Coffee lovers know that a great espresso machine is more than a convenience—it’s a gateway to café-quality beverages at home. In this comparison, I tested two highly popular Breville models: the BES880BSS Barista Touch and the BES870XL Barista Express. After spending time with both machines, I’m sharing my first-hand experience on their design, functionality, and overall coffee-making performance.
Key Difference Between Breville BES880BSS vs BES870XL Espresso Maker
The BES880BSS Barista Touch excels with its touchscreen interface, automatic milk texturing, and pre-programmed drink settings, making it ideal for beginners or those wanting speed and consistency. On the other hand, the BES870XL Barista Express emphasizes manual control, allowing users to hand-texture milk and manually select grind settings, catering to enthusiasts who enjoy the traditional barista experience.
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: With a single touch, the integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control...
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount...
Comparison Table: Breville BES880BSS vs BES870XL Espresso Maker
| Feature | Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch | Breville BES870XL Barista Express |
| User Interface | Touchscreen with pre-programmed drinks | Knob and buttons, manual operation |
| Milk Frothing | Automatic microfoam texturing | Manual steam wand |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr, dose control | Integrated conical burr, dose control |
| Heating | ThermoJet heating system, 3 sec heat-up | Thermo coil, slightly longer heat-up |
| Customization | 8 programmable coffee profiles | Manual adjustments for grind and extraction |
| Bean Hopper | 0.5 lb | 0.5 lb |
| Water Tank | 67 oz | 67 oz |
| Power | 1680 W | 1600 W |
| Weight | 21.8 lbs | 22.09 lbs |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
Design
Right out of the box, both machines have a premium brushed stainless steel finish, giving a modern, professional look. The BES880BSS Barista Touch feels slightly taller and sleeker, primarily because of the integrated touchscreen that replaces most physical buttons. I appreciated how intuitive it felt; the icons are clear, and navigating between espresso, latte, and cappuccino is simple.
The BES870XL Barista Express has a classic look with a knob and push buttons. It’s slightly wider, and the manual controls give it a traditional espresso machine vibe. The portafilter handle is sturdy on both machines, and the 54mm stainless steel portafilter feels commercial-grade, making every shot feel authentic.
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: With a single touch, the integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control...
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount...
Ease of Use
The Barista Touch is very beginner-friendly. I could make a latte in under two minutes using the pre-programmed touch options. The automatic milk frother was impressive—it produced smooth microfoam consistently without any guesswork. The thermojet heating system is a game-changer, heating water in about three seconds, so there’s almost zero waiting.
The Barista Express requires more manual input. You grind, tamp, and extract manually, then texture milk yourself. It’s not difficult, but there’s a learning curve if you want a café-quality cup. I found it rewarding, as adjusting grind size and tamp pressure gave me complete control over the espresso shot’s flavor and crema.
Functions
Both machines offer integrated grinders with dose control, which ensures freshly ground coffee for each cup. On the BES880BSS, the touch interface lets you choose coffee strength, milk temperature, and texture. It even allows you to save up to 8 personalized drink settings, which is convenient for families with different coffee preferences.
The BES870XL gives you manual grind size and dose adjustment, which is perfect if you enjoy experimenting with beans or roast profiles. You also get a full range of accessories: portafilter, Razor dose trimming tool, milk jug, and more. While it takes longer to craft your drinks, the flavor control is superior if you’re willing to put in the effort.
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: With a single touch, the integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control...
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount...
Cleaning & Maintenance
Both machines are fairly easy to clean. The BES880BSS has removable drip tray, water tank, and milk jug for washing. The auto-clean function on the steam wand simplifies maintenance, especially for those who use milk often.
On the BES870XL, I had to manually rinse the steam wand after every use. The water tank and drip tray are easy to access, but because the milk frothing is manual, I had to pay closer attention to cleaning to prevent milk residue buildup.
Performance & Taste
Taste-wise, both machines deliver excellent espresso. The BES880BSS excels in consistency. Every shot came out balanced, smooth, and perfectly extracted, thanks to its PID temperature control and pre-infusion system. Cappuccinos and lattes had silky milk foam with minimal effort.
The BES870XL, however, allows the experienced user to tweak flavor intensity, crema, and milk texture manually. I found this rewarding, as dialing in the grind and tamp gave me richer espresso shots and a more satisfying hands-on experience. For someone who enjoys the ritual of espresso-making, this model is ideal.
Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch Espresso Maker
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: With a single touch, the integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control...
Pros:
- Touchscreen with pre-programmed drinks
- Automatic milk texturing with consistent microfoam
- Quick heat-up with ThermoJet system
- 8 programmable drink profiles
- Sleek modern design, beginner-friendly
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive
- Less control for manual espresso enthusiasts
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Maker
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount...
Pros:
- Manual control over grind, dose, and milk frothing
- Integrated conical burr grinder
- Classic design with durable components
- Rewarding for hands-on coffee enthusiasts
- Full range of accessories included
Cons:
- Learning curve for perfect espresso
- Slightly longer heat-up time
- Manual milk frothing requires practice
Conclusion & Recommendation:
Having used both machines extensively, here’s my take: if you want speed, convenience, and consistency, the Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch is the clear winner. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone who loves café-quality drinks with minimal effort.
If you enjoy experimenting, personalizing your espresso, and mastering the craft, the Breville BES870XL Barista Express offers a hands-on experience that can be highly rewarding. While it requires more attention, the flavor control and versatility make it a favorite among coffee aficionados.
In my kitchen, I keep the BES880BSS for quick lattes in the morning and the BES870XL for weekend coffee rituals when I want to experiment with different beans and textures. Both machines shine in their own right—it just depends on your coffee-making style.