Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
The Breville Barista Express is an all-in-one espresso machine with a built-in conical burr grinder, digital temperature control (PID) and a manual steam wand.
- Skill level
- Beginner
- Counter space
- Standard
- Maintenance
- Medium
- Makes
- Espresso, Milk drinks
Our take
Buy it if
People who want one machine that grinds, brews and steams, and are happy to learn to texture milk by hand.
Think twice if
Takes more counter space than a machine and separate grinder
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Built-in conical burr grinder doses straight into the portafilter
- Grind size dial and adjustable dose with a manual override
- Digital temperature control (PID) and low-pressure pre-infusion
- Large 67 oz (about 2 L) water tank and half-pound bean hopper
- Comes with a milk jug, dose-trimming tool and single- and dual-wall baskets
Limitations
- Takes more counter space than a machine and separate grinder
- You can't upgrade the built-in grinder later
- Manual milk steaming takes practice
- 54 mm portafilter, so standard 58 mm accessories won't fit
Overview
The Barista Express puts a grinder, an espresso machine and a steam wand in one box. That makes it a popular "everything in one purchase" choice: you go from beans to a shot without a separate grinder, and you only need to find space for one appliance.
The trade-off is control. The steam wand is manual, so lattes take some practice, and the grinder is good for a first setup but can't be swapped out if you later want finer adjustment. If you want the milk done for you instead, the Bambino Plus with a separate grinder is the alternative.
Worth adding: a scale such as the Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2.0 to weigh shots, a WDT tool to break up clumps, and double-wall glasses to watch the crema.
Specifications
- Brand
- Breville
- Model
- BES870XL
- Category
- Espresso Machines
- Dimensions
- 351 × 318 × 404 mm (W × D × H)
- Weight
- 10.02 kg
- Water tank
- 2.0 L
- Built-in grinder
- Yes
- Skill level
- Beginner
- Maintenance
- Medium
Compatibility & maintenance
Uses a 54 mm portafilter (included, with single- and dual-wall baskets). 58 mm tampers, funnels, puck screens and bottomless portafilters will not fit; choose accessories sized for 54 mm Breville machines.
Purge and wipe the steam wand after each use, run the included cleaning disc and tablets as Breville directs, brush out the grinder burrs regularly and replace the water filter as recommended. Breville includes a 1-year limited warranty.
Questions about the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
Does the Breville Barista Express have a built-in grinder?
Yes. It has a conical burr grinder that doses straight into the portafilter, with a grind-size dial and an adjustable dose.
What size portafilter does the Barista Express use?
A 54 mm portafilter, supplied with single- and dual-wall baskets. Standard 58 mm tampers, funnels, puck screens and bottomless portafilters will not fit.
How big is the Barista Express water tank?
67 oz, or about 2 litres. The bean hopper holds half a pound of beans.
What warranty does the Barista Express have?
Breville includes a 1-year limited warranty on the US model.
Should I buy the Barista Express or the Bambino Plus?
Choose the Barista Express for one appliance with a built-in grinder; choose the Bambino Plus for automatic milk frothing and a smaller footprint. See Bambino Plus vs Barista Express.
How we researched this
This is a researched profile compiled from manufacturer documentation and the sources below. We have not tested this equipment ourselves. Our editorial policy.
- Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B00CH9QWOU), checked 30 Oct 2026