Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

9 reviews for Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Carey – 25/02/2025

   Had this for almost 3 months, and easy to use, makes really good coffee. I had to get used to the noise compared to a drip coffee but the taste out weights the noise. I also had a friend who already has one and dialed mine in really fast for me!

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   P The Critic – 18/03/2025

   We had our original Barista Express for ten years. It finally pooped out on us (maybe could have been fixed but we decided it was time for a new one). We got the pro thinking it probably wouldn’t be much different but that the digital aspects would be nice.

   This is definitely a superior machine! It’s so much faster than the regular express, the drip tray is larger, and the tank holds more water. It even beeps at you if the water is low so you don’t forget to fill it. The speed alone makes it so worth it! I’d say it takes minutes off each drink, which doesn’t sound like much, but if you’re trying to hurry out the door you can definitely tell! Getting a good froth in the milk is easier too, and the design of the wand seems to clean better and have less build up.

   If this is something you plan to use 1+ times per day then then it’s definitely worth it!

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Vlad – 17/04/2025

   Great build quality, easy to operate, great coffee.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Ray Cameron – 26/04/2025

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   Was intimidated at first with all the pieces and learning curve to get the right grind, dose, pulling a perfect shot, and steaming the milk. After two weeks and watching some YouTube videos, it’s second nature. Pros: intuitive to use, fast heat up, makes delicious coffee! Cons: pricey, but worth it for our family of 4 coffee drinkers. So far it’s been great once we got our adjustments made with some trial and error. Highly recommend!

   Update: it’s been nearly 4 months since owning this machine and my barista skills have improved! Able to pull good single and double shots, everything works great, and my latte art has improved too. Orange cup is 4 months later!
   Note: I have since purchased leveler/tamper, new pitcher and barista cloths from Amazon.

5. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   P The Critic – 10/05/2025

   I’ve had a few different espresso machines over the last decade, and have tried and returned a couple as well. This one is, by far, my favorite machine for several reasons. Throughout the review I will reference differences primarily with the Barista Express, as that is one that I had for some time as well.
   The overall appearance of the machine looks good. I have the stainless steel version, and it looks sharp and well built. Breville is the only company I know that has the magnetic tamper holder underneath the top of the unit, and it’s a nice touch. A place to put the tamper, and always know where it is. Also, the tamper is a nice metal one, rather than the thin, light plastic many other brands use.
   I also like that most, if not all, of what comes in contact with hot liquids is metal rather than plastic (though the portafilter does have some plastic, but I use a naked bottom portafilter as stated below). I kind of like the ease of the automatic machines that grind, tamp, and pull the shot, but the plastic group head makes me a bit uncomfortable. I try to minimize hot foods and liquids contacting plastic as much as possible. If plastic particles can leach out of water bottles, then heated plastics most likely will leach more.
   As far as performance, I will touch on the grinder, pulling of the shots, hot water spout, and very importantly, the steam wand:
   I have seen some complaints about Breville’s grinders, and I don’t understand why. Granted, I do believe that most of the complaints come from people who are much more advanced in their coffee preparation and understanding than I am. Nevertheless, I do find the grinder to do a good job. It has fine adjustments that you make with the dial on the left of the machine, plus larger scale adjustments that you can make with the grinder itself under where the bean hopper sits. I wouldn’t say the larger adjustments are super easy, but definitely doable if you follow the directions. I’ve made a single adjustment on the grinder itself and only rely on the fine adjustments other than that. As a side note, I saw on an instructional video by another reviewer that you want to make the fine adjustments while grinding to prevent getting anything stuck. I’m not sure if this is necessary but I do it just in case.
   I am impressed by how little of a mess the grinding makes. The dosage amount and grind size is consistent once I dialed everything in and left it there. Plus it’s easy to switch from single to double dose.
   Pulling shots is rather straight forward as well, but does take time getting things right. As far as getting it right, that’s more dependent on the size and dosing of the grinds as well as the tamping force, but you see the results during the shot pull. I don’t use the included portafilter because I’ve always liked the appearance of the naked bottom portafilters, so I found one on Amazon that’s sized for this machine. The naked bottom ones look cool pulling the shot, but make a bit more of a mess than the standard portafilter, and are a little less forgiving than the included one.
   With a fairly good grind size and amount, you can get good consistent shots. With my Barista Express, I noticed that the second pull was usually more bitter and not as good tasting as the first shot, if pulled within a few minutes of each other. With this machine, I can pull a double shot, steam the milk, then pull another double shot without any issues or difference in taste. The Barista Pro also has the three second heat up time vs the thirty second or so on the Barista Express, which isn’t a huge deal itself but I believe the newer heating unit is more advanced and allows for the better second pull.
   The hot water spout is angled and can dispense right into the cup after the shot is pulled without having to move the cup to a different location. Also, I like the angled spout versus the one on the Barista Express.
   As far as the steam wand, it doesn’t seem like there is much advertised or discussed about the improvements of the steam wand versus the Barista Express, but in my opinion, it is far more powerful. I had a lot of difficulty getting the correct texture of milk for latte art, but with the Barista Pro, the steam wand seems much more powerful, faster to steam the milk, and can more easily achieve that proper texture and consistency for good latte art (my latte art isn’t very good, but I’m going to blame that on my skills rather than the steamer). For fairness, I will say that my skills have improved some since having the Barista Express, but I definitely feel a significant difference with this steam wand. Such that I feel that alone makes it worth the increased price compared to the Barista Express.
   I have also tried an automatic machine. I would say that the automatic machines are easier to use, less of a learning curve (though there is still somewhat of a learning curve) and most give you the option to make a regular drip coffee as well. They don’t usually have as good a shot pull or taste as a unit like this one, and personally I like the “artsy” part of going from grind to shot manually.
   To conclude, I would definitely recommend this machine to anybody who is looking for very good espresso drinks that are better than what you will usually find in coffee shops, at the comfort of your home. If you’re willing to learn how to use the steam wand well for lattes and cappuccinos, I feel this machine is better than the Barista Touch, and better than other machines in this price range. Within a few months, the machine pays for itself versus getting a latte a few times a week at a coffee shop.

6. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Vlad – 10/05/2025

   The machine I bought was used from the Amazon warehouse. It was really scratched up, and whoever used it last did not take care of it… I suspect milk was siphoned into the boiler, because of a weird smell when making espresso.

   The machine itself works great! Heats up in 3 seconds, and is ready to pull a shot. Lots of adjustments can be made in the menu. I can adjust the preinfusion time, temperature and length of dose. Really great machine.

   The grinder is not the best. It’s loud, slow and the coffee comes out lumpy. For serious coffee nerds, you will need a scale, since the grinder only grinds by time it’s never consistently giving the same amount of coffee. I found dialing in the espresso kind of difficult, and sometimes the results are different even though I’m using the same beans and grind settings.

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Christopher Campbell – 14/05/2025

   I recently upgraded to the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine in Damson Blue, and it’s quickly become the star of my kitchen. As someone who’s dabbled with entry-level espresso makers before, I was ready for a machine that could deliver café-quality coffee without overwhelming me with complexity. This sleek, stylish machine has exceeded my expectations in almost every way.
   First, the design is a standout. The Damson Blue finish is a gorgeous, deep hue that adds a pop of personality to my countertop—far more interesting than the usual stainless steel or black options. It’s compact enough for a home setup but feels substantial, with a brushed stainless steel body that screams durability. The layout is intuitive, and the backlit LCD display makes it easy to navigate settings, even before my morning coffee kicks in.
   What really sold me is the speed. The ThermoJet heating system gets this thing ready to brew in just 3 seconds—seriously, I barely have time to grab my portafilter before it’s good to go. Compared to my old machine, which took ages to heat up, this is a game-changer. The integrated conical burr grinder is another huge plus. With 30 grind settings, I can dial in the perfect coarseness for my beans (I’ve been loving a medium roast lately). It grinds directly into the 54mm portafilter with a single touch, and the dose control ensures I’m not wasting coffee.
   Pulling shots is where the Barista Pro shines. The digital temperature control (PID) keeps the water at a steady +/- 2°C, and the low-pressure pre-infusion ramps up to a 9-bar extraction—textbook stuff for balanced, flavorful espresso. My shots have been consistently rich, with a thick crema that rivals my local coffee shop. I’ve been playing with the programmable shot volumes (1 or 2 cups), and once you find your sweet spot, it’s effortless to replicate. The included Razor tool helps level the puck perfectly, which is a nice touch for beginners like me who are still mastering the tamp.
   Steaming milk is a breeze too. The ThermoJet system switches from espresso to steam instantly, and the wand produces silky microfoam with minimal effort. I’ve been practicing latte art (with mixed results!), but the texture is spot-on for cappuccinos and flat whites. The 68oz water tank and 9oz bean hopper mean I’m not constantly refilling, which is clutch for my caffeine-heavy household.
   There are a few minor gripes. The 54mm portafilter is slightly smaller than the commercial 58mm standard, so upgrading accessories might be tricky down the line. Also, the grinder isn’t as quiet as I’d hoped—nothing disruptive, but it’s noticeable in a silent kitchen. Cleaning is straightforward, though; the drip tray and portafilter wipe down easily, and the machine prompts you when it’s time to descale.
   Overall, the Breville Barista Pro in Damson Blue is a fantastic blend of style, speed, and performance. It’s perfect for home baristas who want pro-level results without a pro-level learning curve. At this price point (around $850), it’s a solid investment that’s already paid off in coffee shop savings. I’d give it 5 stars—highly recommend for anyone ready to elevate their espresso game!

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Jackie Penley – 15/05/2025

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   Lo pensé mucho para animarme a comprar una máquina como esta. Considerando que la máquina tiene 2 años de garantía (es decir, al menos debería durar eso funcionando bien), el costo por taza es menor que en un local especializado o de marca reconocida (y no necesariamente bueno) y tengo oportunidad de disfrutar de una buena taza de café todos los días.

   En su rango de precios, es difícil conseguir algo mejor. La Breville Barista Pro cuenta con una bomba italiana de 15 bares, un aceptable sistema de calentamiento (ThermoJet) con el cual no hay que esperar demasiado para poder preparar la primer taza de café, y un molino aceptable, considerando que viene integrado en la máquina. Es lo suficientemente automatizada para controlar las principales variables en el proceso de extracción, a la vez que lo suficientemente manual para permitir mejorar la técnica personal de preparación; antes de brincar a una máquina más profesional (y mucho más cara), si es lo que se desea.

   Esta máquina es un poco inconsistente durante su proceso, lo que dificulta obtener siempre los mejore resultados, pero, en este precio, creo que no se puede encontrar algo que brinde mejores resultados. Así que, para empezar, es una buena alternativa.

   Otra buena opción, posiblemente mejor en cuanto a la extracción, podría ser una Gaggia Classic Pro emparejada con un buen molino. Pero no me animé a tomar este camino porque, al menos en México, no vi que sea muy factible el poder hacer válida su garantía. Por lo mismo, con las máquinas Breville, hay que tener cuidado de comprarla solo si es vendida directamente por Amazon México, no Amazon EEUU por un tercero desconocido, y que no vaya a ser una máquina reacondicionada. Al recibirla, hay que registrarla en la página de Breville México; con eso te aseguras de que la garantía de tu máquina esté vigente.

   Para poderle sacarle el mayor provecho, esta máquina requiere un cierto nivel entendimiento de lo que se está haciendo; pero el poder disfrutar una buena taza de café cuando lo desees – y no solo una regular, por tomar café – para mi lo vale. Si ajustar varias cosas para buscar preparar el mejor café posible no es lo tuyo, te pueden venir mejor las versiones “touch” de estas máquinas, pero, si solo tomas café americano, igual te puedes quedar con una máquina de goteo y sería mucho más barato.

   Para poder preparar una buena taza de café se requieren 3 cosas: Un buen café en grano, un buen molino de café y una buena máquina para realizar la extracción. El molino y la máquina de extracción son suficientemente buenos para empezar a profundizar en el mundo del café, pero, si no utilizas un buen café, no tendrás buenos resultados.

   Para tener el mejor precio, hay que estar cazando las ofertas en Amazon. La puedes conseguir hasta en un 25% menos que su precio de lista en la página de Breville México, vendida directamente por Amazon y sin ser reacondicionada. Eso si, hay que comprar varios accesorios para tener mejores resultados.

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   HomeDaddy – 25/05/2025

   Excelente compra, relación precio/calidad. El molino trabaja excente, no sé tarda tanto el espumar la Leche, café espresso suave, con buena costra.