sits in a higher-end, premium-leaning part of its category, so it makes the most sense for buyers who will use its features regularly. The value is strongest if you want an all-in-one setup and would rather invest in control and convenience than buy separate machines.
Final verdict
The Breville Barista Express is worth buying if you want a capable, feature-rich espresso machine that balances convenience with hands-on control. It is less compelling for buyers who want the simplest possible routine, but it is a strong choice for anyone serious about making better espresso at home. See price on Amazon
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See price on Amazon