Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS Espresso Machine — Built-In Grinder, 3-Second ThermoJet Heat-Up, PID, LCD
The Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS) scores 9.5/10 and is the best overall pick in our best espresso machine under 1000 guide: a built-in conical burr grinder, a ThermoJet heating system that reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds, PID temperature control and an LCD that shows grind and shot progress, with 4.4 stars from 3,437 Amazon ratings.
$629.95
Description
Breville Barista Pro Review (2026)
The Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS) scores 9.5/10 and is the best overall pick in our best espresso machine under 1000 guide: a built-in conical burr grinder, a ThermoJet heating system that reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds, PID temperature control and an LCD that shows grind and shot progress, with 4.4 stars from 3,437 Amazon ratings.
This review is research-based: every specification below comes from the live Amazon listing, checked on 10 October 2026, or from the maker or retailer pages we name, and the verdict weighs those specifications against the other machines in our best espresso machine under 1000 comparison. We did not use this machine ourselves.
Table of Contents
Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Breville |
| Model | BES878BSS (Brushed Stainless Steel) |
| Type | Semi-automatic with built-in conical burr grinder |
| Heating | ThermoJet, extraction temperature in 3 seconds (listing) |
| Temperature control | Digital PID, "+/- 2°C" (listing) |
| Pre-infusion | Low-pressure pre-infusion |
| Display | LCD with grind and extraction progress |
| Steam | Manual steam wand |
| Bean hopper / water tank | 1/2 lb / 67 oz |
| Shot control | 1 or 2 cup volumetric |
| Power | 1680 W, 120 V |
| Size (listing) | 13 in D x 14 in W x 16 in H |
| In the box | Single and dual wall baskets (1 and 2 cup), Razor dose trimming tool, 480 ml stainless milk jug, cleaning kit, water filter |
| Warranty | 2-year limited (listing) |
| Price at review | $629.95 (list $849.95), sold and shipped by Amazon |
| Amazon rating | 4.4 out of 5 stars from 3,437 ratings |
Why It Leads Under $1000
The Barista Pro sits in the middle of Breville's Barista Series and fixes the two things owners of the cheaper Barista Express most often wish were different: warm-up time and feedback. Breville lists a ThermoJet heating system that reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds and switches from espresso to steam instantly, PID temperature control that holds water to within 2°C, and low-pressure pre-infusion at the start of each shot. The LCD shows grinding and extraction progress, which makes dialing in a new bag of beans less of a guessing game. At $629.95 on 10 October 2026 it costs about $130 more than the Barista Express and less than the Express Impress.
Grinder and Daily Use
The integrated conical burr grinder doses on demand with a single touch, straight into the portafilter. Breville includes single and dual wall baskets (dual wall baskets are the forgiving option for pre-ground coffee), the Razor tool for trimming the dose, a 480 ml stainless milk jug, a cleaning kit and a water filter. The half-pound hopper and 67 oz tank are the same size as on the Barista Express, and the volumetric 1 or 2 cup buttons repeat a shot once you have it right.
Limitations and Compromises
The steam wand is manual, so milk texture depends on your technique; if you want the machine to do it, the Barista Touch adds an automatic wand for $170 more. This listing does not state the portafilter size; Breville's other Barista Series listings state 54 mm, smaller than the 58 mm commercial standard, so check before buying 58 mm accessories. A grinder built into a machine is convenient, but buyers who later get serious about light roasts often add a separate grinder.
Who Should Buy It?
- Anyone who wants grinder, machine and fast heat-up in one box
- Latte and cappuccino drinkers who are happy to learn manual steaming
- Barista Express shoppers who want quicker warm-up and a screen
Skip it if you want automatic milk (Barista Touch), the most forgiving workflow for a beginner (Barista Express Impress) or the lowest price (Barista Express).
SoftPickr Verdict
The Breville Barista Pro scores 9.5/10 as the best overall pick in our espresso machine under $1000 roundup. Prices on Amazon move; the figure in this review was $629.95 on 10 October 2026 and the live listing is the only accurate source. Budget for the extras too: a scale, a knock box and, for machines without a grinder, a capable espresso grinder.
Check the current price of the Breville Barista Pro on Amazon
Breville Barista Pro — Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Breville Barista Pro worth it in 2026?
At $629.95 on 10 October 2026 it is our best overall espresso machine under $1000: it adds 3-second ThermoJet heat-up and an LCD to the Barista Express formula and carries a 2-year warranty on this listing.
Barista Pro vs Barista Express: what is the difference?
The Pro heats up in 3 seconds with ThermoJet and has an LCD; the Express costs about $130 less and, on its listing, has a 1-year warranty.
Does the Barista Pro have a built-in grinder?
Yes. It has an integrated conical burr grinder with adjustable grind size and one-touch dosing.
Does it texture milk automatically?
No. It has a manual steam wand. The Barista Touch is the Breville model with an automatic wand.
See how it compares with the other machines in our best espresso machine under $1000 guide. On a smaller budget, start with our espresso machine under $500 picks; for the rest of the setup, see our coffee scale and espresso accessories comparisons.
There are no reviews yet.