The Breville BES870XL Barista Express espresso machine is an excellent choice for any serious espresso enthusiast. It has an impressive feature set, modern look, and proven reliability. It has advanced programming options, an integrated conical burr grinder for on-demand grinding, pre-infusion function to gently expand coffee grounds before full-pressure extraction, programmable volumetric dosing, filter size button selection, button drink size selection, and a precision 54mm tamper. It also has a 360-degree swivel action steam wand for effortless milk steaming and frothing to the SCA-recommended 55-65°C microfoam temperature, a removable drip tray, a removable bean hopper, a removable 2-liter water reservoir, and a convenient “Clean-me” indicator light. It likewise has auto power saving mode, beginner-friendly features, a magnetic storage space for the tamper, a thermocoil heating system and PID for temperature control within the optimal 195-205°F extraction range, an espresso pressure gauge, volumetric control button, flat shower head for even water distribution, and a cradle for the portafilter. It also comes with a water filter and filter holder, 54-millimeter stainless steel portafilter, four filter baskets, coffee scoop, Razor Dose trimming tool, tamper, stainless steel milk jug, cleaning disc and tablets, and cleaning tools. The machine is reliable and can last a long time if maintained appropriately. However, customer support can be slow and the water tank is located at the back of the machine which can be inconvenient. Additionally, it is not a super-automatic espresso machine and the warranty is only one year. Overall, the Breville BES870XL Barista Express espresso machine is an outstanding combination of features and reliability compared to other machines in its class.
This article firstly appeared at Brew Espresso Coffee, a website dedicated to make popular the art of making espresso beverages.