Mornings in my house are fast and loud. Kids run wild, and I am very tired. Good coffee is my best hope to get through the day. That is why I had to test the Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl. Finding the best espresso maker changes life for busy moms like me.
Breville BES840XL Review
The Breville BES840XL is a sleek little machine. Most people call it the Infuser. It looks great on my kitchen counter. It is small and does not take up too much room.
Pros and Cons
Here is a fast look at what I liked and what I did not.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very compact size | Needs a separate grinder |
| Steady water heat | Steam wand is a bit slow |
| Easy to clean up | Hard to dial in at first |
Life With The Infuser
After using this for a few months, I really like how simple it is. The drip tray tells you when it is full. That saved me from a huge mess on a crazy Tuesday.
Finding the right grind size took a lot of work. Since it lacks a built-in grinder, my space felt a bit messy at first. Once I found my groove, it made great drinks. The steam wand makes hot milk for a nice latte.
Recommendation
This machine is perfect if you own a good burr grinder. It is also a great fit if you want a small footprint. It is not good for folks who want an all-in-one setup.
Breville BES870XL Review
The Breville BES870XL is also known as the Barista Express. This is a heavy coffee beast. It has a built-in grinder right on the top. This makes it super easy to go from bean to cup fast. I was very happy to test this big one out.
Pros and Cons
Let us look at the good and bad points of this machine.
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in burr grinder | Takes up more counter space |
| Very fresh coffee | Grinder can be a bit noisy |
| Looks like a pro setup | Takes time to learn the settings |
My Daily Grind
Having the grinder built right in was a huge game changer. After a few months, I got very fast at making my morning latte. The fresh smell of ground beans wakes me up right away.
The dial on the front is a big help. It shows me if I pressed the coffee hard enough. Sometimes the grinder clogs if the beans have too much oil. Cleaning it out is not fun, but the espresso tastes amazing.
Recommendation
This is perfect for folks who want a full shop feel at home. It is great for new users who want an all-in-one unit. It is not good if you have a very small kitchen space.
Detail Comparison for Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl
Picking between these two comes down to your daily routine. Both make amazing coffee, but they fit your life in different ways. Let us break down the top features to help you choose.
Brewing Capacity & Footprint: Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl
Counter space is tight when you cook family meals. The 840XL is small and fits anywhere you want. The 870XL is wide and needs its own clear spot.
| Feature | Breville BES840XL | Breville BES870XL |
| Size Profile | Small and slim | Wide and heavy |
| Grinder Built-In | No | Yes |
Rating: BES840XL: 9/10, BES870XL: 7/10
Brew Quality & Flavor Extraction: Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl
Both machines use the same smart heat system to brew. They wet the coffee grounds slowly for a rich taste. The flavor is bold and sweet on both models.
| Feature | Breville BES840XL | Breville BES870XL |
| Heat System | Thermocoil | Thermocoil |
| Low Pressure Start | Yes | Yes |
Rating: BES840XL: 9/10, BES870XL: 9/10
Ease of Use & Programmability: Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl
When you feel tired, easy is always best. The 870XL is simple because it grinds the beans for you. The 840XL makes you do an extra step with your own grinder.
| Feature | Breville BES840XL | Breville BES870XL |
| Grinding Style | Manual | Automatic |
| Push Buttons | Simple layout | Simple layout |
Rating: BES840XL: 7/10, BES870XL: 9/10
Cleaning & Descaling Process: Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl
Nobody likes to clean up coffee messes. The 840XL is much faster to wipe down. The 870XL takes longer because you must brush out the grinder space.
| Feature | Breville BES840XL | Breville BES870XL |
| Drip Tray Emptying | Very fast | Very fast |
| Extra Cleaning | None needed | Burr brush out |
Rating: BES840XL: 9/10, BES870XL: 7/10
Operating Noise Level: Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl
A loud sound can wake up a sleeping house. The 840XL is very quiet when it brews. The 870XL grinder will for sure wake up a light sleeper.
| Feature | Breville BES840XL | Breville BES870XL |
| Brew Noise | Soft hum | Soft hum |
| Grind Noise | Silent (no grinder) | Loud crunching |
Rating: BES840XL: 9/10, BES870XL: 6/10
Conclusion
Testing the Breville Bes840xl Vs Bes870xl was a fun caffeine ride. If you own a good grinder, get the 840XL. If you want a fresh and easy start, buy the 870XL. Both choices will fix your morning coffee needs fast.