A popular balance of control and clever automation. That’s the promise of the breville express espresso machine, and it’s a big reason for it’s enduring fame. You get the joy of hands-on grinding and tamping, but clever tech handles water temperature and pressure. It’s the perfect middle ground for aspiring home baristas.
So, does it live up to the hype? We pulled countless shots to find out. This review will walk you through the real-world experience, from that first morning ritual to achieving cafe-quality crema in your own kitchen. Let’s see if this machine can truly become your daily driver.
Product Comparison Table: 11 Best Breville Express Espresso Machine
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
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9.7 |
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Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame
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9.5 |
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Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
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9.4 |
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Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS, Brushed Stainless…
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9.2 |
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Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876DBL, Damson Blue
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9.0 |
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Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BTR, Black Truffle
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8.8 |
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Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
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8.7 |
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Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
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8.5 |
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Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless…
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8.3 |
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Gevi 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine with Burr Grinder…
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8.2 |
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Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
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8.0 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 11 Breville Express Espresso Machine
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel is designed for anyone who wants to move beyond basic coffee and into the world of authentic, third-wave specialty espresso at home. It’s an all-in-one machine that combines a professional-grade grinder and espresso maker, letting you go from whole beans to a finished shot in under a minute. This machine puts the control in your hands to craft a cup that matches your taste.
At the heart of the Barista Express is it’s integrated, precision conical burr grinder. This is the Dose Control Grinding system. It grinds your coffee beans on demand directly into the portafilter, which means every dose is fresh and loses no flavor. You can adjust the grind size and the amount, giving you the freedom to use any roast of bean and dial in the strength exactly how you like it. Fresh grinding is the first, and most important, step toward a great espresso.
The machine then focuses on optimal extraction with two key technologies. First, it uses a low-pressure pre-infusion. This function gently wets the coffee puck at a lower pressure before full extraction begins. It helps ensure the water saturates the grounds evenly, which leads to a more balanced flavor profile where all the subtle notes are drawn out. Second, a Digital Temperature Control (PID) system actively manages the water heater.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL in Black Sesame is designed for those who want authentic, barista-quality espresso without the complexity of seperate machines. It’s an all-in-one system with an integrated grinder, meaning you go from whole beans to a rich shot of espresso in under a minute. This machine is built around what Breville calls the ‘4 keys formula,’ focusing on the essential elements needed for great coffee right in your own kitchen.
At the heart of the experience is the dose control grinding. The integrated precision conical burr grinder is a standout feature. It grinds your beans directly into the portafilter right when you need it, ensuring maximum freshness. You can adjust the grind size and the dose amount, giving you control over the strength and flavor profile to match any roast of bean you prefer. This is where your personal preference truely shapes the cup.
Optimal water pressure is crucial, and the Barista Express manages this intelligently. It starts with a low pressure pre-infusion. This gently wets the coffee puck, allowing it to bloom and gradually build pressure. This process helps ensure an even extraction, pulling all the nuanced flavors out evenly for a balanced and full-tasting espresso. No sour or bitter notes from channeling here. For precision, the machine employs digital temperature control, known as PID.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel is designed for those who want a serious, no-compromise espresso experience at home without the complexity of a pro machine. It focuses on the core elements needed for a great shot and a great milk-based drink, making quality accessable. At its heart is a 54mm portafilter that holds up to 19 grams of coffee. This size is key for full flavor extraction, giving you the foundation for a rich, barista-quality espresso.
The machine ensures that shot is extracted precisely using digital temperature control (PID). This technology maintains water at the exact right temperature, which is critical for unlocking the best notes from your coffee beans. To further perfect the flavor, it uses a low pressure pre-infusion. This feature gently wets the coffee puck first, gradually increasing pressure to ensure an even, balanced extraction where no flavor is left behind.
Perhaps the most standout feature is the automatic steam wand for milk texturing. This system takes the guesswork out of creating microfoam. You simply select your desired milk temperature and texture level, and the wand delivers handsfree, barista-quality microfoam at the right temperature. This microfoam is essential for both enhancing the sweetness of your milk and for enabling you to create latte art.
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS is designed to bridge the gap between a fully manual espresso experience and the convenience needed for daily use. It’s core idea is to guide you toward a perfect shot without removing the hands-on satisfaction. The star is the Impress puck system, which tackles the two biggest hurdles for beginners: dosing and tamping. It starts with intelligent dosing.
You simply fill the hopper with your favorite beans, and the smart dosing system automatically calculates and adjusts the amount of coffee grounds it delivers. This takes the initial guesswork out, ensuring a consistant starting point for your puck. Next comes the assisted tamping. You place the portafilter into the cradle, and the machine provides the perfect 10kg of pressure with a professional 7-degree ‘barista twist’ to finish.
This combination creates a level, polished coffee puck, which is crucial for an even water extraction and avoiding channeling. The integrated conical burr grinder offers 25 precise settings, letting you fine-tune your grind size to match your coffee’s roast and your taste preference. This control is key for dialing in flavor.
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876DBL, Damson Blue
The Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876DBL in Damson Blue is designed to bridge the gap between manual espresso craft and home convenience. It’s built for those who want the hands-on experience of making a real espresso but without all the frustrating guesswork that usually comes with it. The core idea is giving you control, while the machine’s smart features handle the tricky consistency parts.
At the heart of it is the Impress puck system.
It starts with Intelligent Dosing, where the machine automatically calculates and grinds the right amount of fresh beans for a perfect dose. If you adjust it manually, the Precision Measurement feature remembers and auto-corrects the next dose. Then comes the Assisted Tamping, which guides you with a professional 7-degree ‘barista twist’ and applies a consistent 10kg of pressure. This gives you a level, polished coffee puck every single time, which is crucial for an even extraction.
It makes the manual process feel intuitive rather than intimidating.
You have plenty of room to fine-tune your coffee. The integrated conical burr grinder has 25 grind settings, letting you adjust for different beans and taste preferences. The Thermocoil heating system with PID control is key—it precisely manages water temperature and flow, ensuring the coffee extracts correctly for the best flavor.
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BTR, Black Truffle
The Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BTR in Black Truffle is designed to bridge the gap between a fully manual espresso experience and the convenience needed for daily use. It’s core mission is to deliver third-wave specialty coffee at home, but it guides you through the process so you don’t need years of training.
At the heart of this machine is the innovative Impress puck system. It tackles the two biggest hurdles for beginners: dosing and tamping.
The intelligent dosing system automatically grinds and calculates the right amount of coffee directly into the portafilter, taking the guesswork out. If a dose is slightly off, it auto-corrects for the next one. Then, the assisted tamping feature provides a consistent, professional 10kg press with a final barista twist, ensuring a perfectly level puck every single time.
This consistency is a huge step towards a balanced extraction.
You have full control over the variables that effect flavor. The integrated conical burr grinder offers 25 precise settings, letting you fine-tune the grind size for your specific beans. The Thermocoil heating system with PID digital temperature control ensures water is heated to the exact right temperature for optimal extraction. You can also adjust the brew temperature and program the shot volume to your liking.
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel is designed for those who want a serious, cafe-quality espresso experience at home without the complexity or large size of traditional machines. It’s part of Breville’s Bambino Series, which focuses on delivering professional results quickly and in a compact footprint.
This machine is built around the ‘4 keys formula’ for third wave specialty coffee, meaning it’s engineered to hit the critical markers for a great shot: dose, grind, pressure, and temperature. You’ll appreciate the machines speed right away. The innovative ThermoJet heating system reaches the perfect extraction temperature in just 3 seconds, so you’re not waiting around.
For precision, digital temperature control (PID) ensures water is delivered at exactly the right heat for optimal flavor extraction from your coffee grounds. The process starts with a low pressure pre-infusion, which gradually wets the coffee puck to help draw out all the flavors evenly before full pressure kicks in. This attention to detail leads to a balanced and nuanced tasting cup.
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel is designed for those who want a streamlined path to cafe-quality coffee at home. It’s an all-in-one machine with a built-in grinder, meaning you can go from whole beans to a finished shot of espresso in under a minute. This makes it a central piece of the Barista Series, focused on bringing the four keys of specialty coffee—grind, dose, texture, and temperature—into your kitchen without needing seperate appliances.
At its heart is the integrated conical burr grinder. With dose control grinding, it delivers the precise amount of coffee you need directly into the portafilter with a single touch. This ensures maximum flavor from your beans every time. The adjustable grind control lets you dial in the coarseness perfectly, and the included Razor tool helps trim the puck to a consistent depth for even water flow.
For the water, the innovative ThermoJet heating system gets to the ideal temperature in just about 3 seconds. That speed is a game-changer for switching between brewing and steaming. Plus, digital PID temperature control maintains that heat within a very tight range for a precise espresso extraction. The machine guides you towards a balanced cup. It uses a low pressure pre-infusion to gently saturate the coffee grounds first, which helps draw out flavors evenly before full pressure kicks in.
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel is designed to bring professional-quality espresso creation into your home, with an emphasis on guided simplicity. It takes the guesswork out of the most complex steps, allowing you to focus on enjoying the process and the result. At its heart is the Impress Puck System, which provides step-by-step barista guidance with real-time feedback.
It begins with intelligent dosing, where the machine measures the right amount of coffee grounds. Then, the assisted tamping feature applies a precise 22-pound pressure and even guides you through the final barista’s 7-degree twist, auto-correcting the next dose for consistency. This entire grind, dose, and tamp sequence is simplified into a seamless, foolproof operation. The innovation continues with the Auto MilQ steam wand.
This hands-free system lets you choose your milk type—including three specific settings for alternative milks like oat or almond—and calibrates the air injection and temperature accordingly. You can adjust the milk temperature and texture to your personal preference, and it delivers silky smooth microfoam that’s perfect for latte art and enhances your coffee’s flavor. Speed and precision are key.
Gevi 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine with Burr Grinder Set | 35 Precise Grind Settings | Milk Frother for Latte Cappuccino | Professional Home Barista Kit | Gift for Coffee Lovers
The Gevi 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine with Burr Grinder Set is designed for those who want a complete, professional-grade coffee station on their kitchen counter. It combines a high-pressure espresso maker with a precise conical burr grinder, giving you control over the entire brewing process from bean to cup.
At its core is a professional 20-bar pressure system.
This Italian pump is engineered for optimal extraction, which is key for pulling shots that are full of flavor and topped with a rich, aromatic crema. It’s the foundation for any espresso-based drink. Paired with this is a powerful steam wand. This system quickly textures milk, turning it into the silky microfoam needed for latte art or the thicker foam for a classic cappuccino. It lets you replicate your favorite cafe beverages at home.
The integrated burr grinder is a major feature.
It offers 35 precise grind settings, allowing you to fine-tune the coarseness for your specific beans and taste preference. This level of customization is crucial because the grind size directly impacts the extraction and flavor of your espresso. The advanced conical burrs work effectively while operating at a relatively comfortable noise level, which is a nice consideration for morning routines.
This kit truly provides everything you need to start.
Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel, is designed to bring the core principles of a professional cafe directly to your kitchen counter. It focuses on what barista’s call the four keys to a perfect espresso: the right dose of coffee, precise temperature, optimal water pressure, and true microfoam milk.
This machine integrates these elements automatically, aiming to simplify the process of making cafe-quality drinks at home.
At its heart is a fully-integrated, high-precision grinder featuring Baratza European burrs. It automatically grinds, doses, and tamps the coffee for you, with 45 different settings to fine-tune the coarseness.
This grounds are delivered into a professional 58mm stainless steel portafilter that holds an ideal 22-gram dose, which helps create a full-bodied and flavor-rich espresso. The ThermoJet heating system gets the machine ready quickly and is notably energy efficient. For the espresso itself, you get professional-level temperature control.
Breville Express Espresso Machine Buying Guide
Choosing the right espresso machine can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down the key aspects of the Breville Express to help you see if it fits your kitchen and your coffee routine.
Grinder Quality and Control
This machine’s built-in conical burr grinder is a huge advantage. You get fresh grounds for every shot, which is essential for flavor. The dial lets you adjust grind size from fine to coarse, giving you control over extraction. It means you can tweak your coffee for different beans or taste preferences. No more buying pre-ground that goes stale!
Pressure and Temperature Stability
A great espresso needs consistent pressure. The Breville Express uses a 15-bar Italian pump and a digital PID controller. In simple terms? It heats water to the precise temperature needed and maintains pressure during brewing. This stability is what helps you pull a shot with that lovely golden crema on top, shot after shot.
Milk Frothing Capability
Love lattes or cappuccinos? The steam wand is a pro-style single hole wand. It gives you manual control over texturing the milk, allowing you to create everything from silky microfoam to drier foam for a cappuccino. It takes a bit of practice, but the control is their for you to learn proper technique, unlike fully automatic systems.
Footprint and Daily Use
Consider your counter space. This isn’t a tiny machine, but it’s designed for home use. It needs to be near the sink for filling its 2-liter water tank. Think about your morning ritual: do you want a machine that’s part of the process, or something you just push a button on? The Express is for someone who enjoys being involved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breville Express Espresso Machine
Is teh Breville Express good for beginners?
Yes, it’s a great choice. It has an integrated grinder and simple controls. The machine guides you with optimal pressure, which really helps you learn. It takes some practice, but it’s designed to be user-friendly from the start.
What’s the main difference between the Express and a super-automatic machine?
A super-automatic does everything at the press of a button. The Breville Express gives you more control. You grind the beans, tamp the puck, and steam the milk yourself. This means you can make a drink just how you like it, but it involves more hands-on steps.
How do I clean and maintain the machine?
Regular cleaning is important for taste and longevity. You should backflush the group head with a cleaning tablet about once a month. The water filter needs replacing every two months or so. Also, remember to empty the drip tray and knock out the used coffee puck after each use.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in it?
You can, and that’s a handy feature. There’s a specific compartment for pre-ground coffee, called the “bypass chute.” This is useful if you want to try different coffees without grinding them or if you run out of beans. The flavor is usually best with freshly ground beans, though.
What kind of grinder does it have?
It has a built-in conical burr grinder. You can adjust the grind size and the amount of coffee it grinds directly from the hopper. This lets you fine-tune your shot for a better extraction. It’s a key feature that makes this machine stand out.
Is the milk frother easy to use?
The steam wand is manual, so you control the frothing. It has good power and heats milk quickly. With a little practice, you can create nice microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. Just be sure to purge the wand before and after you use it to keep it clean.
Does it come with everything I need to start?
Pretty much! The box includes the machine, a stainless steel milk jug, a cleaning tool, and some coffee samples. You will need to buy some fresh coffee beans, of course. It also comes with water filters to get you started.
The Short Answer
The gold standard for home barista entry and beyond. It’s teh machine that makes professional-quality espresso genuinely approachable. You get consistent, cafe-level results without needing years of practice. That’s a powerful feeling right on your countertop.
For anyone serious about their daily coffee, the choice becomes clear. The breville express espresso machine offers a complete, integrated system that grows with you. It’s a reliable partner that turns the ritual into a reward, cup after cup. You really can’t ask for a better foundation for your home coffee setup.