Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

The Verdict

The $850 question: Does the Barista Pro deliver café-quality shots at home, or are you paying for a logo?

Most espresso machines under $1,000 force a compromise: either a decent grinder and weak brewing, or great brewing and a blade grinder that murders your beans. The Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS tries to end that trade-off by packing a real conical burr grinder, a fast-heating ThermoJet system, and PID temperature control into one brushed stainless steel box. After 3,357 Amazon ratings averaging 4.4 stars, the consensus is clear — this machine gets the fundamentals right. But “right” isn’t the same as “perfect,” and the details matter at this price.

What’s actually in the box

Breville ships the Barista Pro with the essentials: the machine itself, a 54mm portafilter (single and double baskets included), a stainless steel milk jug, a razor dose trimming tool, and a tamper. The integrated grinder sits on top with a bean hopper that holds about half a pound. The 67-ounce water tank is removable and accessible from the side — a genuinely thoughtful design choice since you won’t have to slide the whole machine out from under a cabinet to refill it.

The brushed stainless steel finish looks premium and resists fingerprints better than the glossy black alternatives. It’s a substantial unit at roughly 16 inches tall and 13 inches deep, so measure your counter space before committing.

Performance: Where the Barista Pro earns its keep

The headline feature is the ThermoJet heating system. It hits extraction temperature (around 200°F) in three seconds. That’s not marketing hyperbole — it’s genuinely fast. You’ll pull your first shot roughly 30 seconds after turning the machine on, versus the 15-20 minutes a traditional boiler machine needs. For weekday mornings, this is transformative.

The integrated grinder offers 30 grind settings, and it’s a legitimate step up from the entry-level Breville grinders. The PID controller keeps water temperature stable to within ±2°F, which translates to noticeably more consistent shots than the Barista Express. The low-pressure pre-infusion gradually ramps up pressure, which helps prevent channeling and produces sweeter, more balanced espresso.

The steam wand is powerful — arguably too powerful for beginners. It textures milk quickly but requires active attention. One buyer noted, “The steam wand is a beast. I burned through my first few pitchers learning to control it, but now I get silky microfoam every time.”

What buyers consistently praise

Across hundreds of reviews, the same themes emerge. Speed is the most-cited win — the 3-second heat-up time gets mentioned repeatedly. Users upgrading from the Barista Express consistently report the Barista Pro produces better-tasting shots with less effort. The grind-to-brew workflow (grind, tamp, lock in, pull) takes about a minute once you’ve dialed in your beans.

One reviewer summarized it well: “I’ve had this for eight months and I use it daily. The shots are as good as my local shop, and I save $60 a week. The learning curve is real, but the consistency once you dial in is unbeatable at this price.”

Where it falls short

Let’s be honest about the flaws. The grinder has noticeable retention — roughly 2-3 grams of coffee stays inside when you switch grind settings. If you’re bouncing between beans for espresso and pour-over, you’ll waste coffee and get inconsistent doses. It’s manageable if you stick to one bean, but it’s a real limitation.

The lack of a three-way solenoid valve means your portafilter will have a wet, soupy puck after each shot. It’s not a functional problem — the shot quality is unaffected — but it makes the clean-up messier than machines with that valve.

The single boiler is the biggest compromise. You can’t brew and steam simultaneously. The machine switches between brewing and steaming modes, and there’s a short pause while it adjusts temperature. It’s a 10-15 second wait, but if you’re making multiple milk drinks for guests, it adds up.

Who should buy this

The daily latte drinker: If you’re currently spending $5-7 per day at a café, the Barista Pro pays for itself in about six months — assuming you’re disciplined about actually using it.

The upgrade path enthusiast: If you own a Barista Express or a cheap Delonghi and you’re frustrated by inconsistent shots, this is the logical next step. The PID controller and faster heat-up are worth the jump.

Skip it if: You’re a true beginner who’s never pulled a shot before. This machine demands a learning curve — dialing in grind size, mastering tamp pressure, and learning milk texturing. You’ll get there, but you’ll waste beans and patience along the way. Start with something simpler, or budget for the frustration.

FAQ

Q: Is the built-in grinder good enough, or do I need a separate one? A: It’s competent and genuinely convenient. For most home users, it’s sufficient. But if you’re a coffee obsessive who wants single-dosing or zero retention, a separate grinder like the Baratza Sette 270 will outperform it. That adds $300-400 to your setup, though.

Q: How long does it take to warm up? A: The ThermoJet system reaches brew temperature in about 3 seconds. You’ll be pulling your first shot within 30 seconds of powering on. The portafilter and group head take a bit longer to fully heat — give it 5 minutes for the metal to warm up for best results.

Q: Can I make two drinks back-to-back? A: Yes, but with caveats. Brewing two shots is fine — the machine handles it. But if you need steamed milk for both, you’ll wait for the boiler to switch from brew to steam temperature between each drink. It’s roughly 10-15 seconds per switch. For two drinks, expect about 3-4 minutes total.

The Verdict

Buy it if you’re serious about espresso, want a machine that grows with your skills, and value speed in your morning routine. The Barista Pro is the best all-in-one under $1,000 — full stop.

Skip it if you’re a casual coffee drinker who just wants a quick cup, or if you’re unwilling to learn the fundamentals of espresso. You’ll be fighting the machine, not enjoying it.

Rating: 4.3/5 — The Barista Pro is a genuine workhorse with real capabilities. It’s not perfect, but at this price, nothing else matches its combination of speed, consistency, and integrated convenience. The learning curve is real, but the payoff is daily café-quality espresso in your kitchen.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.