Breville Infuser Espresso Machine Review

Breville Infuser Espresso Machine BES840XL Review

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine BES840XL, which comes in brushed stainless steel, Black Sesame, and Cranberry Red, is pretty popular. It has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 2,799 reviewers on Amazon, and over 100 people bought it there just last month.

Is the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine BES840XL, right for you?

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine BES840XL is an excellent choice for a variety of users, particularly those who appreciate a high degree of control over their coffee-making process and value the quality of their espresso. Here’s who would benefit the most from this machine:

Aspiring Home Baristas:
- If you enjoy the process of making coffee and want to hone your skills, this machine offers features like PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion, which are typically found in professional-grade equipment. These features allow you to experiment and perfect your technique, making it ideal for serious coffee enthusiasts.
Coffee Connoisseurs:
- For those who have a discerning palate and demand high-quality espresso at home, the precise temperature control and consistent extraction ensure that you can achieve a rich, balanced flavor every time. The commercial-style steam wand also allows you to create café-quality microfoam for your lattes and cappuccinos.
Individuals with Limited Counter Space:
- The compact design of the Infuser makes it suitable for kitchens with limited counter space. Despite its smaller footprint, it doesn’t compromise on features or performance, making it a practical choice for those who need to save space without sacrificing quality.
People Who Appreciate Customization:
- If you like having control over your coffee-making process, the Breville Infuser provides various programmable settings and manual overrides. This means you can customize your espresso to suit your exact preferences, whether it’s adjusting the shot volume or the milk texture.
Those Seeking a Durable and Reliable Machine:
- Breville is known for its durable and well-built appliances. The Infuser’s stainless steel construction and robust design mean it’s built to last, providing long-term value for your investment.

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine BES840XL gives you great precision, control, and quality, especially for its price. Here’s why you might buy it:

Precision and Consistency: With features like PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion, you can consistently produce high-quality espresso with balanced flavors.
Enhanced Milk Texturing: The commercial-style steam wand allows you to create silky microfoam, enhancing the flavor and presentation of your milk-based drinks.
Customizable Settings: The ability to program shot volumes and manually override settings means you can tailor your coffee to your specific tastes.
Compact and Stylish Design: Its sleek, brushed stainless steel finish and compact size make it a stylish addition to any kitchen, without taking up too much space.
Comprehensive Accessories: The inclusion of various accessories like the Razor dose trimming tool and cleaning tools ensures you have everything you need to start making great coffee right away.

Overall, the Breville Infuser is a versatile and high-performing machine that caters to both novice and experienced users, making it a valuable addition to any coffee lover’s home.

Design and Build

This espresso machine features a compact and sturdy design with dimensions of 11.5″D x 13.7″W x 13.25″H and a weight of 17.4 pounds. The brushed stainless steel exterior makes it look modern, and will suit any kitchen. Its robust build quality is complemented by a 1650-watt thermocoil heating system, ensuring precise control over water temperature.

Key Features

Pre-Infusion Function: The Infuser applies low water pressure at the start of extraction to gently expand the coffee grinds, ensuring an even and balanced extraction.
Thermocoil Heating System: An integrated stainless steel water coil accurately controls water temperature, maintaining stability for optimal espresso extraction.
Auto Purge: This function automatically adjusts the water temperature after steam use, ensuring the next espresso is extracted at the correct temperature.
15 Bar Italian Pump: Provides complete volumetric control with preset, manual override, or reprogrammable volumes for a tailored brewing experience.
Commercial Style Steam Wand: A stainless steel 360° swivel-action steam wand allows for effortless milk texturing, ideal for creating latte art.
PID Temperature Control: Electronic PID control enhances temperature stability, crucial for consistently good espresso.
Volumetric Control: Offers preset 1 & 2 cup volumes, with manual override and reprogrammable shot volumes for flexibility.
Additional Features: Includes an instant hot water outlet for Americanos or pre-heating cups, an espresso pressure gauge, and a dry puck feature for easy disposal of coffee grounds.

Accessories

The Breville Infuser comes with several accessories to make your experience better, including:

Single & dual wall filter baskets
Coffee scoop
Stainless steel jug
Cleaning disc & tablets
Cleaning tool
Water filter with holder
The Razor™ dose trimming tool

Performance

The Infuser excels in delivering balanced flavors through its low-pressure pre-infusion and precise temperature control. The commercial-style steam wand is praised for its ability to create microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. Users appreciate the intuitive volumetric control and the dry puck feature for its convenience in cleaning up.

Who Should Buy This?

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine is aimed at coffee enthusiasts who value both manual control and modern convenience. It is ideal for those who enjoy experimenting with different espresso profiles and perfecting their milk frothing techniques. If you appreciate a machine that combines precise control, robust performance, and a range of user-friendly features, the Infuser is an excellent choice for your home coffee setup.

Breville Infuser Espresso Machine Pros and Cons

Pros:

Precise Temperature Control: The electronic PID temperature control ensures consistent water temperature, crucial for optimal espresso extraction.
Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion: This feature allows for an even extraction by gently expanding the coffee grounds at the start of the brewing process.
Thermocoil Heating System: The integrated stainless steel water coil delivers accurate temperature control, enhancing flavor consistency.
Shop-Style Steam Wand: The 360° swivel steam wand makes it easy to texture milk, perfect for making latte art.
Versatile Controls: Offers preset, manual over-ride, and reprogrammable shot volumes for personalized coffee making.
Dry Puck Feature: Removes excess water from the coffee grounds after extraction, making disposal of the used coffee puck easier.
Included Accessories: Comes with a comprehensive set of tools and accessories, including single and dual wall filter baskets, a stainless steel jug, cleaning tools, and a Razor dose trimming tool.
Compact Design: The machine’s compact dimensions make it suitable for kitchens with limited counter space.

Cons:

Manual Operation: While it provides a high level of control, the manual operation might be less convenient for users who prefer fully automatic machines.
Learning Curve: Beginners might find the range of features and controls overwhelming at first, requiring some time to master.
Regular Maintenance: Like all espresso machines, it requires regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Price Point: Positioned in the mid to high range, it might be a significant investment for casual coffee drinkers.

Comparison of the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine BES840XL

Feature	Breville Infuser BES840XL	De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe EC685M	Calphalon Temp iQ	Gaggia Classic Pro
Price	$599.95	$550.00	$599.95	$649.00
Bar Pressure	15 bar	15 bar	15 bar	15 bar
Heating System	Thermocoil	Thermoblock	Thermoblock	Single boiler
Pre-Infusion	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Steam Wand	360° swivel	Basic frother	Commercial-style	Commercial-style
Water Tank Capacity	61 oz	35 oz	34 oz	72 oz
Dimensions (W x D x H)	10.2 x 12.5 x 13.2 in	6.9 x 13 x 12 in	11.6 x 13.9 x 15.3 in	9.5 x 8 x 14.2 in
Portafilter Size	54 mm	51 mm	58 mm	58 mm
PID Temperature Control	Yes	No	Yes	No
Weight	17 lbs	9.3 lbs	13.8 lbs	20 lbs
Included Accessories	Tamper, Milk jug, Cleaning tools	Tamper, Milk jug	Tamper, Milk jug	Tamper, Single & Double baskets

Summary of Comparison

The Breville Infuser BES840XL is priced at $599.95 and sits comfortably in the mid-range of espresso machines, offering features like a thermocoil heating system and PID temperature control, which are often found in more expensive models. The De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe EC685M, slightly cheaper at $550.00, is more compact and lightweight but lacks a pre-infusion feature and has a smaller portafilter. The Calphalon Temp iQ matches the Breville in price and features, including a PID controller and commercial-style steam wand, making it a strong competitor. The Gaggia Classic Pro, at $649.00, offers a more robust commercial-style build and steam wand but lacks PID temperature control, making it less precise compared to the Breville. Overall, the Breville Infuser offers a solid mix of features and quality at a competitive price.

Conclusion

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine BES840XL is a well-made and flexible espresso machine that combines manual and programmable features, making it a great choice for home baristas. It has precise temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a commercial-style steam wand, all of which help you make high-quality espresso and perfectly textured milk for your coffee drinks. Its compact design is durable and easy to use, and it comes with a variety of accessories to improve your experience. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee lover or a beginner, the Breville Infuser gives you everything you need to make excellent coffee at home.