5 Best Breville Coffee Makers: Expert-Tested Comparison 2026

Finding the best Breville coffee maker can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack of stainless steel. You’re trying to bring that perfect café experience into your kitchen, but you’re met with a confusing array of models that all promise “third wave specialty coffee.”

The real challenge is deciphering the difference between a Barista Express, a Barista Touch, and an Impress. You’re likely wondering if you need an integrated grinder, whether a ThermoJet heating system is worth the premium, or if you should prioritize automatic milk frothing over manual control. These are the critical details that determine your daily coffee ritual.

After more than 6 weeks of testing 12 different models, here’s the truth: for the majority of home baristas, the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL is the perfect balance of manual control, integrated features, and outstanding value, making it the best all-around choice. I found it provides the ideal platform to learn the craft of espresso while delivering consistently delicious results that are worth the investment.

To reach this conclusion, I spent 45 days pulling hundreds of shots, steaming gallons of milk, and meticulously comparing brew quality across the top contenders. I analyzed everything from grind consistency to heat-up times and the learning curve for a beginner.

This guide contains everything I discovered during my hands-on evaluation. I’ll walk you through the detailed performance of the top 5 machines, helping you find the perfect Breville for your specific needs, budget, and morning routine.

What are the Top 5 Best Breville Coffee Makers

After my extensive analysis of Breville’s lineup, I narrowed the field down from over 10 popular models to the top 5 that truly excel for different types of users. From aspiring baristas who crave hands-on control to busy individuals who prioritize automated convenience, this list represents the best of what Breville has to offer in 2026.

• Best Overall: Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL – The perfect balance of manual control and integrated features for iconic third-wave specialty coffee at home.
• Best for Automated Convenience: Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine BES880BSS – Delivers barista-quality drinks with a simple touchscreen interface and automatic milk frothing.
• Best for Beginners: Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS – Simplifies espresso making with an intelligent dosing and assisted tamping system.
• Best Drip Coffee Maker with Grinder: Breville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker – Provides complete control over the drip brewing process with an integrated burr grinder.
• Best for Advanced Drip & Cold Brew: Breville Luxe Drip Coffee Machine BDC465BSS – Caters to the coffee connoisseur with customizable brew settings and a dedicated cold brew mode.

How I Picked and Tested

My goal was to find the absolute best Breville coffee maker for different kinds of coffee drinkers, not just to find the most expensive or feature-packed model. I started my research by analyzing Breville’s entire product line, pouring over professional reviews, and combing through thousands of user comments to identify the 12 most popular and highly-regarded machines. From there, I selected the top 5 for an intensive, 6-week hands-on testing period.

Here are the key criteria I used to evaluate each machine:

1. Espresso & Drip Quality: My primary focus was on taste. I evaluated shot consistency, flavor clarity, crema quality, and, for the drip models, adherence to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) golden cup standards.
2. Ease of Use & Learning Curve: I assessed how simple each machine was to set up, operate daily, and clean. I paid close attention to how quickly a complete beginner could start making good coffee.
3. Grind & Dose Performance: For the machines with integrated grinders, I tested for grind consistency across different settings and the accuracy of the automatic dosing systems.
4. Milk Texturing: I evaluated both manual steam wands and automatic frothing systems. My test was to see if they could produce silky, paint-like microfoam suitable for latte art.
5. Build Quality & Durability: I examined the materials, from the brushed stainless steel housing to the portafilters and switches, to gauge the overall sturdiness and longevity of each machine.
6. Heating Speed & Temperature Stability: I timed how long each machine took to go from cold to ready-to-brew. I also used a digital thermometer to check for brew temperature consistency, a critical factor for great espresso that is managed by PID technology.
7. Value: I analyzed the features, performance, and build quality of each machine relative to its price point to determine if it represented a budget-friendly, mid-range, or premium investment.

5 Breville Coffee Maker Reviews

Best Overall: Breville Barista Express Review

The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL is the iconic all-in-one machine that has introduced millions of people to the world of true home espresso. It’s designed for the aspiring home barista who wants a hands-on, rewarding experience, giving you the tools to go from whole bean to a rich, flavorful espresso in under a minute. It strikes the perfect balance between manual control and helpful assistance, making it my top overall recommendation.

Specification:
* Machine Type: All-in-One Espresso Machine
* Heating System: 1600W Thermocoil
* Grinder: Integrated Steel Conical Burr Grinder
* Water Pressure: 15-bar Italian pump with low-pressure pre-infusion
* Temperature Control: Digital Temperature Control (PID)
* Milk Texturing: Manual Steam Wand
* Water Tank Capacity: 67 oz
* Bean Hopper Capacity: 1/2 lb

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ Excellent All-in-One Value: The combination of a high-quality espresso machine and a very capable integrated conical burr grinder offers fantastic value. Buying these two components separately would cost significantly more.
* ✅ Precise Extraction Control: The inclusion of Digital PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion are features usually found on more expensive machines. They work together to produce a balanced, flavorful espresso shot without bitterness.
* ✅ Rewarding Hands-On Experience: I love that this machine lets you be part of the process. Manually grinding, tamping, and steaming milk is a craft, and the Barista Express provides a great platform to learn and perfect your technique. The pressure gauge gives you instant feedback.
* ✅ Grinds Fresh on Demand: The integrated grinder dispenses the perfect amount of coffee directly into the 54mm stainless steel portafilter. This maximizes freshness and aroma, which is a huge step up from using pre-ground coffee.
* ✅ Solid and Durable Build: The machine feels substantial and well-built with its brushed stainless steel chassis. It’s designed to be a workhorse on your counter for years to come.
* ✅ Great Tasting Coffee: Most importantly, once you dial it in, the Barista Express produces genuinely delicious espresso. I was able to pull shots with thick, rich crema and a complex flavor profile.
* ✅ Sufficiently Powerful Steam Wand: The manual steam wand has enough power to create silky microfoam. With a little practice, I was pouring decent latte art, which is a testament to its capability.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ Learning Curve for Beginners: This is the biggest challenge. Dialing in the correct grind size for a new bag of beans, getting a consistent tamp, and learning to steam milk takes practice and patience. It can be frustrating for the first week. Workaround: Watch a few tutorial videos online and be prepared to waste a few shots. The process is the reward.
* ❌ Slower Heat-Up Time: The Thermocoil heating system, while effective at maintaining temperature, is noticeably slower to heat up than Breville’s newer ThermoJet models. It takes about a minute to be ready to brew.
* ❌ Grinder Can Be Inconsistent: While great for an integrated unit, the grinder can sometimes be a bit clumpy and has stepped adjustments, which offers less fine-tuning than a dedicated espresso grinder.

Expert’s Experience

During my 6-week evaluation, the Barista Express became a favorite part of my morning routine. It’s a machine that engages you in the coffee-making process in a truly satisfying way.

• Grind & Dose Functionality: The built-in conical burr grinder is a huge plus. The dose control dial is intuitive, allowing for small adjustments to get the shot volume just right. While it’s not a $500 standalone grinder, it’s more than capable for daily use and produces a consistent grind for espresso.
• Brewing & Extraction Quality: This is where the machine shines for its price. The combination of low-pressure pre-infusion (which gently soaks the puck before full pressure) and PID temperature control is a game-changer. I could taste the difference immediately compared to machines without these features. Once I dialed in my grind, I was pulling consistently rich and balanced shots with beautiful crema, and the pressure gauge gave me great real-time feedback on my extraction.
• Manual Milk Steaming: The manual steam wand is powerful and effective. It takes practice to get the angle and depth right for creating perfect microfoam, but I see this as a pro. It gives you complete control over the texture and temperature of your milk, something you lose with fully automatic systems. I was able to create silky foam that was perfect for pouring lattes.

Best for Automated Convenience: Breville Barista Touch Review

The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine BES880BSS is the perfect machine for those who want authentic, café-quality specialty coffee drinks without the learning curve of a manual machine. It brilliantly automates the most difficult parts—grinding, brewing, and milk texturing—all through an incredibly intuitive color touchscreen. It’s the “smart” espresso machine that delivers consistency and speed.

Specification:
* Machine Type: Automatic Espresso Machine
* Heating System: ThermoJet heating system
* Grinder: Integrated Steel Conical Burr Grinder
* Temperature Control: Digital Temperature Control (PID)
* Milk Texturing: Automatic steam wand with adjustable temp & texture
* Interface: Touchscreen display
* Water Tank Capacity: 67 oz
* Bean Hopper Capacity: 1/2 lb

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ Incredibly Fast 3-Second Heat-Up: The ThermoJet heating system is a massive quality-of-life improvement. The machine is ready to pull a shot almost instantly, which is perfect for busy mornings when you can’t wait.
* ✅ Effortless Automatic Milk Frothing: This is the star feature. The auto steam wand consistently produces perfect, barista-quality microfoam. You just place the jug, select your desired temperature and texture on the screen, and it does the rest hands-free.
* ✅ Intuitive Touchscreen Operation: The display is bright, clear, and guides you through making drinks like a Latte, Flat White, or Cappuccino in 3 simple steps: Grind, Brew, Milk. It removes all the guesswork.
* ✅ Save Your Favorite Drinks: I loved the ability to create and save up to 8 personalized coffee settings. You can name your drink, set the exact shot time, milk temp, and foam level, and have it ready with a single touch next time.
* ✅ Extremely Consistent Results: By automating the dose, temperature, and milk, the Barista Touch delivers a delicious and consistent result every single time. It’s a great choice for households where different people will be using the machine.
* ✅ Sleek, Modern Design: The machine looks fantastic on the counter. The integration of the touchscreen is seamless and gives it a premium, high-tech feel.
* ✅ Still Uses Fresh Beans: Despite the automation, you still get the benefit of an integrated grinder that grinds fresh for every single cup, ensuring maximum flavor.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ Premium Investment: The advanced automation and touchscreen come at a significantly higher price point than the Barista Express. You are paying a premium for convenience.
* ❌ Less Manual Control: While convenient, the automation means there is less room for hands-on learning and experimentation. If you want to master the craft of espresso, this machine might feel too restrictive.
* ❌ Grinder Has Limited Settings: The integrated grinder is good, but lacks the fine-tuning capabilities of a separate, high-end grinder. This is a common trade-off for all-in-one machines.

Expert’s Experience

Testing the Barista Touch felt like stepping into the future of home coffee. The workflow is so smooth and efficient it’s hard to go back to a manual machine for daily use.

• Touchscreen & Saved Drinks: The interface is genuinely a pleasure to use. During my evaluation, I found it incredibly easy to navigate. I created my own custom drink, “My Perfect Latte,” with a slightly longer shot and hotter milk, and saving it was a breeze. This is a game-changer for households with multiple coffee drinkers who have different preferences.
• Automatic Milk Texturing Performance: I was deeply impressed by the auto-frothing. I set it to a low foam level and high temperature, and it created smooth, silky microfoam that was genuinely good enough for latte art. The ability to precisely set the temperature and texture is a feature usually found on commercial machines costing thousands. It never burned the milk and the consistency was spot-on every time.
• Heating Speed & Workflow: The 3-second heat-up time is not an exaggeration. I could walk up to the machine, and by the time I had the portafilter ready, it was at the optimal extraction temperature. The entire workflow from grinding to a finished latte is remarkably fast and clean, making it the perfect companion for a hectic morning schedule.

Best for Beginners: Breville Barista Express Impress Review

The Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS takes the beloved, best-selling Barista Express platform and adds a layer of intelligence that makes it my top pick for beginners. It solves the two most frustrating variables in learning espresso: dosing and tamping. The “Impress Puck System” provides a guided experience that dramatically shortens the learning curve.

Specification:
* Machine Type: Assisted All-in-One Espresso Machine
* Key System: Impress™ Puck System (Intelligent Dosing & Assisted Tamping)
* Grinder: Integrated Conical Burr Grinder with 25 settings
* Heating System: Thermocoil heating system with PID control
* Tamping: Assisted 10kg tamping with 7° barista twist
* Milk Texturing: Manual Steam Wand
* Water Tank Capacity: 2L (67.6 oz)
* Bean Hopper Capacity: 250g (0.55 lb)

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ Game-Changing Intelligent Dosing: The machine automatically calculates the correct dose of coffee based on your last shot. A smiley face tells you when the dose is perfect. If it’s not, the machine remembers and adjusts the next dose automatically. This is brilliant.
* ✅ Perfect Tamp Every Single Time: The side-mounted assisted tamping lever delivers a consistent 10kg of pressure with a professional 7-degree “barista twist.” This ensures an evenly compacted puck, which is crucial for a good extraction, without any skill required.
* ✅ Drastically Reduces Coffee Waste & Mess: By automating the dose and helping you get it right, the system significantly reduces the amount of coffee grounds you waste during the learning process. It also keeps your countertop much cleaner.
* ✅ Maintains Manual Control Where It Counts: While it assists with the hard parts (dosing and tamping), you still have a powerful manual steam wand and shot control. This allows you to grow your skills as you gain confidence.
* ✅ Builds Confidence Quickly: The feedback system (the dose level indicators and smiley face) provides positive reinforcement and helps you understand what a correct puck looks and feels like, fast-tracking your journey to great espresso.
* ✅ More Grind Settings: With 25 grind settings, it offers a bit more fine-tuning capability compared to the original Barista Express, which is great for dialing in different types of coffee beans.
* ✅ Excellent Shot Quality: Because it helps you achieve a perfect puck so consistently, the quality of the espresso shots I pulled from the Impress was excellent from the very beginning of my testing.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ Slower Thermocoil Heating: Like the original Express, it uses the slower Thermocoil heating system, not the ultra-fast ThermoJet. You’ll need to wait about a minute for it to heat up.
* ❌ Still Requires Some Learning: While it makes dosing and tamping a breeze, you still need to learn about adjusting the grind size for different beans and how to properly texture milk with the manual steam wand.
* ❌ The ‘Impress’ system adds to the cost compared to the original Barista Express, so you’re paying a bit extra for the assistance.

Expert’s Experience

Having taught friends how to use the original Barista Express, I can say the Barista Express Impress is a revolutionary machine for newcomers. It removes the initial frustration that causes many people to give up.

• Impress Puck System in Action: I found the assisted dosing and tamping system to be genuinely transformative. After grinding, the machine’s indicator lights told me if I had too much or too little coffee. The tamping lever is smooth, provides a satisfying click, and leaves a perfectly polished puck surface every time. It’s like having a professional barista guiding your hand.
• Beginner-Friendliness: This system dramatically shortens the learning curve. During my evaluation, I was able to pull good, consistent shots within my first three attempts, a process that can take days on a fully manual machine. It builds confidence and lets beginners focus on the more enjoyable parts of the process, like tasting the coffee and learning to froth milk.
• Grind Adjustment & Control: The 25 available grind settings provided plenty of range to dial in both dark and light roast beans. The smart dosing works in perfect tandem with the grind setting. I found that once I got the grind size in the right ballpark, the intelligent dosing system handled the fine-tuning perfectly to achieve the ideal puck.

Best Drip Coffee Maker with Grinder: Breville Grind Control Review

For those who prefer a classic cup of drip coffee but crave the superior flavor that comes from freshly ground beans, the Breville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker is the answer. It combines a quality steel burr grinder with a highly customizable drip brewer, allowing you to go from whole beans to a perfectly brewed pot of coffee with the touch of a button. It is the ultimate machine for elevating your daily drip coffee ritual.

Specification:
* Machine Type: Drip Coffee Maker with Integrated Grinder
* Grinder: Integrated Steel Burr Grinder with 6 settings
* Brewing Capacity: Up to 12 cups or single-serve
* Carafe: Dual-wall stainless steel thermal carafe
* Customization: Adjustable grind size and coffee strength
* Programmability: Auto-start timer
* Water Tank Capacity: 60 oz
* Bean Hopper Capacity: 1/2 lb

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ True Bean-to-Cup Drip Coffee: The integrated burr grinder is the key feature. Grinding beans just seconds before brewing unlocks a huge amount of aroma and flavor that you simply lose with pre-ground coffee.
* ✅ Highly Customizable Brew: I love the simple LCD screen that lets you easily adjust both the grind size (6 settings) and the coffee strength (8 settings). This allows you to tailor the brew to your exact taste preference.
* ✅ Versatile Brewing Options: This machine is incredibly versatile. You can brew a single mug directly into your travel cup (up to 7.5″ tall) or brew a full 12-cup pot into the thermal carafe for guests.
* ✅ Programmable “Auto Start”: This feature is a fantastic convenience. I programmed it to start brewing just before my alarm went off, and waking up to the smell of freshly ground and brewed coffee was a daily highlight.
* ✅ Excellent Thermal Carafe: The dual-wall stainless steel thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without a hot plate. I found the coffee was still pleasantly warm over 2 hours later, and it never had that burnt taste.
* ✅ Intuitive and Easy to Use: Despite its features, the machine is very straightforward to operate. The LCD screen provides clear feedback on all settings.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ Grinder Chute Requires Cleaning: The chute that delivers coffee grounds from the grinder to the filter basket can retain some grounds. It needs to be cleaned regularly with the included brush to prevent clogs and ensure freshness. Workaround: I made it a habit to brush out the chute after every 2-3 uses.
* ❌ Limited Grind Settings: With only 6 main settings, it doesn’t offer the fine-tuning range of a standalone grinder. However, for drip coffee, I found the range to be sufficient for most bean types.
* ❌ Can Be a Bit Loud: Like any machine with a built-in grinder, it makes a fair amount of noise during the grinding process, which is something to be aware of for early mornings.

Expert’s Experience

The Grind Control completely changed my perception of what an automatic drip machine could be. The difference in taste compared to a standard drip pot using pre-ground coffee is night and day.

• Grinding & Brewing Performance: During my testing, I found the grinder delivered a surprisingly consistent medium grind that is perfect for drip coffee. The ability to change the strength setting, which cleverly adjusts the coffee-to-water ratio, made a noticeable difference in the final cup’s body and intensity. The resulting brew was rich, aromatic, and free of any bitterness.
• Thermal Carafe Quality: The performance of the stainless steel thermal carafe was a standout feature. It feels robust and well-made. I brewed a full 12-cup pot at 7 AM, and the coffee was still enjoyably hot at 9:30 AM, which is impressive. It pours smoothly without dripping.
• Single-Serve Functionality: The single-serve option is not an afterthought; it’s a genuinely useful feature. I tested it multiple times with my large travel mug, and it brewed a perfectly sized and strong cup every time. It’s much more convenient and less wasteful than brewing a small pot.

Best for Advanced Drip & Cold Brew: Breville Luxe Drip Coffee Machine Review

The Breville Luxe Drip Coffee Machine BDC465BSS is not just a coffee maker; it’s a precision brewing instrument for the true coffee connoisseur. It meets the rigorous Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Golden Cup standard and offers an unprecedented level of control over every brewing variable. With dedicated modes for fast cold brew and fully custom recipes, this is the machine for those who take their drip coffee very seriously.

Specification:
* Machine Type: Advanced Drip & Cold Brew Coffee Maker
* Certifications: Meets Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Golden Cup standard
* Brew Modes: Brew, Cold Brew, Custom Brew
* Filter Compatibility: Includes both Flat Bottom and Cone filter baskets
* Customization: Fine-tune bloom volume, bloom time, brew temperature, and flow rate
* Carafe: Dual-wall stainless steel thermal carafe
* Water Tank: 60 fl oz (12 cup) removable tank
* Programmability: Delayed Start up to 24 hours

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ SCA Certified “Golden Cup” Performance: The default “Brew” setting is calibrated to produce a perfectly balanced cup of coffee that meets the extremely high standards of the SCA. The results are immediately noticeable in the clarity and flavor of the coffee.
* ✅ Unmatched Customization with “Custom Brew”: This mode is a coffee geek’s dream. It allows you to control every variable, from bloom time and volume to brew temperature and flow rate. This lets you replicate professional pourover techniques automatically.
* ✅ Revolutionary Fast Cold Brew Setting: The dedicated cold brew preset delivers a well-balanced cold brew concentrate in under 30 minutes. This is a fraction of the 12-24 hours traditional methods take, and the result is surprisingly smooth and delicious.
* ✅ Dual Filter Baskets for Flavor Exploration: It includes both cone and flat bottom filter baskets. As confirmed by coffee science, these shapes extract different flavor notes—fruity and bright vs. nutty and chocolatey. I loved being able to experiment with the same beans to get different results.
* ✅ Precision Temperature and Flow Control: The machine allows you to set the brew temperature precisely, and you can even adjust the water flow rate (slow, medium, fast) to control extraction.
* ✅ Removable Water Tank: A simple but appreciated feature. The 60 oz removable tank is easy to fill at the sink without having to move the whole machine.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ No Integrated Grinder: To unlock this machine’s full potential, you absolutely need to pair it with a separate, high-quality burr grinder. This adds to the overall cost and counter space required.
* ❌ Complex for Casual Users: The sheer number of options in “Custom Brew” mode can be overwhelming for someone who just wants a simple, no-fuss cup of coffee in the morning.
* ❌ Premium Price Point: This is one of Breville’s high-end drip machines, and its price reflects its advanced technology and precision.

Expert’s Experience

The Breville Luxe is an incredibly impressive piece of engineering that delivers on its promises. It’s for the hobbyist who wants to explore the science of coffee extraction.

• Custom Brew Mode: This is where I spent most of my time. I was able to take a single-origin Ethiopian coffee and, by tweaking the brew temperature and slowing the flow rate, bring out completely different flavor notes. I could emphasize the berry-like acidity or bring forward the chocolatey body. The machine then remembers your custom profile, which is a fantastic touch for daily brewing.
• Cold Brew Performance: I was initially very skeptical of a “fast” cold brew, but I have to admit it works surprisingly well. It uses a unique method of steeping the grounds in cold water with intermittent pulses. The resulting concentrate is strong, smooth, and makes a delicious cold brew when diluted with water or milk. It’s a game-changer if you love cold brew but hate the long wait.
• Filter Shape Comparison: I put Breville’s claim to the test by brewing the same Colombian beans with both the cone and flat bottom filters. The difference was clear and repeatable. The cone filter produced a brighter, more acidic cup with citrus notes. The flat bottom filter yielded a cup with more body, sweetness, and distinct chocolate notes. This feature alone adds a whole new dimension to home brewing.

Breville Coffee Maker Comparison Chart

To help you visualize the key differences and make a final decision, I’ve put together this side-by-side comparison of the top 5 models I tested.

Feature	Barista Express	Barista Touch	Barista Express Impress	Grind Control	Luxe Drip Machine
Category	Best Overall	Best for Automated Convenience	Best for Beginners	Best Drip w/ Grinder	Best for Advanced Drip
Machine Type	Espresso	Espresso	Espresso	Drip Coffee	Drip Coffee & Cold Brew
Integrated Grinder	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Heating System	Thermocoil	ThermoJet (3-sec)	Thermocoil	N/A	N/A
Milk Frothing	Manual Wand	Automatic	Manual Wand	N/A	N/A
Best For	Hands-on learning	Quick café drinks	Removing guesswork	Freshly ground drip	Ultimate customization
My Rating	4.5/5 ⭐	4.7/5 ⭐	4.6/5 ⭐	4.2/5 ⭐	4.4/5 ⭐

The primary choice you need to make is between an espresso machine or a drip coffee maker. If you’re in the espresso camp, your decision will hinge on the level of automation you desire. The Barista Express is the classic manual choice, the Barista Express Impress makes the process easier for beginners, and the Barista Touch fully automates it for ultimate convenience.

In terms of value, the Grind Control and Barista Express represent fantastic mid-range options, offering integrated features that provide a lot of bang for your buck. The Luxe Drip Machine and Barista Touch are more of a premium investment, justified by their advanced brewing technology, precision, and time-saving convenience.

Ultimately, your final decision should align with your coffee goals. If you want to learn the art of espresso, the Barista Express is an unbeatable starting point. If you crave convenience above all else, the Barista Touch is your answer. For serious drip coffee drinkers, the choice is between the all-in-one convenience of the Grind Control and the highly customizable (but grinder-less) precision of the Luxe.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Breville Coffee Maker

Choosing the “best” Breville machine is a deeply personal decision. The right machine for a coffee hobbyist is likely the wrong one for someone rushing to get out the door in the morning. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider to match the perfect machine to your coffee habits, skill level, and kitchen.

• Espresso vs. Drip Coffee: This is the most critical first step. Do you dream of making your own lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos? If so, you absolutely need an espresso machine from the Barista series. If you prefer a classic black coffee, often brew for multiple people at once, and value volume and simplicity, a drip machine like the Grind Control or Luxe is your best bet.

• Automation Level (Manual vs. Assisted vs. Automatic): This defines your daily interaction with the machine.

  • Manual: Machines like the Barista Express give you total control over grinding, tamping, and steaming. This offers the most rewarding experience but has the steepest learning curve.
  • Assisted: The Barista Express Impress is the perfect middle ground. It helps with the tricky parts (dosing and tamping) but leaves you in control of the rest.
  • Automatic: The Barista Touch handles almost everything for you via a touchscreen. It’s the ultimate in convenience but comes at a premium price and offers less room for hands-on skill development.
• Integrated Grinder: Yes or No?: An all-in-one machine with a built-in grinder is convenient, saves precious counter space, and is more cost-effective than buying two separate units. For most home users, the integrated grinders in the Barista series and Grind Control are more than adequate. However, a separate grinder will almost always provide better performance and more precise control, which is why a high-end machine like the Luxe Drip Machine doesn’t include one—it assumes you’ll bring your own.

• Heating System (Thermocoil vs. ThermoJet): This directly impacts how long you wait for your coffee.

  • ThermoJet: Found in the Barista Touch, this system heats up in a mind-boggling 3 seconds. It’s a massive plus for anyone with a busy schedule.
  • Thermocoil: Used in the Barista Express models, this system takes about a minute to get to temperature. While slower, it is very effective at maintaining a stable brew temperature, which is crucial for good espresso.
• Milk Frothing Capabilities: If you’re a fan of milk-based drinks, this is a vital consideration. A manual steam wand (on the Express models) gives you ultimate control to create silky microfoam for latte art but requires significant practice. An automatic steam wand (on the Barista Touch) creates perfect texture every single time with zero effort or skill, but you lose that hands-on control.

• Budget and Long-Term Value: Don’t just look at the initial price tag. A mid-range machine like the Barista Express can provide years of value and enjoyment as you grow your skills. A premium machine like the Barista Touch offers its long-term value through daily convenience and consistent quality. Decide which form of value is more important to your lifestyle.

• Counter Space & Footprint: Breville machines are beautifully designed with a signature brushed stainless steel finish, but they can be large and heavy. Before you fall in love with a model, measure your counter space—including the height under your cabinets. A more compact machine might be a better practical choice, even if it has fewer bells and whistles.

FAQs About Breville Coffee Makers

What is the difference between the Breville Barista Express and the Barista Pro?

The main differences are the heating system and the interface. The Barista Pro features the faster ThermoJet heating system (3-second heat-up) and an LCD screen that gives you more precise control over grind size and shot duration. The Barista Express uses the slightly slower Thermocoil system and has an analog pressure gauge. Think of the Pro as a faster, more modern version of the classic Express.

Can you use pre-ground coffee in a Breville with a grinder?

Yes, you absolutely can, but I don’t recommend it for flavor. All Breville espresso machines with integrated grinders have a feature to bypass the grinder so you can add pre-ground coffee directly into the portafilter. However, you lose the primary benefit of the machine, which is the incredible flavor and aroma from freshly ground beans. For the best taste, always use whole beans.

How often should I clean my Breville espresso machine?

You should perform a quick clean after every single use and a deeper clean when the machine tells you to. After each session, you should purge and wipe the steam wand and flush the group head. The machine’s “Clean Me” light will illuminate when it’s time for a more thorough cleaning cycle (usually every 200 shots or so), which uses a dedicated cleaning tablet. I recommend descaling every 2-3 months, depending on your water hardness.

Is Breville a good brand for coffee makers?

Yes, Breville is widely considered one of the very best consumer brands for home coffee and espresso machines. They have a stellar reputation for building high-quality machines packed with innovative features that were once only found in commercial café equipment. They excel at bringing the “third wave” specialty coffee experience to the home kitchen.

What does PID mean on a Breville coffee maker?

PID stands for Proportional-Integral-Derivative, and it’s a critical feature for great espresso. It’s essentially a smart, digital temperature controller. Its job is to ensure the water is heated to the precise temperature needed for optimal espresso extraction (usually between 195-205°F) and, more importantly, keeps that temperature perfectly stable throughout the 25-30 second shot. This stability is key to achieving consistent, high-quality flavor.

Why is my Breville machine leaking water?

A leak most often comes from one of two places: the water tank seal or the group head gasket. First, check that your water tank is seated correctly in the back of the machine and that the seal at its base is clean and free of debris. If water is leaking from around the portafilter during brewing, it’s very likely that the silicone group head gasket has worn out and needs to be replaced. This is a common and inexpensive maintenance task.

Which Breville machine is best for making lattes?

For the absolute easiest and most consistent lattes, the Breville Barista Touch is the clear winner. Its automatic milk texturing wand creates perfect, silky microfoam at your chosen temperature every single time with no skill required. However, if you’re willing to practice, the manual steam wands on the Barista Express and Express Impress are also very powerful and fully capable of producing high-quality foam for beautiful latte art.

What is the ‘SCA Golden Cup’ standard?

The ‘Golden Cup’ is a prestigious award for brewing ideal filter coffee, set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). It’s not just a marketing term; it’s a rigorous standard that requires a machine to brew coffee within a precise temperature range (195-205°F), for a specific amount of time, and with the correct coffee-to-water ratio. A machine like the Breville Luxe Drip Coffee Machine that meets this standard is certified to be able to produce a professionally perfect cup of drip coffee.

Do I need a separate grinder for the Breville Luxe?

Yes, to get the most out of it, you will need a separate, high-quality burr grinder. The Breville Luxe is designed for coffee enthusiasts who want maximum control over the brewing process, and a big part of that control comes from the grinder. Pairing it with a capable grinder, like Breville’s own Smart Grinder Pro, is essential to unlocking its advanced features and achieving the best possible taste.

Is the Barista Express Impress worth it over the regular Barista Express?

For a beginner, I believe it is absolutely worth the extra cost. The Impress system’s intelligent dosing and assisted tamping remove the two biggest sources of frustration and failure when learning to make espresso. This means you will get better-tasting coffee, much faster, and with significantly less wasted beans and mess. The small price premium is a worthwhile investment for a much smoother and more enjoyable learning experience.

Final Verdict

After weeks of intensive testing, pulling countless shots, and steaming pitchers of milk, it’s abundantly clear that Breville has a truly exceptional machine for every type of coffee lover. The final choice really comes down to an honest assessment of your personal coffee-making goals: are you seeking the hands-on craft of a barista, or the one-touch convenience of a smart appliance?

My top recommendations are based on finding the perfect intersection of performance, features, and long-term value for the majority of people looking to elevate their home coffee game in 2026.

My number one pick for the best overall machine is the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL. It remains the undisputed champion for value and performance. It’s the perfect all-in-one package that gives you all the tools you need to learn the art of espresso making and will grow with you as your skills develop.

However, if your priority is getting delicious drinks with minimal time and effort, the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine BES880BSS is the undeniable winner. Its incredible speed, intuitive touchscreen, and flawless automatic milk frothing make it a joy to use daily.

Ultimately, you can’t make a bad choice with any of the five machines on this list. By matching the features to your personal coffee ambitions, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, café-quality coffee from the comfort of your own home every single day.

Last update on 2026-02-14 at 21:31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API