Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Last updated: July 18, 2023

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
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We looked at the top Espresso Machines and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Espresso Machine you should buy.

Overall Take

This espresso machine has a slight learning curve, but its brewing process does keep your coffee at the perfect temperature. The built-in steam wand is designed to draw in air to boost your latte art. You can also control the shot volume in your espressos by tapping a button either once or twice.

In our analysis of 51 expert reviews, the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine placed 2nd when we looked at the top 19 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

In the world of coffee, freshness can be measured in seconds. By the time even five minutes has passed, ground beans have started to lose their flavor. Grinding beans every time you want fresh espresso takes time, though, and oftentimes it becomes a tradeoff between taste and convenience. The Breville Barista Express solves this problem, delivering fresh, quality espresso at remarkable speed, thanks to its integrated burr grinder. Go from beans to espresso in under a minute—all in the comfort of your own home.

Expert Reviews


What experts liked

To make life easier, ground coffee drops directly into the Barista Express' steel portafilter.
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The Barista Express also features a clean interface that allows you to control the shot volumes and filter size and shows you the extraction pressure of your espresso.
Make an excellent shot of espresso in the comfort of your own home with the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine—beloved by thousands of customers, this top-rated espresso maker is functional, stylish, and ideal for home use.
The interface lives up to Breville's great reputation.
It’s simple enough to operate once you get the hang of it and it comes in at a really nice price as well.
Built-in bean grinder gives you control over final product.
Combined in a sleek design, the Bes870XL’s features makes the machine high-tech and perfect for coffee lovers not looking to spend money at expensive cafes.

What experts didn't like

Of course a gadget like this isn't for everyone since it requires some effort and patience to operate.
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Breville’s Barista Express is pricey but worth it.
The one small downside of the Barista Express' steam wand is the fact that the machine takes a minute to get the wand up to pressure after pulling a shot.
This is not one of those appliances that you just plug in and start using without the manual.
Relatively high priced, but owners find it to be well worth the extra cost.
We will admit that the $600 price tag is not very appealing and might be unusually harsh for beginners.

Our Expert Consultant

Julie Chernoff
Culinary Expert

Julie Chernoff is a long-time member of Les Dames d’Escoffier (past president of the Chicago Chapter, and current co-chair of the LDEI Legacy Awards Committee), the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Chernoff is the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine. Her journalism started in the test kitchens of Weight Watchers Magazine. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has spent the last few decades styling, photographing, teaching, developing recipes, editing, thinking and writing about food.

View our Espresso Machine buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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