Choosing the right Breville espresso machine can feel like standing in front of two amazing desserts — both look great, both promise satisfaction, and both seem capable of delivering café-quality espresso at home. But after spending significant time with the Breville BES880BSS Barista Touch and the BES870XL Barista Express, I realized that these machines deliver very different user experiences.
One leans heavily into automation and convenience, while the other gives you more manual control and hands-on barista feeling. If you’re trying to decide between these two, this comparison will help you figure out which machine actually fits your daily coffee routine.
Main Difference Between Breville BES880BSS vs BES870XL Espresso Machine
The Breville BES880BSS is a more advanced, touch-screen-driven espresso machine designed for fast, automated café-style drinks with minimal learning curve. The Breville BES870XL, on the other hand, is a manually operated espresso machine ideal for users who enjoy full control over extraction and steam wand performance.
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
Comparison Table: Breville BES880BSS vs BES870XL Espresso Machine
| Feature | Breville BES880BSS (Barista Touch) | Breville BES870XL (Barista Express) |
| Dimensions | 12.7″D × 15.5″W × 16″H | 13.8″D × 12.5″W × 15.9″H |
| Included Grinder | Integrated Conical Burr Grinder | Integrated Conical Burr Grinder |
| Heating System | ThermoJet (3-second heat-up) | ThermoCoil (~30 seconds) |
| Milk System | Automatic Steam Wand with temp & texture control | Manual Steam Wand |
| Interface | Touch Screen | Analog Buttons & Dials |
| Drink Presets | Yes (5 presets + 8 custom profiles) | No presets |
| Capacity | 67 oz Water Tank, ½ lb Hopper | 67 oz Water Tank, ½ lb Hopper |
| Wattage | 1680W | 1600W |
| Weight | 21.8 lbs | 22.09 lbs |
| Barcode / Model | BES880BSS | BES870XL |
| Best For | Beginners, busy users, latte lovers | Home baristas who want full manual control |
| Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Design & Build Quality
Both machines come in Breville’s iconic brushed stainless steel finish, and both feel premium and durable. But the design philosophy differs.
BES880BSS – Sleek & Modern
The moment I unboxed the Barista Touch, the first thing that grabbed my attention was that bright, responsive touchscreen. It makes the machine look modern and almost futuristic. The workflow feels clean because most controls are digital, and the automatic steam wand reduces clutter.
The build is slightly taller but maintains a compact footprint that works well even in smaller kitchens.
BES870XL – Classic Barista Look
The Barista Express looks more traditional with its knobs, buttons, and pressure gauge. Personally, this machine feels more “hands-on”—like something you’d see in a small café. Every control is physical, which many traditionalists love.
Both machines are solid and reliable, but the BES870XL has that timeless charm, while the BES880BSS feels more like a smart home appliance.
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
Ease of Use
BES880BSS – Almost Effortless
If you want an espresso machine that guides you step-by-step and essentially eliminates guessing, the BES880BSS is the clear winner. The touchscreen recognizes the drink you select and walks you through grind, brew, and milk steps.
The 3-second heat-up time genuinely amazed me. I could prepare a latte faster than boiling water in the kettle.
Saving custom drinks was a huge plus—especially if multiple people in the house prefer different milk textures or shot strengths.
BES870XL – Requires Practice
The Barista Express isn’t difficult, but it does require a learning curve. When I first used it, dialing in grind settings and adjusting the grind amount took some time. But once I got the hang of it, it became enjoyable.
It’s a machine that rewards patience and practice. Beginners may struggle a bit, but enthusiasts will appreciate the manual fine-tuning.
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
Coffee Quality & Extraction Performance
Both machines use low-pressure pre-infusion and PID temperature control, ensuring stable, balanced extraction. When dialed in properly, both produce rich, syrupy espresso with great crema.
BES880BSS
Because the grind control and dosing are automated, my shots were consistent—almost identical from day one. This reliability makes the Barista Touch ideal for households where multiple people brew daily.
BES870XL
The Barista Express can actually produce slightly more nuanced espresso if you manually dial it in perfectly. When I spent time fine-tuning it, the results were exceptional—better than some local cafés.
But consistency depends heavily on the user.
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
Milk Frothing Performance
BES880BSS – Hands-Free Microfoam
The automatic steam wand impressed me the most. It consistently created glossy, silky microfoam suitable for latte art (yes—even latte art!). For anyone who struggles with milk steaming, this feature alone justifies the upgrade.
BES870XL – Pure Manual Control
The manual steam wand is stronger and gives more control, but only if you know what you’re doing. When I first used it, the foam wasn’t perfect, but after a few tries, I could texture milk exactly the way I wanted.
If milk steaming is part of the craft you enjoy, the BES870XL will feel more rewarding.
Functions & Customization
BES880BSS Highlights
- 5 café-style preprogrammed drinks
- Save up to 8 custom drinks
- Adjustable milk temperature & texture
- Touchscreen guided operation
- Auto-purge steam wand
- Faster ThermoJet heating
This machine is built for convenience lovers.
BES870XL Highlights
- Manual grind size control
- Manual dosing
- Manual steaming
- Pressure gauge for extraction monitoring
- Analog simplicity and reliability
It’s a machine for enthusiasts who want involvement in every step.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Both machines come with cleaning tools, water filters, and easy-to-clean components. But:
- The BES880BSS automates more tasks, including steam wand purging.
- The BES870XL requires more manual cleaning but is slightly simpler internally because it lacks digital components.
Breville BES880BSS (Barista Touch)
- The Breville Barista Touch delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
Pros:
- Super fast 3-second heat-up
- Touchscreen makes brewing intuitive
- Automatic milk steaming with great results
- Perfect for beginners and households
- Consistent espresso every time
- Save personalized profiles
Cons:
- Higher price
- Less manual control for purists
- Touchscreen may feel too “automatic” for hands-on baristas
Breville BES870XL (Barista Express)
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys...
Pros:
- Excellent manual control
- Produces amazing espresso once dialed in
- More affordable
- Great steam wand performance
- Classic and reliable mechanical design
Cons:
- Learning curve for beginners
- Longer heat-up time
- Shots can be inconsistent without practice
Conclusion & Recommendation:
After using both machines extensively, I see them serving two completely different types of coffee lovers.
Choose the Breville BES880BSS (Barista Touch) if:
- You want fast, consistent, high-quality drinks with minimal effort.
- You love lattes or cappuccinos but don’t want to manually steam milk.
- You share the machine with others who don’t want to learn espresso techniques.
- Convenience and modern features matter to you.
Choose the Breville BES870XL (Barista Express) if:
- You enjoy the art and craft of espresso making.
- You want more control over dosing, grind size, and steaming.
- You want great performance at a lower price.
- You don’t mind learning and experimenting.
My Personal Take
If I’m rushing in the morning and just want a flawless latte, the BES880BSS is unbeatable. But when I want to slow down and enjoy the barista process, the BES870XL feels much more satisfying.
Overall, I recommend the BES880BSS Barista Touch for most people, especially beginners and busy households. But if you’re passionate about mastering espresso manually, the BES870XL remains one of the best value machines on the market.
