Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
$449.99
Description
| Brand | Breville |
| Color | Brushed Stainless Steel |
| Product Dimensions | 13.8″D x 12.5″W x 15.9″H |
| Special Feature | Manual |
| Coffee Maker Type | Espresso Machine |
|
|
||||
|
|
Additional information
| Title | Default Title |
|---|
Rigger_T10 –
My first one (same model) lasted 8 years….my fault for using tap water with all the minerals. Loved the unit. Takes a few days to learn how to set up for your type beans. Then, no issues. Lots of online advice to access. Very pleased.
BC –
Update 9/19/2020– The machine continues to may fantastic coffee. Enjoying some right now. One of our most used small appliances during the pandemic. Will never go back to SB again. It compares very poorly to what I can make at home now. Have run the descale cycle once because the light turned on, but I think it is set to turn on at a certain number of cycles rather than based on actual scale build up since we use RO water and scale build up is minimal. In any case, certainly does not hurt. Another tip I’ve got is to get yourself some disposable earplugs and set them next to the machine. The decibels during steaming can be really high and they hurt my ears. I also keep a quick read thermometer on the machine to know when my steamed milk is at the temp I like.Update 6/17/2020: This has ended up being one of my favorite birthday presents I gotten in years. Prior to owning the machine my family had a $100/week Starbucks habit. Since purchasing this machine 4 months ago, we’ve spent maybe $40 at SB. With COVID19, we’ve been at home and using this machine several times per day. The coffee it makes has only gotten better as we’ve learned to calibrate it. It has more than paid for itself in a few short months. It is well designed. We drink mostly Americanos so the hot water dispenser with automatic shut off is one of my favorite features. We were able to reprogram the machine to raise the water temperature very easily. The only glitches have come with the grinder which is a bit temperamental with certain beans, but these have been minor. The coffee the machine produces is delicious with a good amount of crema. I run a cleaning table through the machine about once per month, but because we have a reverse osmosis filter on our tap, we have had no need to descale. I highly recommend using reverse osmosis filtered water in the machine to cut down on internal build up. The machine is fairly easy to clean and has a lot of nice touches like the little float indicator that tells you when you need to empty the drip tray. We also like the ability to calibrate shots. I am raising our review from 4 to 5 stars since it seems that our poor experience with the first machine we received was just luck of the draw and we really have no complaints with our current machine. It is wonderful!Update: 2/18/2020 Amazon agreed to swap out the lemon (see original review below) for a new Breville Barista Express. It arrived today. I set it up and ran two cleaning tablets (3 cleaning cycles) before I even tried to make my first cup of espresso. I let the machine warm completely and set the grind size at 5 as suggested. Pulled my first shot and the new machine performed perfectly with the pressure reaching and staying in the middle of the gray extracting zone as it should. The shot was smooth with beautiful crema. I took the opportunity to program this shot so that it would be exactly 1 oz using my little espresso cup. I then pulled a double shot and did the same thing programming the machine to fill two of my espresso cups. Again the pressure was perfect at the level 5 grind size setting and the coffee is absolutely delicious with a beautiful smooth crema. Apparently the first machine I received was a dud. I’m glad Amazon allowed me to swap and will be sending the old one back tomorrow. I’ve changed my rating from 1 to 4 stars. If the new machine continues to perform as it did in its maiden voyage, I will revisit the rating and perhaps raise it to 5 stars. I highly recommend that anyone who buys one of these start off with a couple of clean/descale cycles before trying to make coffee. Save yourself a headache and a lot of wasted coffee.Pros: Very attractive and sturdy. The hot water dispenser is super convenient for making Americanos which is what I drink. I now don’t have to heat up a separate kettle of hot water. It’s great. The built-in grinder is really nice and its automatic function that also allows manual operation is convenient. The programmable temperature and shot amount adjustments are great.Cons: Because it takes so much water to keep the machine clean and operating well (it flushes itself after each use of steam or hot water) the water receptacle has to be refilled OFTEN (around every 3-4 coffees for me). I wish the machine had a bigger water tank. The drip tray also needs to be changed fairly often because the machine flushes itself, but this is does not bother me as much and it is not as often as the water tank. The grinder amounts tend to fluctuate and I’m still trying to figure out what adjustments or cleaning will might fix this. I’m not impressed with their customer service. When I tried to get help for the first unit I purchased (which ended up being defective), it took a couple of days to get a response and then that was an email with the exact same information contained in the user’s manual (I guess the assumption was that I had not read it) along with a flat dismissal that there could be anything wrong with the machine. Thankfully, Amazon dealt with the problem quickly by replacing the machine so I did not have to rely on Breville. I hope that I have a better response if I ever need to contact Breville in the future.Original review:I’ve wasted almost a pound of coffee over the past day trying to get the pressure on this machine to the “espresso” level that the instructions say is required. The machine will not go beyond the “pre infusion” level. I have cleaned it with the cleaning tablet as suggested in some of the reviews and I have adjusted the grind fineness and grind amount to every combination I can think of. Both settings are currently at the maximum levels. I’ve tamped the coffee harder and also used less pressure. NOTHING works. Like I said, I grew up with espresso as it is a daily drink in my culture. When I was little, my mom made it a the little stovetop espresso pot. My last espresso maker was a $79 Mr. Coffee that lasted almost 7 years and made very decent coffee with a nice crema everytime. No fuss. Then it finally broke and I can’t find that model. I didn’t want the new models with milk receptacles. Yuck! Anyway, I thought, well if I’m going to spend over $200 on Mr. Coffee, why not just splurge and get the Breville. The coffee I’ve so far gotten from this machine is thin and acidic and has almost no crema. As I’ve said, I have tried everything suggested. The pressure gage only reached the correct level on two shots after I had just cleaned it and then it went back to barely registering. IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT TO MAKE A DECENT CUP OF COFFEE! Right now I feel like all these 5 star reviews are a product of the psychological phenomenon that happens with very expensive wine, where people report it tastes better because they don’t want to seem stupid for paying so much and not liking it. I will update if it turns out I’m just missing the magic key to having this thing not be a ridiculously expensive pain in my coffee loving butt. But I’m not feeling hopeful.
Devyn Snow –
This $800 investment will save you so much money in the long run…. over the course of 4 years you can save A TON. (up to 10k+ if you have 2 $7 drinks everyday)Only 1 coffee every work day is 5 coffees a week.52 weeks is 260 coffees a year.Most people spend avg $7 on a latte.Thats $1820 a year on just coffee.Most people have a coffee every SINGLE day ($2548/year), and some people have 2 per day ($5096/year)Lets say you buy the machine:Lets say you go through 2lbs of coffee a month, ($312/year at 13 dollars a pound.)Lets say you go through 3G of milk a week ($180/year at 5 dollars a gallon)Lets say you use one Torani syrup a month ($84/year at 7 dollars a bottle)Lets say you splurge and spend an extra $500 on coffee gear and upgrades.You’re only in the hole $1876 on the year and thats having one coffee EVERYDAY (7 days a week).Thats the same price youd be paying if you only have one a day M-F including the cost of the machine……I’m sorry but if you’re not into the math, then you need to see how beneficial this can be for you!!!!I’m a very well practiced barista and have been so for about 7 years now. I started in San Francisco coffee shops adjusting shots and making latte art for the majority fo those years and have learned all the ins and out about procuring divinely good coffee on professional, completely adjustable systems.This home machine will be your best friend, barista or not.For those who know the coffee world already, and know the anatomy of a good shot and how to make exquisite microfoam, this machines got everything you need; besides the capability of steaming milk WHILE you pour your shot….. (In my eyes this is the only flaw of this machine for a trained professional.)If you are BRAND NEW to espresso making at home, this machine will be a doozy for you for AT LEAST a month if you want to seriously learn how to make, adjust, fine tune and WOW with your espresso and latte art abilities. Latte art IMO takes over 1000 cups to get down, and that doesn’t count the few days you over-steam your milk and its too thick to get anything finer than a grape sized dollop of white foam on your espresso. This machine will pull one shot good and the next shot bad UNLESS you keep all your variables the same. It should be a little intimidating, but the learning curve is worth it, and after that month and a few Youtube videos on espresso anatomy and how to tell a good shot, you’ll laugh at the thought of getting a Starbucks latte.I highly recommend getting a secondary tamper for the machine, the one provided is flimsy and can lead to different tamps everytime you use it.I recommend getting a 2 in 1 54.5MM distributor and tamper like FreeFish or Crema (the one I have).This style of tamper is infinitely adjustable by a screw-type mechanism and will give you THE EXACT same tamp everytime, as the rim of the tamping side sits on the rim of the portafilter, stopping it at a fixed distance, insuring you tamp with the same depth and pressure everytime. This too. will especially help novices consistency….and for pros, they know it cuts the need to be EXTRA attuned to your tamp everytime.Overall I’ve had the machine for 4 years now and plan on letting it go sometime next year when I move. I want a Breville dual boiler so i can pull shots and steam milk at the same time like I’m used to in my coffee shops….but ideally I would use this thing till the day it died on me (and then id fix it).But my vote is a vote for YES!!!
Christina Ferrante –
Disclaimer: I spent a month in Australia last year and found an absolute appreciation for good coffee/espresso. So I went on a mission to have that experience right in the comfort of my own home.With that being said, I spent tens of hours scouring the internet (and asking friends) on what at-home machine I should invest in. The answer was the Breville Barista Express. Then I read the reviews on Amazon…and one review was so concise and informative I took the plunge. The reviewer commented on his experience from the machine to all the accessories you would need to get. And that’s what I did.** WHAT I WILL SAY IS THIS…. WAIT to purchase until the machine is 20% off (if you can stand to wait & watch). The sale was almost $200 cheaper during the Prime sale. ** Because you will want to spend money on a few other items, which could potentially be that extra $200 **1) The machine itself is extremely easy to use. There are videos on YouTube that are less than 10 minutes that will tell you how to unbox, set-up, and pull your first cup of espresso.1a) Turn your machine on and start getting everything ready and let it warm up for about 10 minutes. Use the top of the machine to warm your cup before you pull your espresso.2) I purchased beans at Whole Foods. I only buy 1/2 bag at a time…which lasts me a week or two (I don’t make an espresso every day)… I suggest getting “fresh” whole beans. It makes a difference. Definitely purchase an air-tight container for these. Target, Amazon… get something that fits your visual vibe. But get one.2. In terms of measuring beans and all that… I did it the first few times. I purchased a digital scale at Target. But to be honest, if your grind amount is set correctly, you’re gonna be okay without one. I add a couple of scoops of beans (with the Breville measuring cup that is added) and grind those.3. The tamper that’s included is good… but I’d also recommend the “MATOW 53mm Coffee Distributor & Tamper, Dual Head Coffee Leveler” – I actually use both. The amount of coffee grounds in the filter cup is extremely important. When using the tamper, the silver part of the tamper should just be seen above the rim of the filter cup. DO NOT OVERFILL! Use the leveling tool to get the right amount and them tamp!4. This machine is EXTREMELY easy to clean. I’m all about iced lattes. So as I’m waiting for my espresso to cool down a bit I empty the grounds, pull the bottom try (which will fill with water each time after use) and empty/wipe it down.I wouldn’t say I visit coffee shops very often… but once you start making your own espresso you’ll become super judgmental of how others prepare your coffee. Once you get the hang of it… you’ll be pleasantly surprised with your newly developed skillset.It’s worth it. Take the plunge!
Chris –
My wife is a coffee addict and like many she would visit Starbucks on a regular basis. I purchased this for her as a Christmas gift. She was very surprised and loves it.I have had a few espressos made by this machine and I have to say, though I am not a big coffee drinking, I was impressed at the quality of the brew.She has since started making her morning cold brew at home and rarely goes to Starbucks now. So, I’d say in the time we’ve had it that it has already paid for itself.Great buy!
VRVR –
Despite some of the negative criticism sprinkled throughout this review, keep in mind that (1) I am giving this machine 5 stars, and now that I have spent a few weeks getting to know it (intimately), I love it – so much, that if a burglar broke into my house and stole it, I would order another one the same day – I have not been back to Starbucks since. All that being said, you NEED to read this review so that your machine does not frustrate you and so that you get the most out of it. Read on my coffee-loving friend:1. I am a guy, who knew nothing about espresso machines before this. I am very mechanically inclined and don’t usually read instructions. This was different – this machine is NOT self-explanatory and you NEED to read the instructions (which are well written, and even include a troubleshooting section). Don’t get frustrated with this machine until/unless you have read (all) the instructions.2. This is not a ‘stand-alone’ purchase … this machine costs around $500 (give or take), you need to invest another $100 right from the start (preferably at the same time) to get the most out of it, enjoy it to the fullest, and not get unreasonably frustrated by making your own lattes and mochas.3. The other things you REALLY should order at the same time (and all are available on Amazon) are: a. ($29) 100-pack disposable 20oz. cups with lids and sleeves (sold by Yes!fresh). Trust me, you want to get these. It’s only $0.29 per cup and are far more convenient that trying to clean out a million dirty coffee cups from your car/office each week. These are worth twice what they cost in the long run. And when your friends are over, you need not ‘loan’ them a nice coffee cup to go (which you may never see again) – just give them a paper cup to take with them. b. ($5-15 for 25 oz. / $20-30 for 64 oz.) Torani syrups and sauces, AND the pump tops that go with them (always sold separately). IF you drink the same thing on a regular basis (like I do) such as a white chocolate peppermint mocha, buy the 64 oz. white chocolate sauce and not the smaller 25 oz. bottle. c. ($14) Amazon Basics Cotton Washcloth – 24 pack – grey (the grey matches the espresso machine, but the color doesn’t matter). Again, trust me, you want a nicely folded stack of these sitting next to the machine – you will use 1 each time you make espresso, and then it will be dirty and needs to be washed. At my house (3 people using the machine) we bought two 24-packs because we make so much coffee – two 24-packs is not too many for our house (I’m thinking about buying a third pack). d. ($10 for pair of single shot size, $15 for pair of double shot size) Set of double-walled espresso shot glasses. Do NOT buy the rounded ones (ie: Cutehom espresso coffee cups) because they will not pour very well and drip all over the place (down the side) each time – very frustrating. Buy the JoyJolt Javaah Double Walled Espresso Glasses instead – you’ll be glad you did in the long run. And, if you’re planning to make mostly double-shot lattes/mochas, buy a set of Dragon Glassware 6 oz Espresso Cups (also double-walled) so that you don’t have to keep fidgeting with the single shot cups to keep them in the right spot under the coffee dispenser. It’s important to buy double-walled glasses for two reasons. First, it keeps the espresso hot while you’re steaming your milk, second, it keeps you from burning your fingers when pouring the espresso into your coffee cup. e. ($15) Breville BCB100 Barista-Style Coffee Knock Box. Again, TRUST me, you want this right next to your machine – the coffee grounds will start piling up quickly and you don’t want your portafilter anywhere near a garbage can. This thing is a must.4. Space requirements: This machine (and all that you want to go with it) will take some counter space – allow AT LEAST 34-inches of counter width to accommodate – slightly more is even better. You will from my picture, this is a 34-inch setup, and there is no room to spare.5. Making espresso. After you read the instructions, here are some tips that they don’t include to help avoid frustration: a. When the beans are grinding, lightly knock on the top of the hopper lid (just like knocking on a door) so that the beans keep feeding down to the grinder (sometimes they get hung up – a light knock each time keeps this from happening). Do NOT overfill the portafilter (after tamping) or it will jam coffee grounds into the water outlet and could possibly damage the portafilter or locking guide. After the grounds are tamped down in the filter cup, the silver part of the tamper should be just hidden beneath the rim of the portafilter (the machine includes a tool you can use if you accidentally overfill the filter cup, but after a short while, you’ll figure out how much to grind each time and the tool will not be necessary). b. You ALWAYS want to watch the pressure gauge when making espresso. It NEEDS to be in the dark grey area of the pressure gauge (and ideally in/near the middle of the grey area) during the brew cycle, otherwise you are not making good espresso – rather, you are making either watered down espresso (not enough pressure) or not enough espresso which is too rich (too much pressure). There are two key things that affect pressure: the fineness at which the coffee is ground (which is adjustable) and the volume of grounds in the portafilter (also adjustable). Although there is a one or two shot size setting, I have found it best to do two, 1-shot grinds, tamping down the grounds in-between each single-shot grind. I have the grind (volume) setting on the 4th click setting, and I have the grind (fineness) setting on either 2 or 3 (play around and see what gives you the best results). IF the pressure is too low, then either your coffee is ground too coarsely, or your have not tamped it down tight enough, or the filter is not filled with enough coffee grounds, or a combination of any/all of these things. IF the pressure is too high, then either your coffee is ground too finely, or you have tamped down the grounds too hard (tightly), or a combination of the two. c. IF using two, single-shot espresso glasses to collect a double-shot brew, keep an eye on them during the brew cycle and make sure they are centered under the espresso being dispensed (this can be avoided by using a double-shot size collection cup). d. IF making a mocha or other syrup/sauce drink, pre-mix the espresso and syrup in the glass and stir thoroughly before adding the steamed milk. e. Steaming milk is 1/2-art, and 1/2-science (seriously), and it does not come naturally. If you’ve never worked at a coffee shop and been trained to steam milk, do yourself a favor and watch a few good (short) YouTube videos on the proper way to steam milk. You will THANK yourself for taking 5-10 minutes on You Tube and learning the proper way to steam milk (and things to avoid). Understanding the steaming process will allow you to control the amount of foam on top and not make big mess. f. Before you steam your milk, VENT the steam wand to remove the residual water from the boiler line (you don’t want a few teaspoons of water in your milk). Vent the line, then turn the steam off … wait 5 full seconds … then insert the steam wand into the milk, then turn the steam back on. Hold the handle with your left hand, and place your right hand underneath the stainless steel milk steaming cup, when the cup is too hot for your right hand to touch (I mean really to hot to hold), keep the steam wand in and start counting along with the pump (which sounds like a metronome in the background … dit … dit … dit … dit …). For a semi-hot latte/mocha keep the steam wand in the milk for 30 double-dits (don’t start counting until after you can non longer touch the bottom with your right hand … “and-one, and two, and three” and so on until you get to 30 (the equivalent of 60 single dits). For hot (but still drinkable) count to 40 double-dits, and for very-hot, 50 double-dits. Anything above 60 and you risk burning the milk (which will ruin the flavor and you will need to toss it out and start over). When finished, turn the steam off, and remove the steam wand from the milk about 3-5 seconds before it finishes blowing steam (to avoid having milk sucked back up into the steam line). g. After you steam your milk, VENT the steam wand again to remove any milk that inadvertently got sucked up into the steam wand line and prevent any from making its way into the boiler. IF milk makes its way back into the boiler unit (because you failed to vent the line after use) you will DESTROY the boiler (permanently), in that, the milk cannot be cleaned out, will burn during the next use, and every cup of milk you steam in the future will have a burnt-milk smell/flavor – yuck! DO yourself a favor and vent the steam line religiously after each use – and make sure others who use your machine know that they can ruin it if they don’t do so also! (there goes $500!) h. The bottom tray is easy to remove, empty and clean (comes apart in 3 pieces). You should empty this every 2-4 days of use because it fills up despite you not pouring liquid into it – reason is, each time you finish using the steam wand or hot water dispenser, the machine auto-vents out the line from the boiler into the bottom tray (sneaky little devil) … so even though you don’t realize it, it’s filling up a little with each use. (Fun fact – the hot water dispenser can be used for instant hot water to make tea!).6. Cleaning up. a. I unfold a clean washcloth each time I make espresso. When you tamp down the grounds, it will help avoid damaging/scratching your counter, and will catch the spill-over grounds (there will always be some spill-over). b. When finished, use hot water (from your kitchen sink) to rinse the espresso cup(s), milk steaming cup, portafilter and filter insert (remove the filter cup from the portafilter each time you clean them), then use another clean washcloth to set them out to dry upon. c. The washcloth used to make espresso: fold it in half, twice (into a square), and use the hot water dispenser (on the machine) to get one corner of the square wet with hot (boiling hot) water, then fold the square into a triangle so that the boiling water corner is exposed, then fold that triangle into another triangle around the steam wand and thoroughly clean the steam wand. It will take a little time and firm pressure – make sure the wand is clean so that you don’t get nasty milk residue build up on your steam wand.7. Keeping things stocked: a. Milk. If your family uses milk for other things (cereal, baking, etc.) and up until now you have been a ‘1-gallon at a time’ household, it’s time to go up to a 2-gallon at a time household. Trust me – once you (and others in your house) discover the delicious lattes/mochas which are quick at hand, the milk will begin to disappear quickly (my house is now a 3-gallon at a time household with 3 people regularly using the machine). b. Keep a spare box of to-go cups/lids on hand, when you open it, order another one – it is not cost prohibitive and you never want to be out of to-go cups in the morning. c. Keep a spare bag of coffee beans on hand – also not cost prohibitive and if you run out of beans, well, there’s no reason to ever run out of beans. d. Keep a spare bottle of your favorite syrups/sauces. If you run out, all the fun is over.8. Quirks and tips. a. Keep a close eye (and refill often – like every morning) the water tank in the back (you need not pull it off each time, just take a 4-cup measuring cup and refill it when it gets 1/2-way down). Reason being, the machine is not smart like a Keurig – it has no sensor telling it when the water is out and it will run itself (to its peril) dry when the water runs out – this is not particularly good for the machine or the pumps. b. Use top quality beans – I recommend buying 1 lb. bags of Starbucks Espresso Roast beans – whole, NEVER pre-ground. WHY would you spend $600 on a coffee bar setup and then use crap beans or pre-ground (aka: not fresh) coffee? When you use top quality Starbucks beans (I have no financial interest in Starbucks by the by – so if you prefer something else like Pete’s or Dutch Bros., fine – but make sure you’re buying whole bean bags of their Espresso Roast). 2-4 double-shot lattes/mochas per day will go through a 1 lb. bag of beans every 1-2 weeks. c. Transitioning to decaf beans…? Nope, not easy, nor was the machine set up for an easy transition. To transition from regular espresso beans to decaf beans you must unlock the bean hopper and remove it – then pour the regular beans into a ziplock bag, then take your vacuum cleaner (I’m not joking) and vacuum out the remaining regular beans from the grinding gear mechanism, then replace the (empty) hopper – lock it in place, then fill it with decaf beans. We did this once at my house … and will never do it again.I hope you enjoyed my review and it helps you make awesome lattes and mochas!
Oskar Rausch –
The Breville Barista Express can make great espresso, but it is far from a plug-and-play experience. The machine’s biggest drawback, by far, is the lack of an espresso volume sensor featured on more expensive machines, which adjusts the amount of pressurized water based on the final espresso volume coming out of the portafilter. This is essential for brewing consistent espresso. The Breville has pre-set volumes for the amount of water going into the puck; however the final volume of espresso is a function of several variables, including amount of coffee, grind size, quality of beans, how forcibly the grinds are packed, water temperature, etc. Therefore, without an espresso volume sensor, the only option the Breville offers to get the final espresso volume right is to guesstimate by manually stopping the water flow when the amount of espresso looks alright. This can be a setup for frustration. Most of the first few dozen shots I attempted were too concentrated because a significant portion of the shot volume was absorbed by the coffee grinds without making it through the puck, leaving me with a few drops of espresso in my cup.The other major flaw of this machine is the unreliability of the milk steamer. Once the steamer comes to the right temperature, it is supposed to have an 8-second timeout to allow the user to pause the steam and put the steam wand into the container holding the cold milk. In reality though, turning the dial to standby causes water to shoot out of the steam wand when it’s turned to steam mode again, resulting in watered-down milk. The only way I’ve found to reliably steam milk is to quickly slip the steam wand into the milk while it’s steaming full force, which is obviously not ideal because it makes a mess.The third issue I would wish to see addressed is the water tank, which wastes a lot of water, especially if you are filling the tank with purified water. Below the minimum water level, the machine cannot pump water out of the tank, so the water needs to be discarded and filled to at least halfway. It would be nice if the machine could use water more efficiently so that water below the minimum level is not wasted.Beyond these three shortcomings, the Breville has the potential to be a capable home espresso machine. The burr grinder is excellent, the machine has a relatively small footprint and looks nice in the kitchen, and it comes with everything you need to use it out of the box except for water and roasted coffee beans.If you read the manual carefully and learn to manually adjust the shot volume right off the bat, then you may have a new favorite appliance in your kitchen. When done right, it’s a worthy upgrade to traditional filter coffee.
TheyDoReviews –
The media could not be loaded.
I’ve had this product for about 4 years now and I’ve used it just about every day to pull 4 shots for me and 4 shots for my wife. I really can’t recommend a better espresso machine if you’re just starting out.It comes with a burr grinder that’s easy to adjust to different settings.It has a steam wand to froth up your milk and comes with a stainless steel cup for your milkPros:Easy to useEasy to cleanGreat price point (I’ve seen fancy ones at $5k+ >:(Comes with just about everything you would need to pull a great espresso shotCons:Takes a little long to heat up (about 15mins)Steam wand is alright but can take a bit to froth your milkTips for beginners:If you’ve never had a espresso machine first, best thing I can say is be patient at first, you will be rewarded.Look into freshly roasted coffeeCheck out the accessories before you buy, here are some I highly recommend- Large Knock Box- Self release tamper- WDT tools
Marc PapaMarc Papa –
This machine is truly amazing and makes everything so simple for you down to the bean grinding. Makes amazing espresso. 100% recommend
Karen –
We ar enjoying our barista! Easy to set up… a little getting used to determining the right grinder bean size and also very easy to clean after use.
Kyvnmiller –
Its been a month since I have bought this machine. I have not worked every coffee making device out there but I have operated and tasted many. I had just lost my Deloghni magnifca super automatic machine after seven years of use. It was a pretty good machine for being a super automatic. But I have craved to get a real espresso machine and do a proper cappuccino. I have used french presses, Vietnamese phins, drip, siphon, and single serve kuerigs. Being in the Pacific NW you would except awesome cafe’s everywhere, and you would be wrong. To get a good barrista that knows what they are doing, is slim to none. So with the exit of my super auto, I shopped for a good one. I kept coming back to the breville. Only knocks it was really getting was that breville was Australian and new to the game. I took the plunge and bought it, and I do not regret it.So the good:It comes with its own grinder. It not the best, but then again its no slouch. It can be taken apart and cleaned. My super never did that. What this means is that as you build up grounds on the Burr, you can pull it apart easily and clean it. It has a hopper that you can remove and place unused beans back in its container, that is just awesome, you can make decafe then switch to a new bean. A reviewer gave a good tip that when you first run it, start at the coarse then work it to fine when you start to grind, good advice. I word of caution from me, every different roast of bean will be a new setting for the machine. If you use a oily bean, then you might have to clean the burr a lot in order to get that fine grind. Also be prepared to go through a lot of coffee to figure out the right setting to get that perfect cup.Temperature control. You can decrease or increase the temperature by 4 degree’s, in 2 degree increments. Doesn’t sound like much, but it can change the taste of your espresso.Easy to program grind amount, and shot times.It has a gauge to measure the pressure as it goes through the port a filter. It is a nice touch to be able to tell how things are working, several high price machine you have to feel it out and guess, this you can tell right away if something went wrong and you can adjust.The steam wand is easy to use, the switch on the side is okay, my super did have a better control knob that you could control the amount of steam that came out, but this one is slow enough that its not that bad to operate.Clean up is a snap, I really enjoy the fact that I can easily and quickly clean it up.It has a water filter, where I live we have a high concentration of hard water, so having a second filter to go through is nice.Parts. Breville has all the parts you can buy to fix your machine if they go out or need replaced. I am talking about new port a filters, rings, hoppers, water reservoirs, ect.It is pretty, looks really good, makes you want to drink coffee.The things that are not so nice:You will go through a lot of coffee. This is most true when you first get the machine and try to figure out how to run it. There is a couple of way things can go down. 1) you drink every cup you make, I suggest you do this alone. Anyone around you will worry you are on something because you will be running at a 1000 mph on that much caffeine, no matter what your tolerance is. You will be wondering why everyone around you is moving so slow. 2) invite people over and watch there reaction to find out well you are doing on making that espresso.Mess from the grounds. It has a tray, but for some reason my grounds always seem to go further then the tray. I placed a small dish under the grinder it that keeps it contained and its easily cleaned. You can also fill the port a filter, tamp, then fill a little more until you reach the proper level. I place a paper towel down and do the tamp on that, it catches the grounds that fall when tamping.Don’t expect a piping hot cup of joe. You can get it hot enough, by following their suggestions. I poor hot water in my cup before and do a single shot on a empty port a filter, that seems to do a good enough job.My latte art is of clouds, mushrooms, cotton balls. I believe that is my malfunction though.Overall, for the price (especially now) and the quality of espresso I am getting, its the top choice. Is it the best machine out there, no. But if you can afford those then I am not sure why you are reading things on amazon. Try different beans, they will taste different from what you are used to, each type will need different techniques to get the right pull. The Seattle best coffee bean, I only need to lightly tamp, the Vietnamese Civet I have to really press hard to get to the right tamp. I will trying several others as I go along, but I think that’s the best part of this machine. And to the few people ( there is other things I would call you) about the California restrictions, in the manual it does say that the parts on the machine that does come in contact with coffee or water is BPA Free and there is no parts that will make you grow a third limb, unless you already have one. If you read the blasted bill you might figure out what it actually is saying, Anything with a grinder or power cord falls in this warning. I don’t know about you, but I am not grinding bits of plastic in my coffee, and I am not sucking on the power cord, but if that’s what you want to do, go for it.For me, this has been a awesome buy, thank you for reading.
GCC –
We have had the unit for 8 months now, it’s been through 4 cleaning cycles (2 descaling, 2 normal backflow), so I’ve ‘tested’ out most of the possible functions it has. We like it, a lot. If it dies this year, it is probably a break-even so far based on the number of times we’ve used it vice buying from coffee shops. At $5 a cup, you have to buy at least 120 cups to even do a simple break-even. Of course, using milk/substitute and other items at home adds to this cost. Assume that you have to run 200 cups at home that you otherwise would have bought elsewhere, and you have basically done a break-even. If you drive to get to the coffee shop, and buy other things, then it may save you a lot of money sooner. In my opinion, this unit easily costs less than what we would have done within a year.The grinder seems to do a great job, and the dials to alter the size and amount, work well. I have had to clean it once since the grinds seemed to be working poorly, on Breville’s recommendation, running rice through the unit, and then cleaning it (removing the screw from the top), helped.We have not tried other machines, having been satisfied with the reviews, and price, of this one as listed. So far, just great results. We tend to do espresso drinks each time, meaning we use the grinder, frother, and espresso for each drink. The machine would likely last longer with less maintenance needed if you just did espresso, and used preground beans (or had a separate grinder), most likely.Family of 2 (with kid), in general we probably push through 4-6 cups a day on average, and up to 9 max at times. If we have guests, maybe 10-12, but not often. While we would certainly have NOT been buying this many from the local brewhouse, the quality of the product is just great.We choose to use almond milk exclusively as our base, and we make it ourselves, so the quality of the milk will never be that of the rich and creamy milk frothed up, but it is still amazing. This machine does a great job of grinding, pushing hot water, and frothing, so we get a cup that literally is as good as we ever had anywhere, and with the quality we want. Most coffee shops, when they do have milk substitutes, use poor quality almond milk anyhow, and it affects the taste. If you haven’t tried making your own almond milk, it’s extremely easy – don’t bother unless you buy good almonds from Spain or California. Soak them (called sprouting), then blend 1 cup almonds to 4 cups milk. Then strain through a nut milk bag (or cheesecloth), and add 2-3TB honey, vanilla bean, pinch salt, cinnamon). Blend. Some folks have gently heated the almond milk on a stove which helps thicken it a bit, and actually makes it more of a milk consistency than the ‘almond juice’ that you get by just straining. Lots of different options, and chefs are still coming up with ways to handle this. But frankly, after doing the almond milk thing, we will not use anything else. Some folks also add some coconut creme to the mix, and it also thickens things a bit. There are excellent non dairy and healthy alternatives out there, and they work shockingly well.We also pretty much gave up on buying beans from local brewhouses, we found the quality and taste not as good as we could do ourselves, so off we went and bought a small roaster (Fresh Roast SR700 Home Coffee Roaster), and frankly, this make the cycle complete – not only can we buy green coffee beans via amazon very cheaply, but we can also control how much we roast, and when we use them, making it a very turnkey and enjoyable experience.I advise also buying the Knockbox from Breville – this is a great add on and helps you control the waste from the Portafilter. Great tool/wastebasket, and helps you inadvertently throw your grinds into the drain, not good if you have a septic system either!!Agree with prior posters – use fresh beans, and consider roasting your own. The best bean we’ve found so far is the Colombian Huila (also sold on Amazon.com) – 5lb bag for $30 shipped. For about $6 a pound, you will have plenty of opportunity to find the roast level you want. Reason we like this particular bean (other than being available on amazon.com), when roasted to near or after second crack, it has a nice caramel/chocolate aftertaste to it. Not a bean expert here, but we’ve tried a dozen or so varieties, and for the price and availability, this is a really well priced and nice tasting bean. As mentioned before, we’ve done the local brewhouse roasted beans, and it’s basically russian roulette, and we’ve yet to find an ‘awesome’ tasting bean from them. The breville has a multiple of ways you can alter the taste by changing the temperature, grind, and amount of water through the bean, but some beans just aren’t suited for espresso, it seems. I’ll let the experts deal with that – once we find one that is suitable, we work more on the base taste, which is mostly affected by the milk/milk substitute that you use, unless you are just doing straight shots of espresso.We like the machine so much, it’s worth considering taking with you on travel if you have the power, and way to store your own milk at your location. And yes, we’ve been at places with in-room espresso machines like the Ritz, which has in-room espresso from Nespresso, to places that have full kitchens with a variety of machines, and places with club level places that have fully automatic machines. We continue to be underwhelmed with the quality and taste that most places do. Yes, we’ve been in Italy and had the best espresso/cappuccino’s, and they can’t be beaten due to the location, ambiance, etc. This machine does a bang up job of that without the expense of travel – lol.Frankly, Breville has provided a cost point and quality machine that is hard to beat. Other than my calling for help on a small grind question/issue, I have had no service issues yet.From other posters, if there are substantial issues that start to creep up after the 1 year mark, it’s kind of a cost tradeoff to consider paying $250 for a repair, or just buying a new one. I guess there is also a warranty you can buy if bought through Amazon, that goes up to 4 years, so that may be an option to keep it running longer, and truly have cost savings for many years to come.
Unhappy Customer –
Bought this just before Christmas last year. Amazon had it marked down, but I missed paying lower rate. My son’s girlfriend lives with us, and she was a supervisor at a coffee expresso bar. They were paying $7.50 each plus tip daily. Now getting 3 per day and save on tips. Has paid for itself, and getting sugar free syrups. Just need to buy a cow for the milk. Excellent investment, and just clean it and maintain it after every use.**UPDATE**After 5 months, I am a solid believer that this is the best Expresso Machine on the market. Reviews are all positive, except for 1 or 2 neanderthals that complain about them not able to fine tune the grind level so that the pressure is perfect. It’s like fine tuning a car, depends upon the bean, the grind level, water and adjustments.1. I buy my expresso beans from Costco.2. Grind Amount Dial on front is around 2:00 to 3:00 degrees.3. Adjust the Grind Size Selector side wheel (Outside Left) to around 4 to 5 (This can help control the pressure gauge on the front).4. Pull out bean storage bin on top, and clean any access. Notice the Burr Grinder arrow to where it’s pointing. Make sure this is cleaned out, and try repositioning the Burr Grinder to clockwise, when you put it back in. Depends on the beans. Youtube has several videos that really helped me to fine tune it.5. If everything is just right, the pressure gauge should be around 11:00 to noon at the top.Again, it takes some fine tuning, just like a coffee expresso mechanic to adjust it, but well worth it.Remember, it’s a poor mechanic who complains about his tools. You have to fine tune this machine, and keep it tuned. Clean it ever time you add a new bag of beans, and maintenance is important. Worth the investment.
AmazonianAmazonian –
Update May 2024: I purchased this machine in 2015. I’ve had it almost 9 years. It’s now starting to have issues – the 1 cup pour does not stop at automatically any longer, and a few weeks later, the 2 cup pour started doing the same. I’ll look into repair, but this is probably it for the machine.Update July 2023: Still going strong!! Using it daily! I’ve followed their cleaning guide and decalcification guidelines and have had no issues!Update June 2nd 2019: Still use it daily, and it’s working well! It’s now been almost 4 years! (Time flies when you’re drinking good coffee :)Update August-6-17: Still going strong after almost two years!Original Review and Tips:I love this thing. I’ve been using it multiple times a day for almost a year I think. Every day it makes amazing espresso, and as long as I keep it clean it preforms beautifully. This thing is also easier to maintain and requires less cleaning than other cheaper espresso machines I’ve tried.A tip for anyone looking to make actual espresso at home, I recommend looking for a local roastery in your area. I use to buy bulk beans online like many people, but once I tried local whole beans and found a blend I liked, the difference was amazing. Bean choice is very important if you actually want to enjoy your espresso!A few tips I picked up for using this machine:1. A few people complained about the grind amount knob not going low enough. To counteract this, I changed the cup size to “Single” and increased the grind amount by turning the knob to the right. This gives me the perfect amount of ground coffee every time.2. If the machine keeps going over or under on the pressure gauge, try cleaning the grinder. And remember to clean the grouphead with those desolvable tablets when the clean me light comes on!3. You can get cheap replacement cleaning tablets here on amazon. I chose Urnex Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets here on amazon, and they work great!4. You do not need to order a separate tamper, the one included is perfect.5. The included frothing cup is small but works for me. Some might need a bigger one.6. Do not underestimate the need for a burr grinder. Trying to make good espresso without one is like trying to hammer a nail with an inflatable hammer!Some of the features I love (Pros)*1) The grinder. I know many would rather use a separate burr grinder, but this thing works perfectly fine, and is easy to clean. Many complained about the coffee machine heating up the beans too much if you leave them inside the hopper, but I actually store my beans in a special container outside of the hopper, and use the included the scoop to pour in the beans when I grind them.2) The frother is amazing. Much much better than cheaper machines.3) Clean me light is awesome. Always reminds me to keep up on this things maintenance, and helps prolong the life.4) The Stainless steel is beautiful. (It is not 100% stainless on the outside though, a little bit of plastic, see cons.)5) The pressure gauge. Absolutely invaluable in making good tasting espresso. I would not recommend buying any machine without one. It really helps with learning and getting it right!6) The included tamper is perfect.7) Creates perfect pucks of coffee to dump out in the trash.8) The hot water dispenser is an awesome addition!9) Is an all-in-one, meaning I don’t need to buy a separate grinder!10) Just makes good coffee.11) Great manual included for lots of useful information.12) Has an automated cleaning cycle to clean the insides of the grouphead. Awesome!14) Includes a beautiful copper dosing tool.15) Includes tools to clean out the filters.Some things that bother me (Cons)*1)The top of the machine is plastic.2) The bottom sides of the machine is plastic3) The water tank needs to be refilled often, and it also thick plastic.4) The bottom water catcher thing (sorry) needs to be emptied often, but its not too bad.5) The coffee grind separator doesn’t really seem to help much, but it does help keep it out of the water below and little bit, which keeps it from smelling!6) Expensive, but to me, was a very worthwhile investment for how much coffee I was buying from the shop.7) Can’t seem to find inexpensive filters for the water tank, however, I use filtered water instead of tap.8) The Lowest grind amount is too much on the “double” setting. QC Should have caught this! But not a deal breaker. See above for workaround.*Might add more later as I think of them!This thing is also great for making sweet frappicinos and iced drinks.For caramel flavored drinks I use Hershey’s Caramel Syrup (Edit: I now make my own caramel syrup! It’s super easy!)For vanilla flavored drinks I use Torani Vanilla Syrup that I get cheaply from a bulk wholesale store in my town.For my sweet drink of choice I mix the two, add a double shot of espresso, 2% milk, and top with whipped cream and caramel syrup.Nothing beats a great espresso in the morning!Added tons of pictures.Edit: It seems quite a few people had problems with the machine dying on them, If your machine died on your please comment on this review with any information you think may help, such as the level of maintenance you preformed while your machine was working, the brand of water filters and cleaning tablets you used, etc.Maybe we can find a common cause of this defect!
Maddle –
I absolutely love this machine. With as many lattes as I drink, this will easily pay for itself within a year, inclouding the cost of beans, milk and cleaning products.Notes: Make sure to keep up with all the regular maintenance. Ever day after I’ve made my coffee, I wipe the steam wand, purge it, then wipe again. Make sure to get into all the crevices around the tip and you’ll never need to use the pin to clean out the tip. Once I’ve done that and poured my steamed milk, I purge the showerhead by pulling one shot into the empty mug (no filters). This keeps the showerhead clean of coffee debris and keeps the coffee tasting pure.REMEMBER TO CHANGE YOUR WATER FILTERS. The filters should be changed every 60 uses or 2 months, whichever comes first. This wolill reduce how often you need to descale the machine, prolong it’s useful life and provide better tasting coffees. You will still need to descale the machine every so often. The manual included is very helpful for keeping up with the maintenance (as well as pulling shots, making drinks and other useful tips) and you can also find instructions on their website should you misplace the manual. Gold tone makes pretty inexpensive replacement filters specific to this machine and they’re available here on Amazon. I use them and am pretty happy with the results.Do not let the water run out. Ever. This could cause serious damage to the machine. If you forget once or twice, you’ll probably be just fine but check the water reservoir at least 1-2 times per week.Clean the machine parts at least once a week. You may need to empty and rinse the drip tray 1-2 times a week (depending on frequency of use) but take it out and hand wash at least once a week. This is a good time to wash the tools and tool bin as well. Also, dont forget to take the coffee filters out of the portafilter and wash those as well. Over time, residue can build up underneath there. Also, the spouts in the portafiler twist off so you can clean them better. Clean out your parts, get in those crevices regularly and you’ll be just fine.Don’t forget to clean the hopper and grinder. You should clean it out every time you switch to a new bean or at least every few pounds of coffee. The instructions in the manual are pretty easy and straight forward. I also use a clean, dry towel to wipe any remaining coffee and oils from both the grinder parts and the hopper. Do not wash in warm water as you could risk it not drying well and rusting or not being lubricated enough and over heating. Just use the included brush and clean, dry paper towels. You could also vacuum out residual coffee from the grinder to assist in cleaning, but I don’t usually need to.Also, remember that the stainless exterior is stainless plating. This means it can wear over time and not look as nice. The best way to handle this is to wipe it down with a damp cloth (once daily then more detailed once a week) and follow it up by drying it with a clean towel. This will prolong the exterior appearance. Also during your weekly cleaning, be sure to look under where the coffee and steam come out and clean around there. Milk, coffee and residue steam can splatter and build up so be sure to clean it as well.The weekly cleaning sound intensive but really takes maybe 5 minutes.Common issues: Keep in mind certain o-rings will need to be replaced over time. This is noted by Breville in the manual and on the website. There are two main places where you need to replace these: around the tip of the portafilter (where the spouts connect) and where the portafilter connects to pull shots.Another common issue is that the machine will make a loud “buzzing” sound and/or leak water out of the bottom of the machine. This is a common issue and, when it does occur, usually happens around 6 months to a year. This generally occurs due to a broken solenoid valve. If your product is still under warranty, take a video and contact their customer service. Maybe suggest it’s a solenoid valve and they are usually very good about fixing or replacing the machines and parts. If it is no longer under warranty and they will not resolve the issue (because sometimes they still will after the warranty period), there are many repair services that can fix this. If you are especially handy and brave enough to fix it yourself, you can usually find the replacement parts fairly cheaply online (not just the valve, but really ANY part that may need to be replaced). Again, if it’s still under warranty do not go this route, as it will void any existing warranty. Also, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could do more damage than good.All-in-all, this is an amazing machine for this price point. There is a reason this machine is so popular and highly rated. There’s a lot of customization available to you and it is a very good quality machine. I would not suggest any product below this machine and price point for your first machine as you’ll likely be very disappointed in the results. Eventually you may want to upgrade to a more robust multi-thousand dollar machine, but this is great for the majority of consumers and is super user friendly. Use higher quality beans directly from the roasters and learn how to use the machine and make drinks and you’ll be very happy with it. The quality is truly amazing for such a low cost espresso machine.Side note: Whole Latte Love on YouTube is a great resource for additional reviews, tips and tricks and maintenance for this machine (and many more). It’s also a great resource on how to pull shots, steam milk, pick types of milk and make many different types of drinks when you’re just starting out or want to up your coffee game.
Nicole C. –
This product is terrific and exceeded my expectations. The machine is very easy to use and delivers a good quality espresso every time. The large water tank is a bonus, and the ability to adjust the grind size is just fantastic. I found it surprisingly easy to clean too. It’s easier to use than I thought! Plus, the espresso quality is great! I’ll definitely be saving money on buying coffee out for sure! Overall, a fantastic investment.
FirstEverReview –
As my profile name says, this is my first ever review and a feedback for anything I bought anywhere online. I felt like doing it because I have some spare time over Christmas and also I hope someone will find this helpful.If your primary criteria for choosing an espresso machine is the looks, don’t read further. Choose this machine as my opinion it is the best looking machine on the market as of right now. If on the other hand you are assessing other features, keep reading.Bough this machine 3 weeks ago. Was away for a week on work travels and used it effectively 25 times. Made around 15 espressos and 10 cappuccinos. in two weeks. I owned two espresso machines in last 5 years and these were half the price of this one so you understand where my base line or the previous knowledge is.IssuesThe first issue is around excess amount discharged of water in the bottom tray (you will see it because Breville obviously even made a floater that flips red when it is about to overflow).Issue 1. Bottom tray was overflowing with water after using the machine 15 times. I thought this was strange, emptied the water and continue using the machine and this time I was monitoring the level of water in the bottom tray. After 10 further drinks (mostly espressos and a few cappuccinos) the tray was half-way full. I did not think this was right so I gave Breville support a call. They were very responsive and called me back. I explained the situation and the gentlemen I spoke with said it is a normal operating condition for this machine and that end-user is expected to empty the tray after a while due to, as he stated, 3 events taking place:- Event 1, When you switch the machine on it automatically drains any stale water from its pipes into a tray so that a fresh water from the plastic container is used. I see this as a positive and a smart function for the machine to do and can confirm not much water is discharged into a tray.- Event 2, Machine drains a certain amount of water after every espresso made into a tray in order to get rid of any water in internal pipes so, so no water under pressure is left in machine pipes as this prolongs the life of a machine. I confirmed this whilst on a phone to him and there was not much water discharged in the tray.- Event 3, Machine drains a certain amount of water after using steamer for e.g. milk frothing. Again, as explained this is so any excess pressure is released from the pipes as well as any water. Here, a large amount of water was released in the tray as I tested this whilst on the phone to support.My assessment of this issue is, if you have the time to change empty the tray after roughly you made 15 drinks and stress about whether the water will overflow in you espresso tray then consider this a non-issue. This normal operating condition is not listed in the manual or brought to consumer’s attention when choosing this product. This is obviously known to Breville since they went as far as designing a smart flipping floater turning red when the tray is full. However, they do not consider this too much of a hinderance to users.The next issue number 2, again as per my conversation with the support is a normal operating condition. Steamer pipe was blocked. I had to use a cleaning needle, supplied with the machine, followed by switching on the steamer to get it to work. This is after frothing the milk for around 10 cappuccinos I made using this machine, last one yesterday. The support said it may be because I used whole milk, and I think I did. Again, this normal operating condition/best practice is not listed in the manual or brought to consumer’s attention when choosing this product. This is obviously known to Breville since they went as far as supplying a cleaning kit with this machine all with specifically designed needle. Obviously, they do not seem to consider this too much of a hinderance to users.Issue number 3 is to do with coffee grinder feature usability. You cannot tell how much coffee has been ground (the grinder will go on as long as you keep the porta filter basket/handle pressing the grinder switch). As a result every coffee you make will taste different.Now, in summary, I am returning this product since I cannot afford the time to maintain it (empty water, clean). Although making a coffee is a ritual, I do not feel like I can get use to this machine. It would require too much of my attention to maintain and learn how to operate it. Also, I want to be able to use any milk type without a fear it will clog the steamer pipe and lastly the coffee tastes differently every time I make it (this last one would take some time to get use to the machine which admittedly I did not allow for). Although I am a coffee lover, I cannot justify the price of this espresso machine with having all the basic issues I listed. And for whomever over-engineered the self-cleaning functionality of this machine, and the person who approved it, they have done it to the detriment of usability and have affected the end product result at the end of the day.The next section are my suggestions on how to improve this product in the future, so for Breville Product Owner, in case they ever read this.1. Have a light at the top of the grinder dispenser so that I can see how much coffee has been ground. Maybe have both options available to users, unlimited coffee grinding (needs light to see) as well as the exact amount2. Find a better way of cleaning the machine than discharging a lot of the water in the tray – this is a burden to end-user. See suggestion 3.3. Instead of on/off steamer switch, have a knob controlling how much steam to use. This will help with cleaning the pipes as well as stopping excess water discharge in the tray since the user can simply release any excess steam with the knob. Not as easy with on/off switch, not to say impossible4. Grinder dial numbers are hard to seeHope this helps.
dj li –
I ordered on 11:00pm, they delivered it next day monrning. Wa, Suprised and Grateful!This is recommended by three friends, it is really easy to use, I like it very much!
Art H –
It was easy to set up and use, which was helped by following the instruction manual. My first espresso shot was perfect and required no adjustments.
Js –
an awesome espresso machine for first time home baristas. overall this machine is great but has just a couple of shortcomings which are easily mitigated. first off it has a premium feel to it. no flimsy plastic or cheap construction, it feels solidly built. i got the stainless version and it fits in perfectly with the rest of my stainless kitchen. As for the device itself. pros: large capacity water reservoir. plenty of grind settings (ill go over my setup after listing the pros/cons) conical burr grinder (fully auto with selecting the dosing amount or manual ability) single and double wall portafilters (for both 1 and 2 shot sizes double wall for pre ground espresso-yuck) 15 bar pump, and a pressure gauge for letting you see where you are when it comes to seeing how you did on puck prep. it has the ability for programming the shot duration so you can get the perfect 1:2 ratio (18g espresso into 36g of finished product in ~25 seconds – this is what you are aiming for when dialing in your settings…) Now for the cons which are few: its not a double boiler system so you cant steam milk while you are pulling a shot. its not the thermojet heater which has a 3 second heat up time (seriously no biggie) the steaming power is not that strong- while it steams milk just fine its not super fast like if you go to a cafe and they steam it for all of 3 seconds and its done. it will take about 60-70 seconds to get it to microfoam and be at the right temp. (for this reason i steam milk immediately prior to pulling the shot so the espresso isnt sitting there waiting for the milk and cooling off). the manual tamper that comes with the unit is pathetic. they tell you how to use it but there i’ve found there is a steep learning curve with it as you have to have the right amount of grounds, right tamping pressure applied, AND you absolutely must have a level tamp otherwise you will get channeling and will pull an uneven and ultimately sour shot. i think i did 4 correct shots out of 15 made that were enjoyable. they were all “drinkable” but using the provided tamper only 4 of them tasted good and i would consider serving them to other people. as i said these problems are mitigated. the milk frothing taking longer than could be. boohoo deal with it honestly its really NO BIG DEAL… take your time do it right and get that pro barista microfoam and do some latte art if you want (i tried to do the art, im not artist and suck at it so i gave up lol i find it stupid and would rather put my effort into making a great tasting drink which is about to go into my stomach and not an art museum). as for being a single boiler system and not being able to pull a shot and steam milk at the same time no big deal as i said before i do the milk prior to making the espresso and thats it if you are making multiple drinks then it will just take a little bit longer which again is no big deal. if you drink straight espresso or americanos or any non milk drink this is a moot point. the puck prep is made easier by #1 weighing out 18-19g of espresso putting that into the hopper (dont fill the hopper all the way up because you expose the beans to air and oxidize them you want to store them in as much of a vaccuum as you possibly can.) #2 using 3rd party accessories prepare the puck- (CREMA BRAND dosing funnel and CREMA distribution/palm tamper tool [which you have to calibrate once]) you evenly distribute the grounds to a flat/level surface (with the distributer side) and then tamp it with the tamping side (using your palm to push down on it) once calibrated you get a perfect puck and a consistent shot every single time. you can find youtube videos on how to calibrate the distibution/tamping tool these devices make espresso idiot proof right off the bat.my setup:Illy classico whole bean…grind setting #519g beans -> 19g ground -> 36g liquid in 26 seconds. (using single walled 2 shot PF)steamed half and halfCrema dosing funnelCrema distribution tool (distributor set all the way at the base, tamper calibrated as per youtube videos)overall this is a great machine that is easy to use once it is all dialed in (which has to be done with any espresso maker btw) and it pulls consistent great tasting shots each time. as for taste start at the baseline and customize from there which is totally doable with this unit. obviouslyt you can try different beans but you will need to dial it in again because beans have different strengths etc stuff not having to do with the machine. get it, i like it, and it gets rave reviews.
Jessica LeeJessica Lee –
Imagine a machine that doesn’t just make coffee but celebrates it. Nestled in your kitchen, the Breville Barista Express in its brushed stainless steel elegance is more than an appliance—it’s your personal coffee shop, where the barista knows exactly how you like your espresso.Design & Build: Elegance Meets DurabilityWith its sleek, professional design, the Barista Express is a love letter to coffee aficionados. Its sturdy build and compact footprint make it a perfect centerpiece for your kitchen, promising durability without sacrificing aesthetics.Performance: Your Personal Coffee MaestroThe heart of your home café is its ability to deliver fresh, ground-to-perfection beans for every cup. The built-in grinder offers you control over the grind size and dose, tailoring each cup to your taste. The precision with which it heats water to the exact temperature for espresso extraction is akin to a conductor leading an orchestra, ensuring every note of flavor is captured.Ease of Use: From Novice to Home BaristaBreville makes stepping into the world of espresso making as inviting as a warm coffee house. The intuitive design and clear instructions guide you through the process, turning the art of espresso making from daunting to delightful. In no time, you’re pulling shots like a pro, with the machine becoming an extension of your coffee passion.Milk Frothing: The Secret to Silky Smooth LattesThe steam wand, a magician’s wand in its own right, allows you to create rich, velvety microfoam that’s the hallmark of a perfect latte or cappuccino. The transformation of milk into a creamy froth adds that final touch of magic to your coffee creations.Cleaning & Maintenance: Keeping the Magic AliveBreville knows the importance of a clean stage for each performance. The Barista Express makes maintenance a breeze, from its removable water tank and drip tray to the helpful “clean me” reminder. Keeping your machine in top shape means every cup is as perfect as the first.Final Thoughts: The Heart of Your Coffee JourneyThe Barista Express is more than just an espresso machine; it’s your passport to exploring the rich world of coffee in the comfort of your own home. It’s where functionality marries beauty, not just an investment in your mornings but in your moments of joy, shared over a cup of perfectly crafted coffee.This machine isn’t just about making coffee; it’s about bringing the coffee shop experience into your home. It’s for those mornings when you need a perfect start and for those moments of quiet contemplation. The Barista Express invites you to discover the depth of coffee, one cup at a time, turning your kitchen into the heart of your coffee journey.
Buddy –
I rarely write online reviews of products I buy, but I am so impressed by this machine I must share with people who are contemplating this purchase.BOTTOM LINE:This is an extremely good value for the price, and I would HIGHLY recommend this machine to anyone regardless of their experience level with making espresso-based beverages. Read on for more detail…BACKGROUND:I am very careful when buying products in this kind of price range, and thus do a lot of research before buying. This is especially true with something you can’t truly “try before you buy”. I read over 100 of the reviews on this product, and although there are some complaints the major theme is very positive. I have been using the Breville daily now for almost two months and feel I understand it’s pro’s and con’s very well.As a coffee person, my focus is on espresso, Americano, and lattes. I was never a drip-coffee person, but I have been a hardcore Starbucks latte guy for 6 years. I have talked at length to baristas over the years to get a more technical understanding of what makes great coffee, and previously owned a fully automatic machine from Saeco (about a $600 machine). When it came time to buy a new machine, I felt that I was ready to make the jump to a semi-automatic machine.Lastly, I come from a technology background (e.g. Apple employee) and feel that I am a good judge of design, manufacturing, user interface, etc.DESIGN:This is an extremely well designed product. Every little detail, from the exterior & interior packaging to the controls on the front of the machine, is very thoughtfully done, well executed, and serves its intended purpose. From the beginning you see that it is a high quality product, and Breville spent money where it matters. The materials are visually appealing as well as sturdily built, with the kind of craftsmanship and heft you would expect from a much higher priced machine. Nice touches like having the tamper store in a magnetized hole in the top of the machine, having the top surface of the machine stay warm from the boiler to keep your portafilter and coffee cup warm, and creating a hidden accessories tray in the base of the machine are signs of top notch designers. Overall, the product is relatively compact and will fit into any size kitchen situation. Lastly, the user instructions are extremely well done and very helpful – READ THEM.PERFORMANCE:The espresso produced is extremely consistent, and only changes as your beans age (although a pretty small difference). The water boiler heats up very quickly and you will be drawing a shot less than 2 minutes after hitting the power button (part of this time is grinding the beans). The controls are easy to use, and the movable items such as the portafilter and steamer wand are holding up well and I have zero concern about long term reliability. The steamer wand, compared to my previous Saeco, seems to create much richer milk foam, which is important for lattes and cappuccinos. There are a number of “complaints” from people on these reviews about how difficult it is to get good espresso, but I can tell you my very first shot was good and has been ever since. I think these people are creating the wrong impression, as this machine is incredibly easy to use. However, it’s critically important that you read the instruction manuals FIRST to help ensure you get it right. The grind level is the only thing you really need to set, and that will be personal preference to some extent but for my beans it seems best at 4. The other thing you control is how hard to tamp the grounds in the portafilter, and I will tell you that if you give it a good strong press (I use two hands on a hard flat surface), it will be just fine. Don’t overthink this machine!BEANS:I strongly suggest you find a local shop that roasts their beans on-site so you can have truly fresh beans. You want espresso whole beans, and they need to be 100% Arabic and NOT the “oily” kind. Otherwise, you will gum up your grinder.CLEANING:Terrific design makes this a breeze to clean. The water and grounds catch tray just lifts out in one piece, and you can take everything to the sink without making a mess. A quick rinse and you are ready to put it back. One thing that cannot be avoided is that some of the coffee grinds will spill out of the portafilter during the grinding process, and may even fall off the coffee maker and onto the counter (or floor). I shake the portafilter mildly while its grinding to even out the grounds to minimize the mess, but even that doesn’t eliminate it completely. The other mess creator is tamping the grounds and levelling off the dose size, this will cause grounds to be spilled. Up to you how to contain this, although I just turn the dosing blade upside down and use it to scrape the grounds off my counter and into a bowl I use to catch the grounds when I level the dose. Overall it is quite minor and requires less than 5 minutes of clean-up a day.
scott Gregory 194scott Gregory 194 –
For me and my fiances eleven year anniversarywe decided to just buy a gift for each other thatwe both could use. We decided on this BrevilleIt has not disappointed us at all . It makes themost amazing tasting coffee at home at a fractionof the cost . The stylish classy look just let’s you
GrantGrant –
This is my first espresso maker I ever bought now I did in the past have a Nespresso machine and it works really well, but I wanted to make my own real espresso so I did a lot of searching and reviews on YouTube and found this Breville espresso machine and right out of the box I dialed it in, and I was off to the races. It took a handful of tries to really get the grind and the shot that I wanted but now it works perfectly and I’m extremely happy with my purchase and with this product
Matt K –
This is the first espresso machine I’ve ever owned. I purchased it this Spring (2020) because, like many of you, I needed to stop going out. I didn’t know much about home brewing espresso, but I have lots of Breville products, and I thought this would be a good entry-level machine., I liked that it had all of the features I needed in a one-stop solution, but would still allow me to make “real” espresso, not the stuff that shoots of a pod, which I typically dislike. Armed with nothing more than the instructions it came with, power, water, and beans, I was able to brew espresso good enough to keep me from going into withdrawal, but typically not delicious, and appreciably less enjoyable than my favorite baristas in my favorite cafes. I also wasted a lot of beans in the process. After about 10 days of this bumbling around, I decided to start researching how to get better performance, learning a lot of coffee science along the way, and over the next few months, my technique and results improved, but ultimately plateaued at a point where I felt my home-brewed espresso was now generally better than my favorite baristas – but still not consistent – one day I could make a perfect shot, with all of the lovely sweetness and velvety texture of great espresso, with little or no extraction defect, but then the next day, doing the exact same thing, would get something uneven and over- or under- extracted, and not as good. I was not exactly sure what the variable was, but I suspected it was the grind consistency, since by now I had become very practiced at everything else.The obvious issues with the grinder are that there is a limited range of adjustment, and as you get to a good fineness for your beans, there will be popcorning – the phenomenon of the beans bouncing off the burrs before passing through; those popcorned beans will be ground more coarsely than the beans that were packed into the grinder by the weight of the beans sitting on top of them. Also, while the machine has a hopper that encourages you store beans in it, that’s a terrible idea; it’s better to store the beans in an airtight cannister or, if they came from a nice roaster, in their resealable, airtight bags with one-way gas valves. I find that beans that are well-packed like that do not have to be brewed within two weeks of roast, as some coffee trainers say, but rather, can last up to 5 weeks from their roast date, and still be very good, with the peak time for brewing being 7-15 days after roast. Back to popcorning: because the beans will grind differently based upon whether they’re at the bottom or top of the pile, this would theoretically render every dose you grind prone to unevenness. This is not a defect of the Barista Express. This is just something in the nature of conical burr grinders. Some craft builders have figured out how to build-in flow control (including the grinder that I now use, which I’ll come to that). But you can also be your own flow-control. And that’s how I hacked this to get slightly better consistency. I adjusted the grinder to be so fine that it would give me an espresso grind, even feeding only one or two beans at a time, and then did that. In so doing, my grind was more consistent from top to bottom, and my extraction improved significantly. But it was still not totally consistent. And, it makes grinding very labor intensive to feed beans one or two at a time – it makes it take 3-4x as long, and you can’t do anything else.The other thing too – and I learned this early in the adventure – is that you can’t rely on the built-in dosing settings for the grinder. Just forget about these. Even if you don’t want to go crazy and hand-feed the machine like I do, you need to get a scale. Measure your beans one shot at a time. The dosing volume controls on the machine are not volumetric; they just control how long the grinder runs. Good espresso requires adherence to a brew recipe with a known mass of beans and that can only be done by weighing them. You could take your portafilter and weigh it after the machine dispensed your grind, but this will invariably lead to waste.Now, 8 months into my new hobby, I treated myself to a new grinder – one you’ve definitely seen if you watch coffee videos on the internet all day. Now that I use this grinder instead of the built-in grinder, I am not having any problems. In my last 30 shots, 29 have been perfectly-extracted (meaning no channeling, no dead spots, just nice even extraction at the correct pressure levels, resulting in a shot that gets all of the sweetness out of the bean, and little to no bitter or sour flavor) and the 1 that wasn’t was because I used the wrong grinder setting. Mea culpa. Oops. That’s the kind of consistency I’m looking for. What does this tell me? The coffee brewing function of this machine is top-notch. The group head, shower screen, thermoblock, all of it performs at a professional level, and with the right grind, you can make supremely good espresso on this machine, and do anything you want with it. Drink it straight; make a milk-drink; make an Americano, hot, iced, or whatever you want. Also, the controls are very intuitive, and the build quality is high, as you would expect from Breville. As for maintenance: espresso machines are high maintenance. They require regular cleaning and decaling. But Breville has made it a snap. It takes maybe 10 minutes to descale, every other month, with normal daily usage. A monthly cleaning cycle is so simple it practically runs itself. I also take off the shower screen and make sure it hasn’t accumulated too much grit, every few days. That’s not necessary – it can go weeks without cleaning and still work, but I am a bit of a perfectionist, as you may have gathered.I’ve talked about brewing and grinding, but not steaming. As for steaming: it works fine. I know that there are commercial or prosumer models with slightly more sophisticated steam wands. Because this has a single thermoblock, it is not able to brew and steam at once, in fact, the steam cycle takes quite a while to wind itself up. So you have a Hobbson’s choice: steam first, and wait for the temperature to come back down to where it is appropriate for brewing; or brew first, then steam, while your shot goes cold. I don’t make a lot of milk drinks, and if you are, it’s less important if the shot cools a little. But it just makes the process slower. But once it’s running, the steam wand textures milk very nicely. This isn’t the most important feature for me, because I drink mostly espresso or Americano, rather than milk drinks. But if you drink mostly milk drinks, then keep this in mind that there are machines with better wands, and better ability to transition from brewing to steaming, out there.The steam knob on this machine also activates a hot water dispenser, which is very helpful. It automatically cuts off after delivering the right amount of water to make an Americano; two cycles will give me enough to brew a quick cup of tea when I don’t want to wait to boil a kettle on the range. That is a plus. However, the steam control, although it rotates, is not a volumetric control, it’s just an on-off; you can’t dial in more or less steam by opening and closing it more.So would I recommend this machine? I would say I recommend the Breville family, more than I recommend this particular machine. Because the espresso-brewing is 5-star, but the grinder is only 2 or 3 star, and I am so happy no longer need to use it. If I knew then, what I know now, I would not have gotten an all-in-one machine. I could have gotten a better grinder, and a smaller, lower-cost Breville, like The Infuser, or a larger machine that focuses only on the brew and steam functions, like the amazing Dual Boiler, which might be my next machine. Before I knew better, I liked the space-saving and cost-effectiveness of an all-in-one. But the all-in-one is not going to let you chase perfection in your espresso. So depending on what your wants, needs, budget, and counter space requirements are, you might want to look at other machines in the Breville line, that have the same great controls, fit and finish, customer support, that you would expect from Breville, but that aren’t trying to be the jack-of-all-trades.If you do get this machine, it has almost everything to get up and running (except the water and beans) but I do recommend some accessories:1. A 54mm bottomless portafilter so you can see your extraction in real time — this is KEY to learning about extraction defects2. A drip scale — or any slim-profile kitchen scale that measure to 0.10s of a gram, so you can accurately weigh your dosage of beans before grinding, and also test your flow rate and mass of your finished product, to ensure that you are getting a good ratio of input to output.These are a MUST. Without seeing the extraction, and without being able to measure your dosage, you will not be able to make anything resembling tasty espresso from this machine.Some other things are optional but helpful:- A rubber tamp mat to protect your counter and limit the mess;- A 54mm distributor tool to quickly and easily get a nice well-prepared puck. You can do this by hand, but the tool makes it easier, faster, and less messy. The Breville distributor tool that it comes with is useless.- A 54mm calibrated tamper, so you know that your tamp application is consistent every time. The built-in tamper is adequate, there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s not useless, but it doesn’t give you any guidance for that all-important consistency.- Lots of replacement filters, cleaning tablets, and descaler.This machine is not deficient because it doesn’t have all of these things (it actually does come with maintenace tools, and starter packs of cleaning tablets and descaler which is really great). It’s a very complete package. Great instruction booklet, and all of the nice packaging you would expect from a great company like Breville.In conclusion: There are many people for whom this probably is the right machine. For me, it’s not quite perfect because the grinding function is not as good as the brewing function, and it was bringing down the quality of my results. In hindsight, I should have gotten the Infuser or the Dual Boiler, and a separate grinder. I only started to achieve really consistently great results when I was able to stop using the built-in grinder. But that does prove how good this machine is at brewing. I don’t think it’s possible to improve much on that.
Karla K Arndt –
I love this machine. Our daughter has one and I waited a year to buy one because they are so expensive, but I got it on prime day. I’m annoyed, though, that it no longer comes with the dosing funnel. This is a MANDATORY accessory! My daughter’s had one included. So, I just spent another $14.95 on top of the expensive machine so that the grounds don’t spill when tamping.
Mason Kubes –
This coffee maker is just a gorgeous appliance that will look great in your kitchen! The stainless steel matches with the other appliances in my kitchen and is just timeless and will fit in anywhere. It’s a solid and heavy machine, just a solid investment for coffee lovers! It took a little energy and fiddling with the settings to make an amazing espresso! You’ll be saving so much money on coffee now you got this big boy right in your kitchen!
BG –
Takes a while to get the “hang” of it and find the beans you like but after that ,works well. Had some problems with pressure at first but Customer service helped with that.
Vanessa Morrissey –
I loved how easy and quickly I can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee! Only advice I have is once you’ve cleaned it, go ahead and insert that filter so when your half awake at 4:30AM, you don’t forget and make yourself a little mess. I waited a couple years for the price to be right! It was worth the wait!
Tracy Bothwell –
My feedback is really positive because of several reasons. The sleek design of this machine is a clear eye-catcher. It not only looks good, but also it’s easy to use! The milk frother is the icing on the cake for me. Such a nice feature to have on an espresso machine. All in all, this is a fantastic buy for any coffee enthusiast.