Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BTR, Black Truffle

R. Jackson United States

Great Espresso Machine

I absolutely love my coffee. I don't know how people survived before they learned to roast coffee beans and brew their morning cup. My previous fully automatic machine died, repair was $700+ and they no longer had electronic parts. I had to get another machine and quickly. I was a grizzly bear without my coffee! I selected the Barista Express Impress. (Couldn't they find a better name?) As far as this machine, it is more difficult than making drip coffee in your Keurig. It is designed to give you the tools to make the best coffee that you ever had. However, you need to learn how to use it. It takes a lot of time to master because you have control of parameters I did not know existed. The machine has a nice set of tools for maintenance and daily use. The tool tray attaches to the rear of the drip tray and is easily reached by pulling out the drip tray. The machine senses how much coffee to grind and automatically adjusts to grind the correct amount of beans. On several occasions, the beans stuck in the grinder, so I had to manually grind to get the correct level. No big deal but it mess up the level of beans to grind and it takes several cups of coffee to get it right again. I think that is why there are a lot of complaints about the grind level changing. I have learned to "bump" the bean hopper to free the beans before there are problems. If you listen, you can hear the grinder start to run free. I think Breville needs to redesign the hopper so beans flow freely. That is the only real criticism I have found. There are some things you need to know. First off, the beans you choose are extremely important. They affect the coffee more than anything else. Second, you control the coffee grind. You get to choose exactly how fine you grind. That is a major factor in making coffee. Third, you get to control the brewing temperature. I haven't figured out how yet, but I am happy with the brew as it is. When I make a latte, I use the microwave oven to heat the milk. If you want latte art, you will need to use the milk frother. I tried it a few times and it works well. There is a lot to clean, so I don't use it. There are a few problems. My machine would only grind as I was holding the grind button. I unplugged the machine and it worked correctly when I plugged it back in. The machine stopped brewing. The pump would run with a noise that sounded like the machine would explode. When I turned the machine around to get the serial number (it was not on the back like Support told me--I think it is on the machine underside), I realized that I had run out of water! There is no water low sensor, so it is easy for the machine to run dry. Since a dry pump will fail very quickly, this is a major oversight. The machine needs to be descaled regularly, especially if you live in a hard water area. Cleaning supplies are too expensive so I buy citric acid in bulk and generic cleaning tablets. Both work well. My water used to come from a reverse osmosis filter but I no longer have that luxury. I think I need to start buying water from one of those water stores that are popping up all over. On the whole, the machine makes an excellent cup but it takes knowledge and time to learn.

Ethan A. United States

A Fantastic Machine!

After being sorely disappointed by a classic Nespresso machine and being wowed by the espresso that came out of a friend's Breville Infuser, I purchased this machine. It was on sale for about $200 off, so it was a great buy! I was intrigued by the assisted tamping, as I seemed to always have inconsistent results when tamping by myself. This machine really eliminates a lot of the guess work. I wasn't looking to make a daily coffee into a hobby. I just want a fast way to have a tasty drink to bring to work. The Impress system is fantastic. I prefer single shots while my partner prefers doubles, and it remembers settings for both, so you do not have to change the settings between users. I reset the auto dosing whenever I open a new bag of beans and within a few runs, it is all dialed in. The grinder has The included accessories are well thought out. The razor tool, for trimming coffee off a portafilter that has been filled too high, is made of thick metal. The tool for unscrewing the shower screen and cleaning the milk nozzle are also excellent inclusions. A trial set of cleaning chemicals is nice for starting off, but the full sized Breville descale powder and cleaning tablets are pricier than the just-as-good generic ones. While I was intrigued by the faster heating, Baratza burrs, and auto milk frothing of the Touch Impress, I didn't really like the idea of having to swipe through menus on a resistive touch screen to make coffee. The reviews seemed to be plagued with error code issues and crashing. The physical buttons and indicator lights seem like they'll stand the test of time a little better. If Breville released an upgraded model with those features but no touch screen, I'd be all over it. I live in the Southwest with very hard water, I would’ve appreciated the ability to adjust the descale reminder frequency like you can on the Breville Touch models. Having used the machine for about 6 weeks now, I have found it already necessary to descale the machine despite the light not turning on. The only non-Touch model that seems to have this feature is the classic Oracle. Another quip has been the clearance between the portafilter and the drip tray. Anything besides a low-profile mug simply won't fit under the portafilter without removing the drip tray. This could be improved by getting a bottomless portafilter for an additional inch of clearance, but having a slightly higher profile machine would be nice. Overall, I am very pleased with this machine. Give it a shot if you want high quality coffee with a little more handholding than the completely manual machines.

utkarsh agarwal United States

Finally, a good espresso at home!

This is my first espresso machine. I’ve worked my way through some basic - ninja type coffee machines, chemex pour overs, overnight cold brews, and mocha pots. While I’m those have their own merits, this is a really good machine for those who want to get started with the art of brewing that perfect espresso. It took me a 2-3 trials to get to 36g of espresso from 18gm of beans in 31 seconds. I think this is what we call the golden zone. Still working my way through steaming that perfect milk. Where this machine shines for me - Grinding, and tamping without mess is great for starters like myself. Drip tray is big! PID helps a lot in finding if the grind is too fine or too course - pours too late vs too soon with live pressure monitoring is good! Cleaning parts is easy! Water refill is a breeze! Where I am struggling a bit - Wish it came with a bottomless portafilter as well, so I could have checked if it’s channeling well or if it can use a wdt tool before a tamp. Milk frothing is a bit of an art, I think it’s just me and not the machine for this one. Tip for all who are considering any espresso machine - please buy puck screens - they make cleaning a breeze!

Jackie Golding United States

Adios Starbucks

For years, I was Starbucks’ biggest fan, but I finally decided to invest in a Breville espresso machine—and I only wish I had done it sooner. I had been eyeing this model for quite some time but hesitated because of the higher price tag. After weeks of research and reading countless reviews, I felt confident this was the best option for me. I love its sleek, aesthetic design, and it fits perfectly in my kitchen. I chose the green color and absolutely love it. The machine is high quality, easy to use, and consistently makes excellent coffee. I’m a huge espresso lover and have had so much fun trying different flavored beans from my favorite local coffee shops. This espresso machine has truly elevated my morning routine, and I’ve already saved so much money by making coffee at home. The steaming wand and hot water feature are also fantastic for making lattes and tea. Plus, the built-in grinder makes it incredibly convenient to grind beans and pull espresso shots all in one place.