Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

Countertop espresso makers rarely bundle fresh grinding and shot pulling into a single unit without cutting corners, but the Breville BES870XL provides an all-in-one setup that takes beans to brewed espresso in under a minute. Built with a brushed stainless steel exterior, it combines an integrated precision conical burr grinder with manual brewing controls. This design is built for home users who want fresh ground coffee without dedicating additional space to a standalone grinder.

The grinding cradle feeds freshly ground coffee directly into the included 54mm stainless steel portafilter on demand. You can adjust both the particle size and the dose amount using simple dials, ensuring flexibility across different coffee bean varieties and roast styles. Having direct-to-portafilter dispensing cuts down on kitchen counter mess, while the half-pound bean hopper holds enough coffee to get through multiple morning routines before needing a refill.

Extraction relies on two core heating and pressure systems working together. Low pressure pre-infusion starts the extraction process by steadily dampening grounds before increasing pressure, which draws out flavors evenly across the coffee bed. Meanwhile, digital temperature regulation (PID) monitors and delivers water at the intended temperature, preventing hot spots or scorched grounds during single or double shot cycles.

For milk drinks, a manual steam wand creates microfoam directly in the supplied stainless steel milk jug. Because this is a manual texturing system, steaming requires your attention and practice rather than running automatically with the push of a button. Cleaning also demands regular engagement, as burrs, filter baskets, and group heads require upkeep with the included cleaning disc, brush tool, and cleaning tablets.

Verdict: The Breville BES870XL Barista Express is an outstanding espresso coffee maker for coffee lovers who want hands-on control over grinding, dosing, and milk texturing without buying separate appliances. Those who prefer fully automated pod machines or one-touch milk drinks may find its manual workflow more involved than they desire.

• Water Tank Capacity: 67 oz
• Bean Hopper Capacity: 1/2 lb
• Portafilter Size: 54mm Stainless Steel
• Power: 1600 Watts
• Voltage: 120 Volts
• Grinder Type: Integrated precision conical burr grinder
• Warranty: 1 Year Limited Product Warranty
• Material: Brushed Stainless Steel

A great fit if you:

• Want fresh coffee ground directly into your portafilter without buying and storing a separate grinder appliance.
• Enjoy practicing hands-on milk steaming with a manual wand to create textured microfoam for lattes.
• Prefer dialing in your shots using adjustable grind sizes, variable dose amounts, and manual extraction overrides.
• Appreciate having a full starter kit of accessories, including dosing tools, tampers, and multiple filter baskets.

Consider something else if you:

• Prefer one-touch automatic machines that steam milk and pour drinks without manual handling.
• Want an appliance designed purely for pre-ground coffee pods rather than whole bean grinding.
• Need a commercial multi-group machine designed for high-volume commercial catering spaces.

Confirm on the listing:

• Check your kitchen counter dimensions to ensure your overhead cabinets accommodate the height of the machine with its half-pound bean hopper attached.
• Confirm that your kitchen outlets supply standard 120-volt power suitable for a 1600-watt heating appliance.
• Review the included accessory package to confirm that both single and dual wall filter baskets, the Razor dose trimming tool, and the cleaning supplies are in the box.
• Check the details and terms regarding Breville registration if you plan to claim the two complimentary bags of specialty coffee.

How to compare your options: When shopping for home espresso setups, pay close attention to whether the grinder is built into the frame or sold separately. Consider how the machine controls extraction variables like temperature stability and water pressure. Models equipped with PID regulation and gentle pre-infusion deliver steadier results than machines relying on basic mechanical thermostats.

Start by selecting between the single-wall and dual-wall filter baskets based on your coffee choice, matching the 1-cup or 2-cup size to your desired serving. Use the integrated tamper to compress the grounds evenly inside the 54mm portafilter, and use the included Razor trimming tool to level off the bed before locking it into the group head.

Experiment with the grind size dial and dose amount controls whenever switching between coffee bean roasts to find the ideal balance for extraction. If your drink recipe calls for custom timing, use the manual override setting to lengthen or shorten the shot duration.

Keep milk texturing consistent by placing cold milk into the provided stainless steel jug and purging the steam wand before and after each frothing session. Maintain water flow and internal cleanliness by using the included water filter holder, cleaning disc, brush tool, and cleaning tablets as outlined in the maintenance guide.

What accessories come packaged with this espresso machine?
The machine includes a Razor dose trimming tool, a 54mm stainless steel portafilter, single and dual wall filter baskets for 1 and 2 cups, an integrated tamper, a coffee scoop, a stainless steel milk jug, a cleaning disc, cleaning tablets, a brush tool, an Allen key, and a water filter with holder.

Does this machine grind whole beans directly?
Yes, it features an integrated precision conical burr grinder that grinds whole beans on demand straight into the portafilter cradle.

How much water does the reservoir hold?
The water tank holds up to 67 oz of water, while the top hopper holds up to half a pound of coffee beans.

Can I texture milk automatically?
No, the steam wand is manual, giving you direct control to texture milk into microfoam using the included stainless steel jug.

What electrical power is required?
The unit operates on 120 volts and draws 1600 watts of power.