Great coffee makes early mornings much better. Waking up to fresh espresso brings pure joy. Picking the right gear can feel very hard. Figuring out the breville bes870 vs bes870xl debate took a lot of testing. Let me share the simple facts so you can brew in peace.
Breville BES870 Review
This machine puts a real cafe right on your kitchen counter. It looks great and feels like a true pro tool. The built-in grinder saves a lot of space.
Pros and Cons
Every machine has strong points and a few weak spots. Here is what stands out the most.
| Pros | Cons |
| Grinds beans very fresh | Takes time to learn |
| Makes rich, dark crema | Needs frequent cleaning |
| Saves counter space | Drip tray fills up fast |
Daily Pulls and Pours
After using it for a couple of months, I really love the workflow. Pulling a shot becomes a fun morning habit. The heavy metal tamper feels great in your hand. The hot water spout is great for making a quick Americano.
Getting the grind size right takes a few tries. Once you find that sweet spot, the taste is out of this world. The steam wand makes milk very hot and frothy. It makes getting out of bed much easier.
Recommendation
This is perfect for folks who want to learn how to make real espresso. It is not good for someone who wants to press one button and walk away.
Breville BES870XL Review
This model brings a bright, heavy steel look to your home. It sits firm on the counter and handles daily use like a champ. When I check the parts, they feel very solid and tough. The dial clicks are firm and sharp.
Pros and Cons
Let us look at the good and the bad of this shiny unit. It holds up very well over a long time.
| Pros | Cons |
| Tough steel body | Burr grinder is loud |
| Heats up very fast | Heavy to move around |
| Great steam power | Bean hopper is tall |
Steaming and Serving
After using it for a couple of months, the brushed metal still shines like new. The steam wand makes great foam for latte art. I love how warm the top gets for heating up my cups. The pressure gauge is fun to watch while the shot pours out.
You can tell right away if your tamp was too light. It feels just like using a real shop tool. The cleaning light blinks to remind you when to run a flush cycle. Taking care of it keeps the coffee tasting fresh.
Recommendation
This fits best in kitchens where you want to show off nice gear. It is not good if you have very low shelves, as filling the beans gets hard.
Detail Comparison for Breville Bes870 Vs Bes870xl
Now let us put these two side by side. The funny truth is they are the exact same machine inside. The XL tag just means it is the North American steel version. Let us look at how they perform.
Brew Quality & Flavor Extraction: Breville Bes870 Vs Bes870xl
Both tags give you the exact same high-end taste. The pump pulls sweet and rich shots every single time. They both wet the grounds first for a better brew.
| Feature | Breville BES870 | Breville BES870XL |
| Pump Pressure | 15 Bar | 15 Bar |
| Pre-Infusion | Yes | Yes |
| Taste Profile | Rich & Balanced | Rich & Balanced |
Rating:
Breville BES870: 9/10
Breville BES870XL: 9/10
Build Quality & Durability: Breville Bes870 Vs Bes870xl
The main difference is just the outer finish. The XL tag always means heavy brushed steel. Both are built like small tanks and last for years.
| Feature | Breville BES870 | Breville BES870XL |
| Case Material | Steel or Plastic (Colors) | Brushed Stainless Steel |
| Weight | Heavy | Heavy |
| Part Fit | Snug & Tight | Snug & Tight |
Rating:
Breville BES870: 8/10
Breville BES870XL: 9/10
Ease of Use & Programmability: Breville Bes870 Vs Bes870xl
Learning the ropes takes the same time for both. You get dials for grind size and a manual tamp tool. Neither one has a fancy touch screen.
| Feature | Breville BES870 | Breville BES870XL |
| Controls | Buttons & Dials | Buttons & Dials |
| Screen | None | None |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Medium |
Rating:
Breville BES870: 7/10
Breville BES870XL: 7/10
Cleaning & Descaling Process: Breville Bes870 Vs Bes870xl
Keeping them clean is a hands-on job. A light tells you when it is time to wash the inside. The drip trays hold the exact same amount of waste water.
| Feature | Breville BES870 | Breville BES870XL |
| Clean Alert | Yes | Yes |
| Drip Tray | Removable | Removable |
| Upkeep | Weekly | Weekly |
Rating:
Breville BES870: 8/10
Breville BES870XL: 8/10
Operating Noise Level: Breville Bes870 Vs Bes870xl
The built-in burr grinder is quite loud in the morning. Both machines sound exactly the same when running. The water pump makes a steady low hum.
| Feature | Breville BES870 | Breville BES870XL |
| Grinder Noise | Loud | Loud |
| Pump Noise | Medium Hum | Medium Hum |
| Steam Wand | Hissing Sound | Hissing Sound |
Rating:
Breville BES870: 6/10
Breville BES870XL: 6/10
Conclusion
The big debate over Breville Bes870 Vs Bes870xl ends with a simple truth. They are the exact same great machine. The XL just marks the steel version for certain shops. Both will make your home smell like a dream.