Rita says: Buy it
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Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine (BES870XL)
by Breville
$699.95
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Rita's Full Review
CNET's 2026 top pick for home espresso machines, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL remains the gold standard for semi-automatic all-in-one espresso. By integrating a conical burr grinder directly into the machine, Breville eliminates the most common barrier to home espresso — the need to buy, budget, and counter-space a separate grinder. The 15-bar pump and thermocoil heating system deliver rich, complex shots with excellent crema, while the pre-infusion cycle gently saturates grounds before full pressure, mimicking professional techniques. The manual steam wand rewards practice with genuine microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. At $699 (and frequently $499–$549 on sale), it's a significant investment, but one that returns value over time versus café prices. Reddit's home espresso communities consistently rank it the most recommended entry-level prosumer machine. The learning curve is real — expect two weeks of experimentation before shots are reliably good.
What Rita liked
- All-in-one solution — eliminates the need to purchase a separate grinder (saves $150–$250)
- CNET's top-rated espresso machine in 2026 for overall performance, features, and value
- Precise dose control grinding ensures consistent shot-to-shot repeatability
- Pre-infusion gently saturates grounds before full pressure for improved flavor extraction
What could be better
- Significant learning curve — dialing in grind size and dose takes practice
- Grinder quality, while good, doesn't match standalone burr grinders at the same combined price
- 1-year warranty is shorter than Moccamaster's 5-year coverage
Key Specifications
| Built-in conical burr grinder with 18 grind settings; 54mm portafilter; dose-control grinding | |
| 15-bar Italian pump; thermocoil heating system; 67 oz water tank | |
| Pre-infusion function; manual steam wand; 1 and 2-cup filter basket options | |
| Dimensions | 12.5" W x 15.2" H x 13.3" D; 1,600W; stainless steel housing |
|---|---|
| Includes | portafilter, filter baskets, integrated tamper, cleaning tablets, water filter |