Coffee Machines comparison
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) vs. Breville Barista Pro (BES878)
Quick answer: Same core machine — the Barista Pro adds near-instant ThermoJet heating and a digital display for roughly $150-230 more. The extraction itself is still just as manual.
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
$549.95$694.95
Price captured 2026-08-25 — always confirm the current price on Amazon before buying. Estimated price
Breville Barista Pro (BES878)
$679.95$899.95
Price captured 2026-08-25 — always confirm the current price on Amazon before buying.
If you already use a Barista Express daily and hate waiting for it to heat up, the Pro is worth it. If you're buying your first machine, the Express delivers the same espresso quality for less.
At a glance
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) | Breville Barista Pro (BES878) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $679.95 |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Boiler type | thermocoil | — |
| Portafilter (mm) | 54 | 54 |
| Pump pressure (bar) | 15 | 15 |
| Water tank (L) | 2 | 2 |
| Milk system | manual_wand | manual_wand |
| Digital / PID control | No | Yes |
Key differences
- Heating: the Pro's ThermoJet system heats in about 3 seconds vs. several minutes for the Express's thermocoil.
- The Pro adds a digital display with more control and guidance; extraction is still fully manual on both.
- Same 54mm portafilter and built-in conical grinder on both — the accessory ecosystem is identical.
- The Pro carries 3,019 confirmed global ratings at 4.5★ on Amazon.
Winner by category
Heat-up speedBreville Barista Pro (BES878)~3 seconds vs. several minutes
Value for moneyBreville Barista Express (BES870XL)Same espresso quality for $150-230 less
Control / feedbackBreville Barista Pro (BES878)Digital display vs. none
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL): pros
- Built-in grinder with a quality level rare at this price point
- 54mm portafilter — the same standard used by semi-professional machines
- Stainless-steel construction, feels solid
- Huge community of spare parts and guides (it's been on the market for years)
Breville Barista Pro (BES878): pros
- Near-instant heat-up (ThermoJet) vs. the Express's several minutes
- Digital display with more control and guidance
- Same 54mm portafilter and ecosystem as the Express
- 3,019 confirmed global ratings on Amazon at 4.5★
Our conclusion
The Pro is a speed and convenience upgrade, not a quality upgrade — the espresso ceiling is the same machine underneath. Buy the Pro for the wait time, not for better coffee.
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