Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) review

Balanced shots once dialed in, held back by the grinder's wide steps7.4/10

The espresso is the strongest part of this machine, and it is widely liked. HomeGrounds Coffee says simply that "it makes really good espresso" for the money.1 Tech Dregs adds the condition that matters: the results are great when the beans are good and the grind has been set for them.2

The built-in grinder is the limit. Its steps are fairly coarse, and Coffeeness found that the lack of "precise micro-adjustments between grind setting clicks" made consistency hard to reach.3 Some grounds stay behind between the burrs after each dose, the grounds can clump, and Coffeeness traced channeling to the way the grinder fills the basket.

There is help for a beginner. The dual wall baskets forgive mistakes and still give a decent shot, and the single wall baskets are there when you want more control. The PID lets you change the brew temperature, though the adjustment is judged too coarse to be of much use, and Hoon's Coffee pulled a shot that came out cooler than it should.

Friendly controls, and weeks of practice before the coffee comes right5.5/10

The machine is easy to operate and harder to master, which is why ease divides opinion. Tech Dregs calls it "one of the easiest darn things to use that you will ever find".4 The grind dial sits on the side, single and double shots each have a button, shot volumes can be programmed, and the pressure gauge is a real aid while dialing in.

The coffee itself takes longer. The Kitchn's writer spent "a few weeks watching YouTube tutorials" before the grind and temperature settings made sense.5 Just A Dad Approved found it frustrating to set up and could not dial it in without buying a scale.6

A few quirks are worth knowing. Nothing on the front tells you the tank has run dry.7 The 67 oz tank lifts out through the top at the back, which is awkward under cabinets. The gauge has no pressure units, the pre-infusion time cannot be changed, and after a power blip the machine goes back to a single shot.

Dry steam and latte-art milk, slowly and never during a shot5.5/10

The wand makes good milk at a modest pace, and it suits some kitchens and not others. Coffeeness got "beautiful, silky microfoam" once the technique settled, and HomeGrounds Coffee poured latte art with it.8 Tech Dregs liked how dry the steam was, with little water ending up in the jug.

Power is the complaint. HomeGrounds Coffee warns that anyone who has watched a commercial machine steam milk will find this "very underwhelming".9 The single thermocoil cannot brew and steam at once, so the shot comes first and the steam takes a while to build after it.

“milk steaming yes milk steaming is the problem okay milk steaming is the problem if you are making a lot of milk based drink”

Hoon's Coffee means a run of milk drinks in a row, which is where the wait adds up. The wand also asks for technique: Just A Dad Approved never found the right angle. For a latte or two each morning, the routine is workable.

23 lb of steel-wrapped plastic, with years of daily use and a few faults on record6.3/10

The Barista Express feels solid, and what it is made of is disputed. Coffeeness praises the rugged stainless steel housing and the weighty portafilter. HomeGrounds Coffee looked closer and says "it is mostly plastic with these coverings" to dress it up.10

The long-term accounts are mostly good. Truth in Ten uses it every day and says "I've had it for four years now" with nothing gone wrong, and Tech Dregs and PugMama report similar stretches.11

It is not trouble-free. Tech Dregs had a spell where the machine built pressure but gave no flow, and ended up taking it apart.12 Hoon's Coffee suspects a failing solenoid, and Global Cart Verdict notes reports of pump, wand and grinder problems over time. If you need help, expect a wait on hold with Breville's support line.

60 seconds on the heater, longer before the metal is warm6.4/10

Breville lists a 60 second heat-up, and most accounts agree the machine is ready to brew very quickly. Tech Dregs and Coffeeness both call the warm-up fast, and Hoon's Coffee can go from a cold start to a finished drink in a few minutes.

Not everyone starts that soon. Truth in Ten switches it on early and gives it "a good 15 minutes" before pulling a shot, and is happy with the espresso once it is heated through.13 The cup tray on top warms as the machine does, so cups can heat while you wait.

The slower part is the handover to milk. Steam arrives after a short wait once the shot is done, and a long run of milk drinks back to back is a struggle.

A big tray with a float, grounds in the water and fingerprints on the steel6.2/10

Upkeep is simple in routine and messy in places. The drip tray is large, slides out, and has a float that rises when it is full; PugMama shows the tab that reads "empty me".14 A light on the panel tells you when a cleaning cycle is due, and the tablets, cleaning disc and brush come in the box.

The mess comes from the grinder. Just A Dad Approved found grounds scattered across the counter and mixed into the tray water, with no neat way to empty it.15 Tech Dregs found the grinder hard to empty when changing beans, and a chore to clean properly.

The steel finish shows every fingerprint, so it needs a regular wipe. Coffeeness reckons the daily routine, once it is a habit, takes no longer than washing a plate.

Grinder and tools included at $699.95, with a short warranty and a 54 mm ceiling6.6/10

The case for the price is that nothing else needs buying. A grinder, a tamper, single and dual wall baskets, cleaning tools and a water filter are all in the box, and several accounts call that outstanding value. There is no dosing funnel, which would help with the stray grounds.

The doubts are about the sum itself and what follows. The Kitchn calls it "a pricey indulgence".16 The warranty is short.17 The 54 mm portafilter will not take standard baskets, and Coffeeness wonders how soon a keen home barista will outgrow the machine.

Our verdict

Buy the Barista Express if you want to learn espresso on one machine and will give it a few weeks of practice. Skip it if milk drinks for a crowd are the daily job, or if you want fine grind control for lighter roasts. Buy a scale with it, and start on the dual wall baskets. In the shop, check that the tank can be lifted out under your cabinets.