Breville BES860XL

Overview

The Breville BES860XL Barista Express was the original version of what would become Breville's best-selling espresso machine worldwide. It combined a built-in conical burr grinder with a semi-automatic espresso maker in a single integrated unit — a concept that proved transformative for the home espresso market. The integrated grinder eliminated the need for a separate purchase and ensured fresh grinding for every shot. PID temperature control and pre-infusion came standard. The BES860XL established the template that the BES870XL and subsequent Barista Express models would refine, and its influence on the market cannot be overstated.

The Breville BES860XL comes equipped with PID temperature control for precise brewing, pre-infusion for even extraction. It features a thermocoil boiler system made of stainless steel. The vibratory pump delivers 15.0 bars of pressure for optimal extraction.

Priced at $500, the Breville BES860XL is designed for home baristas looking for quality without breaking the bank. As a semi-automatic machine, it gives you control over the brewing process while handling pressure and temperature automatically.

In terms of build quality, the Breville BES860XL is a substantial machine, weighing in at 11.5 kg, manufactured in Australia, drawing 1100W of power. With dimensions of 340 x 310 x 340 mm (W×D×H), make sure you have adequate counter space. The built-in water reservoir holds 2000 ml, making it easy to set up anywhere in your kitchen.