By Marco Bellandi | Updated August 2026 | 9 min read

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Review 2026: Is It Still Worth Buying?

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If you’ve spent even ten minutes comparing home espresso machines, you already know the Breville BES870XL Barista Express by name. It shows up on nearly every “best espresso machine” list for a reason: it’s the rare machine that gives a complete beginner a real shot at pulling café-quality espresso on day one, without forcing them to buy a separate grinder or spend $2,000 to get there.

I’ve pulled hundreds of shots on this machine over the past several months — mediocre ones, great ones, and a few that rivaled what I’d pay $5 for at a specialty café. Here’s the honest verdict on whether it deserves a spot on your counter.

Quick Verdict

★★★★★

4.7/5 — Best all-in-one espresso machine for home baristas who want café-quality results without café-level fuss.

The Breville BES870XL earns its reputation. The built-in conical burr grinder alone justifies the price against buying a separate grinder and entry-level machine. If you want espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos at home and you’re not ready to drop $2,000+ on a prosumer setup, this is the machine to buy.

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Why the Barista Express Sells Out So Often

The Barista Express solves the single biggest problem in home espresso: stale, pre-ground coffee. Because it grinds whole beans on demand directly into the portafilter, you’re brewing with coffee that’s seconds old instead of weeks old. That one feature is the difference between a flat, sour shot and a rich, balanced one — and it’s why this machine consistently outperforms other machines at its price point that skip the built-in grinder entirely.

Add a 15-bar Italian pump, a thermocoil heating system that holds temperature steady, and a powerful steam wand for microfoam milk, and you have a machine that does in one unit what usually takes two or three separate purchases.

At a Glance:

• ✔ Built-in conical burr grinder with dose control
• ✔ 15-bar Italian-made pump
• ✔ Digital PID temperature control for consistent extraction
• ✔ Manual steam wand for latte art-ready microfoam
• ✔ Dual-wall filters for beginners, single-wall for advanced control
• ✔ Brushed stainless steel construction
• ✔ 2-liter removable water tank

Pros and Cons

What We Love

• Built-in grinder eliminates the need for a separate purchase
• Beginner-friendly pressurized filters that still pull a solid shot
• Room to grow into single-wall filters as your skills improve
• Steam wand is genuinely powerful enough for real microfoam
• Sturdy stainless steel build that looks great on any counter
• Consistent temperature control shot after shot

What to Know Before Buying

• Grinder is loud — expect it to wake up the house early morning
• Learning curve exists if you want to move beyond pressurized filters
• Manual steaming means practice is required for latte art
• Regular descaling and cleaning is non-negotiable for longevity

Who Should Buy the Breville BES870XL

This machine makes the most sense for a specific kind of buyer, and knowing whether you fit that profile will save you money and disappointment.

Buy It If You…	Skip It If You…
Want espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos from one machine	Only drink drip coffee and don’t need espresso
Are new to espresso but want room to grow	Are an experienced barista who wants a 58mm commercial-style setup
Don’t want to buy a separate grinder	Already own a high-end standalone grinder
Have counter space for a mid-size machine	Need something ultra-compact
Are ready to learn basic maintenance and descaling	Want a fully automatic, zero-maintenance machine

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How It Compares to the Alternatives

Before you buy, it’s worth seeing how the Barista Express stacks up against the machines people most often cross-shop it with.

Machine	Built-In Grinder	Best For	Price Tier
Breville BES870XL Barista Express	Yes	Best all-around value for beginners to intermediate	$$
Breville Bambino Plus	No	Compact spaces, simpler workflow	$
Breville Barista Pro	Yes	Faster heat-up, slightly upgraded grinder	$$
De’Longhi La Specialista	Yes	Sensor-guided dosing for hands-off brewing	$$
Gaggia Classic Pro	No	Manual purists who already own a grinder	$

The takeaway: unless you specifically want a faster heat-up time or already own a grinder, the Barista Express remains the more complete package for the money.

⏰ Why Buy Now Instead of Waiting

Espresso machine pricing on Amazon fluctuates often, and the Barista Express has a history of selling out during peak shopping periods (holiday season, back-to-school, and New Year “new habit” surges). If you’ve already decided this is the machine for you, waiting rarely gets you a better price — it usually just means a longer wait for restock or a switch to a pricier bundle listing. Locking in today’s price protects you from both.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Breville BES870XL good for beginners?

Yes. The included dual-wall, pressurized filters are specifically designed to help beginners pull a balanced shot even with imperfect grind size or tamping pressure, while still leaving room to switch to single-wall filters as your skills improve.

How loud is the built-in grinder?

It’s noticeably louder than a standalone quiet grinder, similar to a blender for a few seconds. It’s not a dealbreaker for most buyers, but worth knowing if you’re brewing early morning in a shared living space.

Do I need to descale the Breville Barista Express regularly?

Yes. Regular descaling (roughly every 2-3 months depending on water hardness and usage) is essential to keep the pump and heating system working properly and to protect your warranty coverage.

Can it make lattes and cappuccinos, or just espresso?

The manual steam wand produces genuine microfoam suitable for lattes, cappuccinos, and with practice, latte art. It requires some hands-on technique compared to fully automatic milk frothers, but the results are closer to café quality.

Is the Barista Express worth it compared to buying a separate grinder and machine?

In almost every case, yes. A quality standalone burr grinder alone often costs $150-200+, so the built-in grinder here effectively pays for a meaningful chunk of the machine’s price while saving counter space.

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Marco Bellandi
Marco has spent years testing home espresso equipment and writing about the gear that actually earns a permanent spot on the counter. He focuses on honest, hands-on reviews rather than spec-sheet summaries.

As an Amazon Associate, EspressoLab earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the publish date and are subject to change. This post reflects our genuine opinion based on hands-on testing.