Our Honest breville espresso machine Review

Tired of long coffee shop lines and disappointing home brews? Imagine starting your day with “third wave” specialty coffee—the kind with rich, even extraction and velvety microfoam—all crafted by you in under a minute.

Introducing the breville espresso machine (BES870XL), the all-in-one stainless steel powerhouse built to turn bean-to-cup espresso from a dream into a daily reality. This 1600-watt machine integrates a precision conical burr grinder and delivers professional features like PID digital temperature control and manual microfoam milk texturing for perfect latte art. It even includes nearly every accessory, from a stainless steel portafilter to a milk jug.

We’re diving deep into the machine that promises to transform your morning. Keep reading to find out if the Breville espresso machine is the only coffee maker your counter needs.

Part I: Embracing the “Third Wave” Philosophy

The product description immediately anchors the Breville espresso machine in the world of“third wave” specialty coffee. This is a crucial distinction. It signifies that the machine isn’t just a simple coffee maker; it’s engineered for enthusiasts who care about quality, flavor balance, and technique. The machine’s ability to deliver this standard is attributed to the“4 keys formula,” which are the foundational elements of quality espresso, designed to be executed seamlessly by the integrated system.

Understanding the 4 Keys Formula

While the formula isn’t explicitly detailed, its components are evident in the machine’s features: precise dose, optimal temperature, correct pressure, and effective texturing. The design philosophy ensures that the four most variable and critical steps in espresso making are controlled, simplified, and integrated into a single appliance, ensuring the user can achieve the following outcomes:

1. Rich, Even Extraction: Achieved through meticulous control over grind size and water pressure.
2. Velvety Microfoam: Produced via the powerful steam wand, enhancing the flavor and mouthfeel of milk-based drinks.
3. Speed and Efficiency: Going from bean to espresso inunder one minute, removing the friction points of using separate devices.

The machine’s construction, featuringBrushed Stainless Steel (Dimensions: 13.8″D x 12.5″W x 15.9″H; Weight: 22.09 Pounds), provides a solid, durable foundation necessary for the high-pressure environment of espresso making, reinforcing its professional pedigree on the home countertop.

Part II: Integrated Control – The Art of Dose and Grind

The most revolutionary aspect of the Breville espresso machine, and the reason it is categorized in theBarista Series, is the inclusion of theintegrated precision conical burr grinder. In specialty coffee, the quality and consistency of the grind are paramount. Grinding coffee immediately before brewing is the single most important step to preserve delicate aromas and oils.

1. Dose Control Grinding: Precision Engineered

The machine championsDOSE CONTROL GRINDING. This feature is not about grinding a preset amount of time, but rather about delivering theright amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter—ensuring the user’s preferred taste withany roast of bean.

The key components of this process are:

• Integrated Grinding Cradle: This innovative component allows any at-home barista to grind hands-free, directly into the54mm Stainless Steel Portafilter. This drastically reduces mess and ensures that every particle of ground coffee makes it into the brewing basket.
• Grind Size Dial Control: The Breville espresso machine features aSimple and intuitive Grind Size Dial, giving the user crucialcontrol over the grind size regardless of the bean type. Espresso requires a very fine, consistent grind, and the ability to fine-tune this setting is essential for correcting an under- or over-extracted shot.

The integration of the grinder, coupled with the generous1/2 lb Bean Hopper, confirms the machine’s design as a complete, single-unit solution capable of handling a week’s worth of beans for the average user, eliminating the need for a separate grinder.

Part III: The Engine Room – Pressure and Precise Temperature

Espresso extraction is a delicate balance of heat, pressure, and time. The Breville espresso machine addresses both heat and pressure with sophisticated technology, ensuring optimal flavor extraction.

1. Optimal Water Pressure: The Power of Pre-Infusion

The machine is equipped forOPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE, which is managed in two distinct phases:

• Low Pressure Pre-Infusion: This is a professional technique where the machine gradually increases pressure at the very start of the extraction cycle. The benefit is profound: it gently wets the entire coffee puck, allowing the grounds to expand evenly before the full pressure is applied. This processhelps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup. Without pre-infusion, a sudden blast of high pressure can create channels (or weak spots) in the coffee puck, leading to uneven and bitter extraction.
• 1600 Watts of Power: This significant wattage indicates the machine’s capability to quickly heat water and generate the necessary steam and hydraulic pressure for consistent extraction, contributing directly to the machine’s promise of going from beans to espresso inunder one minute. The machine operates at120 Volts.

2. Precise Espresso Extraction: PID Technology

Crucially, the Breville espresso machine ensuresPRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION throughDigital Temperature Control (PID).

• What is PID? PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) is a digital control system that monitors and stabilizes the temperature of the water delivered to the grounds. In espresso making, a variation of even a few degrees can dramatically alter the flavor profile—too cold, and the coffee tastes sour; too hot, and it tastes burnt.
• The Benefit: The PID ensures that water is delivered atprecisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal and consistent espresso extraction time after time. This removal of thermal instability is a hallmark of professional-grade equipment and demonstrates the machine’s commitment to high-quality results.

The machine’s capacity is listed as1 Cups, which refers to a standard espresso shot, though its workflow supports the preparation of single or double shots, as well as the storage capacity of its large67 oz Water Tank.

Part IV: The Final Touch – Manual Microfoam Milk Texturing

The hallmark of any specialty coffee beverage, like a latte or cappuccino, is the milk. The Breville espresso machine offers a fullyMANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING system.

1. The Powerful Steam Wand Performance

The steam wand is engineered forpowerful steam wand performance. This power is necessary to inject air and heat into the milk, not just to make it hot, but to break down the fats and proteins to createmicrofoam. Microfoam is characterized by its velvety texture and shiny appearance, which enhances the inherent sweetness of the milk and is essential for achieving the fluidity needed for latte art creation.

The user is givenManual control over this process, which requires skill but rewards the at-home barista with complete textural customization. This feature elevates the Breville espresso machine above automated machines that often produce stiff, bubbly foam, cementing its value for those who want a true cafe-style experience at home. The includedStainless Steel Milk Jug is a necessary tool for this manual process, ensuring the user has the right vessel to learn the art of texturing and pouring.

Part V: The Complete Barista Kit – Unboxing and Value

One of the most compelling arguments for the Breville espresso machine’s exceptionalKiller Value is the extensive list of accessories included right in the box. This machine does not just sell a base unit; it sells a complete, ready-to-use barista station.

1. Comprehensive Included Components

The accessory bundle ensures that the aspiring barista doesn’t need to purchase hundreds of dollars’ worth of extra tools immediately. The included components are:

• 54mm Stainless Steel Portafilter: The primary extraction basket handle.
• Filter Baskets: Both1 & 2 cup Single & Dual Wall Filter Baskets. The single-wall baskets are for experienced users who have mastered dialing in the grind, while the dual-wall baskets assist beginners by creating pressurized extraction, making it easier to pull a good shot regardless of grind precision.
• Integrated Tamper: Essential for compacting the coffee grounds to ensure even extraction.
• Razor Dose Trimming Tool: A patented accessory designed to precisely level the dose after grinding, preventing channeling and maximizing extraction quality.
• Stainless Steel Milk Jug: For professional milk texturing.
• Coffee Scoop: For easy handling of beans or pre-ground coffee (if using the dual-wall baskets).
• Cleaning Kit: Including aCleaning Disc, Tablets, Brush Tool, and Allen Key—underscoring the manufacturer’s commitment to the machine’s longevity and performance maintenance.
• Water Filter & Filter Holder: Ensuring the water used is free of impurities, which is crucial for both taste and machine health.

2. Capacity and Specifications Summary

The operational mode isManual, emphasizing the user’s role in the craft, and the human interface input is via aDial for grind control.

Conclusion: The Breville Barista Express – A Masterclass in Integration

The Breville espresso machine (BES870XL) is clearly designed not merely as a coffee appliance, but as a holistic system for the aspiring home barista. By integrating the three most critical components—theconical burr grinder, thePID temperature control, and thepowerful manual steam wand—into one sleek,Brushed Stainless Steel unit, it removes complexity while retaining complete manual control.Â