Breville Barista Express BES870XL
A built-in burr grinder eliminates the most common espresso mistake before it happens.
Updated
- Integrated conical burr grinder grinds fresh before each shot -- eliminates pre-ground coffee
- PID temperature control maintains precise extraction temperature throughout the shot
- Adjustable dose and grind size allow real calibration as you develop your technique
Best For / Not For
Best for
- Home baristas who want to pull real espresso shots with fresh beans
Not for
- Total beginners who are not ready to learn grind adjustment and tamping technique
Key Details
Why the Grinder Integration Matters
Espresso quality is downstream of grind quality. Pre-ground coffee goes stale rapidly after the bag is opened. A blade grinder produces inconsistent particle sizes that extract unevenly. The Barista Express solves both problems by integrating a proper conical burr grinder that grinds fresh beans directly into the portafilter before each shot.
The grind size dial has 18 settings. Dialing in your espresso -- adjusting grind size until the shot extracts in the correct 25-30 second window -- is a skill that takes a few sessions to develop. Once dialed in for a specific bean, the machine produces consistent shots with minimal adjustment.
Steam Wand and Milk Work
The manual steam wand is a genuine steam wand, not a pressurized frother. It produces the microfoam needed for lattes and cappuccinos if you develop the technique. It takes practice -- the first few attempts will produce large bubbles rather than microfoam. Expect a 1-2 week learning curve before milk texturing becomes consistent.
For buyers who want automated milk steaming without developing technique, the Breville Bambino Plus is the right alternative. For buyers who want to learn real barista skills, the Barista Express is the correct machine.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- All-in-one grinder and espresso machine eliminates the biggest beginner mistake
- Strong feedback from a large number of buyers -- well-proven
- Manual steam wand lets you develop real milk texturing technique
- PID temperature control for consistent extraction
Cons
- Learning curve on dialing in grind size and dose takes several sessions
- Cleaning the grinder and portafilter is more involved than a pod machine
Bottom Line
The Breville Barista Express is the best all-in-one home espresso machine. The integrated burr grinder eliminates the most common espresso mistake, PID temperature control keeps extraction temperature steady, and it has strong feedback from a large number of buyers. Expect a learning curve on grind calibration and milk texturing -- this is a skill machine, not a push-button machine.
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