I test and review coffee machines for a living, so I want to help you make the best choice on your next purchase. The Barista Express is indeed pricey, but if you’re looking for the absolute best, it’s worth the investment.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL
Highlight: The taste is balanced and perfect.
Helpful review: Alrighty, let’s talk about my new favorite kitchen appliance: this coffee machine that’s been living it up in our kitchen for the past eight months. This thing gets more use than pretty much anything else in our kitchen. We’ve run it through the wringer with four cleaning cycles—half of them for descaling and the other half just regular maintenance. And guess what? It’s been holding up pretty darn well!
As you can tell, I like it–I like it alot. I've crunched the numbers, and even if this baby decides to conk out on us by the end of the year, we've probably broken even. Think about it: each cup at your local coffee joint sets you back about five bucks, and that’s depending where you live. When I went on vacation to Florida, it was almost ten bucks for just a normal cup of joe!
I’ve done the math, and with this machine, after about 120 cups, you're hitting that break-even point. Throw in the extra bucks for using your own milk, and you'll probably need like 200 cups to really feel like you're getting your money’s worth. And if you're the type to make a pit stop at the bakery or snag some snacks when you're out for coffee, having this machine might just save you a pretty penny much sooner. (I can’t go to Starbucks without also getting a croissant.)
So, about the grinder—it's a little champ. Seriously, adjusting the grind size and quantity is super easy. My husband had to give it a clean once—it started acting up a bit. But hey, a quick run-through with some rice, as Breville suggested. We almost removed the top screw for a good scrub-down, that all did the trick.
Now, forearning, I haven’t bothered checking out other machines. Given the rave reviews and the sweet price point of this one, why would we? We're pretty much making espresso drinks every single day—grinding, frothing, you name it. So much so, even the kids want to learn how to do it (they don’t drink coffee, they just like playing barista.) If we were just doing straight espresso shots, we probably wouldn’t need this much upkeep, either, so keep that in mind.
Here's the scoop on our daily grind: my partner and I, plus our little munchkins, we average about four, sometimes, up to six cups a day. If we have friends over, we might push it to ten or eleven, but that’s not a regular thing. And no way would we be chugging that much coffee if we were buying it out. We wouldn’t be able to afford it haha.
We’re big on almond milk around here—make it ourselves and everything. Sure, it's not as creamy as what you might get from a pro frother, but it’s still top-notch, if I may say so myself. Making it is a breeze, too. I just soak some good quality almonds overnight, blend them up with some water, and strain it through a nut milk bag. Add a little honey, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and a dash of cinnamon, and you’re golden. You didn’t know this was a recipe review did you? Hah! Some folks heat it gently to thicken it up, which is kind of a neat trick, too.
What about coffee beans? We’ve stopped buying from local spots, it was just too much. Now we picked up a small roaster, and now we order green coffee beans online—Amazon makes it a lot more affordable. We roast them just how we like, fresh and ready to go. By the way, if you’re roasting at home, grab a Knockbox that Breville sells. It’s a lifesaver for dealing with the spent grounds, especially if you’ve got a septic system to worry about. Composting is also a gem and coffee grinds are perfect for that.
Our current bean of choice? Colombian Huila. It’s a steal on Amazon—about six bucks a pound, and it roasts up with a yummy caramel-chocolate. We’ve tried a bunch, and for the price and flavor, it’s a winner for everyone who's tried it in our house.
Even though we’ve been around—yep, even to Italy where the espresso is next-level—this machine manages to hold its own. And if you travel a lot, consider bringing it along if you can manage the logistics with your milk and such. Even fancy hotels with their in-room setups don’t quite measure up.
All in all, Breville nailed it with this machine. Great price, solid performance. Haven't needed to call for help except once about a minor grind issue. And hey, there’s even an extended warranty you can snag to keep this bad boy brewing for years to come. If I haven’t made it clear, let me do that now–I loooove this baby, and trust this internet stranger, I bet you will, too! — Willow Hayes
Get it from Amazon now: $749.95 & FREE Returns
