The Breville Barista Express BES870 is a semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated grinder, aimed at buyers who want a traditional espresso workflow without having to purchase a separate grinder.
Review basis: Espresso Index has not personally tested the BES870. This product review is based on Breville’s current published specifications and documentation together with established independent hands-on testing. We do not assign numeric ratings to products we have not personally tested.
Product Summary
- Model: Breville Barista Express BES870
- Type: Semi-automatic espresso machine
- Grinder: Integrated conical burr grinder
- Grind settings: 16
- Portafilter: 54 mm stainless steel
- Recommended dose: 18 g
- Extraction: Low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction
- Heating system: Thermocoil with PID temperature control
- Milk system: Manual steam wand
- Pressure gauge: Yes
- Hot water: Dedicated outlet
- Dimensions: 15.9 × 13.1 × 12.4 inches
What the Barista Express Is Designed to Do
The Barista Express combines two major pieces of espresso equipment in one machine: a grinder and a semi-automatic espresso brewer.
Unlike more automated machines, it still expects the user to make many of the important decisions. Grind size, grind amount, tamping, extraction and milk steaming all remain part of the workflow.
That makes it more hands-on than machines built primarily around guided or one-touch preparation.
Pros
- Integrated conical burr grinder
- Traditional semi-automatic espresso workflow
- 54 mm stainless steel portafilter
- Low-pressure pre-infusion and 9-bar extraction
- PID temperature control
- Analog pressure gauge provides extraction feedback
- Manual steam wand gives direct control over milk texture
- Dedicated hot-water outlet for Americanos and cup preheating
- Single and dual-wall baskets included
Cons
- Requires more technique than a guided or fully automatic machine
- Manual milk steaming has a learning curve
- Integrated grinder offers less upgrade flexibility than a separate grinder
- Larger footprint than compact espresso machines
- Grinder adjustment range is more limited than some newer dedicated grinders
- Users seeking one-touch drinks may find the workflow too involved
Integrated Grinder
The BES870 includes an integrated conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings.
The grinder dispenses coffee directly into the portafilter and can automatically dose for either a single- or double-cup basket. The grind amount can also be adjusted manually.
This integrated approach simplifies the buying process for someone starting from scratch because a separate espresso grinder is not required.
The trade-off is upgrade flexibility. With a separate grinder, the grinder can be replaced or upgraded independently from the espresso machine. With the Barista Express, the grinder is part of the appliance.
Espresso System
The Barista Express uses a 54 mm stainless steel portafilter and is designed around an 18 g coffee dose.
Breville specifies low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction from a 15-bar pump. The goal of pre-infusion is to gently saturate the coffee puck before full extraction pressure is applied.
The machine also includes both single-wall and dual-wall filter baskets. This allows newer users to begin with the more forgiving dual-wall baskets and move toward single-wall baskets as their grinder setup and technique improve.
Pressure Gauge
One of the more distinctive features of the Barista Express is its analog espresso pressure gauge.
The gauge gives the user visual feedback during extraction. It does not automatically tell you exactly how to fix a shot, but it can help indicate whether resistance through the coffee puck is broadly within the expected extraction range.
That makes the gauge more useful to someone interested in learning the relationship between grind, dose, tamping and extraction than to someone who simply wants the machine to manage those variables automatically.
Heating and Temperature Control
The BES870 uses Breville’s Thermocoil heating system with electronic PID temperature control.
PID control is intended to improve temperature stability during brewing. Breville currently specifies a target brewing temperature of 200°F.
The Thermocoil system is not as fast to transition as some newer ThermoJet-equipped Breville models, but the focus of the Barista Express is less on instant startup and more on its integrated traditional workflow.
Milk Frothing
The Barista Express uses a manual 360-degree steam wand.
This means the user controls how much air enters the milk, how the milk circulates and when steaming stops.
The advantage is control. A user who develops good technique can adjust milk texture for different drinks and work toward microfoam suitable for latte art.
The disadvantage is that it takes practice. Buyers who want automatic milk texturing may prefer a machine such as the Bambino Plus or Ninja Luxe Café Premier.
Hot Water and Americanos
The Barista Express includes a dedicated hot-water outlet.
This is useful for preparing Americanos, warming cups or dispensing hot water without routing it through the steam wand.
Ease of Use
The Barista Express is relatively straightforward once the user understands the basic workflow, but it should not be confused with a fully automatic espresso machine.
You still need to select an appropriate grind, adjust the dose, distribute and tamp the coffee, monitor the extraction and steam milk manually.
For some buyers, that is the attraction. The machine provides enough assistance to keep the setup manageable while still requiring the user to participate in espresso preparation.
Size and Counter Space
Breville currently lists the Barista Express at approximately 15.9 inches wide, 13.1 inches deep and 12.4 inches high.
That is larger than compact machines such as the Bambino, but the footprint also includes the grinder that would otherwise require separate counter space.
Buyers should still measure available width, depth and cabinet clearance before purchasing.
Who Is the Barista Express Best Suited For?
- Buyers who want an espresso machine and grinder in one appliance
- People who want to learn traditional espresso preparation
- Users who prefer manual milk steaming
- Buyers who value an extraction pressure gauge
- People who want direct control over grind and dose
- Espresso and milk-drink households that do not need drip coffee
Who Is It Less Suited For?
- People who want automatic milk frothing
- Buyers looking for one-touch drinks
- Users who prefer a compact machine
- People who already own a high-end grinder
- Buyers who want drip coffee and cold brew from the same appliance
- Users who do not want to learn manual espresso technique
Barista Express vs. Ninja Luxe Café Premier
The main difference between these machines is philosophy.
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier provides more automated guidance through grind recommendations, weight-based dosing and hands-free milk frothing. It also prepares drip coffee and rapid cold brew.
The Barista Express gives the user more direct control over the espresso workflow through its grinder adjustments, pressure gauge and manual steam wand.
We examine those differences in detail in our Ninja Luxe Café Premier vs. Breville Barista Express product comparison.
Barista Express vs. Breville Bambino
The Bambino is far more compact and uses Breville’s faster ThermoJet heating system, but it does not include a grinder.
The Barista Express takes up more space but provides an integrated grinder, pressure gauge and a more complete all-in-one semi-automatic setup.
A buyer who already owns a capable grinder may prefer the Bambino. Someone starting from scratch may find the integrated Barista Express setup more convenient.
Product Review Conclusion
The Breville Barista Express BES870 remains a traditional all-in-one approach to home espresso.
Its main strengths are the integrated grinder, 54 mm portafilter, pressure gauge, PID-controlled extraction system, manual steam wand and dedicated hot-water outlet.
Its biggest compromises are the learning curve, larger footprint and the reduced upgrade flexibility that comes with an integrated grinder.
Our assessment: the Barista Express appears best suited to buyers who want to learn and control the espresso-making process while keeping the grinder and brewer in one machine. Buyers who prioritize automation and simplicity are likely better served by a more guided system.
Sources and methodology: This research-based review uses Breville’s published product information together with independent hands-on testing from TechGearLab and CoffeeGeek. Product specifications can change, so key details are periodically rechecked. Related Espresso Index reading: Ninja Luxe Café Premier vs. Breville Barista Express, Breville Bambino vs. Breville Barista Express, and Best Espresso Machines With a Grinder.
Leave a comment