Best of
Best Breville Espresso Machines
The best Breville espresso machines ranked: Barista Express, Pro, Touch, Bambino Plus, Dual Boiler, and Oracle Touch compared on grinder, heat-up, and milk automation.
The short answer
The Breville Barista Express is the best Breville espresso machine for most people: built-in 16-setting grinder, pre-infusion extraction, and a real steam wand at a mid-tier price. Want speed? The Barista Pro heats in 3 seconds. Want small? The Bambino Plus fits a 7.7-inch footprint. Detailed verdicts live in our Barista Express review and Barista Pro review.
Top picks at a glance
The picks, ranked
| Product | Pump | Grinder | Water tank | Portafilter | Extraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Barista Express BES870XL | 15-bar Italian pump | Integrated conical burr, 16 settings | 67 oz (2 L) | 54 mm | Low-pressure pre-infusion, 9-bar extraction |
| Breville Barista Pro BES878 | - | Integrated conical burr, 30 settings | 67 oz (2 L) | 54 mm | - |
| Breville Barista Touch BES880 | - | Integrated conical burr, 30 settings | 67 oz (2 L) | - | - |
| Breville Barista Touch Impress | - | Integrated conical burr, 30 settings | - | - | - |
| Breville Bambino Plus | - | - | 64 oz | 54 mm | - |
| Breville Infuser BES840 | 15-bar Italian pump | - | 61 oz | 54 mm | Low-pressure pre-infusion |
| Breville Oracle Touch | - | - | 84 oz | 58 mm commercial | - |
| Breville Bambino | - | - | 47 oz | 54 mm | - |
| Breville Dual Boiler BES920 | - | - | 84 oz | 58 mm commercial | - |
| Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier ES601 | - | Conical burr, 25 settings | - | - | - |
Best overall
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
The machine that defined home espresso: grinder, gauge, and steam wand in one box.
The Barista Express remains the default recommendation because it bundles the three expensive parts of espresso, a 16-setting conical burr grinder, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a real steam wand, into one mid-tier box. The 67 oz tank and analog extraction gauge keep daily use simple. Read the full Barista Express review for the detailed breakdown.
Strengths
- Integrated conical burr grinder with 16 settings removes the separate grinder purchase
- Low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction for even, forgiving shots
- Analog pressure gauge shows the extraction zone while the shot pulls
- 67 oz water tank brews for days between refills
Limitations
- Thermocoil heat-up is slower than the ThermoJet models
- Manual steam wand takes practice to produce real microfoam
- 16 grind settings have coarser steps than the Pro and Touch with 30
| Pump | 15-bar Italian pump |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr, 16 settings |
| Water tank | 67 oz (2 L) |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
| Extraction | Low-pressure pre-infusion, 9-bar extraction |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the integrated conical burr grinder with 16 settings for removing a separate grinder purchase
- Many owners say low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction makes shots even and forgiving
- Owners like the 67 oz tank, which keeps brewing going for days between refills
- Some owners find the thermocoil heat-up slower than the ThermoJet models
- Owners note the manual steam wand takes practice before it produces real microfoam
- A common complaint is that the 16 grind settings step more coarsely than the 30 on the Pro and Touch
Best for: Beginners who want an all-in-one machine and are willing to learn manual milk steaming.
Skip if: You want the fastest heat-up or push-button milk; the Pro and Touch do those better.
Best upgrade
Breville Barista Pro BES878
The Express with ThermoJet speed, a finer grinder, and an LCD shot timer.
The Pro keeps the Express formula and fixes its two annoyances: ThermoJet heat-up cuts the wait to 3 seconds, and the 30-setting grinder gives finer dial-in control. The LCD shot timer helps you repeat good shots. See the full Barista Pro review for who should pay the step-up.
Strengths
- ThermoJet heating reaches brewing temperature in 3 seconds
- 30 grind settings allow finer dial-in than the Express
- LCD shows grind size, shot timer, and extraction progress
- 67 oz tank and 54mm portafilter match the rest of the Barista line
Limitations
- Shot quality in the cup is close to the Express, so the upgrade is mostly speed
- Manual steam wand still needs technique for latte art quality foam
- Costs more than the Express without changing the brewing fundamentals
| Heat-up | ThermoJet, 3 seconds |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr, 30 settings |
| Display | LCD with shot timer |
| Water tank | 67 oz (2 L) |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise ThermoJet heating for reaching brewing temperature in 3 seconds
- Many owners say the 30 grind settings allow finer dial-in than the Express
- Owners like the LCD showing grind size, a shot timer, and extraction progress
- Some owners feel shot quality in the cup is close to the Express, so the upgrade is mostly about speed
- Owners note the manual steam wand still needs technique for latte art quality foam
- A common complaint is paying more than the Express without the brewing fundamentals changing
Best for: Morning-rush drinkers who want the Express formula with a 3-second heat-up.
Skip if: You want automatic milk texturing; the steam wand here is still manual.
Best touchscreen
Breville Barista Touch BES880
Touchscreen drink presets plus automatic microfoam for hands-off milk drinks.
If milk drinks are the whole routine, the Touch earns its premium: one-touch presets for espresso, latte, flat white, and cappuccino, plus automatic microfoam with adjustable temperature and texture. You trade the hands-on ritual for consistency, a fair deal for busy households.
Strengths
- Touchscreen with one-touch drink presets: espresso, long black, latte, flat white, cappuccino
- Automatic microfoam with adjustable temperature and texture
- ThermoJet 3-second heat-up keeps the morning routine fast
- 30 grind settings and 67 oz tank match the Pro's hardware
Limitations
- Premium price for automation that a practiced hand can match
- Touchscreen adds electronics that cannot be repaired as simply as dials
- 54mm portafilter keeps it in the Barista ecosystem, not the 58mm commercial standard
| Interface | Touchscreen with drink presets |
|---|---|
| Milk | Automatic microfoam, adjustable temp and texture |
| Heat-up | ThermoJet, 3 seconds |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr, 30 settings |
| Water tank | 67 oz (2 L) |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the touchscreen one-touch presets for espresso, long black, latte, flat white, and cappuccino
- Many owners like the automatic microfoam with adjustable temperature and texture
- Owners say the ThermoJet 3-second heat-up keeps the morning routine fast
- Some owners question the premium price for automation a practiced hand can match
- Owners note the touchscreen adds electronics that cannot be repaired as simply as dials
- A common complaint is the 54mm portafilter keeping it outside the 58mm commercial standard
Best for: Milk-drink households that want one-touch lattes without learning to steam.
Skip if: You enjoy the manual ritual; the auto frothing removes the skill you want to build.
Easiest for beginners
Breville Barista Touch Impress
The Touch with assisted tamping: the Impress puck system fixes the hardest beginner skill.
The Touch Impress adds the Impress puck system to the Touch, dosing and tamping with assisted, repeatable pressure. Bad tamping is the most common reason beginner shots channel and taste sour, so automating it removes the biggest variable in the learning curve.
Strengths
- Impress puck system doses and tamps with assisted, repeatable pressure
- Removes tamping as a variable, the most common beginner inconsistency
- Same touchscreen presets and automatic microfoam as the Barista Touch
- ThermoJet 3-second heat-up with 30-setting integrated grinder
Limitations
- Highest price in the Barista line for one added subsystem
- Assisted tamping is a training wheel you may outgrow
- Larger footprint than the standard Touch
| Tamping | Impress puck system, assisted tamping |
|---|---|
| Interface | Touchscreen with drink presets |
| Milk | Automatic microfoam, adjustable temp and texture |
| Heat-up | ThermoJet, 3 seconds |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr, 30 settings |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the Impress puck system for dosing and tamping with assisted, repeatable pressure
- Many owners say removing tamping as a variable fixes the most common beginner inconsistency
- Owners like getting the same touchscreen presets and automatic microfoam as the Barista Touch
- Some owners balk at the highest price in the Barista line for one added subsystem
- Owners note assisted tamping can feel like a training wheel you may eventually outgrow
- A common complaint is the larger footprint compared with the standard Touch
Best for: Beginners whose shots suffer from inconsistent tamping more than anything else.
Skip if: You already tamp consistently; the premium over the Touch buys little else.
Best compact
Breville Bambino Plus
Espresso-bar speed in a 7.7-inch footprint, with automatic microfoam.
At 7.7 inches wide with a 3-second heat-up and automatic microfoam (3 temperatures, 3 textures), the Bambino Plus is the machine for kitchens where the Barista line cannot fit. The 64 oz tank is generous for the size. The catch is the missing grinder, covered in our Bambino Plus beginner guide.
Strengths
- 7.7-inch width fits where no Barista model can
- ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, fastest in the class
- Automatic microfoam with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings
- 64 oz tank is generous for the footprint
Limitations
- No built-in grinder, so budget a separate grinder
- 54mm portafilter with pressurized baskets by default
- Manual steam control is gone; you accept the machine's texture presets
| Width | 7.7 in |
|---|---|
| Heat-up | ThermoJet, 3 seconds |
| Milk | Automatic microfoam, 3 temps, 3 textures |
| Water tank | 64 oz |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the 7.7-inch width for fitting where no Barista model can
- Many owners say the ThermoJet 3-second heat-up is the fastest in its class
- Owners like the automatic microfoam with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings
- Some owners are caught out by the missing built-in grinder, which changes the total cost
- Owners note the 54mm portafilter ships with pressurized baskets by default
- A common complaint is losing manual steam control and having to accept the texture presets the machine offers
Best for: Small kitchens where the machine must disappear between uses and milk must be automatic.
Skip if: You do not own a grinder; this machine needs one, and that changes the total cost.
Best for learners with a grinder
Breville Infuser BES840
The Barista Express minus the grinder, with adjustable temperature control.
The Infuser is essentially a Barista Express without the grinder, plus adjustable temperature control for roast-level dial-in. If you already own a capable grinder, it delivers the same pre-infusion extraction and manual steam wand for less money tied up in duplicate hardware.
Strengths
- Adjustable temperature control for dialing in light vs dark roasts
- Low-pressure pre-infusion for even extraction, like the Express
- 61 oz water tank and 54mm portafilter
- Manual microfoam steam wand for real latte art practice
Limitations
- No grinder, so it only makes sense if you already own one
- Thermocoil heat-up lags the ThermoJet Bambino models
- Older interface without the Pro's LCD shot timer
| Pump | 15-bar Italian pump |
|---|---|
| Extraction | Low-pressure pre-infusion |
| Temperature | Adjustable temperature control |
| Water tank | 61 oz |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the adjustable temperature control for dialing in light versus dark roasts
- Many owners like the low-pressure pre-infusion for even extraction, like the Express
- Owners say the manual microfoam steam wand gives real latte art practice
- Some owners find it only makes sense if a grinder is already owned, since none is built in
- Owners note the thermocoil heat-up lags the ThermoJet Bambino models
- A common complaint is the older interface lacking the LCD shot timer the Pro offers
Best for: Learners who own a grinder and want temperature control at a moderate price.
Skip if: You need a built-in grinder; the Express is the same platform with one.
Best fully automatic
Breville Oracle Touch
Fully automatic grinding, tamping, and milk on a dual-boiler, 58mm platform.
The Oracle Touch automates grinding, dosing, tamping, and milk texturing on top of genuine dual stainless steel boilers and a 58mm commercial portafilter. It is the only Breville that pairs one-touch operation with real simultaneous brew-and-steam hardware, which is what the price buys.
Strengths
- Automatic grinding, dosing, and tamping, plus automatic microfoam
- Dual stainless steel boilers: brew and steam simultaneously
- 58mm commercial-size portafilter
- Touchscreen with 5 pre-programmed cafe drinks
Limitations
- Flagship price, far above any Barista model
- Large countertop footprint for the dual boilers
- Automation limits the manual control enthusiasts want
| Automation | Auto grind, dose, tamp, and milk texturing |
|---|---|
| Boilers | Dual stainless steel boilers |
| Portafilter | 58 mm commercial |
| Water tank | 84 oz |
| Interface | Touchscreen, 5 pre-programmed drinks |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the automatic grinding, dosing, and tamping paired with automatic microfoam
- Many owners like the dual stainless steel boilers for brewing and steaming simultaneously
- Owners say the 58mm commercial-size portafilter feels like proper cafe hardware
- Some owners balk at a flagship price far above any Barista model
- Owners note the large countertop footprint the dual boilers require
- A common complaint is that the automation limits the manual control enthusiasts want
Best for: Households that want cafe drinks at one touch with genuine dual-boiler hardware underneath.
Skip if: You want to control every variable; the automation is the point and the price.
Best budget
Breville Bambino
The cheapest way into Breville espresso: ThermoJet speed, manual steam.
The base Bambino brings ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a 54mm portafilter at the lowest Breville price. The manual steam wand and 47 oz tank are honest compromises: you steam by hand and refill more often, but the espresso fundamentals are intact.
Strengths
- Lowest entry price in the Breville espresso range
- ThermoJet 3-second heat-up like the Plus
- Compact 7.6-inch width for tight counters
- Low-pressure pre-infusion and 54mm portafilter
Limitations
- Manual steam wand with less power than the Plus
- 47 oz tank needs refilling more often
- No grinder, so total cost includes a separate one
| Width | 7.6 in |
|---|---|
| Heat-up | ThermoJet, 3 seconds |
| Milk | Manual steam wand |
| Water tank | 47 oz |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise it as the lowest entry price in the Breville espresso range
- Many owners like the ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, matching the Plus
- Owners say the compact 7.6-inch width suits tight counters
- Some owners find the manual steam wand has less power than the Plus
- Owners note the 47 oz tank needs refilling more often
- A common complaint is the missing grinder pushing the total cost up with a separate purchase
Best for: Budget buyers who own a grinder and want fast, simple espresso.
Skip if: You want automatic milk or a built-in grinder; neither is here.
Best for enthusiasts
Breville Dual Boiler BES920
Enthusiast hardware: dual boilers, PID, and 58mm, without the Oracle's automation.
Dual boilers, PID temperature control, adjustable pre-infusion, and an over-pressure valve on a 58mm platform: the BES920 is the hobbyist's Breville. Nothing is automatic, which is exactly the point for drinkers who want to control every variable and own a grinder worthy of the machine.
Strengths
- Dedicated espresso and steam boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming
- PID temperature control with adjustable pre-infusion
- Over-pressure valve lets you cap maximum brew pressure
- 58mm commercial portafilter with 84 oz tank
Limitations
- No grinder, and it demands a good one
- Large, heavy machine for a home counter
- Manual everything: the learning curve is real
| Boilers | Dual stainless steel boilers |
|---|---|
| Portafilter | 58 mm commercial |
| Temperature | PID control, adjustable pre-infusion |
| Pressure | Over-pressure valve (OPV) |
| Water tank | 84 oz |
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the dedicated espresso and steam boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming
- Many owners like the PID temperature control with adjustable pre-infusion
- Owners say the over-pressure valve lets them cap maximum brew pressure
- Some owners stress that it has no grinder and demands a good one
- Owners note it is a large, heavy machine for a home counter
- A common complaint is the real learning curve, since everything is manual
Best for: Hobbyists who want to control pre-infusion, temperature, and pressure.
Skip if: You want one-touch drinks; every shot here is manual.
Best non-Breville alternative
Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier ES601
The 3-in-1 rival: espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew from one machine.
The Ninja Luxe Cafe earns its place as the rival pick: a 25-setting conical burr grinder with weight-based dosing, a Dual Froth System with 4 presets including cold foam, and genuine 3-in-1 brewing (espresso, drip, cold brew). See how it stacks up in Barista Express vs Ninja Luxe Cafe.
Strengths
- Brews espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew in one machine
- Conical burr grinder with 25 settings and weight-based dosing via built-in scale
- Dual Froth System with 4 presets: steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, cold foam
- Barista Assist Technology recommends grind and dose adjustments
Limitations
- Jack-of-all-trades design compromises peak espresso quality
- Large footprint for a machine doing three jobs
- Newer platform with a shorter track record than the Barista line
| Brewing | Espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Conical burr, 25 settings |
| Dosing | Weight-based, built-in scale |
| Milk | Dual Froth System, 4 presets |
| Guidance | Barista Assist Technology |
Sources: Ninja official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise brewing espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew from one machine
- Many owners like the conical burr grinder with 25 settings and weight-based dosing from the built-in scale
- Owners say the Dual Froth System with 4 presets covers steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, and cold foam
- Some owners feel the jack-of-all-trades design compromises peak espresso quality
- Owners note the large footprint for a machine doing three jobs
- A common complaint is the newer platform having a shorter track record than the Barista line
Best for: Households split between espresso drinkers and drip-coffee drinkers.
Skip if: You want pure espresso performance; a dedicated machine pulls better shots.
How we chose
We ranked machines with current manufacturer-published specifications: grinder presence and step count, heat-up technology and time, portafilter size, water tank capacity, and milk automation level. Machines were scored for their stated job, so the Bambino is judged as a compact grinder-less machine, not penalized for lacking what it never promised. Every pick above is a real model with verifiable specs; nothing here is discontinued or hypothetical.
Questions, answered
Which Breville espresso machine is best for beginners?
The Barista Express is the standard beginner pick because the built-in grinder removes a separate purchase and the pressurized baskets forgive imperfect technique. If tamping worries you most, the Barista Touch Impress automates it. If counter space is the constraint, the Bambino Plus is the beginner-friendly compact, but you will need a separate grinder.
Do I need a separate grinder with a Breville Barista machine?
No for the Express, Pro, Touch, and Touch Impress: each has an integrated conical burr grinder (16 settings on the Express, 30 on the others). Yes for the Bambino, Bambino Plus, Infuser, and Dual Boiler BES920, which are sold without grinders by design.
What is the difference between ThermoJet and thermocoil?
Both heat water on demand, but ThermoJet (Barista Pro, Touch, Bambino models) reaches brewing temperature in about 3 seconds, while the older thermocoil in the Express and Infuser takes noticeably longer. ThermoJet also recovers faster between brewing and steaming.
Are Breville 54mm portafilters a disadvantage versus 58mm?
For most home drinkers, no: 54mm is Breville's standard across the Barista and Bambino lines and has a full accessory ecosystem. The 58mm commercial size on the Dual Boiler BES920 and Oracle Touch matters if you want cafe-standard baskets and tampers, or plan to upgrade within commercial-spec gear later.