Breville Espresso Machine BES870XL

If you want espresso at home with fewer separate pieces of equipment, the Breville BES870XL combines grinding and brewing in one machine. Its manual format still leaves you involved in the process.

If you prioritize a hands-on coffee routine, the built-in grinder and portafilter setup make sense. If you prefer a drink at the push of a button, this approach asks for more participation.

The appeal is the ability to adjust the grind and work with different beans, rather than relying on a fixed, pre-portioned format.

Where it shines

The integrated conical burr grinder grinds on demand and feeds coffee directly into the portafilter. That keeps grinding and espresso preparation in the same workflow, while the grind-size dial lets you adjust for the beans you’re using and the taste you want. It’s a useful setup if you like to make small changes from one coffee to the next instead of sticking with a preset option.

Extraction features also target consistency. Low-pressure pre-infusion gradually builds pressure at the start, and digital temperature control (PID) regulates the water temperature. Those details are intended to support a more even extraction, they don’t remove the need to adjust the grind and prepare the coffee yourself.

For milk drinks, the steam wand is designed to make smooth microfoam. Picture grinding beans into the portafilter, pulling an espresso, then steaming milk for a latte at home. The machine gives you tools for that sequence, including cappuccinos, but the manual workflow is part of the experience—not a shortcut around it.

What to know

This is a manual espresso machine with a built-in grinder, not an automatic drink maker. You’ll be choosing grind settings and working with the portafilter, and milk drinks require using the steam wand. That hands-on control may be the point for someone who enjoys dialing in a cup, it can feel like extra work if you mainly want quick, repeatable drinks with minimal steps.

The listed features describe temperature regulation, pre-infusion, grinding, and milk steaming, but don’t specify dimensions or water capacity. If counter space or how often you want to refill the machine will decide your purchase, those details aren’t available here. The product information also doesn’t establish how easy the learning curve will be for a particular user, so don’t assume that adjustable controls automatically mean effortless results.

Best use cases

This setup is aimed at people who want whole-bean coffee ground as part of making espresso, then want the option to steam milk for lattes or cappuccinos. The adjustable grind dial is particularly relevant if you expect to switch beans or want room to tune your preparation. It also suits a home routine where making the drink is an activity, not just a quick way to get caffeine.

A simpler capsule-based approach may be a better fit when speed and minimal involvement matter more than adjusting coffee. The BES870XL makes more sense when you value control over the grind and milk texture enough to take on the extra steps. Worth considering if that involvement sounds enjoyable rather than burdensome.

When it makes sense

Choose this Breville if you want a single machine that combines a grinder with espresso preparation and gives you manual control over grind size, extraction-related features, and milk steaming. It addresses more of the bean-to-cup process than a basic brewer, while keeping the user in charge of making the drink.

It may not suit you if you want a fully hands-off machine, rarely make espresso or milk drinks, or need confirmed measurements and capacity before deciding. The key tradeoff is straightforward: more involvement in exchange for adjustable preparation. If that’s the kind of home coffee routine you’re after, the BES870XL’s feature set is relevant, if convenience comes first, a more automated format may be a closer match.