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Breville Β· Espresso Machines

Breville Barista Express BES870XL

By Nick Miles Β· Updated 2026-07-19 Β· 3 independent sources

Breville Barista Express BES870XL

The default best espresso machine under $700 for most people. Buy it if you want one appliance that grinds and brews, with PID temperature control and a forgiving learning curve.

This review synthesizes the expert consensus gathered for our buying guides β€” named test kitchens, lab-test outlets, and manufacturer documentation. We don’t run a testing lab.

Read the full comparison: Best Espresso Machine Under $700 (2026) β†’

Pros

  • +The rare all-in-one β€” built-in burr grinder means no separate grinder purchase
  • +PID temperature control keeps shot-to-shot temperature stable
  • +Low-pressure pre-infusion helps beginners pull even shots
  • +Grinds on demand straight into the 54mm portafilter
  • +Deep third-party support β€” baskets, tampers, and how-to coverage everywhere

Cons

  • βˆ’Single heating system β€” brief wait to switch between brewing and steaming
  • βˆ’54mm consumer portafilter rather than the 58mm commercial format
  • βˆ’Integrated grinder is capable but a notch below a dedicated standalone espresso grinder
  • βˆ’Larger countertop footprint than the grinder-free Bambino machines

Key features

  • Integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control
  • 54mm stainless steel portafilter
  • Digital PID temperature control with low-pressure pre-infusion
  • Manual microfoam steam wand for hand-textured milk
  • 1/2 lb bean hopper, 67 oz water tank, 1600 watts

Score breakdown

  • Expert consensus9.4
  • Performance9.0
  • Build quality9.0
  • Durability9.0
  • Value9.2