Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville has done a great job designing the BES870XL. It's easy to use with the built in automation but once you get used to the machine you can customize the coffee different ways to your taste. I use mine 3 - 4 days a week for 3 - 4 coffees a day for our family. 

When I first bought the machine I was using the last of some very high quality pre ground coffee. I was not getting the results I wanted so I started using whole beans in the grinder.

The built in grinder is really effective and is not a bell or whistle. I use regular dark roast coffee from the market and the BES870XL makes it taste like the finest Italian Espresso brands. It grinds the coffee very finely, on demand, everytime, which really increases the quality and consistency of drinks. I will never grind coffee at the market or buy ground coffee again.

When you think about the overall quality and effectiveness of the machine it easily justifies the price. Don't struggle with lesser espresso machines and separate lower quality grinders that will really cost more in the end.

Thanks Breville!

Product Features

Here are some of the key features that make the Breville Barista Express such a great deal:

Integrated Conical Burr Grinder. Pour your favorite beans right into the ½ pound bean hopper and watch it zip into the stainless steel integrated conical burr grinder, extracting every ounce of fresh flavor and aroma possible. Get more flavor in each shot thanks to the maximized surface area of the grind. Hopper locks in for safety, removal, storage and cleaning.

Selector Dials. Choose the size and amount of your grind, from fine to course, from full loads to single shots. Easy to use and read dials. Also has a filter size button to change from single to double wall filter basket.

54mm Tamper. Magnetized storage and removable for easy tamping, this provides you amazing control.

Easy Grinding Cradle. Hands-free. Simply push porta-filter into cradle and the fresh grounds go right into the filter, stopping when the desired amount has been dispersed.

67 Oz Water Tank. Top fill and removable with replaceable water filter to cut down on impurities and mineral deposits

Control Cup. Choose 1 or 2 cup volumes, complete with manual override in case you change your mind as well as reprogrammable shot measurement settings

Other Features. Espresso pressure gauge; thermocoil heating system; ‘Clean Me’ indicator light; cleaning kit; 360-swivel action steam wand; auto-purge function; removable drip tray; “Empty Me” indicator.

Pros :

Dedicated Hot Water Dispenser - This update makes americanos or hot tea a breeze.

Huge Capacity - 67oz side-access water tank with optional filter.

Tools Included - New machines come with a perfectly sized tamper, frothing pitcher, cleaning and dosing tools.

Adjustable Temperature - Adjusting the brew temperature up or down 4 degrees gives you some leeway to fine-tune your shot.

Cons:

Coffee Sludge - Despite an upgraded drip tray design, an integrated grinder means superfluous espresso grounds will collect and mix in your drip tray.

Ease of Use : 3

Ease of Care and Maintenance : 4

Overall Value for the Money : 4

How Does it Compare?

This is the latest version of Breville's only espresso machine with built-in grinder. Updates from the previous model include a dedicated hot water dispenser, updated stainless steel conical burr grinder, hopper styling for smoother operation, and an upgraded drip tray.

Tech specs

Stainless Steel Dual Boilers : N/A

Pump Pressure : 15 Bar Italian Pump

Heating System : 1600W thermocoil. Integrated stainless steel water coil accurately controls water temperature. Electronic PID temperature control for increased temperature stability

Purge Function : Automatically adjusts water temperature after steam for optimal espresso extraction temperature

Pre Infusion Function : Applies low water pressure at the start of the extraction to gently expand grinds for an even extraction

Included Grouphead Filters : 54mm stainless steel single & dual wall filter baskets (4)

Water Tank Capacity : Removable 67 fl.oz (2L) water tank. Replaceable water filter reduces scale

Onboard Storage : Integrated & removable 54mm tamper. Concealed storage tray houses included accessories

Innovations : The Razor™ dose trimming tool. Patented twist blade trims down the puck to the right level for precision dosing and a consistent extraction

Additional Features : 

½lb bean hopper

Conical burr grinder (stainless steel) for maximum freshness, flavor & aroma

Grind Size dial - espresso grind settings from fine to coarse

Grind Amount dial - adjusts dose amount to suit the grind size

Hands-free grinding cradle for direct grinding into the portafilter

Espresso pressure gauge monitors extraction pressure

Volumetric control – preset 1 & 2 cup, manual over-ride or re-programmable volumes

Dry puck feature removes excess water from the filter basket after extraction for easy disposal of the coffee puck

Hot water outlet for making an Americano and pre-heating cups

Stainless steel 360° swivel-action steam wand

Cup warming tray

Removable drip tray with Empty Me! tray full indicator

Cleaning alert

'Sleep Mode' after 1 hour & 'Auto Off Mode' after 3 hours

Breville Assist™ Plug

BPA Free - all parts that come into contact with food

Included Accessories : 

Patented Razor™ dose trimming tool

54mm stainless steel portafilter

Single wall filter baskets (1 & 2 cup)

Dual wall filter baskets (1 & 2 cup)

Coffee scoop

Integrated tamper

Stainless steel milk jug

Cleaning disc and tablets

Cleaning brush, tool and Allen key

Water filter holder and water filter

Construction : Stainless Steel

Voltage : 110 - 120 Volts

Wattage : 1600 Watts (thermocoil)

Warranty : 1 Year Limited Product Warranty

Dimensions : 12.5" (D) X 16" (H) X 13.25" (W)