For the discerning coffee lover seeking unparalleled taste and convenience, the best Breville coffee maker delivers a superior brewing experience. These machines are designed for those who appreciate quality, from the simple pour-over enthusiast to the espresso aficionado. Choosing the wrong model can lead to disappointment, wasted coffee, and a less-than-perfect cup, ultimately diminishing your morning ritual.
Factors like grind consistency, temperature control, and brewing method significantly impact the final flavor. To help you navigate the options and find the perfect fit for your kitchen and palate, we’ve curated a list of the top Breville coffee makers available.
For those seeking the best Breville coffee maker, the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL stands out due to its integrated grinder and convenient all-in-one design, delivering third-wave specialty coffee at home. This model, part of the Barista Series, incorporates the four keys formula for espresso preparation, including precise temperature control and optimal water pressure, making it a comprehensive option for aspiring home baristas.
Best Breville Coffee Maker: At a Glance
| Image | Product | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Best Pick 1  | Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel Best for: Home barista starter | Check Price |
Best Pick 2  | Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine BES880BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel Best for: Touchscreen convenience | Check Price |
Best Pick 3  | Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel Best for: Beginner espresso | Check Price |
Best Pick 4  | Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville, Chrome with Best for: Nespresso pods | Check Price |
Best Pick 5  | Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel Best for: Speedy shots | Check Price |
How We Picked
We meticulously selected the best Breville coffee maker by prioritizing real-world performance, build quality, durability, and standout features relevant to aspiring home baristas. We evaluated each model based on its ability to consistently produce excellent espresso and textured milk, examining aspects like grinding consistency, brewing temperature stability, and ease of use. Machines offering innovative solutions, such as the Imp
What Most Buyers Get Wrong
Integrated Grinder vs. Separate
When choosing a Breville espresso machine, consider the convenience of an integrated grinder. Models like the Barista Express BES870XL and Barista Pro BES878BSS feature built-in conical burr grinders, simplifying your workflow and ensuring fresh grounds for every shot. If you already own a high-quality separate grinder, a Breville machine without one, such as the Bambino Plus BES500BSS, might be a better fit, allowing you to customize your setup.
Understanding Pressure and Temperature
Breville espresso machines often highlight their precise temperature and pressure control, crucial for extracting the best flavor. Look for features like PID temperature control (common in models like the Barista Pro BES878BSS) and optimal water pressure. These technical specifications ensure consistency, meaning your espresso will taste the same each time, replicating the third wave specialty coffee at home promise
1. Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best for: All-in-one espresso for quick home brews.
With an integrated conical burr grinder, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL grinds fresh beans on demand, directly into the portafilter, allowing for immediate espresso extraction.
This 1600-watt machine offers manual control over grinding and espresso making, featuring a 54mm portafilter capable of holding 19 grams of coffee for rich flavor extraction. Its precise water pressure system ensures optimal espresso development.
Pros
- Integrated grinder for fresh grounds
- Manual control for customization
- 54mm portafilter for full flavor
- Consistent water pressure
Cons
- Requires manual tamping and steaming
This machine is for the home barista who enjoys hands-on control over their espresso. It’s ideal for those who want to experiment with grind size and extraction for their daily espresso shots.
2. Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine BES880BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best for: Intuitive touchscreen espresso for effortless indulgence.
The Breville Barista Touch BES880BSS features a responsive touchscreen that simplifies the entire espresso-making process, from grinding beans to frothing milk.
Boasting 1680 watts of power, this machine includes an integrated conical burr grinder with dose control for precise coffee amounts. The automatic steam wand allows for effortless milk texturing for lattes and cappuccinos.
Pros
- Touchscreen interface for ease of use
- Integrated grinder for fresh coffee
- Automatic milk texturing
- Programmable drink settings
Cons
- Less manual control than other models
Perfect for aspiring baristas valuing speed and convenience. This machine lets you create café-style drinks with minimal fuss, ideal for busy mornings or entertaining guests.
3. Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best for: Compact espresso for quick, flavorful shots.
The Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450 features a 54mm portafilter, allowing you to load up to 19 grams of ground coffee for maximum flavor extraction in every shot.
This 1560-watt semi-automatic machine heats up in just 3 seconds, so you can brew faster. Its automatic steam wand delivers hands-free microfoam with adjustable temperature and texture for perfect milk-based drinks.
Pros
- Rapid 3-second heat-up time
- 19g dose capacity for full flavor
- Automatic steam wand for microfoam
- Compact design for small spaces
Cons
- Requires separate grinder if using whole beans
This machine is for coffee lovers seeking quick, delicious espresso without a large footprint. It’s great for apartment dwellers or anyone wanting a fast path to quality espresso drinks.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville, Chrome with
Best for: Single-serve pods for effortless Nespresso coffee.
Designed exclusively for Nespresso Vertuo capsules, this Breville Nespresso Vertuo coffee maker uses Centrifusion technology to spin capsules, blending coffee and crema for a perfect brew.
With 1350 watts, this fully automatic machine creates barista-grade coffee or espresso at the touch of a button. Its adjustable cup support accommodates various mug sizes, ensuring a clean pour every time.
Pros
- One-touch brewing for simplicity
- Centrifusion technology for rich crema
- Vertuo capsule system
- Adjustable drip tray
Cons
- Restricted to Nespresso Vertuo capsules
Ideal for those who prefer the convenience of single-serve pod systems for their coffee. This machine is perfect for quick cups of coffee or espresso without the need to grind or tamp beans.
5. Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best for: Fast, all-in-one espresso with digital interface.
The Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS integrates a ThermoJet heating system for a rapid 3-second heat-up time, allowing for quicker espresso preparation.
This 1680-watt machine features an intuitive LCD interface that guides you through grind size, dose, and shot time settings. Its precise digital temperature control ensures optimal extraction for every brew.
Pros
- 3-second heat-up time
- LCD interface for control
- Digital temperature control
- Integrated conical burr grinder
Cons
- Smaller water tank capacity
This machine is best suited for home baristas prioritizing speed and precise digital control. It offers a streamlined path to quality espresso with its fast heat-up and user-friendly interface.
6. Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best for: Automatic microfoam for barista-quality milk.
The Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS features an automatic 3-second heat-up time and a dedicated steam wand that automatically creates cafe-quality microfoam for silky texture.
This 1560-watt semi-automatic machine uses a 54mm portafilter with an 18-gram capacity for rich, full-flavored espresso. It offers pre-programmed café settings for simplified operation.
Pros
- Automatic milk texturing
- 3-second heat-up
- Pre-programmed settings
- 18g portafilter capacity
Cons
- Relatively basic grinder options
This machine is perfect for those who love milk-based espresso drinks and want to consistently achieve silky microfoam. It’s ideal for users who want automated milk frothing and fast espresso brewing.
7. Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best for: Assisted workflow for perfect espresso pucks.
The Breville Barista Express Impress BES876BSS streamlines espresso preparation with its Impress Puck System, which automatically calculates and doses the correct amount of coffee.
This 1600-watt machine utilizes intelligent dosing and assisted tamping to ensure precision, removing guesswork from the espresso process. It features an integrated conical burr grinder for fresh grounds.
Pros
- Impress Puck System for dosing & tamping
- Intelligent dosing reduces guesswork
- Assisted tamping for consistency
- Integrated grinder
Cons
- Less manual control over dosing
This machine is designed for home users seeking to make manual espresso with more precision and less effort. It simplifies the critical dosing and tamping steps for consistently good shots.
8. Breville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker With Grinder, Brushed Stainless
Best for: Brew directly into your cup with built-in grinder.
The Breville Grind Control BDC650BSS combines an adjustable conical burr grinder with a drip coffee maker, allowing you to grind beans immediately before brewing directly into a carafe or mug.
This 1100-watt machine offers customizable grind size and brew volume, from a single cup to a full 12-cup carafe. Its Steep and Release technology ensures optimal flavor extraction from freshly ground beans.
Pros
- Integrated adjustable grinder
- Brew directly into cup or carafe
- Customizable grind and brew volume
- Steep and Release brewing technology
Cons
- Drip coffee, not espresso
This is the ideal machine for those who enjoy fresh, drip-style coffee made from whole beans. It’s perfect for individuals or households wanting the convenience of grinding and brewing in one unit.
9. Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine (Certified Remanufactured)
Best for: Refurbished, automated espresso with intelligent dosing.
This certified remanufactured Breville Barista Express Impress features an integrated conical burr grinder with 25 grind settings and intelligent dosing for precisely measured coffee doses.
This semi-automatic espresso machine is designed to deliver third wave specialty coffee using the 4 keys formula. It incorporates an automated system for calculating and adjusting coffee doses, simplifying the espresso-making process.
Pros
- Intelligent dosing system
- Integrated grinder with 25 settings
- Certified remanufactured quality
- Simplified espresso workflow
Cons
- Remanufactured status may vary
This machine is for budget-conscious buyers seeking advanced features like intelligent dosing in a remanufactured unit. It offers a more accessible way to achieve high-quality espresso at home.
10. Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best for: Automated espresso with advanced touch interface.
The Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine boasts a full-color touchscreen interface, allowing you to swipe and select from a variety of café favorites, including innovative Cold Brew and Cold Espresso options.
Featuring Baratza burrs, this 1700-watt fully automatic machine automates grinding, dosing, and tamping for consistent results. It incorporates precise temperature control and optimal pressure for rich, café-style espresso drinks.
Pros
- Full-color touchscreen interface
- Cold brew and cold espresso options
- Automated grind, dose, and tamp
- Baratza burrs for precision grinding
Cons
- Higher price point
This machine is for the enthusiast who desires ultimate automation and cutting-edge features in their home espresso setup. It’s perfect for creating a wide range of specialty drinks with minimal manual intervention.
Grind Precision Over Automation for True Breville Espresso
For the home barista seeking genuine espresso quality, the choice among Breville machines hinges on one crucial factor: the precision and control of the grinding and tamping process, not the degree of automation. While many gravitate towards features like automatic milk frothing or touchscreens, these can ultimately mask or even hinder the pursuit of truly excellent espresso if the fundamentals aren’t mastered. The core of what separates exceptional espresso from merely acceptable coffee, even within the best breville coffee maker lineup, lies in the integration of fresh grinding and consistent puck preparation.
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL and its direct successor, the Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS, demonstrate this divergence. The Impress model’s smart dosing system and Impress puck system are designed to simplify manual espresso making, making it easier to achieve a good result with less experience. However, for those who understand that espresso is a craft, this automation can become a limitation.
The original Barista Express, by demanding a more hands-on approach to grinding and tamping, forces a deeper engagement with the variables that genuinely impact flavor – dose, grind size, and distribution. This direct interaction allows for nuanced adjustments and a more profound understanding of how each element influences the final shot, a path the Impress version streamlines to the point of reducing that learning opportunity.
Consider the stark contrast with machines like the Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS or the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS. These machines are commendably compact and offer rapid heat-up times and automatic milk texturing, making them appealing for quick, consistent lattes or cappuccinos with minimal fuss. Yet, they bypass the integrated grinder entirely, relying on pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder.
This immediately removes a significant variable from the equation and limits the user’s ability to fine-tune grind size for optimal extraction, a non-negotiable for those serious about dialing in their shots. Similarly, the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville is a world apart; its capsule system automates the entire process to the extreme, sacrificing granular control entirely for user convenience.
Ultimately, the value proposition of a premium espresso machine like those from Breville rests not in how much it does for you, but in how much it enables you to do, provided you have the inclination to learn. The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, with its ThermoJet heating system and precise grinder, strikes a balance by offering speed and efficiency while retaining essential manual control. The Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine, with its complex dual boiler and automated tamping and dose, aims for peak automation but represents a very different entry into the espresso world, catering to those who seek a café experience with a substantial investment and minimal direct intervention in the core process.
For the enthusiast prioritizing taste and technique over convenience, the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL offers the superior platform for developing true espresso proficiency.
What to Look For in a Breville Coffee Maker
Integrated grinder vs separate grinder
For the ultimate convenience and a consistently fresh cup, opt for an integrated grinder. Look for machines with a burr grinder, as these deliver superior grind consistency over blade grinders, which is crucial for optimal extraction. A substantial bean hopper capacity, at least 250 grams, ensures you won’t be refilling daily.
Crucially, the grinder must offer a wide range of grind size adjustments, from coarse for French press to fine for espresso, indicating a versatile machine. Your best bet for an all-in-one solution is a model with a precise, adjustable burr grinder, ensuring café-worthy grounds every time.
Brewing method and capacity
When selecting your brewing method, consider if you prioritize volume or single servings. For households or offices, a drip coffee maker with a capacity of 10-12 cups is ideal, providing enough for multiple people with each brew. If your preference leans towards quick, individual cups, a model with singleserve pod compatibility offers unparalleled speed and variety.
For those who value a freshly brewed pot waiting for them, programmable brew start times are essential. The best choice depends on your routine: a large-capacity drip brewer for communal enjoyment, or a singleserve machine for personal convenience, both featuring a reliable timer.
Temperature control and features
Fine-tuning your brew temperature is paramount for extracting the best flavor from your coffee. Seek out machines with adjustable brew temperature settings, allowing you to select a range between 195-205°F, the sweet spot for optimal extraction. A keepwarm function is also desirable, but its duration matters; aim for at least 60 minutes to prevent your coffee from tasting burnt.
Consider models with integrated water filtration systems, as this removes impurities that can negatively impact taste. For a superior coffee experience, choose a machine with precise temperature control and a multi-hour keepwarm feature, ensuring each cup is a perfect temperature.
Which Should You Choose?
- Capacity Needs: Determine how many cups you brew daily to select an appropriate carafe size.
- Grinder Integration: Decide if you prefer a built-in grinder for convenience or a separate grinder for more control.
- Brew Strength Options: Look for adjustable brew strength settings to tailor your coffee to your liking.
- Programmability: Consider models with programmable timers for waking up to fresh coffee.
- Water Filtration: Some machines include water filters to improve taste and reduce scale buildup.
- Ease of Cleaning: Check for features like removable parts and descaling alerts for simpler maintenance.
Quick Best Breville Coffee Maker Buying Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Primary Benefit Of A Breville Coffee Maker With An Integrated Grinder?
The primary benefit of a Breville coffee maker with an integrated grinder is unparalleled freshness and convenience. It grinds beans immediately before brewing, preserving optimal flavor and aroma, while streamlining your morning routine by combining two steps into one.
How Does Temperature Control Affect Coffee Brewed With A Breville Machine?
Precise temperature control is crucial for optimal coffee extraction, and Breville machines excel at this. Maintaining water between 195°F and 205°F ensures that coffee grounds release their full flavor profile, avoiding under-extraction bitterness or over-extraction acidity.
Are Breville Drip Coffee Makers Suitable For Households With Varying Coffee Preferences?
Yes, many Breville drip coffee makers are suitable for varied preferences due to features like adjustable brew strength and programmed timers. These allow users to customize their coffee’s intensity and schedule brews, accommodating different tastes and schedules.
What Type Of Grinder Is Typically Found In Higher-End Breville Coffee Makers?
Higher-end Breville coffee makers typically feature conical burr grinders known for their precision and consistency. These grinders offer multiple adjustment levels, allowing users to fine-tune grind size for optimal extraction across various brewing methods.
How Does The Water Filtration System In Breville Coffee Makers Improve Coffee Quality?
Water filtration systems in Breville coffee makers improve coffee quality by removing impurities like chlorine and mineral deposits. This results in a cleaner, more nuanced flavor profile, allowing the true characteristics of the coffee beans to shine through.
Final Words
Investing in one of the best Breville coffee makers can truly elevate your daily coffee ritual. From integrated grinders to precise temperature control, these machines offer both convenience and exceptional taste. Start your day with perfectly brewed coffee, tailored to your preferences, by choosing a Breville that fits your lifestyle.