Breville Barista Express BES870XL vs Breville Barista Touch BES880
Side-by-side comparison of two espresso machines
| Specification | Breville Barista Express BES870XL | Breville Barista Touch BES880 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Breville | Breville |
| Price (MSRP) | $700 | $1,000 |
| Category | Semi-Auto | Semi-Auto |
| Boiler Type | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Boiler Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Boiler Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Pump Type | Vibratory | Vibratory |
| PID Control | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Infusion | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure Profiling | No | No |
| Flow Control | No | No |
| Group Head | 54mm Breville | 54mm Breville |
| Portafilter | 54 mm | 54 mm |
| Steam Wand | Commercial | Auto |
| Water Source | Reservoir | Reservoir |
| Reservoir | 2000 ml | 2000 ml |
| Cup Warmer | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 330 x 310 x 400 mm | 330 x 310 x 400 mm |
| Weight | 12.4 kg (27.3 lbs) | 12.8 kg (28.2 lbs) |
| Power | 1600W | 1680W |
| Made In | Australia | Australia |
Expert Analysis
The Breville Barista Touch ($1000) and Barista Express ($700) share Breville's integrated grinder-to-espresso platform but differ in interface and automation. The Barista Touch features a color touchscreen with programmable drink recipes, auto-steaming for milk temperature and texture, and a ThermoJet heater for 3-second warm-up. The Barista Express uses an analog gauge, manual steam control, and a slower thermoblock requiring 30 seconds to heat. Both include conical burr grinders, PID control, and pre-infusion with 54mm portafilters. The Touch weighs 12.8 kg versus the Express's 12.4 kg. The Touch's auto-steaming is divisive — convenient for beginners but limits the microfoam control that experienced baristas want. The Express's manual steam wand is preferred by those learning latte art. The Touch's 1680W ThermoJet versus the Express's 1600W thermoblock provides faster recovery between shots. Both grinders are adequate but not exceptional — serious users eventually upgrade to a standalone grinder. Verdict: The Barista Express at $300 less is the better value for those learning espresso. The Barista Touch suits busy households wanting one-touch convenience with consistent automated results.
Price: The Breville Barista Express BES870XL comes in at $700, which is $300 less than the Breville Barista Touch BES880 at $1,000. That's a 30% price difference that could be significant depending on your budget.
Our Verdict
Choosing between the Breville Barista Express BES870XL and the Breville Barista Touch BES880 depends on your priorities. If budget is your primary concern, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL offers excellent value. However, if you're willing to invest more for additional features and build quality, the Breville Barista Touch BES880 delivers a premium experience. Both are capable machines that can produce excellent espresso in the right hands.