Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL: Detailed Review

Espresso machines are at the heart of any coffee lover’s kitchen, and the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL has gained considerable attention for its combination of affordability, ease of use, and impressive features. In this review, we’ll dive into its key features, performance, pros and cons, and answer frequently asked questions to help you decide if it’s the right machine for your coffee needs.

Key Features and Specifications

Design and Build

The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine boasts a brushed stainless steel finish, providing a sleek, professional look that fits well in modern kitchens. The build quality feels robust, with an emphasis on durability, making it suitable for daily use. Despite its compact size, it features a range of functionalities typically found in more expensive machines.

Grinder and Coffee Input

One of the standout features of this espresso machine is the integrated grinder. The Barista Express uses a precision conical burr grinder, which grinds coffee beans on demand. This feature ensures you get fresh coffee with every shot. The grinder is adjustable, offering a range of grind sizes, allowing users to tailor the grind based on their preferred coffee style, whether it’s a fine grind for espresso or a coarser grind for other brewing methods.

Optimal Water Pressure and Extraction

Breville’s optimal water pressure system ensures a balanced espresso extraction. The machine employs a low-pressure pre-infusion process that gradually increases pressure during extraction. This helps evenly distribute water over the coffee grounds, ensuring all the flavors are pulled out for a rich and balanced espresso shot.

The Digital Temperature Control (PID) helps maintain the right brewing temperature, crucial for achieving the best extraction and flavor. The machine’s ability to regulate temperature ensures that every shot of espresso is brewed at the ideal temperature, improving consistency and taste.

Milk Frothing

The manual microfoam milk texturing is one of the highlights of the Barista Express. With the help of a powerful steam wand, users can texture milk for lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso-based drinks. It’s easy to achieve rich, creamy microfoam, making it ideal for latte art. The wand is intuitive to use, though it may take a little practice for beginners to master the perfect texture.

Water Tank and Hopper Capacity

The Breville Barista Express comes with a 67 oz water tank, which is large enough to handle several espresso shots before needing a refill. The ½ lb bean hopper is sufficient for home use, though it may need to be refilled more frequently in larger households or busy coffee-drinking environments.

Other Included Accessories

The machine comes equipped with a range of accessories that make the espresso-making process smoother:

• 54mm Stainless Steel Portafilter for better heat retention
• Single & dual wall filter baskets for versatile brewing
• Razor Dose Trimming Tool for consistent dosing
• Stainless steel milk jug for frothing
• Cleaning tools to help maintain the machine’s performance
• Water filter & filter holder for cleaner water and improved taste

Performance

The Breville Barista Express has earned a reputation for providing exceptional coffee quality at home. Let’s break down its performance across various aspects:

Grinding

The integrated conical burr grinder offers precise and consistent grinds. With the ability to adjust the grind size, users can easily tweak their coffee to suit their taste preferences. This allows you to experiment with different roast levels and achieve the perfect espresso shot. The grinder’s consistency is one of the standout features, though it may struggle with extremely oily beans.

Brewing Espresso

Espresso brewing is where the Barista Express excels. The PID temperature control and optimal water pressure combine to deliver a consistent and well-balanced shot of espresso. The low-pressure pre-infusion ensures even extraction, preventing channeling and delivering a richer taste. The digital temperature control also helps mitigate any inconsistencies, a crucial aspect when brewing specialty coffee.

The machine’s dual-wall filter baskets help improve the quality of the espresso, especially for beginners who might not be familiar with the nuances of tamping and dosing. For more advanced users, the single-wall baskets allow more control over the shot.

Milk Frothing and Steaming

The steam wand provides powerful frothing, allowing users to create barista-quality microfoam. The manual milk texturing feature is perfect for those who want to experiment with latte art. While the steam pressure is strong, it’s important to note that beginners might need some practice to achieve the ideal texture. Still, for most users, the steam wand is a fun and effective tool to create cappuccinos and lattes with creamy, velvety milk.

Ease of Use

The Barista Express is straightforward to use, thanks to its intuitive interface. The grind size dial, intuitive water tank, and user-friendly display make it easy to operate, even for beginners. The included accessories, such as the tamping tool and the cleaning brush, ensure the machine remains in good working condition with minimal effort.

However, while the machine is easy to use overall, some customers have mentioned that it can be a bit noisy, especially when grinding the beans.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning is fairly easy with the Barista Express, but it requires regular upkeep to maintain its performance. The removable drip tray and portafilter make it simple to clean after each use. The included cleaning tools, such as the brush and cleaning discs, help to keep the machine’s internals in good condition. However, some users have noted that cleaning the steam wand after each use can be a bit tedious.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Feature	Benefit
Integrated Burr Grinder	Freshly ground coffee for every shot with customizable grind settings
PID Temperature Control	Ensures consistent brewing temperature for optimal extraction
Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion	Helps extract balanced flavors evenly from the coffee grounds
Manual Microfoam Texturing	Great for creating cappuccinos and lattes with smooth, creamy milk
User-Friendly Interface	Easy to operate, even for beginners
Cleaning Accessories	Includes all the tools needed to maintain the machine

Cons

Feature	Drawback
Inconsistent Durability	Some users report issues with the grinder or the machine breaking down early
Noisy Operation	The grinding process can be loud, which may be bothersome for some users

FAQ About the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL

1. Can I use pre-ground coffee with the Breville Barista Express?

Yes, you can use pre-ground coffee by bypassing the grinder. However, the machine is designed to deliver the best performance with freshly ground beans.

2. How do I clean the Breville Barista Express?

Cleaning the Barista Express involves regular maintenance, including wiping the steam wand after every use, emptying the drip tray, and rinsing the portafilter. The machine also comes with a cleaning tool set to help you maintain its performance.

3. Is the Breville Barista Express suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Barista Express is great for beginners. It has an intuitive interface and includes helpful accessories like the tamper and dosing tool. However, mastering milk frothing might take some practice.

4. What size is the water tank, and how often do I need to refill it?

The water tank has a 67 oz capacity, which is sufficient for several cups of espresso before needing to refill. The frequency of refills depends on how often you use the machine.

5. How long does the Breville Barista Express last?

The lifespan of the machine depends on usage and maintenance. While many users report long-lasting performance, some have experienced issues with durability after a short period. Proper maintenance can help extend its life.

Conclusion

The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL is an excellent choice for home baristas who want to brew café-quality espresso without the complexity of higher-end machines. Its integrated burr grinder, precise espresso extraction, and manual milk frothing system offer great versatility for crafting various espresso drinks. While some issues with durability and noise have been reported, the machine’s performance, ease of use, and value for money make it a strong contender in the home espresso machine market.

Check out our other kitchen gear review below.

• Best Air Fryer for 2 People
• Best Non-Toxic Air Fryer
• Best Dual Basket Air Fryer
• Best Stainless Steel Air Fryer
• Best Microwave for Countertop
• Best Over-the-Range Microwave
• Best Home Pizza Oven
• Best Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
• Best Electric Pizza Oven
• Best Home Ice Cream Maker
• Best Blender and Food Processor Combo
• Best Beginner Espresso Machine
• Best Home Super Automatic Espresso Machine