Which is more affordable, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL or the Breville Barista Touch BES880?

The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is priced at $700, which is $300 less than the Breville Barista Touch BES880 at $1,000. However, price alone shouldn't determine your choice — consider the features each machine offers for the money.

Do both the Breville Barista Express BES870XL and Breville Barista Touch BES880 use the same boiler type?

Yes, both machines use a Thermoblock system. This means the workflow experience is similar between them — the differences come down to build quality, features, and other specifications.

Should I buy the Breville Barista Express BES870XL or the Breville Barista Touch BES880?

Choose the Breville Barista Express BES870XL if you value precise temperature control. Choose the Breville Barista Touch BES880 if you prioritize precise temperature control. Both are capable espresso machines — the best choice depends on your specific workflow needs, budget, and counter space.

Is the Breville Barista Express BES870XL or Breville Barista Touch BES880 better for beginners?

For beginners, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL at $700 is generally the safer choice — it's less financial risk while you learn. Remember that a good grinder matters at least as much as the machine, so budget accordingly.

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.

Pros & Cons