Waking up to the smell of fresh coffee is pure joy. One rainy Tuesday, my cheap old coffee pot finally broke down. I needed a real espresso upgrade fast to fix my tired mornings.
I bought two amazing machines to test them out over time. Figuring out the Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL was quite a fun journey.
Breville BES870BSXL Review
The Black Sesame model looks very sleek on my kitchen counter. It has a dark, matte finish that feels modern and bold. I fell in love with the built-in grinder right away. Making a fresh cup felt like pure magic every single morning.
Pros and Cons
Here is what I liked and what I did not like about it. The dark color brings unique benefits.
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in grinder saves space | Hard to read dark buttons in low light |
| Dark color hides dry coffee dust | Water spots show up fast on the base |
| Milk frother makes great foam | Matte finish needs a soft wipe cloth |
| Very fast water heating time | Heavy base is tough to move around |
Living With Black Sesame
After using this black beauty for a few months, I noticed a lot. The dark color hides loose coffee grounds very well. It stays looking clean even when I make a huge mess. I love the loud, happy smell of fresh beans grinding each day.
But, clear water spots do show up easily on the dark base tray. You really need a soft cloth to wipe it down daily. Still, the steam wand makes very rich and creamy milk foam. Using it each day is a true joy for my senses.
Recommendation
This dark machine is perfect for sleek and modern home designs. It fits well if you want a bold, unique kitchen look. It is not great if you hate wiping off clear water spots.
Breville BES870XL Review
This classic silver model shines bright like a mirror. It brings a real street cafe feel right into your house. The stainless steel body feels very tough and strong to touch. I set it up near my sunny kitchen window. It gleams beautifully when the bright morning light hits it.
Pros and Cons
Let us look at the good and the bad points here. The shiny steel has its own quirks.
| Pros | Cons |
| Classic cafe look fits any room | Fingerprints show up very fast |
| Easy to read the control panel | Shiny metal shows fine scratches |
| Very strong metal body frame | Needs special metal cleaner |
| Pulls a very rich espresso shot | Drip tray fills up somewhat fast |
The Classic Silver Feel
Using the silver model for months has been quite nice. The metal frame takes a lot of heavy daily use without breaking. Fingerprints do show up fast on the shiny metal panel. I find myself rubbing the front clean often to keep it bright.
The coffee it makes is just as sweet and tasty. Pulling a hot shot feels very smooth and easy to do. The drip tray is simple to pull out and wash in the sink. It truly feels like a workhorse that never gets tired.
Recommendation
This shiny silver one is best for classic or bright kitchen styles. It is great if you want a true, classic cafe look. It is not ideal if you hate seeing oily fingerprints on metal.
Detail Comparison for Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL
Let us put both machines side by side. They are twins on the inside, but very different on the outside. Here is how they stack up.
Build Quality & Durability: Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL
Both have a very strong steel frame inside. The shiny silver model feels classic and raw. The black model has a thick, baked color coat. Both hold up well to hard, daily use.
| Feature | Breville BES870BSXL | Breville BES870XL |
| Outer Look | Matte black finish | Shiny stainless steel |
| Frame Strength | Very tough metal | Very tough metal |
Rating: Breville BES870BSXL: 9/10, Breville BES870XL: 9/10.
Brew Quality & Flavor Extraction: Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL
Both pull an amazing, hot espresso shot. The pump pushes water through the grounds perfectly. You get a thick, tan layer of crema on top. The taste is sweet, deep, and very strong.
| Feature | Breville BES870BSXL | Breville BES870XL |
| Coffee Taste | Rich and bold | Rich and bold |
| Crema Layer | Thick and creamy | Thick and creamy |
Rating: Breville BES870BSXL: 9/10, Breville BES870XL: 9/10.
Cleaning & Descaling Process: Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL
Cleaning is simple for both machines. A light blinks when they need a deep wash. But the dark model hides dry coffee dust better. The silver one hides water spots better.
| Feature | Breville BES870BSXL | Breville BES870XL |
| Hides Dirt | Hides coffee dust | Hides water spots |
| Shows Dirt | Shows water spots | Shows fingerprints |
Rating: Breville BES870BSXL: 8/10, Breville BES870XL: 8/10.
Ease of Use & Programmability: Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL
The buttons are the exact same on both. You can quickly pick a single or double shot. The side dials are simple to turn. It only takes a week to learn the basic ropes.
| Feature | Breville BES870BSXL | Breville BES870XL |
| Button Layout | Simple and clear | Simple and clear |
| Learning Time | About one week | About one week |
Rating: Breville BES870BSXL: 8/10, Breville BES870XL: 8/10.
Brew Speed & Temperature Control: Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL
Heating up takes less than one minute. The heat stays very steady while the coffee brews. You get a hot cup fast. The steam wand gets ready quickly too.
| Feature | Breville BES870BSXL | Breville BES870XL |
| Heat Up Time | Under one minute | Under one minute |
| Heat Level | Stays very steady | Stays very steady |
Rating: Breville BES870BSXL: 9/10, Breville BES870XL: 9/10.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, both make great coffee. The choice comes down to pure outer looks. The Breville BES870BSXL Vs BES870XL debate is all about style. Pick the color that fits your home best. You will love the rich coffee either way.