Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine Review | BES870XL

If you want to elevate your home espresso game without buying separate espresso machine, grinder, and steamer, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL is one of the best all-in-one solutions on the market. It combines a built-in grinder, quality portafilter, steam wand, and precise temperature control in a stylish brushed stainless steel body. For many who want near-professional espresso shots, milk drinks, and reliable performance, this machine hits a sweet spot.

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Key Features & Specifications

Feature	Detail
Grinder	Integrated conical burr grinder (≈16 grind settings) with dosing control
Pump Pressure	15-bar Italian pump
Pre-Infusion	Low-pressure pre-infusion before full extraction
Heating System	Thermocoil heating system + PID temperature control (approx. 200°F optimal brew temp)
Portafilter	54 mm stainless steel portafilter, includes dual/single wall filter baskets
Steam Wand	360° swivel steam wand for microfoam milk texture, full manual frothing control
Water Tank Capacity	~67 oz (2-liter) removable reservoir
Hopper & Bean Capacity	~8 oz bean hopper, removable for cleaning / refill
Controls	Volumetric shot control (1-shot / 2-shot), grind size dial, dose control, pressure gauge
Dimensions & Weight	Depth ~13.8 in, Width ~12.5 in, Height ~15.9 in; Weight ~22.1 lb
Finish	Brushed stainless steel

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel

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

Design & Build Quality

Solid stainless steel build gives it a premium and durable look.
The design balances aesthetics and usability: easy-to-access water tank, clear bean hopper, front-mounted pressure gauge.
The included accessories are generous: tamper, razor dosing/trimming tool, single and dual wall filter baskets, milk jug, cleaning tools.
The portafilter is well constructed and feels sturdy. The steam wand swivels in a full circle, allowing flexible positioning for milk frothing.

Performance: How It Really Performs

Espresso Quality

Once dialed in, the Barista Express produces rich crema, balanced flavor, and great extraction. The low-pressure pre-infusion helps reduce harshness by letting the coffee bed bloom before full pressure kicks in. The 15-bar pump gives the required push. You can pull single or double shots via volumetric control or manual override.

Grinder & Dosing

The built-in conical burr grinder saves space and cost of a separate grinder. Dosing control helps you grind the right amount. However, to get consistent results, especially with different bean roasts or fresh beans, you’ll need to experiment with grind size and dose. The razor trimming tool helps reduce waste and mess.

Milk Frothing

The steam wand provides good control to produce smooth microfoam, which is essential for lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites. It won’t match a dual- or commercial-grade wand in power, but for home use, it’s very capable. Frothing takes a little practice.

Temperature Control & Stability

With PID temperature control and thermocoil heating, the machine warms up relatively quickly and maintains stable brew temperature. The group head also warms up well, which helps avoid temperature drops between shots.

Ease of Use & Learning Curve

It’s semi-automatic: not a push-button super-automatic. You need to learn tamping, dosing, grind adjustment, timing, milk frothing. But Breville’s layout (knobs, buttons, pressure gauge) gives feedback, which helps users learn. It’s a trade-off: more control, more to learn.

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Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

All-in-one machine: built-in grinder saves counter space and cost.
Excellent control over espresso extraction (pressure gauge, PID, pre-infusion).
Sturdy build and premium materials.
Strong support via accessories (filter baskets, tamper, tools).
Big water tank and generous hopper; less frequent refilling.
Good value for what you get: espresso + frothing + grinder.

❌ Cons

Grinder, while good, is not top-tier; may struggle with very fine or very light roasts.
Steam wand’s power is decent but not as fast as dual-boiler or dedicated latte machines.
Can be loud when grinding.
Sharp learning curve: dialing in shots takes practice and patience.
Size and weight: not small; takes up counter space.

Who Should Buy the Barista Express BES870XL?

Beginners who want to learn espresso and milk drinks without buying multiple machines.
Intermediate users who want good control without going fully commercial.
Coffee lovers who enjoy trying different beans and roast profiles.
Homes or small offices that want café-quality espresso with a single machine.

Comparisons with Alternatives

Comparison	Breville Barista Express Better In	Where Competitors Might Excel
vs Breville Bambino Plus	Integrated grinder, volumetric control, larger water tank, more accessories.	Bambino Plus is faster heating, smaller footprint.
vs Gaggia Classic Pro	Barista Express easier to use out of box, built-in grinder, more automation.	Gaggia might have stronger steam wand and better long-term potential if manual skills are valued more.
vs De’Longhi La Specialista	Similar integrated grinder features; Barista Express has strength in build and traditional feedback.	Some competitors offer sensor-based or assisted tamping more refined.

FAQs

Q: How long does the Barista Express take to warm up?
Roughly 30-60 seconds for the thermocoil system to reach optimal temperature, though waiting a bit more gives better consistency.

Q: Can it make Americanos or tea?
Yes — there’s a hot water outlet for dispensing hot water.

Q: How often do you clean / descale?
Regular cleaning: backflush weekly, wipe the group head, clean the steam wand after each use, descale periodically (frequency depends on water hardness / usage).

Q: What grind settings should I start with?
Start with a mid-grind setting and adjust finer if shot is under-extracted (sour), coarser if over-extracted (bitter). Use the dose trimming tool to level the grounds.

Q: Is replacement / spare parts easy to source?
Yes — Breville has wide aftermarket support and accessories; filter baskets, portafilters, etc., are reasonably available.

Final Verdict

The Breville Barista Express BES870XL remains a standout machine in the home espresso space. It offers an ideal balance between automation and control, making it perfect for those who want serious espresso quality without investing in separate grinder-and-machine setups.

If you’re ready to invest some time into learning, this machine can deliver café-level espresso and latte experiences from home. For its price, features, and build, it represents excellent value for beginners and enthusiasts alike.