# TLDR Review: Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS

*Published: 2024-07-22 | Updated: 2024-12-08 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/breville-barista-pro-espresso-machine-bes878bss*

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## Product: Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS
**Brand:** Breville

## Pros
- Delivers beautiful and tasty espresso, cappuccinos, and mochas.
- Relatively simple to use, making it user-friendly.
- Ideal for beginners with its user-friendly design.
- Easy to maintain and clean.
- Produces the best latte ever and is highly praised for its quality.
- Offers many convenient features for a semi-automatic espresso maker.
- Fast operation allows for quick espresso pulls, even when tired.
- Excellent espresso machine for quality shots and customization options.
- Despite some minor issues, it performs well compared to others in the same price range and even some more expensive models.
- Highly recommended by users for regular use.

## Cons
- The espresso machine has a history of short lifespan, often dying shortly after warranty expiration.
- Despite careful maintenance, the machines have not proven durable.
- Does not heat to the expected temperature; achieves around 150 degrees instead of the claimed 200 degrees.
- Shots come out warm rather than hot, impacting overall quality.
- Power cord design is impractical; the large plug extends several inches away from the wall.
- Portafilter alignment is off-center, leading to uneven distribution of grounds and spills.
- Manual water reservoir fill with no ability to connect directly to a water source.
- User interface is confusing with menu-driven and dial options; lacks flexibility.
- No user presets available for different grind/volume/extraction settings.
- Grinder occasionally fails to feed beans cleanly, requiring adjustment for consistent grinds.

## Bottom Line

The Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine is lauded for its easy usability and the quality of the espresso it produces, making it a great choice for beginners or anyone looking to enjoy a decent cup without the complexity of manual machines. However, concerns about its durability and temperature issues are notable. If you are looking for a model with more robust heating and longevity reliability, you might want to explore alternative brands or models that offer longer warranties or better customer support.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Delivers beautiful and tasty espresso, cappuccinos, and mochas. | The espresso machine has a history of short lifespan, often dying shortly after warranty expiration. |
| Relatively simple to use, making it user-friendly. | Despite careful maintenance, the machines have not proven durable. |
| Ideal for beginners with its user-friendly design. | Does not heat to the expected temperature; achieves around 150 degrees instead of the claimed 200 degrees. |
| Easy to maintain and clean. | Shots come out warm rather than hot, impacting overall quality. |
| Produces the best latte ever and is highly praised for its quality. | Power cord design is impractical; the large plug extends several inches away from the wall. |
| Offers many convenient features for a semi-automatic espresso maker. | Portafilter alignment is off-center, leading to uneven distribution of grounds and spills. |
| Fast operation allows for quick espresso pulls, even when tired. | Manual water reservoir fill with no ability to connect directly to a water source. |
| Excellent espresso machine for quality shots and customization options. | User interface is confusing with menu-driven and dial options; lacks flexibility. |
| Despite some minor issues, it performs well compared to others in the same price range and even some more expensive models. | No user presets available for different grind/volume/extraction settings. |
| Highly recommended by users for regular use. | Grinder occasionally fails to feed beans cleanly, requiring adjustment for consistent grinds. |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Curated | $679.95  | Check |
| Kitchen Universe | $679.95  | Check |
| NFM | $679.95  | Check |
| 1st-line Equipment | $679.96  | Check |
| QVC | $679.98  | Check |
| FrenchPressCoffee.com | $849.95  | Check |
| Wayfair | $849.95  | Check |
| Zola | $849.95  | Check |
| Ebrilla Home | $899.95  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*