Breville Infuser Review: Walk on By?

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

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I recently realized there was a glaring omission in my home espresso machine guide 2024: a dedicated Breville Infuser review. Seeing as this machine was released a decade ago, I feel like I'm a little late to the party. But better late than never right?

Breville Infuser Review Overview

I recently realized there was a glaring omission in my home espresso machine guide 2024: a dedicated Breville Infuser review. Seeing as this machine was released a decade ago, I feel like I’m a little late to the party. But better late than never right?

My main concern was whether the Breville Infuser could measure up to similar espresso machines. Especially those that actually have a grinder on board. With that in mind, I ordered one from Amazon to test out.

I’ll tell you all about my experiences using the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine a little later. In the meantime, let’s take a first look at what we’re dealing with!

solid mid-range option

Breville Infuser

Great if you already own a grinder

Compact design

Stainless steel housing

Simple user interface

No built-in grinder

Better value for money elsewhere

Breville Infuser Review Overview

If you’re familiar with Breville’s other semi automatic espresso machines, there’s a good chance you’re getting some deja vu from the Infuser. This baby has enough features to land it on my list of the best Breville espresso machines, and I stand by that. At $599.95, I wouldn’t position the Infuser as a budget friendly machine, but it’s far from the most expensive semi automatic that I’ve seen.

As for why this machine feels so familiar, it’s probably because it’s reminiscent of the Breville Barista Express. These two could almost be twins, and I do mean almost. The Infuser is certainly more compact than the Barista Express, but it’s missing an integrated burr grinder. I’ve got more to say about how these two compare, but I’ll save that for later on in my Breville Infuser review.

For now, let’s talk first impressions of the Infuser. Breville has rarely disappointed with the design of its machines, and the Infuser is no exception. I’ll give the Breville design team an A+ for all that brushed stainless steel they’ve used.

Overview of the Breville Infuser

Technically, there is plastic hiding beneath that stainless steel housing, but you won’t see it. It’s hard to complain about plastic that’s going to require a screwdriver just to reach.

Outside of the metal housing, the rest of the Infuser’s design feels very classic. I suppose some of you might say “outdated,” but I won’t! Hey, I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy.

Sure, there’s no high-tech user interface or digital display, but I think that’s part of the Infuser’s charm. Something about fiddling with the dials and interacting with the large temperature gauge feels more personal than just clicking away at a touchscreen.

Breville Infuser Review Features

First impressions aren’t everything, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty features of this machine in my Breville Infuser review.

Compact Design

The Breville Infuser has a Compact Design

I don’t want to gloss over how compact the Infuser is, especially because I think that’s a major selling point of the machine. It’s only slightly cheaper than the Barista Express, but at 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms), it’s significantly more lightweight. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised by the weight of this coffee machine as I lifted it out of the box. It definitely feels substantial, and doesn’t move around when you’re using it.

I don’t know if saving a few inches of counter space is worth picking the Infuser over Breville’s other semi automatics. However, if a compact semi automatic is your top priority, the Infuser won’t disappoint. 

Colors

I ordered the Breville Infuser with a classic stainless steel finish. However, it does come in two other color combinations:

Am I the only one who feels a little hungry after hearing those names?

One thing I appreciate about these color combinations is that they don’t immediately trade metal for plastic. As vibrant as the black and red may be, they still have stainless steel housing. So, you don’t have to worry about a potential drop in design quality just because you want an espresso machine that’ll match your kitchen decor.

User Interface

The Breville Infuser User Interface

As far as user interfaces go, the Breville Infuser achieves a happy middle ground between the bare-bones controls on manuals and the high-tech displays on automatics. It also looks pretty identical to the Barista Express interface. Seriously, it looks like Breville just took off a few of the grind buttons and called it a day.

From left to right, you’ve got your power button, program button and single/double shot buttons.The pressure gauge sits smack dab in the middle of those, and your steam and cleaning lights sit underneath. Don’t forget the knob for controlling your steam wand, which Breville has slapped onto the side.

There’s nothing flashy about this user interface, but it’s functional enough to rival some of the higher end espresso machines. Incidentally, that program button I mentioned is what allows you to mess with the machine’s volumetric and shot control.

There’s no hidden meaning to that one – it allows you to control the volume of your shot. When you program the machine, the Infuser will remember your preference for next time.

I think that’s the most impressive part of this user interface, but the pressure gauge isn’t just for show either. With the gauge, you’ll be able to “troubleshoot” some of those typical espresso mistakes. Things like using ground coffee that’s too coarse or overdosing your filter basket.

In my humble opinion, those thoughtful features are what elevate the Infuser from a basic machine to something more sophisticated. It’s definitely intuitive enough for beginners to grasp. However, I think some home baristas might end up wanting more from their espresso machine over time.

Volumetric Control

As the name suggests, volumetric control gives you more power over how much liquid ends up in your cup. It’s one of the primary ways that you can customize your espresso with this machine.

Volumetric control also allows beginners that have never manually adjusted their espresso settings to spread their wings a bit. Metaphorically of course – Breville hasn’t released an espresso machine that can help you fly yet.

Jokes aside, once you’ve worked up the confidence to tweak with volumetric control, I think you’ll find that it goes a long way toward helping you create the ideal espresso shot.

The User Interface Controls of the Breville Infuser

Digital PID Temperature Control

As if volumetric shot control weren’t enough to reel you in, the Infuser also has Digital Proportional Integral Derivative temperature control. Try saying that three times fast! Or we can just refer to this feature by its more popular nickname  – PID temperature control.

Despite the sophisticated name, PID temperature control gives you front-and-center access to the temperature of your espresso. It also allows you to adjust it in 4 degrees Fahrenheit increments too.

I know that 4 degrees might not sound like a big difference, but it can make a world of difference to your espresso! Temperature is super important in extraction. So, a couple of degrees could mean the difference between perfect espresso and a bitter shot that’s almost undrinkable.

If I’m being honest, I would’ve appreciated even more precise control from the PID system. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, considering the Barista Express has the same feature (but allows you to adjust within 2-degrees Fahrenheit increments).

For beginners who might start to sweat at the idea of temperature control, there’s no reason to worry. The default settings should allow you to make you great espresso – no tinkering needed. In fact, I found the temperature of the espresso from the Infuser to be right on the money. However, the feature is there if you ever get the urge to experiment.

Boiler

Familiar with thermoblock heating systems? If so, the thermocoil heating system inside the Breville Infuser won’t feel like much of a jump. The only difference between these two is that thermocoil systems rely on a single tube rather than a block with multiple pieces.

The design of a thermocoil heating system allows for more consistent water temperature – arguably even more so than with a thermoblock system. Still, that excellent design does come at a price.

Compared to thermoblocks, coils may need a little extra time to reheat in between brewing. They tend to lose heat more quickly, which can be challenging if you’re trying to pull multiple shots of espresso back to back.

Ultimately, the Infuser still has a quick heat up time, especially if you’re going from brewing to steaming. As long as you’re not trying to marathon shots for the entire family, I doubt you’ll notice any downsides.

Milk Foam

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As with most semi automatics, the Infuser comes equipped with a manual steam wand. That means 360 degree rotation and a control knob on the side – all the things you’d expect from a manual steam wand.

Truth be told, I’m partial to manual steam wands over automatic systems. You get more control with a manual wand, which is important for creating delicate milk foam.

The steam wand on the Infuser does have a high heating element, although it tends to take a few moments before it reaches maximum temperature. In fact, when I first used the thing I thought it was faulty! Let’s just say the steam wand takes its sweet time to get going, and the process is more a case of “ramping up” than an instantaneous blast. The extra waiting time may feel like a con, but you could argue that it’s actually an advantage. Steam wands that heat up too quickly can make it much harder to steam your milk. That won’t be a problem with the Infuser.

However, the most interesting thing about the Infuser’s milk system comes in the form of its auto purge function.

Since steamed milk and espresso extraction need to happen at very different temperatures, it can be challenging for single boiler espresso machines to handle them back to back. It’s kind of like going to the gym, lifting weights for an hour and then immediately jumping into another hour of cardio. Probably not going to give you the best workout, right?

This is where the auto purge function comes in handy. After using the steam wand, the Infuser automatically purges its heat system. As a result, you’ll get to brew espresso at its intended temperature.

To revisit my fitness analogy, the auto purge function is like running a reset on your muscles before cardio. You’ll get to lift weights and do your cardio without fatigue getting in the way.

All things considered, the Infuser boasts an impressive milk system and I was able to create some beautifully silky microfoam with ease.

Flexible Shot Control

As a semi automatic, I’d be shocked if the Infuser didn’t have flexible shot control. This is a standard feature on affordable manual espresso machines, so I won’t pretend like Breville has done something genius-level here.

Still, flexible shot control is certainly handy  – if not fully necessary. There are two buttons on the front of the machine that you’ll use to pick between single or double shots. Or, if you’d rather manually control the volume of your shot, the Infuser allows that too.

Filter Baskets

The Portafilter with the Double Basket Inside of the Breville Infuser

I might have to take back that snarky comment about Breville not being geniuses. Well, geniuses may not be the right word, but generous? Definitely! As for why, it’s because you get four filter baskets with your purchase of the Breville Infuser.

Before that math starts to get confusing, let me break it down. There are two sets of filter baskets: a pair of single filter baskets and a pair of double filter baskets. The difference is that one set is pressurized and one isn’t.

Getting four filter baskets with the Breville Infuser feels a bit like finding extra fries at the bottom of a fast food bag. You weren’t expecting it, but why not take advantage of the extra generosity? A lot of manufacturers tend to only include two filter baskets with their machines, taking away the choice of pressurized or non pressurized.

Regardless, I’m glad Breville has decided to give us some options. Both types of filter baskets have their pros, but pressurized filter baskets tend to work better for beginners or coarser grind sizes. With that said, non pressurized baskets tend to be the best choice for great extraction, even if they can be more finicky.

Tamping

Since Breville is handing out filter baskets like candy, I’m not surprised that they’ve included a tamper with this machine. As with most semi automatics, you’ll need to manually tamp your grounds when you prepare your shot.

If you don’t already have an espresso tamper, you can use the one that Breville provided – but I recommend upgrading. The “free” tamper that you get with most espresso machines – this one included – is plastic. It’ll work well enough, but you’re going to get the best action with a stainless steel tamper.

Accessories

Everything Inside the Breville Box

When I say that Breville has been generous with the accessories, I mean it. I’ve already mentioned a few, but here’s what you’ll get with your Breville Infuser:

  • Four filter baskets

  • Plastic tamper

  • Coffee scoop

  • Razor dose trimming tool

  • Stainless steel milk pitcher

  • Cleaning discs and tablets

  • Cleaning brush

  • Water filter with holder

That long list of accessories almost gives me the impression that Breville is marketing the Infuser toward beginners. Or maybe they just think that enough shiny filter baskets and coffee scoops will keep you from figuring out that the Barista Express is a better deal.

Either way, I can still appreciate the tools they’ve provided as well as the nifty storage space. Located underneath the drip tray, there’s a hidden drawer that houses most of these accessories. I still think you’ll need to buy a better tamper, but having a backup never hurts.

Pre-Infusion

It’s time to talk about the Breville Infuser’s crowning jewel  – its pre infusion feature. I mean, it’s even in the name of the machine. I don’t think it gets any more obvious than that!

If you’re currently using an espresso machine without pre infusion, then this semi automatic is going to feel like a big step up. Pre infusion works by slowly adding hot water to the puck before the brewing process has even begun.

Gently dosing your espresso grounds will allow the aromas to fully develop. As a result, you’ll get more flavorful, evenly extracted espresso. What’s really cool is that you’re able to change the duration of the pre infusion by holding down the brew button. That gives you a lot more control over your espresso extraction.

Breville didn’t invent the idea of pre infusion, but you will find this feature on a select number of its products. Incidentally, I’d love to see a pre infusion feature on more semi automatics. It might not seem like a big deal, but that consistent extraction can seriously improve your espresso game.

Cup Height

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Cup height really only matters if it’s going to fall short – literally. As compact as this coffee machine may be, it still has a standard cup height. Whether you’re using espresso cups or a tall travel mug, I doubt you’ll have issues fitting them under the spout.

The spout itself isn’t adjustable. However, you can always get some extra height by removing the drip tray. I was able to get a decent-sized travel mug under there without any problems.

Warranty

The Breville Warranty Paper

As with most Breville products, you get a one year limited warranty with the Infuser. FYI  –  “limited warranty” just means that Breville only covers manufacturing defects, not issues caused by neglect or misuse of the machine.

How to Use the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine

Hangin in the Filled Portafilter into the Breville Infuser

I think I’ve done enough blabbing about the coffee machine’s features in my Breville Infuser review. It’s time to get our hands dirty – or at least covered in coffee grounds – and talk about how to use it.

By the way, you should know that investing in the right coffee grinder is integral to achieving good results. Check out my best burr coffee grinder guide for inspiration!

Before you unleash your inner barista, you’ll need to prepare the espresso machine. Install the included water filter before adding cold water to the reservoir then pressing the Power button. You’ll hear the pump running for a couple of seconds, then the light will flash as the machine warms up. Once the light stops flashing, season the Infuser by running a few shot cycles with just water. Oh, and flush the steam wand for a few seconds while you’re at it. 

Now it’s time to pull a shot of espresso:

  • Grind your chosen coffee beans, then dose the portafilter. I recommend using a coffee scale for this – it’ll really help you achieve consistency from shot to shot.

  • Next, tamp those coffee grounds before attaching the portafilter firmly to the group head. 

  • Based on which filter basket you’ve used, you’ll select either the one or two shot button. 

  • After a few moments you’ll see that needle on the temperature gauge move into the pre infusion zone for a few seconds. After that, the needle should move well into the zone marked for proper espresso extraction as espresso fills your cup. 

That’s about all there is to preparing a single or double shot of espresso with the Breville Infuser. Pretty straightforward, right? 

Incidentally, if the pressure gauge needle doesn’t go into the espresso extraction zone, your grind size was probably too coarse, you didn’t use enough coffee and/or you didn’t tamp hard enough. 

On the flip side, if the needle progresses beyond the correct zone, it’s likely your grind was too fine and/or you overdosed the portafilter. In either case your espresso won’t taste good!

Drink Preparation

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So, you know how to prepare a shot of espresso, but what about drink preparation? If you want to make that cafe-worthy cappuccino or latte macchiato, you’ll need to operate the steam wand. For the Infuser, here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

  • Fill up a stainless steel milk pitcher a little less than halfway with the milk of your choice. 

  • Flip the side knob till it’s pointing toward you, and watch as the steam indicator light flashes on. 

  • As I said previously, this steam wand heats up slowly but it should only take a few moments to start producing steam. 

  • Once you see the steam start to emit from the tip, angle the steam wand until it’s inside your jug. You still want your steam wand to get a little air, but you’ll also need to submerge it enough to create foam. 

  • It’ll still take a minute or so to completely steam your milk. You can use your discretion when deciding whether it’s steamed enough. However, a good rule of thumb is steaming the milk until the jug feels too hot to the touch. 

  • When you’re done, you’ll want to flush the steam wand by flipping it back on. More steam should emerge from the tip, and this is also when that auto purge function should come into play. 

  • During my testing, milk residue builds up on the Infuser’s steam wand pretty quickly. That’s why I always recommend keeping a damp cloth handy and wiping the wand off after each use.

From there, you’ll have all the tools you need to create delicious delicious coffee drinks with milk.

Breville Infuser Observations

As I mentioned earlier in this Breville Infuser review, I was happy to pull a sturdy and weighty machine out of the box. Once I’d set the Infuser up in my kitchen, I was quickly able to dial in my shots. 

Needless to say, I used the single-wall filter baskets and ground my coffee beans fresh. At this point, I should mention that the Infuser is one of the noisier espresso machines I’ve used. Seriously, this thing doesn’t hold back when it’s extracting espresso! Anyway, I don’t really mind – it makes me feel like I’m back working in a busy cafe again! 

I started out using 18 grams of coffee in the double filter basket, and the resulting shot was just kind of meh. Thanks to that awesome gauge, I’d observed that the pressure hadn’t been high enough – the needle was barely in the espresso range during extraction. So, I was able to correct the situation by increasing the dose to 20 grams of ground coffee and really focusing on tamping with more pressure.

The resulting shot was so much better. In fact, the quality of espresso the Infuser can produce kind of blew my mind! Let’s just say there was a smile on my face as I enjoyed the shot’s balanced taste, syrupy body and long-lasting aroma. 

By the way, the pre-set shot volumes and temperature seemed fairly well-conceived to me. With that said, I did reduce the double shot volume a little. You can use volumetric control programming or simply press the button again to stop extraction. Either way, using the Breville Infuser couldn’t be easier. 

After preparing a few milk-based drinks, I was hankering after an americano. This is when I noticed the Infuser’s dedicated hot water spout. That’s a feature that’s often missing from home espresso machines, so I was duly impressed. However, I’d say the preset water temperature isn’t high enough. Still, I ended my Breville Infuser review by enjoying a mighty tasty americano, so I can’t complain too much!

Breville Infuser Review Cleaning

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Cleaning and keeping up with Infuser’s maintenance is about as standard as you can get for an espresso machine. Every 200 to 300 coffees, you can expect to descale the machine  – which should work out to once every couple of months.

Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about doing that math yourself. There’s a descaling indicator light on the front panel. Breville recommends using a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar for descaling the Infuser. On the other hand, you’ll need to use the included tablets for cleaning the filter baskets, portafilter and shower screen.

As for regular maintenance, you’ll need to wipe off the filter baskets, water reservoir and the machine’s exterior on a regular basis. I recommend using the included cleaning brush and a little water (but you can add a mild cleaner for stubborn stains). That cleaning brush should help you access those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

You also have a drip tray that you’ll need to empty from time to time. That should be as easy as pulling the tray out, emptying it and then pushing it back in the slot.

Truthfully, the part of the Infuser that is going to require the most maintenance is the steam wand. Any time you use the wand, you’ll need to clean it afterward to prevent milky residue from building up. Luckily, that’s as simple as running some more steam through the tip and cleaning it off with a damp towel.

Breville Infuser Review Specifications

Breville Infuser
Manufacturer

Breville

Model number

BES840XL

Product category

Hybrid espresso machine

Housing material

Stainless steel

Color options

Stainless Steel

Milk frother

Steam wand

User interface

Buttons and dials

App

User profiles

Memo function only

Portafilter size

54 mm

Tamping

Manual

Removable water reservoir

Water reservoir capacity

60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l

Number of boilers

1

Pump pressure

15 bar

Maximum cup height

4.5 in / 11.4 cm

Grinder

N/A

Grind adjustment levels

N/A

Bean hopper capacity

N/A

Specialty drinks

1

Pre-infusion

Adjustable coffee temperature

Adjustable milk foam temperature

2-cup function

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Hot water function

Hot milk function

Milk foam only option

Water filter

Power consumption

1650 W

Weight

17.0 lb / 7.7 kg

Dimensions

13.1 x 12.3 x 10.1 in
33.3 x 31.2 x 25.7 cm

Warranty

1 year

Notes

Included Accessories: FIlter baskets, Coffee scoop. Stainless steel jug, Cleaning tools, Water filter holder, Instruction manual.

Current price on Amazon

$599.95

All specifications

Breville Infuser vs Other Espresso Machines

I couldn’t wrap up my Breville Infuser review without mentioning the competition. Let’s see how this semi automatic machine compares to what else is out there!

Breville Infuser vs Breville Barista Touch

I’ve mentioned that the Breville Barista Express is an upgrade from the Infuser. Well, the Breville Barista Touch is a step up from both machines. With that said, you can expect a much bigger price tag of $998.45.

Equipped with a grinder, digital touchscreen and automatic steam wand, the Barista Touch outperforms the Infuser in almost every way  – except size. It’s 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) heavier and takes up a few more inches of counter space.

If you’ve got the budget for it, the Barista Touch is a worthy investment. Not only do I consider it an upgrade from the Infuser, but also one of Breville’s best espresso machines in this price range.

See Also: Breville Barista Touch Review 2024

Breville Infuser vs Breville Barista Express

At $696.99, the Breville Barista Express doesn’t cost that much more than the Infuser. However, you can expect much more from this machine. Most of the controls are the same, but you’ll get a built in grinder with the Barista Express.

Since a grinder is a non-negotiable part of making good espresso, you’ll need to invest in one anyway. If you don’t already have a grinder, opting to buy the Barista Express over the Infuser (and a separate grinder) may be more cost-effective.

See Also: Breville Barista Express Review 2024

Breville Infuser vs DeLonghi La Specialista Arte

Costing $629.95, the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte is another semi automatic that levels you up with a built in grinder. It also includes a commercial steam wand, which is ideal for latte art.

The only leg up that the Infuser has on the DeLonghi La Specialista is its temperature control. While you can only pick from three temperature settings on the DeLonghi machine, you can adjust the Infuser in increments.

See Also: Best DeLonghi Espresso Machine 2024

Breville Infuser Review vs Others Comparison Chart

Breville InfuserBreville Barista TouchBreville Barista ExpressDeLonghi La Specialista Arte
Manufacturer

Breville

Breville

Breville

De’Longhi

Model number

BES840XL

BES880BSS1BUS1/BES880BTR1BUS1/BES880DBL1BUS1/BES880BST1BUS1

BES870XL/BES870BSXL

EC9155MB

Product category

Hybrid espresso machine

Hybrid espresso machine

Hybrid espresso machine

Hybrid espresso machine

Housing material

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Stainless steel with plastic parts

Color options

Stainless Steel

Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue

Black Sesame, Brushed Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel

Milk frother

Steam wand

Steam wand

Steam wand

Steam wand

User interface

Buttons and dials

Touchscreen

Buttons and dials

Buttons and dials

App

User profiles

Memo function only

Memo function only

Memo function only

Memo function only

Portafilter size

54 mm

54 mm

54 mm

51 mm

Tamping

Manual

Manual

Manual

Manual

Removable water reservoir

Water reservoir capacity

60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l

67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l

67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l

57.5 fl oz / 1.7 l

Number of boilers

1

1

1

1

Pump pressure

15 bar

15 bar

15 bar

15 bar

Maximum cup height

4.5 in / 11.4 cm

3.9 in / 9.9 cm

4.0 in / 10.2 cm

4.7 in / 11.9 cm

Grinder

N/A

Stainless steel conical burr grinder

Stainless steel conical burr grinder

Stainless steel conical burr grinder

Grind adjustment levels

N/A

30

16

8

Bean hopper capacity

N/A

8.1 oz / 230.0 g

8.1 oz / 230.0 g

8.8 oz / 250.0 g

Specialty drinks

1

8

2

0

Pre-infusion

Adjustable coffee temperature

Adjustable milk foam temperature

2-cup function

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Hot water function

Hot milk function

Milk foam only option

Water filter

Power consumption

1650 W

1680 W

1600 W

1550 W

Weight

17.0 lb / 7.7 kg

26.8 lb / 12.2 kg

23.0 lb / 10.4 kg

21.5 lb / 9.8 kg

Dimensions

13.1 x 12.3 x 10.1 in
33.3 x 31.2 x 25.7 cm

16.0 x 12.5 x 12.7 in
40.6 x 31.8 x 32.3 cm

15.9 x 12.5 x 13.8 in
40.4 x 31.8 x 35.1 cm

15.8 x 11.2 x 14.3 in
40.1 x 28.4 x 36.3 cm

Warranty

1 year

2 years

1 year

1 year

Notes

Included Accessories: FIlter baskets, Coffee scoop. Stainless steel jug, Cleaning tools, Water filter holder, Instruction manual.

Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Milk jug, Cleaning supplies, Cleaning brush, Trimming tool.

Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Magnetic tamper, Trimming tool, Coffee scoop, Milk jug, Water filter and holder, Cleaning supplies.

Included Accessories: Cleaning brush and supplies, Single coffee filter, Double coffee filter, Stainless steel milk jug, Cleaning needle, Tamper, Tamping mat.

Current price on Amazon

$599.95

$998.45

$696.99

$629.95

Breville InfuserBreville Barista TouchBreville Barista ExpressDeLonghi La Specialista Arte
Manufacturer

Breville

Breville

Breville

De’Longhi

Model number

BES840XL

BES880BSS1BUS1/BES880BTR1BUS1/BES880DBL1BUS1/BES880BST1BUS1

BES870XL/BES870BSXL

EC9155MB

Product category

Hybrid espresso machine

Hybrid espresso machine

Hybrid espresso machine

Hybrid espresso machine

Housing material

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Stainless steel with plastic parts

Color options

Stainless Steel

Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue

Black Sesame, Brushed Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel

Milk frother

Steam wand

Steam wand

Steam wand

Steam wand

User interface

Buttons and dials

Touchscreen

Buttons and dials

Buttons and dials

App

User profiles

Memo function only

Memo function only

Memo function only

Memo function only

Portafilter size

54 mm

54 mm

54 mm

51 mm

Tamping

Manual

Manual

Manual

Manual

Removable water reservoir

Water reservoir capacity

60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l

67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l

67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l

57.5 fl oz / 1.7 l

Number of boilers

1

1

1

1

Pump pressure

15 bar

15 bar

15 bar

15 bar

Maximum cup height

4.5 in / 11.4 cm

3.9 in / 9.9 cm

4.0 in / 10.2 cm

4.7 in / 11.9 cm

Grinder

N/A

Stainless steel conical burr grinder

Stainless steel conical burr grinder

Stainless steel conical burr grinder

Grind adjustment levels

N/A

30

16

8

Bean hopper capacity

N/A

8.1 oz / 230.0 g

8.1 oz / 230.0 g

8.8 oz / 250.0 g

Specialty drinks

1

8

2

0

Pre-infusion

Adjustable coffee temperature

Adjustable milk foam temperature

2-cup function

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Hot water function

Hot milk function

Milk foam only option

Water filter

Power consumption

1650 W

1680 W

1600 W

1550 W

Weight

17.0 lb / 7.7 kg

26.8 lb / 12.2 kg

23.0 lb / 10.4 kg

21.5 lb / 9.8 kg

Dimensions

13.1 x 12.3 x 10.1 in
33.3 x 31.2 x 25.7 cm

16.0 x 12.5 x 12.7 in
40.6 x 31.8 x 32.3 cm

15.9 x 12.5 x 13.8 in
40.4 x 31.8 x 35.1 cm

15.8 x 11.2 x 14.3 in
40.1 x 28.4 x 36.3 cm

Warranty

1 year

2 years

1 year

1 year

Notes

Included Accessories: FIlter baskets, Coffee scoop. Stainless steel jug, Cleaning tools, Water filter holder, Instruction manual.

Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Milk jug, Cleaning supplies, Cleaning brush, Trimming tool.

Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Magnetic tamper, Trimming tool, Coffee scoop, Milk jug, Water filter and holder, Cleaning supplies.

Included Accessories: Cleaning brush and supplies, Single coffee filter, Double coffee filter, Stainless steel milk jug, Cleaning needle, Tamper, Tamping mat.

Current price on Amazon

$599.95

$998.45

$696.99

$629.95

Verdict: Breville Infuser Review

solid mid-range option

Breville Infuser

Great if you already own a grinder

Compact design

Stainless steel housing

Simple user interface

No built-in grinder

Better value for money elsewhere

The votes are in for my Breville Infuser review! In my opinion, if you’ve already got a good coffee grinder and you’re on the hunt for a solid espresso machine, the Infuser will really deliver. I must say I was really impressed by the quality of the espresso I got from this machine, and steaming milk was a breeze.

Is saving a few inches of counter space worth passing up a built in grinder or a commercial steam wand? Perhaps not. Still, if a compact machine is your main priority, I don’t think the Infuser will disappoint. It still has some of Breville’s best tricks embedded into its DNA, and that stands for something.

Do you think a compact semi automatic like the Breville Infuser stands up to the competition? I’ve given you my thoughts in this Breville Infuser review, and I’d love to hear yours in the comments!

Breville Infuser Review FAQ

Yes, Breville produces high-quality kitchen appliances, and the brand has a long history of pumping out crowd-pleasing espresso machines.

The Breville Infuser is capable of making great espresso once you’ve learned how to use the machine.

The simple user interface makes the Breville Infuser incredibly easy to use.

Unless you’re using pre-ground coffee, you’ll need a grinder to use the Breville Infuser. A compact grinder like the Comandante grinder or the Baratza Sette 270Wi would pair well with this espresso machine.

The Infuser has an indicator light on the front panel that will turn on when it’s time to descale.

Your coffee expert
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Arne Preuss

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

More about Arne Preuss

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

More about Arne Preuss

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