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Best Breville Espresso Machines in 2022

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Updated April 8, 2022

If you’re in the market for the best Breville espresso machine, you’ve decided that only the best cup of coffee will do for your coffee experience. Breville is a trusted name for brewing a perfect shot of espresso and is especially popular because they manufacture a variety of machines that cater to a wide array of espresso enthusiasts.

In particular, the brand offers many semi- and fully automatic machines that can flatten the learning curve often associated with learning to brew the perfect cup of espresso. With Breville, you’ll find many intuitive features in their top-selling espresso makers, including automatic functionality, drink recipes, a built-in grinder, volumetric controls, and auto-purge. While their machines can be a serious upfront investment, the ease of use and consistently good espresso brews will more than compensate for the expense.

Keep reading our buying guide on Breville espresso machines to learn more. But before you head to the store, start your search with our best coffee maker buying guide.

Top Breville Espresso Machines

 #1   Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: It is a commercial-grade coffee machine that practicing baristas can use to improve their skills. It has a large water tank, an attractive design, and a built-in on-demand grinder with amount and texture settings.

Pros
  • Built in grinder with amount and texture settings
  • Large capacity water tank
  • Compact, space saving design
Cons
  • Not ideal for amateur users

The Breville BES870XL is a commercial-grade espresso machine with a built-in grinder that grinds on demand and offers owners the option to decide the grind size through its grind size dial. This coffee machine can also brew a relatively large amount of coffee, thanks to its 1.9-liter water tank. It also includes a steam wand that can be used to hand texture microfoam milk, and since it also features digital temperature control, the temperature of the water is delivered at the exact required moment for optimal espresso extraction. However, this is not an ideal choice for amateur users because of its complex operation.

This coffee machine keeps things manual with its analog gauge and button controls, and because of its relatively compact size, it is not likely to take up too much space on a countertop. This espresso machine also has a rather attractive stainless steel design and a pressure gauge that lets users watch the current pressure level as coffee gets brewed. There’s an option to choose whether to have a single or double shot and enough space on the drip tray to place two standard-size cups on the machine.

 #2   Breville BNV250BLK Vertuso Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: It is a relatively easy-to-use coffee machine with a quick 15 second heat-up time and a large 1.18 water reservoir. It can brew four different cup sizes and also comes with a frother.

Pros
  • Quick heat up time of only 15 seconds
  • Relatively large 1.18-liter water reservoir
  • Includes a set of 12 capsules upon purchase
Cons
  • Naming system of the pods does not give any idea about the brew strength

The Breville BNV250BLK is a modern coffee machine that allows owners to brew up to four different cup sizes at the touch of a button. It has a 1.18-liter water reservoir that holds enough water to yield up to five cups of standard cup coffee, and as a welcome set, each purchase includes up to 12 capsules of both coffees and espressos. This coffee machine is also relatively easy to use and bears a retro-modern design that would have it look good in any kitchen. Still, some users may not like that the naming of the pods does not indicate anything about the brew strength.

This coffee machine works by adapting the brewing parameters to each capsule to arrive at the best results, and with a quick heat-up time of only 15 seconds, it shouldn’t take too much time to get the coffee machine from start-up to brewing. Included with this coffee maker is an Aeroccino milk frother, which is ideal for users who would need to froth their milk and add to the diverse list of styles that they would want to prepare.

 #3   Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker

Award: BEST FOR GROUND COFFEE OR PODS

WHY WE LIKE IT: It has a filter that allows users to use either ground coffee or pods. It also has a warming tray on its top metallic plate that keeps cups warm and a steam wand for milk frothing.

Pros
  • Can brew from ground coffee or pods
  • Has a steaming wand for frothing
  • Top metallic plate keeps cups warm
Cons
  • No programming function

This Breville ESP8XL espresso maker is a very simple to use a machine that features a dual-action selector dial that can be switched either to the left to activate its steam wand or to the right to have it extract espresso. It comes with three stainless steel filters, where users can set it to single shot, double shot, or pod. Its top consists of a warming tray where users can have their cups heated to not interfere with the flavor of the coffee, but there is no programming function on this machine that can allow for scheduled brewing.

The water tank on this espresso maker has a capacity of 1.2 liters and is also removable for easy cleaning and refilling. It also has a max level marking so that owners do not fill it up past the required capacity. Likewise, its drip tray is also removable, and this is done to accommodate larger size mugs and cups.

 #4   Breville BES810BSS Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker

Award: BEST FOR EASY MAINTENANCE

WHY WE LIKE IT: It comes with maintenance indicators that light up whenever maintenance is due and also includes an auto-purge function where its heat system is cooled down after steaming.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Automatic purge function that cools down the heating system
  • Has maintenance indicators that light up whenever cleaning is due
Cons
  • Tends to leak a lot

The Breville BES810BSS is an immaculately designed espresso machine that allows users to brew high-quality coffee right from their homes. The machine uses low-pressure pre-infusion for even extraction, and this, in turn, delivers rich, balanced flavors after brewing. It also features digital temperature control to ensure that the water temperature is well controlled for a well-balanced extraction. On top of that, it features an automatic purge function that cools down its heating system after steaming to ensure that the next espresso gets extracted at the ideal temperature. Still, some users have complained that it tends to leak a lot.

This espresso machine also comes with maintenance indicators in the form of cleaning and drip tray alerts that light up whenever some degree of maintenance is required. It also includes a decent array of accessories such as a razor dose trimming tool, a stainless steel milk jug, an Allen key, a water filter, and a water filter holder. Lastly, it can also be used as a source of hot water when required.

 #5   Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker

Award: BEST FOR AUTOMATED GRINDING

WHY WE LIKE IT: It has a built-in grinder that works autonomously to grind 22 grams of coffee into the portafilter. It also has a hot water outlet and allows for flexible shot control.

Pros
  • Autonomous grinding
  • Coffee can brew, and milk can be frothed in under a minute
  • Easy to use control panel
Cons
  • Large size

The Breville BES980XL is a premium and broadly popular coffee and espresso machine categorized as a semi-automatic coffee maker. It has a built-in precision conical burr grinder that allows users to choose how coarse or fine the ground coffee should be and grinds 22 grams of coffee into the portafilter. Users will also have the chance to decide just how much espresso they want through the one-shot or two-shot buttons on its control panel, or even opt to have manual control over this. The coffee machine can also brew a one-touch Americano, but its large size might not be ideal for countertops with pretty limited space.

This coffee machine also comes with a self-cleaning steam wand for texturing milk and a dedicated spout that also fills the cup with hot water. The machine also allows users to extract espresso and texturize milk simultaneously, getting the whole brewing process done in as quickly as a minute.

 #6   Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker

Award: BEST FOR QUICK HEAT UP TIME

WHY WE LIKE IT: It is heated up and ready for brewing in as little as three seconds. It also has a steam wand for milk frothing and a large water tank capacity for sizable servings.

Pros
  • Quick heat up time of only three seconds
  • Relatively large 1.9-liter water tank capacity
  • Easy to clean stainless steel casing
Cons
  • No built in grinder

The Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso machine is made out of brushed stainless steel for a premium, modern look and features a 1.9-liter water tank with enough water for large servings. The coffee machine relies on innovative ThermoJet heating technology to achieve optimum extraction temperature in less than three seconds for a fast heat-up time. After steaming, it’s automatic purging of the heating system ensures that the next made espresso gets extracted at the right temperature. However, it does not have a built-in grinder.

This coffee machine also features automatic microfoam milk texturing, where users can adjust the milk temperature and texture down to their preferred taste. The machine is made out of stainless steel that is pretty easy to clean, and since it also features a relatively compact footprint, it shouldn’t take up too much space on the countertop.

Introduction to Breville Espresso Machines

Founded in 1932, Breville is an Australian appliance manufacturer in Sydney, New South Wales. The brand is sold in more than 70 countries around the world. While they’re best known for their coffee makers, Breville also produces toaster ovens, kettles, and toasters.

Breville initially got its start making radios and later mine detectors during World War II. In 1953, the brand spun off its radio manufacturing to A.W. Jackson Industries Pty. Ltd, which continued to produce radios and later television sets branded with the Breville name. The appliance manufacturer is known for its innovation, creating over 100 active patents and winning over 40 international design awards.

For example, in 1974, the brand launched a toasted sandwich maker in Australia, which became an instant hit with 400,000 units sold in the first year. Eventually, Breville expanded into New Zealand and the United Kingdom, becoming a fan favorite in those respective markets.

It wasn’t until 2002 that Breville debuted in the North American market. They’ve quickly become a household name in the United States, with fans clamoring for their espresso makers and juicers. Specifically, their espresso makers are so consistently effective that they often edge out models made by traditional Italian brands.

In particular, Breville’s espresso makers are known for being incredibly user-friendly — which makes them a top option for the best beginner espresso machines. But even casual espresso fans and more experienced at-home baristas enjoy their machines. Similarly, their machines are made of durable materials while also offering a beautiful design that you won’t mind displaying in your kitchen or office.

How Breville Espresso Machines Compare to Other Brands

(Pro 1) PID Control Integration: PID stands for Proportional-Integral-Derivative. It’s a technology that works to maintain temperatures during the espresso extraction process. You need a steady temperature when brewing any kind of coffee because being too hot or too cool can result in either bitter coffee that tastes burnt or an espresso that tastes weak.

(Con 1) Fully and Super Automatics Lack a Few Key Features: There’s a lot to love about Breville machines. But compared to their competition, some of their fully and super-automatic machines don’t feature auto-tamping which is usually standard for this product subcategory.

(Pro 2) Enhanced Programmability: Depending on the machine you select, some automatic Breville espresso makers are designed to support full customization and programmability for drink selections. In some cases, this means you can rely on an LCD screen to adjust the strength, temperature, and texture of your espresso, and even save up to eight customized coffee settings.

(Con 2) Tends to be More Expensive: In most cases, Breville is usually going head to head with the Italian espresso maker brand, De’Longhi. And typically, when comparing machines from both brands within the same subcategories, Breville is usually the pricier option between the two.

(Pro 3) Steam Wands Are Standard: Breville works under the impression that you like a nice bit of frothed or steamed milk with your cup of espresso. So, a steam wand is a standard feature for all Breville espresso makers.

(Con 3) Fully Automatic Machine Can Be Glitchy if Software isn’t Updated: Breville’s fully automatic machines are great for allowing you to customize, create different drinks, and more. But the downside can be that if the software isn’t kept updated, glitches can interfere with your coffee-making plans.

Why You Should Buy a Breville Espresso Maker

One of the biggest benefits of purchasing a Breville espresso maker is that you don’t need to be a full-fledged barista to operate it. While there’s still a learning curve as compared to using a simple drip coffee maker, Breville is specifically known for creating user-friendly appliances. Many of their espresso machines, like the Breville Barista Express, use 15 bars of pressure to create perfect shots of espresso every time.

Additionally, Breville espresso makers typically include PID control technology which ensures that temperatures are maintained throughout the brewing process. Since espresso should be brewed between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s critical that you find a machine that can maintain the right brewing temperature to produce an optimal cup of espresso.

Another nice feature from Breville that many people love is that their portafilters can hold more coffee grounds. While most automatic espresso makers can only hold 11 to 13 grams of coffee grounds, Breville uses 19 to 22 grams which translates to a richer cup of espresso with bolder flavor. Likewise, all Breville machines come with a steam spout, allowing you to easily froth milk.

Although Breville espresso makers do tend to be more expensive, their longer lifespan and durable build make them a smart investment for any novice or experienced espresso drinker. Plus, many of their fully automatic machines support customizations that allow you to create drink profiles and save them — allowing multiple users to create the perfect cup of espresso at the press of a button.

How Long Will Breville Espresso Machines Last?

Breville espresso makers are incredibly durable appliances that are designed using the best materials and components. As such, they tend to last with most consumers reaching five to 10 years of use — if not more — before needing to replace the machine.

In most cases, you’ll probably decide you’re ready to upgrade to a new machine before the Breville begins to show signs of wear and tear. However, this is only true if you take care of your machine. Espresso machines have quite a few moving parts, especially when compared with most simplified drip coffee makers. You’ll need to engage in routine maintenance and care to ensure that your machine is performing at optimal levels.

Along with regularly cleaning the portafilter and drains, you’ll need to routinely clean the pressure lines and periodically descale your machine to prevent mineral buildup from damaging the components.

Breville Espresso Machine Warranties

Breville does provide a warranty for their products, but the term can vary depending on the machine you select. At a minimum, you’ll get a one-year limited warranty which is valid from the date of purchase, assuming you purchase your espresso maker either directly through Breville or from an authorized retailer.

During the warranty, if your espresso maker becomes defective through no fault of your own, Breville will repair or replace your machine. Also note that for American consumers, California residents also have additional methods for initiating a warranty replacement request. Note, too, that the BES920XL and BES980XL espresso makers both have a two-year limited warranty.

Breville Espresso Machines FAQs

Are Breville espresso machines worth it?

While they might be one of the newer players in the espresso machine niche, Breville appliances are definitely worth the price tag. The brand tends to focus on semi and fully automatic makers while ensuring that the interface and accompanying instructions are straightforward to use. Add in the machine’s durability, and you have a product that proves why Breville is a fan favorite.

How long will a Breville espresso maker last?

The average lifespan for a Breville espresso machine is five to 10 years. This assumes that you’re cleaning your machine after every use and engaging in routine maintenance to ensure that the components are in optimal condition.

Which Breville espresso machine is the best?

This is going to depend on your experience level with making delicious espresso as well as which features are most important to you. Breville offers a wide array of semi and fully automatic espresso machines. Additionally, the brand is known for supporting customizations — even on their semi-automatic espresso makers. Alternatively, you can opt for the best built-in coffee machine for a truly customized experience.

Is Breville high-end?

If you’re truly shopping on a tight budget, yes, Breville is a pricier appliance brand. However, because of their durability, an easier learning curve for beginners, and the premium features included on their espresso makers, buying an appliance from them is a worthy investment.