Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine Review

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on July 9th, 2022

Most of the time, when you purchase a new coffee machine, you’re searching for a way to brew authentic barista-style coffee easily, conveniently, and comfortably at home.


Buying a new coffee machine isn’t something you need to take lightly, especially if you’re looking to spend a few hundred dollars or more, but you’re a bit limited in space.

Breville BES870XL

Breville espresso machines is a good choice. Our Breville BES870XL review illustrates how this coffee maker is a pretty good solution. It enables you to brew Americanos, espressos, lattes, and more easily.

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Review of Breville bes870xl

It’s loaded with features that take a lot of conjecture out of making a decent cup of coffee. If you’ve always wished to play barista in your house, but you’re a little short in space, this device is an ideal option. Since the machine has an embedded conical burr grinder, you don’t have to think about purchasing a separate device.

While this is not the cheapest coffee maker in its class, the BES870XL espresso machine features a wide range of accessories. You’ll get both a single cup and a two-cup single and a dual wall filter basket; a stainless steel milk pot for a coffee scoop and a 54mm stainless steel port filter; a water filter and holder; an integrated tamper; and a cleaning kit.

  • Dose control grinding: Embedded conical burr grinder grinds on request to deliver the perfect mix of freshly ground coffee directly to the portafilter for your favorite taste with any roast.
  • Precise extraction of espresso: Digital temperature control (PID) generates water at exactly the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction.
  • Microfoam milk Texture: The steam wand performance enables you to hand textured micro-foam milk that amplifies the taste and enables the creation of latte art.
  • Grind size dial: straightforward and intuitive, offering you control of the grind size, no matter what type of bean you grind.
  • Hands-free operation: Inventive grinding cradle enables Barista at home to grind directly into an espresso port filter.

Get to know the Breville barista express in detail

Do you know what difference having perfectly ground beans will make to your final cup of coffee?

The Breville BES870XL comes with a conical burr grinder, so you can grind only the amount of coffee you need on demand.

Dial the grind size you want on the easy-to-use, responsive button, and the coffee is then delivered directly into the portafilter. There’s a manual override, too. Your coffee will constantly taste super fresh, and the flavor and aroma extraction will always be consistent.

Specifications of Breville BES870XL Barista Express

  • 54 mm stainless steel portafilter
  • 360-degree swivel steam wand
  • Weight: 23 pounds
  • 15 bar Pump
  • 67 fl. oz. disposable water tank
  • 54mm tamper

Design: customizable settings

What is really nice about the Barista Express is that all the accessories are perfectly positioned and do not interfere with other essential parts of the unit. The steam wand, for example, swings in both directions so that it can be put away from the coffee machine to steam the milk and, after that, faced straight down to make the espresso machine more compact when not in use.

Also, the tamper is detachable, which ensures that we had more power over the amount of pressure used to compress the espresso grounds. The tamper can then be reconnected to the machine for easy storage.

The adjustable settings are another pleasant feature of the Barista Express. This allowed us to change the grind’s size, the size of the grind, and the tamp to get the perfect espresso shot. The manual describes how to change each of these settings for proper extraction correctly.

As for the overall style, the Barista Express has a very clean, high-quality look. We particularly liked the lit control panel when we first switched it on. We’ve got a polished stainless steel finish, but it’s also available in red cranberry and black sesame varieties that look just as beautiful.

Setup Process: Needs patience for the first time

Since there are so many items included with this unit, it’s worth taking the time to read the manual carefully to get acquainted with all of its moving parts. For the first time, a few additional measures are required, like cleaning and flushing the device. Overall, this was a very painless operation. Waiting for the filter to be immersed took the most patience (5-minute soak). Once we had completed the 15-minute cleaning process, we were ready to make an espresso.

Brewing capability

If you’re an espresso newbie or an expert, you’ll enjoy amazing quality espresso-based drinks every day if you buy the BES870XL. It’s unusual for a coffee maker to satisfy both amateurs and veterans (at the same time). So let me clarify that.

When using the Barista Express, you get four filter baskets – pressurized and non-pressurized variants of single and double filters. You may also call them single or double-walled baskets.

Breville BES870XL

You obtain four filter baskets: single and double-walled variants of 1 and 2 shots.

If you’re a beginner or just feeling lazy, start with the pressurized baskets. These eliminate the need to dial perfectly in the shot by changing the grind settings and the amount of grind. You’re always going to have to tinker around, but there’s a bigger margin for error. But you’ll see the pressure on the dial and modify accordingly. You’re going to be able to pull a big shot of espresso, even though you’re a novice. 

The 1 and 2 cup buttons will be configured for volume only. They’re not configured for a ’30 second’ shot or a ’20 second’ shot.

Are you feeling confident? – Get up to the plate of the non-pressurized baskets. You’re going to have to dial in the shot, but once you do, you’re going to be brewing incredible quality espresso.

Custom controls on the Express offer you several ways to change your shot of espresso so that you can dial it in at a high level. The Dose Control allows you to adjust the amount of grind in each cup, between 19 and 22g of ground coffee, which determines the ratio of coffee to water. The grind size control allows you to choose from 16 levels of fineness that affect the extraction (and flavor) of your coffee.

The daily grind

Although some of us like coffee searing hot, and others like it colder, you don’t need to think about figuring out the optimum temperature with this machine. Your drink is just going to be fine, thanks to digital temperature control (PID).

And then there’s milk in there. Foam brings a bit of fun and little extra convenience to your coffee, and the steam wand gives you a chance to get the feel of the microfoam right. If you’ve ever dreamed of trying your hand at latte art, that’s your chance.

You can configure this espresso machine for either single or double shots, and the hot water dispenser is also ideal if you feel like a cup of hot tea instead of a cup of coffee. Or use it to make yourself a cup of hot chocolate or a noodle or an oatmeal snack. We also found that this machine was perfect for making iced drinks and sweet Frappuccino drinks.

Milk frothing

Breville BES870XL

Yes, this machine will help you make a good cappuccino. With the Barista Express, you’ll need to learn how to steam and froth milk. This isn’t an automated machine that does it for you. They’re for lazy people.

But, again, in terms of frothing the Express milk, it makes life simpler. The stainless 360-degree wand makes it easy to find the correct angle for your steaming pitcher, and if you’re going for milk for a cappuccino or a silk microfoam for a latte, the infuser does a fine job. It’s one of the best latte machines in the world.

The movement of the wand makes steaming convenient.

The hot water nozzle wand rotates in every direction you want it to. Handy.

It’s using a typical thermoblock wand. This means you’re in charge and have to get the air into the foam, so be ready to practice if it’s the first time. It can be a bit of a challenge for absolute novices, but it’s the best choice for those who want to learn. It’s only supposed to take you a couple of practice runs to master the art of milk froth.

Build quality

This device’s quality build (which includes Italian-made components) ensures that the coffee you are brewing is accurate to Italy’s finest tastes.

Breville BES870XLtamper

Again, half a point is lost here because of its polished stainless steel case over plastic insides. But for $699.95, no one is going to sell you a complete stainless steel rig. Otherwise they would already gone bankrupt.

Customers seem to love how the Barista Express is made, and it comes with a one-year limited warranty for your peace of mind.

The Breville Barista Express Water Reservoir is fitted with a 67-ounce (2 liters) water tank sufficient to prepare multiple cups of coffee without needing to be refilled regularly. The water tank is located at the back of the unit so that getting to it can be cumbersome.

You can quickly fill the water tank while it is on the machine. Still, if you’re concerned about pouring the water on the countertop or contamination of the reservoir attributable to coffee grinds, you can easily empty it to fill the sink.

Save energy consumption

The Barista Express exists by itself if it’s not used for an hour and turns off itself after 3 hours of inactivity, so you shouldn’t need to worry even if you’re madly running against the clock to prepare for breakfast and somehow forget to hit the switch before you leave for office.

Not only does this protect the appliance from unintended harm, but it also saves your money from spilling the drain due to high-cost electricity bills.

Keeping it clean

Okay, we confess, we got the “Clean me” message on this machine. It could be a little tricky to keep up with the coffee machine cleaning schedules and everything else. Official advice is that this light comes on after about 300 shots of the Breville BES870XL Barista Express.

To ensure that the equipment remains as clean as possible, it was also a great idea to use a little tap water to clean the portafilter and the filter inserts separately for each use and the steaming cup. We love that the bottom tray is divided into three parts to make it super easy to clean. The tray must be emptied every two or three days of daily use.

Price: Affordable

Barista Express currently sells just under $600, which is very affordable compared to some of the top rival brands starting at $1,000 and going up there. Because of the consistency of the espresso provided with this unit, it is an excellent choice for those who have an enthusiastic interest in espresso but are not willing to invest thousands of dollars.

Tips and tricks on the Breville Espresso machine

Breville BES870XL

We all agree that fresh coffee beans are important for the best coffee, and we would also suggest filtered fresh water. The harder the water you use, the more necessary it is to regularly clean the machine to prevent the components’ limescale clogging.

Even though you get pretty much everything you require to get started straight out of the box with this device – apart from the espresso itself – there are a few attachments that will help you get the most out of this coffee maker. We would recommend investing in a pair of double-walled glasses made especially for espresso shots.

If you love a bit of extra comfort, then you need to check out the wide variety of syrup sauces that you can buy to make your coffee even more delicious. Our current favorites are caramel and vanilla, but there are now hundreds of them on the market.

Make sure you’re venting the steam wand to keep it running at tip-top capacity and quality. If you get the hang of it, you’ll find that you can easily create tiny bubbles of silky, generous, frothy foam. It also makes a nice crema.

Pros and cons of the Breville barista express bes870xl

What we like

• The machine makes great espressos, Americanos, lattes, and more.

• The incorporated burr grinder is just good

• You can leave the beans grinding until right before you brew the coffee • The tamper incorporated with the coffee maker is perfect

• The cleaning kit has all you need to keep the machine running fine.

What we don’t like

• While the grinding dial is straightforward, you have to read the instruction manual to get the most out of this coffee maker

• There is no sensor on the machine to warn you or the coffee maker when the water is running low

• This machine has a relatively large volume of plastic.

There are lots of reviews on the Internet from satisfied customers. Almost nine out of ten users are very pleased with their purchase.

They talk about great crema, reliably decent coffee, and drinks at just the right temperature. Once users have the grind persistence to their taste, this scores a lot as well.

Breville Barista Express BES870XL’s potential drawbacks

1. Adjusting the grounds

Breville BES870XL
Breville BES870XL

The Barista Express, BES870XL, features an adjustable knob to adjust the grind amount when performed manually. Still, it’s not numeric, so it’s more of extrapolation on what comes for a single or double shot.

And you’re going to have to hold on to the tip of the tongue; otherwise, it will be difficult for you to give the right amount of grounds every time.

2. Heavy weight

Breville Barista Express BES870XL weighs about 23 pounds (10.5 kg), making it a heavy-weight appliance, so it may be hard for you to slip on the counter and not suit the best if you decide to take it on camping.

What are the other options available?

We really love the Breville 870XL, but we also thought we’d try out a few alternatives. One of the easiest ways to make sure we’re fair and correct is to try at least two or three more coffee makers.

Creatista Nespresso

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Nespresso Creatista also helps you to make and deliver authentic espresso shots.

The TFT LCD monitor shows you at a glance how you can quickly change the temperature of the milk, the amount of coffee, and the mixture of ingredients. This device will only take 3 seconds to heat up, and if it has not been used for more than 9 minutes, there will be an automatic power-saving off mode.

It’s perfect for flat whites, latte macchiatos, and cappuccino. Or, if you want to whip up an iced coffee drink, you can pour the coffee over the ice.

  • Single-serve espresso and coffee machine: The Nespresso Creatista Plus provides freshly brewed coffee and delicious pure espresso. The Creatista Plus will evolve into your latte maker.
  • Barista grade: Brew various single-serve coffee and espresso beverage choices by the touch of a button depending on your coffee needs-Espresso (1.35 oz.), Ristretto (0.5 oz.), Lungo (5 oz.).
  • Smart coffee and espresso maker: Brew a great single-serving coffee or espresso cup time after time with a simple TFT LCD that helps you with all the planning, setting, and maintenance aspects…
  • Integrated milk frother: Automatic milk frother with eight texture levels (11 settings, 55-76°C/133-169°F). Complimentary gift: contains a complimentary starter pack of capsules for Nespresso.
  • Features and warranty: Nespresso Creatista Plus comprises a 1.5L removable water tank, 19 bar of pressure, fast, automatic cleaning process, a self-purging steam wand, and a stainless milk jug.

You get several different coffee choices, like Espresso, 1.35 ounces; Ristretto, 0.5 fluid ounces; and Lungo, 5 ounces. The water tank has a volume of 50.72 fluid ounces, and the device measures 15.47 x 12.13 x 6.73 inches to fit into tight corners.

The unit has a milk frother attached to it so that you can practice your latte skill. There are eight texture levels and 11 different milk temperature settings, from 55-76 degrees Celsius (133 to 169 degrees Fahrenheit). The unit will heat up to the optimum brewing temperature within only 10 seconds. The steam wand comes with an auto-purge feature that makes it easy to keep clean.

This model usually comes with a Nespresso Original welcome capsule pack, a stainless steel milk jug with a specially made pour beam, and a 2-year warranty. The unit has 19 bars of pressure, which means you get the optimum flavor and aroma extraction from your coffee. It’s usually a little lower in price than the 870XL, and it’s also very easy to clean.

Gaggia Brera

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Staying with the Gaggia Brera is another fantastic coffee machine to explore. The illuminated icons and push-button controls on the Gaggia Brera LED panel make it plain and easy to brew a fresh-tasting coffee.

This machine is also really simple to clean. The drip tray, water tank, and the dregs drawer are all easily accessible from the front. The water tank has a volume of just about 40 fluid ounces, and the coffee pot itself has a volume capacity of 8.8 ounces.

  • Frothing for milk beverages: Pannarello wand lattes for & cappuccinos. The wand is a double hot water dispenser for americanos & tea.
  • Easy access: the drip tray, the dregs drawer, and the water tank are all within reach and available from the unit’s front for fast and easy cleaning and maintenance.
  • User-friendly display: Push-button controls and an LED panel with illuminated icons make your experience simple and intuitive.
  • Rapid steam technology: fast heating times and effective brewing and steaming processes. Supported types of coffee: Whole coffee beans, Ground coffee. Water tank size: 1.27 quart;
  • 1 Year of Warranty: Get a free one-year warranty managed directly by Gaggia. Brita Filter compatible: Yes. Power capacity:1400 W

This system is ideal for servings on the smaller side; the largest cup size you can use is 4.5 inches in height and the smallest 3.25 inches in height. This is a super-compact unit measuring just 12.4 inches tall by 10 inches wide by 17.5 inches deep. It’s an elegant coffee maker with an easy-to-care front panel made of stainless steel.

The Pannarello wand makes frothing lattes and cappuccinos a breeze, and you could also use the wand to deliver hot water to Americanos and tea. The Gaggia Brera is typically slightly more costly than the Breville 870XL, and it also has a one-year warranty.

Technivorm Moccamaster 59163 KBG

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This device is also pretty easy to use: only one click of a button helps you brew and make a perfect cup of coffee. There are two temperatures on the hot plate.

One of the fascinating features of this coffee machine is that there are no pumps available: the machine utilizes a copper element. You can brew about or about ten small cups, 40 ounces of coffee, in about 4 to 6 minutes. After 100 minutes, there is an auto shut down.

  • Perfect Coffee Always: this pump-free coffee maker heats the water to the right temperature for coffee extraction
  • Easy to use: Moccamaster brews a complete 40 oz coffee pot in 4-6 minutes with just one switch.
  • Quiet and safe: the Moccamaster KBG gently brews your coffee and automatically switches off after 100 minutes
  • Quality materials: Moccamaster lasts a lifetime. We use BPS/BPA/BPF and Phthalate-free plastics and sturdy stainless steel and aluminum
  • Peace of Mind and Delicious Coffee: the coffee brewers of Moccamaster have a 5-year warranty.

Metal is a characteristic of this coffee maker, with an elegant brass finish. Not that brass is the only option: no matter what your decor is, you’ll find a wide range of colors to fit you.

It’s a delicious jewel coffee maker manufactured by Technivorm, measuring only 4.00 inches high by 12.75 inches wide by 6.50 inches deep and weighing just 6 pounds after shipment. The coffee maker has a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer. It is normally sold for a little less than the Breville 870XL Espresso Machine.

How are we going to rate the Breville 870XL?

Well, do we think buying a Breville 870 XL coffee maker is a reasonable investment? Perhaps you are not the gambling kind; you can just bet your last dollar that we do.

It looks amazing. It’s simple to clean and combines a functional and reliable burr grinder with an efficient brewing mechanism and a wide range of grinding options. It makes outstanding coffee, most of all. And we’re awarding it a hearty five stars for all these reasons.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.