Breville Espresso Machines: Which Model to Pick When Sales Come Around

The Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso Machine is the smallest way into the Breville lineup. Its ThermoJet heating system reaches brewing temperature in about 3 seconds, so there is almost no wait between switching it on and pulling a shot. PID temperature control keeps the water at a steady heat, and low-pressure pre-infusion gently wets the coffee before full pressure kicks in, which helps flavors come out evenly.

It uses a 54mm portafilter (the handle-and-basket part that holds the coffee) sized for a 19-gram dose. The box includes single-wall and dual-wall baskets for one and two cups, a milk jug, a tamper, a steam wand cleaning tool and descaling powder. Dual-wall baskets are forgiving for beginners, since they help even out shots made with pre-ground coffee. The listing gives a 47 fluid ounce capacity and 1560 watts.

One inconsistency: the features describe an “automatic steam wand” for hands-free microfoam, while the description calls it a “manual steam wand.” If automatic milk frothing is a must, the Bambino Plus lists it clearly. The Bambino has no grinder, so pair it with pre-ground coffee or a separate Breville espresso grinder.

The Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine is the classic “beans to espresso in under a minute” machine. The key addition is an integrated conical burr grinder. Burr grinders crush beans between two ridged surfaces for an even grind, which matters a lot for espresso. A grinding cradle lets you grind straight into the portafilter, and a simple grind size dial lets you adjust for different beans and roasts.

It shares the PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion found across the lineup. Milk is textured by hand with a powerful manual steam wand, which means you move the milk jug yourself to create foam. That takes a little practice but gives you full control for latte art. The machine measures 13.8 by 12.5 by 15.9 inches and draws 1600 watts.

This is the machine to consider when comparing the Bambino vs Barista Express. The Bambino is smaller and quicker to heat; the Barista Express saves you from buying a separate grinder. For a whole-bean coffee fan, that usually tips the balance.

The Breville BES870BTR Barista Express Espresso Machine is the same Barista Express in a Black Truffle color. The listed features match the BES870XL word for word: integrated conical burr grinder with dose control, grind size dial, grinding cradle, PID temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion and a manual steam wand for hand-textured microfoam.

The specifications list is shorter. It gives the same 13.8 by 12.5 by 15.9 inch dimensions and a 67 fluid ounce capacity, and names a permanent filter. The wattage and control type are not listed here, though the shared features suggest the machine is otherwise identical to the stainless version.

Choose this one if the darker finish suits your kitchen better or makes a nicer gift. Functionally, treat it as a twin of the BES870XL.

The Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Machine is for people who want great drinks with less technique. A touchscreen walks you through three steps, Grind, Brew and Milk, and lets you adjust coffee strength, milk texture and temperature. You can save up to 8 personalized drinks, which is handy for households where everyone orders something different.

Unlike the Barista Express, it has an automatic steam wand, so you set the milk temperature and texture and let the machine handle it. It uses the fast ThermoJet heating system (3 seconds to temperature), PID control, pre-infusion and a built-in conical burr grinder. It draws 1680 watts, measures 12.7 by 15.5 by 16 inches, and lists a water filter and jug. The features call it semi-automatic while the spec line says fully automatic; in practice, you still lock the portafilter in yourself.

This is the easiest grinder-equipped Breville for beginners who mainly drink lattes and cappuccinos. If you enjoy learning the craft of steaming milk, the Barista Express gives more hands-on control.

The Breville BES876BSS Barista Express Impress tackles the two steps beginners find hardest: getting the right amount of coffee and tamping it evenly. Its intelligent dosing system calculates the dose and auto-corrects the next one. Assisted tamping presses the coffee with a consistent 10kg of force and adds a 7-degree “barista twist” for a polished surface.

The grinder offers 25 grind settings, and heating is handled by a Thermocoil system with PID control over temperature, flow and contact time. Milk is textured manually with the steam wand. It lists a 2 liter capacity, 1600 watts, and dimensions of 12.5 by 14.5 by 16.5 inches. The listing says it also reduces spilled grounds on the machine and counter.

This model suits a learner who wants the satisfaction of manual espresso without the guesswork. If you want the milk done for you too, the Barista Touch is the better match.

The Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is only 7.7 inches wide, yet it clearly lists an automatic steam wand where you set milk temperature and texture. After steaming, an auto purge feature flushes the heating system so the next shot brews at the right temperature.

Like the Bambino, it has the ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, PID control, low-pressure pre-infusion and a 54mm portafilter for 19 grams of coffee. It weighs 11 pounds, draws 1560 watts, and uses ground coffee, so there is no grinder. Keeping it running well means regular descaling; see our guide to Breville espresso machine descaling solution.

The Bambino Plus is ideal for milk-drink fans in small apartments. If you buy whole beans and do not want a separate grinder, a Barista model is the better fit.