If you are considering buying a new coffee maker and finding it hard to choose between Breville BES870XL Vs BES878BSS, read on and we will compare Breville BES870XL Vs BES878BSS side by side. We will discuss the key difference between the two coffee makers and also list their pros and cons so you could find out which of the two can cater to your caffeine craving.
Multiple factors can affect a buying decision, and in this article, we will list every possible factor that you may want to consider while buying your next coffee maker.
The Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine is the first espresso machine by Breville for espresso lovers while Breville BES878BSS is the improved and advanced variant of the same coffee and espresso maker with added bells and whistles. Let’s find out what makes the Breville BES870XL and BES878BSS different from one another.
Table of Contents
Breville BES870XL and BES878BSS Key Differences
The Main Difference Between the Breville BES870XL and BES878BSS is the control panel. Barista Pro features an easy-to-follow control panel with a bright backlit LCD display, while Breville BES870XL Barista Express has a lot of buttons and a pressure gauge. Despite the almost similar looks and identical functionality, the machines have a few differences that we will look into in the following section.
Breville BES870XL Vs BES878BSS (Breville Barista Express Vs Pro) Comparison Table
| Features | Breville BES870XL | Breville BES878BSS |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.5x12.6x13.1 Inches | 13x12x13 Inches |
| Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Weight | 23 Pounds | 20 Pounds |
| User Interface | Dials, Buttons, Analog Gauge | Dial, Buttons & LCD |
| Pressure | 15 Bar | 15 Bar |
| Water Reservoir | 67 Oz | 67 Oz |
| Bean Hopper | ½ Pounds | ½ Pounds |
| Steam Wand | Yes | Yes |
| Heating Mechanism | ThermoCoil heating system | ThermoJet heating system |
| Settings | Single or double shots; Adjustable grind amount and Manual override | Adjustable Grind Control; Intuitive LCD Interface; 1 or 2 Cup Volumetric Control |
| Built-in Grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Power | 1600W | 1600W |
| Accessories | Razor Dose Trimming Tool, 54mm Stainless Steel Portafilter, 1 & 2 cup Single & Dual Wall Filter Baskets, Coffee Scoop, Integrated Tamper, Stainless Steel Milk Jug, Cleaning Disc, Tablets, Brush Tool & Allen Key, Water Filter & Filter Holder | Single & Dual Wall (1 & 2 Cup) Filter Baskets, The Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool, 480 ml Stainless Steel Milk Jug, Cleaning Kit and Water Filter |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited Warranty | 2 Year Limited Warranty |
| Amazon Rating | 4.7/5 Star (17109 Reviews) | 4.7/5 Star (1211 Reviews) |
| Price | No products found. | No products found. |
User Interface Design
The user interface of Breville BES870XL Barista Express has a lot of buttons, a knob and a pressure gauge to interact with the machine. It looks like the Barista Express has more functionality in comparison to Breville BES878BSS Barista Pro Espresso Machine but that’s not the case certainly. It just looks cluttered in comparison to nice and intuitive to the interface of Barista Pro Espresso machine.
On the other hand, Barista Pro features an intuitive and an easy-to-follow control panel with a bright backlit LCD. If you are old school you may prefer analog pressure gauge however, digital displays are fairly easy to understand and considered more user friendly.
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Heating Mechanism
Breville BES870XL Barista Express make use of Breville’s Thermocoil heating mechanism. It is a single boiler heating system which can attain brewing temperature of 200F with ease for perfect brewing results. Also, it may take slightly longer than other machines for the machine to heat up properly.
On the contrary, Breville BES878BSS Barista Pro Espresso Machine is also a single boiler machine but it uses Breville ThermoJet heating mechanism instead which can heat the coffee maker in just 3 seconds enabling you to get your morning espresso shot within 20 seconds. If you are always in a hurry, Barista Pro is your best option.
Accessories
The Breville BES870XL comes with a wide range of accessories in the package. Here is the list of accessories that you get out of the box.
- Portafilter
- Filter basket
- Razor dose triller tool
- Integrated tamper
- Coffee scoop
- Water filter
- Cleaning kit
- Stainless steel jug for frothing milk
On the other hand, the Breville BES878BSS is packed with the following accessories to make your coffee making experience worthwhile.
- Portafilter with filter basket
- Razor dose trimming tool
- Integrated tamper
- Water filter
- Cleaning kit
- Stainless steel milk jug for frothing
The Commonalities (Barista Express Vs Barista Pro)
The Breville BES870XL and BES878BSS have more in common than what’s different. Let’s find out.
Construction Material
Breville’s espresso machines are known for their high-quality build that you can trust to use over time. The Barista Express, as well as the Barista Pro machine have stainless steel bodies with an industrial look which helps give it structural sturdiness but also gives off a professional vibe in appearance. The professional design will definitely make you feel like pro barista. Furthermore, both coffee and espresso makers are available in multiple colors in case you are not a fan of stainless-steel finish. You can choose any of the available colors to match with your kitchen theme.
Pressure
The aroma and flavor of any coffee cup depends upon the pump pressure of the machine which makes the machine capable of extracting the flavor out of the coffee beans. The Breville Barista Express and Barista Pro have similar pump pressure of 15 bars. Having a higher-pressure bar may make your espresso taste bitter, and that’s why a coffee and espresso machine with 15 bar pressure is considered just great.
Water Reservoir
You would never want an espresso with a smaller water tank. You simply don’t like to fill the water every time you need an espresso shot. Breville BES870XL and Breville BES878BSS come water tank having 67 Oz capacity, which makes the Breville machines perfect for a family with frequent coffee drinkers or an office.
Burr Grinder
Both machines make use of a burr grinder to grind coffee beans stored in their bean hoppers. The capacity of bean hoppers to store beans is identical at ½ pounds. You will not run out of coffee beans at least before 30-35 espresso shots depending upon the strength of your shot.
Breville BES870XL Vs BES878BSS: What to choose?
With a coffee machine at home, you can enjoy fresh-brewed coffee whenever you want without having to go out or wait in line. A morning cup of joe keeps you fresh and active all day. And that’s where having a coffee maker at home becomes a must.
So, deciding between Breville BES870XL Vs DES878BSS, considering ease of use, intuitive control panel, digital display, features, and performance, we consider Breville BES878BSS Barista Pro the winner. However, if you are looking for a budget friendly option and value of your money, Breville BES870XL Barista Express is an amazing choice. It has more accessories, and an affordable price tag in comparison to Barista Pro. Plus, it is the bestseller on Amazon with Thousands of people vouching for it from across the world.
What would you choose and why? Leave a comment and let us know about your thoughts on these incredible espresso machines.
Breville BES870XL Vs BES878BSS: FAQs
How long does Breville BES870XL last?
The Breville BES870XL is a high-quality machine that is built to last a lifetime. However, it is important to keep in mind that like all appliances, the longevity of the Breville BES870XL depends on how well it is taken care of.
If you are diligent about cleaning the machine after each use and keeping all of the parts nice and maintained, then you can expect the Breville BES870XL to last for a very long time. However, if you do not take care of the machine properly, then it will not last as long – pretty simple.
Is the Breville Barista Pro worth it?
I would say it depends on your needs. The Breville Barista Pro is an amazing machine and can do a lot of things, but there are cheaper machines that can do some (or all) of the same things. If you’re just starting out and want to experiment with espresso and other coffee drinks, then a less expensive machine might be better for you. But if you’re more serious about coffee and want to have more control over the final product, then the Barista Pro is definitely worth the investment.
Overall, I think the Breville Barista Pro is a great machine and provides great value for the money. It’s durable, well-made, and produces delicious espresso drinks.
Is the Breville Barista Express worth it?
The Breville Barista Express is an expensive machine, but it does have some features that could make it worth the investment for some people.
For example, the Barista Express comes with a built-in grinder, which can save you money in the long run because you won’t need to purchase a separate grinder. It also has a PID controller, which helps to ensure that your coffee is brewed at the correct temperature.
On the other hand, some people find that the Barista Express is difficult to use and that it doesn’t produce coffee that is as good as coffee from other expensive machines. If it has all the features you are looking for, it is definitely worth every penny I’d say.
