Best Breville Coffee Makers
Most Best Breville roundups blur espresso and drip machines together. We separate them explicitly, comparing three espresso machines and one drip brewer on their own terms.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Product | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Espresso: Entry Level | Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel | Check price |
| Best Espresso: Mid-Range | Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel | Check price |
| Best Espresso: Compact | Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel | Check price |
| Best Drip Option | Breville BDC465BSS Luxe Brewer Thermal Carafe, Brushed Stainless Steel | Check price |
Prices are approximate. Check Amazon for current pricing before purchasing.
Most Best Breville Coffee Makers roundups list espresso machines and drip brewers side by side as if they compete for the same buyer, ranked mainly by price or star rating. That comparison does not actually help, since the two categories solve different problems and are not interchangeable.
This guide keeps them separate on purpose. We cover three current Breville espresso machines, the Barista Express, Barista Touch, and Bambino, as their own group, and the Breville Luxe Brewer as the one drip machine in the current lineup, treated as a distinct category rather than pretending it competes directly against the espresso models.
6 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Breville Coffee Maker
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Espresso vs drip, decide this first
The Barista Express, Barista Touch, and Bambino are espresso machines built around a portafilter and steam wand. The Luxe Brewer is a drip machine with a thermal carafe. These solve different problems, so decide which category you actually need before comparing price or rating across the two.
Built-in grinder vs separate grinder
The Barista Express and Barista Touch include a grinder; the Bambino does not. If you already own a quality burr grinder, the Bambino avoids paying for integration you will not use, while a first-time buyer generally benefits from the built-in grinder.
Manual vs automatic milk texturing
The Barista Express requires manual steam wand technique that takes practice to master, while the Barista Touch and Bambino automate milk texturing. Decide whether hands-on control or convenience matters more for your daily routine.
Warranty length across the lineup
The Barista Express and Bambino carry a 1-year limited warranty, the Barista Touch carries 2 years, and premium drip brewers in a similar price range, like Moccamaster, offer 5 years. Factor this gap into the total value calculation, not just the sticker price.
Cleaning burden regardless of category
Espresso machines need portafilter rinsing after every shot plus periodic backflushing, and the Luxe Brewer needs reservoir, showerhead, and thermal carafe lid cleaning. Neither category is low-maintenance; budget for a real weekly cleaning routine either way.
Does espresso customization actually improve results for a casual drinker
Adjustable grind, dose, and temperature give real control to someone willing to learn and dial in settings over time, but a casual drinker who just wants a consistent daily cup may get more reliable results from a simpler pod-based espresso maker or the Luxe Brewer's drip presets.
Best Breville Coffee Makers
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
About this pick
The Barista Express is Breville's entry point into all-in-one espresso, combining a dose-control conical burr grinder with a 58mm commercial-style portafilter so you can go from whole bean to shot in one machine. Digital temperature control targets consistent extraction temperature shot to shot, which matters more for taste consistency than most marketing copy suggests.
The manual steam wand means milk texturing is a learned skill rather than a one-touch feature, and the reservoir, showerhead, and portafilter all need separate regular cleaning to avoid stale oil buildup affecting flavor. It carries a 1-year limited warranty, shorter than the multi-year terms on premium drip brewers like Moccamaster.
Best for: Buyers who want grinder integration at the lowest entry price into Breville's espresso lineup.
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Integrated grinder removes the need for a separate burr grinder purchase
- +Digital temperature control (PID) supports consistent shot-to-shot extraction
- +Lowest price of the three espresso machines here
Cons
- −Manual steam wand requires practice to texture milk well
- −1-year warranty is shorter than what a comparable drip brewer in this price range typically offers
Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
About this pick
The Barista Touch adds a touch screen and automatic milk texturing to the same core grinder-plus-portafilter formula as the Barista Express, letting you save up to 8 personalized coffee profiles and adjust strength, milk texture, and temperature without manual guesswork on the steam wand. The ThermoJet heating system reaches extraction temperature in about 3 seconds instead of the longer warm-up some machines need.
Whether the touch screen and automation meaningfully improve the coffee itself, versus just making the process faster and more approachable, depends on how much you value consistency over hands-on control. The extraction quality ceiling is similar to the Barista Express since both share the same portafilter and grinder architecture; the Touch mainly buys convenience and a 2-year warranty instead of 1 year.
Best for: Buyers who want automated milk texturing and saved profiles without learning manual steam wand technique.
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Automatic milk texturing removes the steam wand learning curve
- +2-year limited warranty, longer than the Barista Express and Bambino
- +Touch screen simplifies repeat brewing of saved favorites
Cons
- −Highest price of the three espresso machines here
- −Same core grinder and portafilter as the cheaper Barista Express, so shot quality ceiling is similar
Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
About this pick
The Bambino drops the built-in grinder entirely, so you need a separate burr grinder and pre-ground or freshly ground coffee ready to go into the 54mm portafilter. In exchange it is the smallest and least expensive of the three espresso machines here, with the same fast ThermoJet heating and automatic milk texturing as the pricier Touch model.
For buyers who already own a decent grinder, this is arguably the better value than the Barista Express, since you are not paying for a built-in grinder you may prefer to replace anyway. The 1-year warranty and simpler control panel keep the footprint and price down without cutting the automatic steam wand that makes daily milk drinks easier.
Best for: Buyers who already have a separate grinder and want compact automatic-steam espresso without paying for grinder integration.
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Smallest footprint and lowest price of the three espresso machines here
- +Automatic steam wand despite the lower price point
- +Fast ThermoJet heat-up, same as the pricier Touch model
Cons
- −No built-in grinder, requires a separate grinder purchase
- −1-year warranty, same shorter term as the Barista Express
Breville BDC465BSS Luxe Brewer Thermal Carafe, Brushed Stainless Steel
About this pick
This is the one drip machine in Breville's current lineup, and it belongs in a separate conversation from the three espresso machines above rather than being ranked against them directly. It meets the SCA Golden Cup standard for extraction and includes both cone and flat-bottom filter basket options, since filter shape genuinely affects flavor profile according to research the brand cites from UC Davis and the Coffee Science Foundation.
The dual-wall thermal carafe keeps coffee above 150 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 4 hours, a meaningfully longer hold than a standard warming plate, and a programmable timer allows scheduling up to 24 hours in advance, something none of the three espresso machines offer. Reservoir, showerhead, and carafe lid cleaning is still a multi-step process, similar in effort to maintaining an espresso machine's portafilter, just with different parts.
Best for: Buyers who want a full pot of drip coffee with SCA-certified quality and do not need espresso at all.
Check price on AmazonPros
- +SCA Golden Cup certified extraction with a choice of filter basket shapes
- +Thermal carafe holds temperature above 150F for up to 4 hours
- +Programmable timer, unlike any of the espresso machines in this lineup
Cons
- −Priced above most drip-only competitors, including Moccamaster's glass carafe models
- −Reservoir, showerhead, and carafe lid all need separate regular cleaning
How We Evaluated These Breville Coffee Makers
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Category separation first
We grouped the three espresso machines separately from the one drip machine and evaluated each group on its own criteria instead of ranking them on a single combined scale.
Grinder and portafilter architecture
Within the espresso group, we compared built-in grinder presence, portafilter size, and whether milk texturing is manual or automatic, since these are the features that actually change daily use.
Warranty and long-term value
We compared warranty length across all four models, and against Moccamaster's 5-year term as a reference point, to judge whether Breville's pricing reflects comparable long-term support.
Cleaning and maintenance burden
We assessed the realistic weekly cleaning routine for each machine, portafilter and steam wand for the espresso models, reservoir and carafe lid for the Luxe Brewer.
Customization value for casual vs dedicated users
We weighed how much the espresso machines' adjustability actually benefits someone who is not planning to dial in grind and dose over time, versus a simpler alternative.
How to Choose the Right Breville Coffee Makers
Espresso or Drip
Answer this before comparing anything else in this lineup.
| You want | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| Espresso, lattes, or cappuccinos | One of the three Breville espresso machines below |
| A full pot of drip coffee | Breville Luxe Brewer |
Choosing an Espresso Machine
| Your situation | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| Want grinder included, lowest entry price | Barista Express |
| Want automatic milk texturing and saved profiles | Barista Touch |
| Already own a grinder, want the smallest footprint | Bambino |
Manual vs Automatic Milk Texturing
Manual (Barista Express)
Lower price, but expect a real learning curve before microfoam looks and tastes consistent.
Automatic (Barista Touch, Bambino)
Consistent results from day one, at a price premium on the Touch or a smaller footprint tradeoff on the Bambino.
Warranty and Price Context vs Moccamaster
Since another guide on this site covers Moccamaster in detail, it is worth naming as a reference point here.
| Machine | Approx. Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Breville Bambino | $299.95 | 1 year |
| Breville Luxe Brewer | $349.95 | Check current listing |
| Moccamaster KBGV Select (drip, reference) | $366.94 | 5 years |
If warranty length and long-term parts support matter more to you than espresso capability, a drip-only brewer like Moccamaster is worth comparing directly against the Luxe Brewer.
Cleaning Commitment by Machine Type
Espresso machines
Expect portafilter rinsing after every shot and weekly backflushing at minimum, plus grinder hopper cleaning on the Barista Express and Touch.
Luxe Brewer
Expect reservoir refills, showerhead wipe-downs, and thermal carafe lid disassembly for a thorough clean.
Is Espresso Customization Worth It
Worth it if
You are willing to learn grind adjustment, dosing, and tamping technique over weeks, not just the first day.
Skip it if
You want a consistent daily cup with minimal fuss. A simpler pod-based espresso maker or the Luxe Brewer's drip presets will likely serve you better than fighting a manual portafilter machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Breville Luxe Brewer the same category as the Barista Express?
No. The Luxe Brewer is a drip coffee maker with a thermal carafe, while the Barista Express, Barista Touch, and Bambino are espresso machines built around a portafilter and steam wand. They solve different problems and should not be compared as if ranked on the same scale.
Do I need the built-in grinder on a Breville espresso machine?
If you do not already own a quality burr grinder, the built-in grinder on the Barista Express or Barista Touch is worth paying for. If you already have one you like, the Bambino skips that cost and keeps a smaller footprint.
Does Breville's espresso customization actually make better coffee than a simpler machine?
It can, but only if you are willing to learn grind size adjustment, dosing, and tamping over time. A casual drinker who wants consistent results with minimal effort may get more satisfying daily results from a simpler pod-based espresso maker.
How does Breville's warranty compare to a premium drip brewer like Moccamaster?
Breville's espresso machines carry 1 to 2 year limited warranties, while Moccamaster backs its drip brewers with a 5-year warranty. If long-term parts support matters more than espresso capability, that gap is worth weighing against the Luxe Brewer or a dedicated drip brand.
How much cleaning do Breville espresso machines actually need?
Expect to rinse the portafilter after every shot and run a backflush cycle weekly at minimum, plus periodic descaling and grinder hopper cleaning on models with a built-in grinder. This is a comparable time commitment to maintaining the Luxe Brewer's reservoir and carafe lid, just different parts.
Bottom Line
best overall: Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel - best espresso: entry level pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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