Breville Barista Express BES870XL
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The all-in-one machine most people learn espresso on: a semi-automatic with a built-in grinder, a pressure gauge and a manual steam wand. It rewards practice, and its grinder is the part you are most likely to outgrow.
Who it's for
Good fit if
you want to learn espresso as a skill and want one machine on the counter instead of a machine plus a grinder.
Skip it if
you want push-button drinks, drink mostly light roasts, or already plan to upgrade the grinder. The built-in one can't be swapped out.
Specs
| List price | $699.95 |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic with built-in grinder |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burrs, 16 settings |
| Heating | Thermocoil with PID temperature control |
| Extraction | Low-pressure pre-infusion, then about 9 bar (15-bar pump) |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
| Milk | Manual steam wand |
| Water tank | 67 oz |
| Size | 15.9 × 13.1 × 12.4 in (Breville lists this as W × D × H) |
| Weight | 22.09 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year |
From Breville US's product page and official documents, checked Nov 1, 2026. List prices change often.
What reviewers agree on
Each point is made by at least two of the independent reviews linked after it. We don't own or test the products we cover; see how we choose.
- It makes good espresso once the grind is dialed in. (Tom's Guide, TechGearLab)
- There is a real learning curve. Grinding, tamping and steaming are manual, and it takes practice before drinks come out right. (Tom's Guide, TechGearLab, Coffee Chronicler)
- The steam wand is slow to heat. That gives beginners time to learn milk texture but makes each milk drink take longer. (TechGearLab, Coffee Chronicler)
- The built-in grinder is fine to start with but is the weakest part of the machine. (TechGearLab, Coffee Chronicler)
- A cleaning kit comes in the box. (Tom's Guide, Coffee Chronicler)
Worth knowing
- You can't brew and steam at the same time. Pull the shot first, then steam. (TechGearLab, Coffee Chronicler)
- Routine upkeep includes rinsing the portafilter, purging the wand, backflushing, replacing the water filter and descaling with Breville's products. (Tom's Guide, TechGearLab)
Raised by one reviewer: the tank sits at the back with no low-water warning (Tom's Guide); setup took about 35 minutes and a cappuccino about 4.5 minutes (TechGearLab); the pump is loud and rattly and the grinder is messy (Coffee Chronicler).
How it compares
- vs. Barista Express Impress ($799.95): assisted tamping that corrects the dose for you, 25 grind settings instead of 16, and a 2-year warranty instead of 1.
- vs. Barista Pro ($849.95): ThermoJet heating that is ready in about 3 seconds, 30 grind settings, and a 2-year warranty.
- vs. Bambino Plus + Encore ESP ($699.90 together): about the same money, but automatic milk frothing and a grinder you can upgrade separately. Takes up two spots on the counter.