Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS
By Breville · Espresso Machines · Kitchen & Cooking
- 15 bar pump, 9 bar extraction
- 1680 W power
- 30 grind settings
- about 3 s ThermoJet heat-up
- 67 oz water tank
Lowest price seen
~$849.95 (approx.)
from $849.95 at Amazon
- Amazon ~$849.95 (approx.)View at Amazon
- BrevilleView at Breville
- eBay (used) eBay: used, open-box, refurbishedView at eBay (used)
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Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.
Summary
A semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated conical burr grinder and ThermoJet fast heat-up, aimed at home users who want café-quality shots without a separate grinder. Check the 54 mm portafilter dose limit before buying: it caps realistic double shots at 16–18 g, below the 18–22 g Breville claims.
Strengths
- ThermoJet heat-up takes about three seconds, so the machine is ready before you’ve filled the portafilter.
- The integrated 30-setting conical burr grinder with Baratza burrs removes the cost and counter space of a separate grinder.
- The four-hole steam wand produces microfoam suitable for latte art.
- PID temperature control with five adjustable settings gives more precision than thermoblock machines at this price.
- The LCD interface with a single knob is intuitive and lets you program shot volumes, grind size, dose and temperature.
- Low-pressure pre-infusion is user-adjustable from 1 to 10 seconds, which helps with lighter roasts.
Weaknesses
- The 54 mm portafilter is smaller than the commercial 58 mm standard and limits realistic double-shot dose to 16–18 g, not the 18–22 g Breville claims.
- Build quality is not prosumer-grade; plastic internal components are used throughout.
- Stepped grind adjustment makes precise dialing difficult for some coffees.
- The integrated grinder cannot be bypassed for use with a separate grinder except via pressurized baskets.
- Milk steaming is manual only; there is no automatic frothing.
- At $849.95 it is expensive compared to buying a separate grinder and espresso machine.
Verified specifications
| Model | BES878BSS (US variant BES878BSS1BUS1). |
|---|---|
| Region/electrical | US 120 V. |
| Operation | semi-automatic, volumetric shot control, ground coffee via integrated grinder. |
| Pump | 15 bar Italian pump; 9 bar extraction via over-pressure valve. |
| Heating | ThermoJet system; claimed 3-second heat-up to extraction temperature. |
| Temperature control | PID controller; default 200 °F; 5 adjustable settings. |
| Pre-infusion | automatic low-pressure pre-infusion; user-adjustable 1–10 seconds (default ~6 s). |
| Grinder | integrated conical burr grinder; 30 grind settings; Baratza European precision burrs. |
| Water tank | 67 oz (67.6 fl oz), removable; low water level sensor. |
| Portafilter | 54 mm; four filter baskets included (pressurized and non-pressurized, single and double). |
| Steam wand | manual, four-hole tip; ThermoJet heats to 266 °F for steaming. |
| Shot volumes | default 30 mL single, 60 mL double; programmable. |
| Hot water | dedicated hot water spout for Americanos and tea. |
| Cleaning | automated backflush alert every 200 shots; descale cycle; ~5 min each. |
| Construction | brushed stainless steel exterior; plastic internal components; no plastic contacts hot brewing water. |
| Dimensions | 16.1 × 13.8 × 13.1 in (W × D × H). |
| Weight | not confirmed from manufacturer page; third-party sources suggest ~16–17 lb but unverified. |
| In the box | dosing funnel, single and dual wall filter baskets (1 and 2 cup), The Razor precision dose trimming tool, 480 ml stainless steel milk jug, cleaning kit, water filter. |
| Warranty | 1 year limited (Breville US standard). |
Full research notes and sources
Heat-up and the ThermoJet system
The ThermoJet heating system is the Barista Pro’s main selling point. Breville claims a three-second heat-up to extraction temperature, and independent reviews confirm the machine is ready almost immediately. Unlike a traditional boiler, ThermoJet heats water on demand, which means recovery between shots and steaming is faster than thermoblock machines but not as instant as a dual boiler. The system reaches 266 °F for steaming, and the four-hole tip on the manual steam wand produces enough pressure for microfoam.
Espresso quality and the 54 mm portafilter
The 15 bar Italian pump is regulated to 9 bar extraction by an over-pressure valve, which is the sweet spot for espresso. PID temperature control holds the brew at a default 200 °F with five adjustable settings. Low-pressure pre-infusion is automatic and user-adjustable from 1 to 10 seconds (default ~6 s), which helps saturate the puck before full pressure.
The catch is the 54 mm portafilter. It is smaller than the commercial 58 mm standard, and HomeGrounds found the realistic maximum dose for a double shot is 16–18 g, not the 18–22 g Breville claims. If you prefer larger doses or want to use standard 58 mm accessories, this is a limitation.
Grinder and usability
The integrated conical burr grinder has 30 settings and uses Baratza European precision burrs. It is a convenience that removes the need for a separate grinder, but it cannot be bypassed for use with a separate grinder except via pressurized baskets. Stepped grind adjustment makes precise dialing difficult for some coffees, particularly lighter roasts that need fine adjustments.
The LCD interface with a single knob is intuitive. You can program shot volumes (default 30 mL single, 60 mL double), grind size, dose and temperature. A dedicated hot water spout handles Americanos and tea.
Milk steaming
The manual steam wand has a four-hole tip and the ThermoJet system heats to 266 °F for steaming. It is powerful enough to produce latte-art-quality microfoam. There is no automatic milk frothing; this is a manual steam wand only. Recovery between brewing and steaming is faster than traditional thermoblock machines but not as instant as a dual boiler.
Maintenance and running costs
Routine maintenance includes an automated backflush alert every 200 shots and a descale cycle when indicated, each taking about five minutes. Daily wiping of the shower screen and steam wand is needed. Water filters need periodic replacement. Breville sells replacement parts and accessories through its website.
HomeGrounds states a realistic lifespan of 5–7 years with appropriate care. The warranty is one year limited from Breville US, covering defects in materials and workmanship; proof of purchase is required and Breville provides a pre-paid shipping label for warranty claims, with typical turnaround up to 10 business days plus shipping.
Recurring costs are coffee beans, water filters, descaling solution and milk. There is no capsule lock-in.
Is it worth it?
At $849.95 the Barista Pro is expensive for what it offers compared to buying a separate grinder and espresso machine. Its value is in the integration and convenience: fast heat-up, integrated grinder and manual steaming in a single unit. At discounts below ~$700 it becomes more competitive. Above $850, buyers should compare against the Barista Touch (automatic milk) or higher-end prosumer options. Tom’s Guide’s 2026 espresso machine roundup did not include the Barista Pro in its top picks, instead recommending the Breville Bambino as best compact and the Bambino Plus as an alternative.
Which model this is
This page covers the Breville Barista Pro, model BES878BSS (US variant BES878BSS1BUS1), a semi-automatic espresso machine with integrated conical burr grinder launched in 2019. The Amazon listing for the brushed stainless steel US variant is ASIN B08133HX34. Do not confuse it with the Barista Express (BES876), Barista Touch, Bambino (BES450) or Bambino Plus (BES500).
Sources
Manufacturer:
Independent reviews:
