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
Anyone who loves the idea of one tidy machine that grinds, brews and steams, and who's happy to learn the craft of steaming 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 is a little coffee bar in one box: grinder, espresso machine and steam wand, side by side. Beans go in the top, and a few moments later you're watching a shot pour. There's no separate grinder to buy and only one appliance to find a home for. No wonder it's such a popular first machine.
The trade-off is a little hands-on learning. The steam wand is manual, so your first lattes may be more "rustic" than café-perfect. With practice, though, there's real satisfaction in stretching milk into silky foam yourself. The built-in grinder is great for a first setup, but it can't be swapped out if you later want finer adjustment. If you'd rather the machine handled the milk, the Bambino Plus with a separate grinder is the gentler route.
Worth adding: a scale such as the Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2.0 to weigh your shots, a WDT tool to break up clumps, and double-wall glasses so you can watch the crema settle. It's one of coffee's small, happy moments.
A gentle start: begin with the grind dial in the middle, pull a shot and taste. Running fast and sour? Grind finer. Slow and bitter? Coarser. One small change at a time, and keep notes. Your future self will thank you.
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
The Barista Express uses a 54 mm portafilter (included, with single- and dual-wall baskets). Standard 58 mm tampers, funnels, puck screens and bottomless portafilters will not fit, so look for accessories sized for 54 mm Breville machines.
A few minutes of care keeps it happy. 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