Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame - Home Espresso Machines
56

Breville

Barista Express BES870BSXL

4.4
$700
Check Price on Amazon
VS
Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine - Automatic Coffee Maker With Auto Tamper, Auto Cleaning, Milk Steamer & Frother, Bean Grinder, Make Professional Barista Style Cappuccino, Latte, Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines
64

Koolatron

Kenmore Auto Tamper

5.0
$952
Check Price on Amazon

Our Verdict

Breville Barista Express Wins

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame - Home Espresso Machines

Despite both using thermoblock boilers, the Breville offers a significantly higher 15-bar pump pressure versus the Kenmore's 9-bar, which can impact robust extraction, and includes PID temperature control for better stability. It also comes in at a much lower price of $699.95 compared to the Kenmore's $951.99, providing superior value for its features. The Kenmore is a better pick for those prioritizing maximum automation, including an auto-tamper and auto-cleaning, and are willing to pay a premium for convenience.

Bottom Line: Breville Barista Express is the better choice. Despite both using thermoblock boilers, the Breville offers a significantly higher 15-bar pump pressure versus the Kenmore's 9-bar, which can impact robust extraction, and includes PID temperature control for better stability.

In-Depth Analysis

How they compare in practice

Both the Breville Barista Express BES870BSXL and the Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine utilize thermoblock heating systems, which offer rapid heat-up times for quick espresso production. However, their approaches to extraction and user experience diverge significantly. The Breville distinguishes itself with a robust 15-bar pump pressure, allowing for greater flexibility in achieving a desired extraction, whereas the Kenmore opts for a 9-bar pump, which many baristas consider optimal for a gentler, more nuanced extraction, assuming perfect grind and tamp. This 9-bar setting on the Kenmore aligns with professional standards, though the higher 15-bar on the Breville offers more headroom and pre-infusion capability.A critical advantage for the Breville is its PID temperature control, a feature absent in the Kenmore's listed specifications. This ensures more stable water temperature during brewing, directly impacting the consistency and quality of your espresso shots. While both machines include integrated grinders, the Breville's conical burr grinder, combined with low-pressure pre-infusion, is designed to extract maximum flavor. The Kenmore, conversely, leans heavily into automation with its automatic tamper and auto-cleaning function, significantly simplifying the workflow for novice users or those desiring minimal hands-on involvement. This level of automation means less control over tamping consistency, a crucial variable for espresso quality.The price difference is substantial, with the Breville at $699.95 and the Kenmore at $951.99. The Breville offers more manual control over key variables like tamping (requiring user skill) and finer temperature management through PID, making it ideal for aspiring home baristas keen on perfecting their craft without a hefty initial investment. The Kenmore's higher price point is justified by its convenience features like automatic tamping and cleaning, alongside a built-in milk steamer and frother, which cater to users who prioritize ease of use and consistent, repeatable results with less effort, even if it means sacrificing some granular control. Ultimately, the choice hinges on whether one values precision and a lower entry cost or maximal automation and convenience at a premium.

Key Differences

The most significant spec differences at a glance

15

Pump Pressure

67% more
9

Advantages

Where each product wins

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame - Home Espresso Machines

Breville

  • Pump Pressure: 67% higher (15 vs 9.0)

Which to Pick for Your Situation

Concrete scenarios with a clear recommendation

Aspiring Home Barista

Breville

The Breville Barista Express offers PID temperature control and a 15-bar pump, providing more control over extraction variables for learning and experimentation.

Ultimate Convenience & Automation

Koolatron

The Koolatron Kenmore features an automatic tamper, auto-cleaning, and a built-in milk frother, streamlining the entire coffee-making process.

Budget-Conscious Coffee Lover

Breville

Priced at $699.95, the Breville provides excellent integrated features like a grinder and PID at a significantly lower cost than the Kenmore's $951.99.

Consistent Milk-Based Drinks

Koolatron

The Koolatron Kenmore explicitly boasts a built-in milk steamer and frother, ensuring consistent milk preparation for lattes and cappuccinos with minimal effort.

Who Should Buy Which?

Find the right product for your needs

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame - Home Espresso Machines

Buy Breville if...

Breville Barista Express Espresso

The ideal buyer for the Breville Barista Express BES870BSXL is the aspiring home barista or coffee enthusiast who wants to delve deeper into the art of espresso making without breaking the bank. This user is eager to learn and fine-tune variables like grind size, dose, and tamp pressure to pull the perfect shot. They prioritize consistency in temperature, which the Breville delivers with its PID temperature control, a crucial feature for repeatable results that impact flavor quality. The integrated conical burr grinder ensures access to fresh grounds every time, directly impacting the aroma and taste profile of their espresso. While its 15-bar pump pressure provides robust extraction capabilities and powerful pre-infusion, allowing users to experiment with different bean types and roast levels. At $699.95, this machine offers exceptional value, providing essential features and a significant degree of manual control at a more accessible price point. They are willing to invest time in manual tamping and routine cleaning in exchange for a deeper understanding and hands-on control over their espresso, readily foregoing the full automation of more expensive machines like the Kenmore for the satisfaction of a personalized, crafted coffee experience.

Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine - Automatic Coffee Maker With Auto Tamper, Auto Cleaning, Milk Steamer & Frother, Bean Grinder, Make Professional Barista Style Cappuccino, Latte, Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines

Buy Koolatron if...

Kenmore Espresso Machine -

The Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine is perfectly suited for the busy professional or convenience-seeking individual who desires cafe-quality coffee at home with minimal effort and maximum automation. This buyer prioritizes speed, ease of use, and consistent results, especially when it comes to milk-based drinks. The integrated bean grinder and automatic tamper significantly streamline the preparation process, eliminating the learning curve and inconsistency often associated with manual tamping, ensuring consistent pucks every time. For someone who doesn't want to master the intricacies of espresso making but still wants a reliably great cup, the 9-bar pump pressure is widely considered optimal for a balanced extraction with push-button simplicity. The built-in milk steamer and frother, combined with the auto-cleaning function, make daily maintenance and milk drink preparation a breeze, allowing them to enjoy their latte or cappuccino without worrying about extensive clean-up. They are willing to pay the premium price of $951.99 for the unparalleled convenience and hands-off operation, happily sacrificing some manual control over the brewing process for the ultimate in effortless, repeatable coffee enjoyment that fits seamlessly into a demanding lifestyle.

Spec Comparison

5 specs compared

Specification
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame - Home Espresso Machines
Breville Barista Express Espresso
Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine - Automatic Coffee Maker With Auto Tamper, Auto Cleaning, Milk Steamer & Frother, Bean Grinder, Make Professional Barista Style Cappuccino, Latte, Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines
Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine
Price$700$952
Rating4.4(27.2k)5.0(4)
Boiler Typethermoblockthermoblock
Pump Pressure Bars159
Grinder IncludedYesYes
PID Temperature ControlYes
Steam WandYes

Swipe horizontally to see all columns

Pros & Cons

Quick overview of strengths and weaknesses

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870BSXL, Black Sesame

Breville Barista Express

Pros
  • Integrated conical burr grinder for fresh grounds
  • PID temperature control ensures stable brewing
  • Low-pressure pre-infusion enhances extraction
  • Espresso ready from bean to cup in under 60s
Cons
  • Thermoblock design may impact steam consistency
  • Integrated grinder might limit grind consistency
  • Can be noisy during grinding and brewing cycles
Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine - Automatic Coffee Maker With Auto Tamper, Auto Cleaning, Milk Steamer & Frother, Bean Grinder, Make Professional Barista Style Cappuccino, Latte, Stainless Steel

Koolatron Kenmore Espresso

Pros
  • 9 bar pump pressure for optimal espresso extraction.
  • Integrated bean grinder for fresh coffee preparation.
  • Automatic tamper ensures consistent tamping pressure.
  • Built-in milk steamer and frother for milk drinks.
Cons
  • Thermoblock boiler may offer less temperature stability.
  • Integrated grinder means single point of failure.
  • Automatic tamper removes manual control over tamping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this comparison

Which machine offers more precise temperature control?

The Breville Barista Express (Product A) includes PID temperature control, ensuring more stable water temperatures during brewing for optimal espresso extraction.

What is the primary difference in pump pressure between the two models?

The Breville (Product A) features a 15-bar pump pressure, while the Koolatron Kenmore (Product B) utilizes a 9-bar pump, which is often considered ideal for optimal espresso.

Does either machine offer automatic tamping?

Yes, the Koolatron Kenmore (Product B) comes with an automatic tamper, providing consistent tamping pressure without manual effort, a feature not found on the Breville.

Which machine is more budget-friendly?

The Breville Barista Express (Product A) is significantly more affordable at $699.95, compared to the Koolatron Kenmore's price of $951.99.

Do both machines include integrated grinders?

Yes, both the Breville Barista Express and the Koolatron Kenmore Espresso Machine come with integrated bean grinders for fresh coffee preparation.

Is auto-cleaning a feature on either model?

The Koolatron Kenmore (Product B) includes an auto-cleaning function, which helps reduce maintenance effort and ensures system hygiene.

Explore Other Categories

Popular comparisons across the site

Ask AI

Get instant answers about specs

Get the Deets

Ask our AI assistant

Ask Deets anything!