Breville is an Australian brand that is well-known for its sturdy and durable espresso machines as well as other appliances.
Two of the most popular Breville Espresso machines are the BES870XL Barista Express espresso machine and the BES840XL The Infuser espresso machine.
Both are nearly priced in the same range, what would be the difference between these two and most importantly, which one is the best one for you? Let’s have a look…
The Sum-Up
Now read on for the details…
Main Differences
The Built-in Grinder
- With the Barista Express, you’ve got everything you need in one machine, including the grinder.
- The Infuser, on the other hand, requires that you get a decent grinder bundled with it.
Design Differences
The Barista Express is overall larger than the Infuser. It has a 67oz water reservoir, as opposed to Infuser’s 61 oz tank. The difference is insignificant, though.
When it comes to dimensions, the Barista Express is 13.25 x 12.5 x 14.5 inches and the Infuser is 10.25 x 12.5 x 13.25 inches.
Common Features
All other specs are the same in both Breville models:
- Thermocoil stainless steel boiler.
- 15-bar Italian pressure pump.
- 1600 Watts.
- Stainless steel housing, some plastic parts which are all BPA free.
- Steam wand with 360-degree swivel, round tip with 1 hole.
Included accessories in both models
- 2 x 54mm dual wall filter baskets
- 2 x 54mm single wall filter baskets
- 54mm integrated tamper
- Stainless steel milk jug
- Cleaning kit
- Water filter holder and filters
- Precision dose trimming tool
- Coffee scoop
BES870XL vs BES870BSS – Understanding Model Variations
These are all names of the Breville Barista Express. The added letters refer to the color name. For example:
- BES870BSXL: BS refers to Black Sesame
- BES870CBXL: CB refers to Cranberry
The first part and number are the same, BES870… that’s the Barista Express model name. Anything that follows is to tell colors apart.
Bottom Line
So, which of these machines would be the right machine for you?
Having an espresso machine with a built-in grinder is a fantastic option for a grind-to-brew coffee experience. So with the Barista Express, you are guaranteed the freshest cup of coffee every time. It has a larger water tank and a higher wattage, but it is also bigger in size, so if you’re limited on countertop space, you should make sure you’re okay with its measurements.
Now, just because the Infuser doesn’t have a built-in grinder, it doesn’t mean it won’t make you an espresso just as good. Its pre-infusion brewing method ensures that you get an evenly infused and extracted espresso, hence the name the Infuser.
However, you have to get a conical burr grinder to go with it, if you don’t already have one. The Breville Smart Grinder, which automatically doses and calibrates each dose for you, is the perfect companion to this machine.
Other Recommended Breville Machines
While you are here, have a look at these newer machines from Breville
