Breville Barista Express BES870XL vs Breville Barista Pro BES878
Side-by-side comparison of two espresso machines
| Specification | Breville Barista Express BES870XL | Breville Barista Pro BES878 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Breville | Breville |
| Price (MSRP) | $700 | $850 |
| 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 | Commercial |
| 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) | 12.7 kg (28 lbs) |
| Power | 1600W | 1680W |
| Made In | Australia | Australia |
Expert Analysis
The Breville Barista Pro and Barista Express are siblings in Breville's all-in-one lineup, and the Pro commands a $150 premium ($850 vs $700) over the Express. Understanding what that premium buys — and what it doesn't — is key to choosing correctly.
Both machines use thermoblock heating, integrated conical burr grinders, PID temperature control, and 54mm portafilters. Both include pressurized and non-pressurized baskets. The grinder, dose, tamp, extract workflow is identical. So what's different?
The Barista Pro's headline upgrade is its ThermoJet heating system — a faster thermoblock that reaches brewing temperature in 3 seconds versus the Express's 30-second warm-up. For the morning-rush barista, this is meaningful. The Pro also features a sleek LCD touchscreen interface replacing the Express's analog buttons and pressure gauge, giving it a more modern appearance.
The grinder in the Pro has been slightly refined with quieter operation and more consistent particle distribution, though the differences are subtle. Dose settings and grind adjustability are similar. Both grinders are adequate for the machine but won't compete with a dedicated grinder like a Niche Zero or Eureka Mignon.
Shot quality is essentially identical. Same thermoblock, same 54mm group, same extraction parameters. If you blind-tested the espresso from both machines using the same beans and grind, you'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart.
The Express does include a feature the Pro lacks — a built-in pressure gauge (manometer) that provides visual feedback on extraction pressure. Many users find this useful for dialing in, though the Pro's digital display shows some of the same information differently.
**Verdict:** The Barista Pro is a worthwhile upgrade if you value fast heat-up and a modern LCD interface. If you're content with a 30-second wait and prefer an analog aesthetic (with that useful pressure gauge), save the $150 and buy the Express. Neither machine is meaningfully "better" at making espresso.
Price: The Breville Barista Express BES870XL comes in at $700, which is $150 less than the Breville Barista Pro BES878 at $850. That's a 18% price difference that could be significant depending on your budget.
Our Verdict
Choosing between the Breville Barista Express BES870XL and the Breville Barista Pro BES878 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 Pro BES878 delivers a premium experience. Both are capable machines that can produce excellent espresso in the right hands.
Pros & Cons
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
- PID temperature control
- Pre-infusion capability
- Vibratory pump (noisier)
- Non-standard portafilter size
Breville Barista Pro BES878
- PID temperature control
- Pre-infusion capability
- Vibratory pump (noisier)
- Non-standard portafilter size