The Breville BES870XL Barista Express [2024 Review]

We have the lowdown on everything you need to know about the Breville Barista Express.

If you have come looking for intel on the Breville Barista Express, look no further. Our review of the Barista Express covers everything you need to know before purchasing this home espresso machine. We’ve done the research and have the facts, so read on to discover what makes this home espresso machine so popular.

The Short and Sweet

The reason this machine is so popular is the all-in-one design and its reliable quality. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express can grind your coffee, pull your shot of espresso and steam your milk, making this home espresso machine all you need to enjoy the espresso drink of your choice in the comfort of your own home.

The Full Review

The Breville Barista Express is a popular home espresso machine brought to us by appliance giant, Breville. Along with the popularity of Breville comes the reassurance that you are buying a quality product backed by reliable customer service and a warranty that works for you.

Again, this machine is extremely popular for home baristas as it has everything you need to make espresso at home. The grinder is built in alongside the brewing component and steam wand. We’ll take a closer look at these features and see what makes this espresso machine stand out.

Product Highlights

• Built-in conical burr grinder with 15 grind settings.
• Adjustable brew temperature.
• Extra large water tank (67 fluid ounces).
• High-quality espresso but still user-friendly.

Build Quality and Materials – 5/5

A high-quality build that is backed up by high-quality customer service.

While the Breville BES870XL Barista Express is almost fully plastic, the materials are hardy and withstand the heat and pressure that come with the use of an espresso machine. The overall build quality is good enough to last years.

However, there are hiccups that come with this machine, including issues with the pressure and the pressure gauge. However, the warranty and long-term customer support are effective and provide the necessary service to keep your machine chugging along for years and years.

User Experience – 5/5

The buttons and general features of the machine are aesthetically and texturally pleasing with an emphasis on easy of use.

The Breville BES870XL Barista Express is designed with the user in mind. The controls panel is direct and easy to understand. Regardless, the user manual is straightforward and will cover any question you have before getting started with your first brew.

Coffee Quality – 5/5

Variability dependent on the user but the Breville Barista Express certainly has the ability to produce high-quality, complex espresso shots.

The coffee quality is definitely dependent on a few factors such as the user’s technique and experience, as well as the coffee itself, but when it comes to the responsibilities of the Breville BES870XL Barista Express, this machine is wholly capable of producing a delicious, well-balanced shot of espresso without too much effort on the user’s part.

The Steam Wand – 5/5

The Breville BES870XL Barista Express steam wand has the power and the heat to make a great latte. The only downside is the operation of the steam wand is less ergonomic than other options out there.

One of the better features of this piece of equipment is the the steam wand. Unlike many other steam wands on home machines, the Breville BES870XL Barista Express steam wand can provide the power and the heat to steam your milk for microfoam at near cafe-quality.

The downside to the steam wand is an issue of ergonomics. The steam wand is operated by way of a switch rather than a knob or a lever. The use of a knob or a lever allow for easier use and for more specific adjustments rather than a simple on/off motion.

The Grinder – 5/5

Not many home espresso machines offer a functional and compact built-in burr grinder. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express is one of the few to do so and it does it well.

One of the big perks of the Breville BES870XL Barista Express is the grinder! The fact that this machine boasts a built-in grinder makes the Breville Barista Express a top pick for us. The grinder itself utilizes burrs for the grinding process, making this grinder much more precise and higher quality than many home grinders.

While this grinder does not offer a large variety of settings, it does grind coffee adequately for brewing espresso as the machine intended.

The Accessories – 4/5

Breville includes a few accessories that do not match the quality of the actual machine. These accessories are best discarded and replaced with higher quality accessories. That being said, everything you need to get brewing right out of the box is included.

As with most espresso machine, home and commercial, the Breville BES870XL Barista Express is equipped with some accessories. Most of these accessories do not live up to the quality of the machine itself and are worth replacing as soon as possible.

The tamper that is include is lightweight with an uninventive and semi-functional design. We highly recommend replacing the manufacturer provided tamper with a proper tamper. Be sure purchase a 53.3-54mm tamper for the Breville BES870XL Barista Express. Likewise, the distribution tool is somewhat erroneous and can be discarded or replaced.

With that said, the portafilter baskets and cleaning supplies are accessories worth keeping around.

The Breville BES870XL Barista Express includes four portafilter baskets, each one to suit a different brewing technique: single-walled single shot basket, double-walled single shot basket, single-walled double shot basket and a double-walled double shot basket. The single-walled baskets are intended for freshly-ground coffee whereas the double-walled baskets are a neat work-around for anyone using pre-ground coffee.

Should I Buy Breville BES870XL Barista Express?

If you are in the market for a semi-automatic, user-friendly, all-in-one machine, look no further. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express has been on the market for a few years and continues to receive updates and be issued in slightly different models.

This means that there is one for just about every price points with each machine falling under $1000 which, in the espresso machine world, is a damn good deal for something that can put out the power and the heat to brew espresso.

Great for espresso enthusiasts looking to start their journey as a home barista – especially those looking for an all-in-one machine.

Not so great for advanced home baristas looking to up their game. The user-friendly interface of this machine does not allow for too much dialing-in when it comes to the variables in making espresso.

We rate the Breville BES870XL Barista Express an overall 5 out of 5.