Breville BES870CBXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine Review

Ever wish you could pull perfect, barista-level shots in your own home? The Breville BES870CBXL allows you to do just that—and create beautiful, delicious drinks in the process. In a fun dark red color and made of durable stainless steel, it will look chic and produce professional results.

Be Your Own Barista

A little larger than your average home espresso maker, but still compact enough to fit underneath cabinets or on kitchen counters, the Breville BES870CBXL is 12.5 x 13.25 x 15.75 inches and 23 pounds, so it will have a permanent home on your countertop, and a delightful part of your morning.

With a built-in hopper for freshly ground espresso every time you pull a shot, you’ll be able to taste the freshness right away. Instead of a blade grinder, which compromises the taste and texture of your espresso, the Breville BES870CBXL is made with a burr grinder for superior texture of your espresso that you’ll be able to taste.

With a 2 liter tank for water, you won’t find yourself refilling the tank again and again, and a super powerful 15 bar pressure pump will deliver perfect shots every time. If you’re serious about getting down to business making professional quality beverages, the Breville BES870CBXL is the next step in becoming an expert at the art of specialty coffee, right in your own kitchen.

Features

Perfect for the at-home barista looking to learn all they can about the art of coffee, the Breville BES870CBXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine will help to deliver perfect results with a number of features that help you customize your shot.

Designed with the serious coffee aficionado in mind, the Breville BES870CBXL is one of the best home espresso machines available. With a hopper able to hold up to a half pound of espresso beans, you can make several shots in a row, if necessary, and with a built-in burr grinder, as opposed to an outdated blade grinder, the beans are ground rather than chopped, so you won’t compromise on the flavor and texture of your grind.

Adjust your amounts and size of shots with two dials, so you’ll get a precise dosage every time. The Breville BES870CBXL The Barista Express Coffee Machien also comes with two different filter baskets to determine which is right for the kind of shot you’re pulling.

With a tamper that is designed specifically to adhere to the machine through a magnet, you’ll never be without your tamper when you need it. Get even more precise results with a volume setting, an automatic grinder that stops with the correct amount is ground into the brew basket, and a pressure monitor, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting at all times.

A steam wand is also integrated into the machine, and rotates 360 degrees for perfect foam every time.

Pros

  • Several customizable features
  • Chic color and streamlined style
  • Integrated features such as a burr grinder and hopper
  • High volume water tank
  • Cleaning reminder lights
  • Automatic purging: water temperature adjusts when necessary
  • Automatic grinding amount to your specifications
  • Removable drip tray for easy clean up
  • High power heating system

Cons

  • A bit larger than the average home espresso machine
  • Manual tamp only—not automatic
  • Expensive
  • Clear espresso shot glasses not included

Summary

Make great drinks a priority with the Breville BES870CBXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine. With several customizable features, you’ll be able to make the drinks you always wanted to make right in your own kitchen.

Small, but fully integrated with a hopper, grinder and high-volume water tank, you’ll be able to make fresh, delicious espresso and perfect foam whenever you want. With a magnetically attached tamper, you’ll be able to access it whenever, and apply the correct pressure to your shots.

Comparisons

For a comparative experience, the Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine is about the same size, but much less expensive. This machine has a 17 ½ bar capacity and frothing wand attached, but comes with fewer extra features, so your shot is less customizable. A tamper and scoop comes with the machine.

From the same manufacturer, Breville’s BES840CBXL The Infuser is a smaller shape, for less. This model is a little more basic than the Barista Express, with fewer features, but boasts the same capabilities that you come to expect with Breville’s home espresso machines. You can read our full review of this machine in our how to choose the best home espresso machine guide.

Verdict

The Breville BES870CBXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine is full of features to help you achieve the perfect shot every time. If you’re a serious coffee aficionado, this machine is a great way to perfect your shot making and milk frothing skills at home.

With several features to help you on your way to making delicious shots and perfect micro foam, you’ll be ready for your next latte art competition, or you’ll just have the satisfaction of knowing your way around an espresso machine.

If you want to impress your friends, make coffee that is impressive and delicious and if you demand total control of your shots, the Breville BES870CBXL The Barista Express Coffee Machine is one of the best espresso makers you can use.