Breville Barista Express Review: The BES870XL Insights

You know that feeling when your morning coffee is just off? Too bitter, too weak, or just… flat?

You’re not alone. Millions of Americans wake up every day and either settle for a mediocre cup at home or spend $6–$7 at the coffee shop just to get something decent. Both options start to feel pretty bad real fast.

If you’re somewhere in between — you love really good espresso, you’re sick of Starbucks prices, but you’re also not ready to go full home-barista mode with a $3,000 setup — the Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

In this Breville Barista Express review, we’re going to walk through everything you actually need to know: what makes this machine tick, where it shines, where it falls short, and who it’s genuinely made for. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know whether this is your next kitchen staple or not.

Sale

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

• Delivers third-wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula
• Offers all-in-one espresso machines with an integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
• An integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter
• Low-pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly
• Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
• The powerful steam wand performance allows handling texture of microfoam milk that enhances flavor and enables the creation of latte art

$688.99 −20% $549.95

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Data last updated: 2026-05-06

The Breville BES870XL is a high-end home espresso machine designed for the coffee lover who wants café-quality shots without leaving the house. It comes with an integrated grinder, adjustable grind settings, manual milk texturing, and a PID temperature control system — all in one brushed stainless steel package.

It sits at the top of our list of the Best Breville Espresso Machines.

The Barista Express is one of the top-selling espresso machines in North America — Breville has claimed the #1 spot in both Canada and the USA for nearly a decade, and it’s easy to see why. It was also awarded Best New Product of 2013 by the Specialty Coffee Association of America, so its reputation isn’t exactly a secret.

Let’s look at what it actually brings to your countertop.

At a glance:

• Integrated precision conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings
• 54mm stainless steel portafilter, 18g dose
• PID digital temperature control (200°F)
• Low-pressure pre-infusion + 9-bar extraction (15-bar Italian pump)
• ½ lb (8 oz) bean hopper + 67 oz water tank
• Powerful steam wand for microfoam and latte art
• Includes Dosing Funnel™ attachment (new addition)
• 1-year limited warranty

Breville packed a lot into this machine. Here’s what matters most.

The Ease of Use

Except for the cleaning, you’ll find this espresso machine pretty easy to live with. That said — it does require your input to make coffee. You set the grind settings, choose your dose, tamp, and pull the shot. It’s not a push-one-button situation.

The Barista Express demands patience and rewards practice — it occasionally frustrates even experienced baristas. But for home baristas willing to put in the time, the results are exceptional.

The machine has single and double shot options, which is helpful. Setup is easy, the capacity is solid, and once you dial in your settings, your morning routine gets a lot smoother.

Dose Control Grinding

Freshly ground coffee makes a massive difference in flavor. That’s not just coffee-nerd talk — it’s real. The Barista Express has a built-in precision conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings to dial in exactly what you need. With a single touch, the integrated grinder delivers the right amount of coffee on demand for maximum flavor, going from whole beans to espresso in under a minute.

You can control how much you grind for each shot so nothing goes to waste. The grind size dial is on the left side of the machine; the grind amount dial is on the front. Once you land on the right combo for your beans, you’re in business.

Elegant User Interface

The full brushed stainless steel housing looks genuinely good on a kitchen counter — whether your kitchen is modern, industrial, or somewhere in between. The pressure gauge on the front panel isn’t just decorative; it’s your guide to knowing if your extraction is on point. Aim for the Espresso Range, and you’re good. If you’re outside of it, that’s your cue to adjust the grind size.

The water tank is at the back, which is worth knowing if you plan to tuck it under a cabinet. Filling it can be a little awkward in tight spaces.

Effortless Control Panel

This elegant-looking machine featured an effortless control panel too. It shouldn’t be a troublesome job for you to operate the machine. The control panel is designed based on buttons and rotating dials.

On the very left side, you will get a power button which is obviously used to turn the machine ON or OFF. Next to the power button, you will see a dial called Grind Amount. You can adjust the dose amount of your coffee by rotating the dial clockwise or anti-clockwise. The filter size button is used for selecting the proper filter basket size. Depending on the size of your filter basket you have to press the button and select the right size.

Precise Espresso Extraction

The Thermocoil heating system delivers water at exactly 200°F with PID temperature control for perfectly balanced flavors. And if you want to go deeper, the Advanced Temperature Mode lets you adjust water temp in 2°F increments across five settings. That kind of control matters more than you’d think — different roasts genuinely do taste better at different temps.

Low-pressure pre-infusion gradually saturates the grounds first, followed by high-pressure 9-bar extraction via the 15-bar Italian pump — pulling out a rich, caramel-colored espresso with a creamy crema.

Micro-Foam Milk Texturing

Extracting the coffee from this coffee machine is completely easy. However, if you want to make a latte and use the milk frother, it still won’t be very difficult. Apparently, The steam wand here is powerful enough for real microfoam — the kind you can pour latte art with if you practice a bit. It swivels 360 degrees and gets the milk to that silky, glossy texture that makes lattes and cappuccinos taste the way they do at a good coffee bar.

Single Boiler

Here’s the honest trade-off: this machine uses a single boiler. That means you can’t pull a shot and steam milk at the exact same time. You extract your espresso first, then flip to steam mode. It takes about 30 seconds to heat up for steaming.

For home use? Totally fine. For a busy coffee shop? Not ideal.

As a home barista, What you can do is, extract coffee first, and as soon as the extraction is finished turn the steam dial to the steam position for texturing milk. It takes about 30 seconds to get the right temperature for the steam system.

Large Water Tank

The 67 oz water tank holds about 2 liters — enough to get through multiple drinks before needing a refill. It comes with a water filter installed inside, and the ergonomic handle makes removing it for a fill-up pretty painless.

Dosing Funnel™ Attachment

The Dosing Funnel™ attachment for the portafilter is included with the machine and prevents coffee grinds from overflowing during grinding and tamping — reducing mess and waste. It’s made from BPA-free materials and is dishwasher safe. A small addition, but one that makes the daily process noticeably cleaner.

Setup Just Got Easier: BILT® App

Not a manual person?

Breville has partnered with BILT® Intelligent Instructions for a free, interactive 3D setup experience accessible through the BILT app — so you can get everything dialed in without squinting at a booklet.

Maintenance and Quality

Breville espresso machines will last at least five years if properly maintained — and many users report their machines still going strong at the 10-year mark. The key is regular cleaning, descaling, backflushing, and grinder maintenance, plus a service check roughly every 18 months.

The machine doesn’t have a self-cleaning feature, so you will need to clean it after regular use by removing the drip tray. For a detailed walkthrough, check our guide on how to clean Breville espresso machines.

Positives

• Total control over grind amount and grind size (16 settings)
• Built-in grinder means no separate grinder purchase needed
• Preserves flavor and aroma of freshly ground beans
• Steam wand enables real latte art
• PID temperature control at 200°F for consistent extraction
• Solid, durable build — made to last years
• Great value for the features included
• Easy to install; BILT® app makes setup even simpler
• Dosing Funnel™ now included

Negatives

• Requires daily setup — not a push-and-go machine
• No self-cleaning feature; manual cleaning required
• Single boiler means no simultaneous brewing and steaming
• Water tank at the back can be awkward under low cabinets
• 1-year warranty (short for the price point; extended warranty available)

Using the Barista Express is pretty straightforward once you’ve done it a few times. Here’s the process:

1. Open the water tank lid, fill to the Max line with cold water, and insert the water filter before re-attaching the tank.
2. Turn on the machine and — this part’s important — let it warm up for 20–25 minutes before pulling your first shot. A fully warmed-up machine makes a noticeably better espresso. Place your cups on top to warm them too.
3. Fill the bean hopper (it holds ½ lb / 8 oz of beans), select your filter size, and position your portafilter under the grinder.
4. Grind your beans directly into the portafilter, tamp firmly, and lock the portafilter into the group head.
5. Press your single or double shot button. The machine will pre-infuse first — a small amount of water saturates the grounds — then push through with full extraction pressure.
6. For milk: turn the steam knob to the steam position and wait for the hot water/steam button to stop blinking and go solid. Submerge the steam wand into your milk pitcher and go.

Read the instruction manual for detailed settings — or download the BILT® app for a step-by-step 3D guide.

This machine is a sweet spot for anyone who thought great home espresso would cost thousands. It won’t. The Barista Express is positioned as great value among mid-range semi-automatic espresso machines — and when you factor in that it includes an integrated grinder (which alone can cost $100+), the total price is even better than it looks.

You’ll love this machine if you’re a home barista who wants real control, someone who enjoys the process of making coffee, or a latte and cappuccino fan who’s tired of the $6-a-day habit. Think of it this way: if you’re buying two espresso drinks a day, this machine pays for itself in a few months.

Who should skip it? If you’re just starting out and still learning the basics, something simpler might be a better fit first. And if you’re running a high-volume setup — a busy café or a busy office — the single boiler will bottleneck you. This is a home machine, through and through.

Sale

Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine - BES870XL

$688.99 −20% $549.95

Check On Amazon We may earn affiliate commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

Data last updated: 2026-05-06

The Breville Barista Express isn’t the kind of machine that does everything for you — and that’s kind of the point. It’s built for people who want to be involved in making their coffee, who want real control over their shot, and who want something that’ll last. If that sounds like you, this machine delivers.

If you want something fully hands-off, look elsewhere. But if you love the ritual of coffee-making as much as the cup itself, the BES870XL is one of the best things you can put on your kitchen counter.

Happy Brewing!