Skip to content
BuyOnceRight: buy once, buy right
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

  • Built-in conical burr grinder with dose control
  • 15-bar Italian pump
  • Manual steam wand for microfoam milk
  • Digital PID temperature control
  • Pre-infusion for even espresso extraction
  • Removable water tank with venturi straw
Check price on Amazon

Sponsored link · confirm price and availability on Amazon · updated

On this page

Is the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine worth it?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine ranks #1 in our Best Espresso Machines 2026 list (best overall). Its biggest strength: pID temperature control keeps shot temperature consistent shot to shot. The main caveat: real learning curve, dialing in grind size, dose, and tamp pressure takes weeks to master.

Overview

What the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine does well

Best overall espresso machine. Its case rests on built-in conical burr grinder removes the need to buy a separate grinder, the one unit that makes espresso genuinely accessible at home and pID temperature control holds brew temperature to within 1 degree, which is the single most important factor in shot consistency. The tradeoff: built-in grinder cannot be upgraded separately as skills develop.

Best all-in-one for beginners. The highlights are built-in grinder eliminates the separate grinder purchase and simplifies the setup and grind size and dose adjustments are on the same machine, beginners manage one device, not two. The tradeoff: steam wand requires technique, not as forgiving as auto milk frothing.

The Breville Barista Express is the correct all-in-one for home baristas who want a grinder included. It stands out for only machine in this price range with a built-in grinder that is actually capable for espresso and pID temperature control and 15-bar pump in an all-in-one unit.

Specs that matter

Key features

  • Built-in conical burr grinder with dose control
  • 15-bar Italian pump
  • Manual steam wand for microfoam milk
  • Digital PID temperature control
  • Pre-infusion for even espresso extraction
  • Removable water tank with venturi straw
The trade-offs

Pros & cons

Pros

  • PID temperature control keeps shot temperature consistent shot to shot
  • Steam wand produces genuine microfoam for latte art, not just heated milk
  • 22,000+ ratings at 4.6 stars show it holds up well over years of daily use

Cons

  • Real learning curve, dialing in grind size, dose, and tamp pressure takes weeks to master
  • Daily cleaning (backflushing, purging the steam wand) is mandatory or the machine clogs
  • Burrs and group head need periodic descaling and part replacement
Fit check

Should you buy the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine?

Buy it if you're…

  • Shopping for beginners 2026
  • Shopping for budgets under $500

Think twice if this matters to you

  • Real learning curve, dialing in grind size, dose, and tamp pressure takes weeks to master
  • Daily cleaning (backflushing, purging the steam wand) is mandatory or the machine clogs
  • Burrs and group head need periodic descaling and part replacement
Where it ranks

Featured in 4 best-of lists

ListRank
Best Espresso Machines 2026· Best Overall#1 / 13
Best Espresso Machines for Beginners 2026· Best All In One Beginner#2 / 11
Best Espresso Machines Under $500· Best All In One#3 / 12
Best Coffee Makers#12 / 12
Cross-shop

Alternatives to the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.

Head-to-head

Compared with

Buying advice: coffee makers

  1. Drip for hands-off mornings, pour-over gear for control, espresso for milk drinks, French press for full body. Match the method to the coffee you actually drink.
  2. The best drip machines hold 195–205°F through the brew. Underheated brewers make sour, weak coffee no grinder can fix.
  3. Whole beans + a burr grinder beat any brewer upgrade. If you buy pre-ground, prioritize brewers forgiving of grind inconsistency.
  4. Thermal carafes keep coffee hot without a scorching hot plate. Single-serve suits solo drinkers; 10–12 cup for households.
  5. Removable water reservoirs and brew baskets get cleaned; fixed ones get neglected. Descaling alerts are genuinely useful.

Read the full guides

Answers

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine: common questions

Is the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine worth buying?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine ranks #1 in our Best Espresso Machines 2026 list (best overall). Its biggest strength: pID temperature control keeps shot temperature consistent shot to shot. The main caveat: real learning curve, dialing in grind size, dose, and tamp pressure takes weeks to master.

Who is the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine best for?

Based on our research it suits beginners 2026 and budgets under $500. It's ranked #1 of 13 in our Best Espresso Machines 2026 list.

What are the downsides of the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine?

The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: real learning curve, dialing in grind size, dose, and tamp pressure takes weeks to master; daily cleaning (backflushing, purging the steam wand) is mandatory or the machine clogs; burrs and group head need periodic descaling and part replacement.

What are the key features of the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine?

Built-in conical burr grinder with dose control, 15-bar Italian pump, Manual steam wand for microfoam milk, Digital PID temperature control and Pre-infusion for even espresso extraction.

What are the best alternatives to the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine?

Worth comparing: Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS, Gaggia Classic Pro and De'Longhi Dedica Arte EC885M. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.

Where can I buy the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine?

It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.

Is a single-serve coffee maker or a small drip machine better for one person?

Depends on coffee quality priority vs convenience priority. Single-serve (Keurig, Nespresso): produces one cup in 30 seconds with zero setup, but K-Cup coffee tastes noticeably less fresh than whole-bean coffee ground for a drip machine. For a person who wants maximum convenience and does not prioritize the quality difference: Keurig. For a person who drinks one to two cups per day and wants the best coffee for their budget: a small 4 to 5-cup drip machine (Cuisinart 5-cup, Bonavita 5-cup) or a manual method (AeroPress, Chemex 3-cup) produces better coffee at lower per-cup cost.

What is the AeroPress and is it worth it for one person?

The AeroPress is a manual coffee brewing device that uses air pressure to push hot water through fine-ground coffee in 1 to 2 minutes. It produces a concentrated, low-acid coffee similar in strength to espresso when used with fine grind, or a standard cup strength when used with medium grind and more water. Its advantages: compact (fits in a travel bag), produces a clean cup with no bitterness even at high extraction, easy to clean (the plunger sweeps the chamber clean after each cup), and can brew into a travel mug directly. Its disadvantages: requires manual technique (timing, grind size, water temperature management), produces only one to two cups per session, and requires boiling water separately. For a person who enjoys the brewing ritual: the AeroPress is an excellent choice. For a person who wants automatic convenience: it is not the answer.

More coffee makers shortlists

More like this

Other coffee makers we recommend

All coffee makers

Browse all research