If you really want to use the grinder as if it were stepless but you cant because it is moving while grinding then you can use a spring paper clip to hold it in place.. solved the issue for me!
Mention
Kitchen Appliances
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
Best All-in-One Espresso Grinder
The Breville Barista Express is the all-in-one espresso solution that fits your counter and your budget — a 64-oz integrated conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings feeds freshly ground beans directly into the portafilter in under 60 seconds from grind to pull. The thermocoil heating system with PID temperature control locks in at 200°F for optimal extraction, while the 15-bar Italian pump delivers barista-level pressure every time. The steam wand produces microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.
8 mentions · 4 threadslast mention Nov 2025ClearPick Score
7.6 / 10
Decent
Score informed by 8 owner mentions across 4 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
1 positive3 mixed4 negative
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Best All-in-One Espresso Grinder
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
~$900 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca →Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link✅ Ships to Canada
✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
✅ No extra cost to you
Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
I'm sure the store owner knows more but I have a BES870XL and I only paid 500 CAD for it ... and it is a very good machine for the cost. Amazon's reviews also tell you it's a great machine. Though the built-in grinder could be better, though one can't complain as a grinder of its quality is expensive alone ... Apparently it is the weakest link on this machine in any case.
Praise
They are great little machines when they work. We had two of these in an office and after heavy use they all started leaking from the porta filter seal. We initially thought it was the wrong seals we bought but turns out this is a common issue and some internal screws get loose over time that hold together the whole brew head and porta filter locking mechanism. To get to those screws you need to basically do a full disassembly of the machine. After doing that on two machines I hate this machine like no other.
Complaint
My college roommate had one of those and made me one of the best coffees I had ever had with the built in grinder (not during college, this was 20 years later 🤣). It's literally what convinced me to get into espresso myself a few years ago. Nothing wrong with it! Don't let this sub sway you too far that direction. If you're making coffee you like, no reason to succumb to upgrade-itis too quickly.
Praise
I've had this machine for 6 years. The grindr works great. My only complaint is that if you grind two shots worth at once a lot spills over, so I grind one, tamp, then grind the other.
Complaint
I have this machine and quickly switched to a Mazzer Super Jolly grinder ... the cups are far better now.
Complaint
If you had asked before you moved, I would have advised you to sell the machine in the US before moving. Since it's now too late, you might as well try in on 50hz and see how it works; you have nothing to lose. It's going to be cost prohibitive to ship the machine back to the US, and there will be no market for it in the EU. An inverter is the only way I know of to convert 50hz to 60hz, and one with sufficient power capacity is going to cost as much as a new espresso machine.
Mention
Same story here except I went for Eureka Atom. So far pleased with it. ... Anyway, I'm Deaf so I can't say much about noise but my roommate was quite impressed with how quiet it was (comparing to BES870XL's builtin grinder). I must say I'm pleased with my purchase, despite my wallet being considerably lighter. Definitely an upgrade from builtin grinder on BES870XL. Ground looks so fluffy and easy to collapse.
Comparison
✅ What Works
- Built-in conical burr grinder grinds directly into the portafilter — eliminates the need for a separate grinder and the counter space, cost, and workflow complexity that comes with it
- Dose Control Grinding delivers the right amount of coffee for a single or double shot automatically — removes one of the most common beginner mistakes in home espresso
- PID temperature control maintains precise water temperature throughout extraction — the consistency this delivers is what separates it from cheaper machines that produce variable shot quality
- Build quality rivals machines costing $300-500 more — the metal construction, solid portafilter, and quality components throughout suggest a machine built to last with proper care
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- The built-in grinder is the convenience trade-off — espresso enthusiasts consistently note that a separate quality grinder paired with the Bambino Plus produces better shots, though the Express is significantly more convenient
- Learning curve is real — pulling consistently good espresso takes practice and dialling in the grind takes time, particularly for first-time espresso machine owners
- Hot water output for Americanos comes out in short bursts rather than a continuous stream — a minor but documented quirk that regular Americano drinkers notice
ClearPick Verdict
The Breville Barista Express is the espresso machine that convinced a generation of Canadian coffee drinkers to stop buying lattes and start making them. The all-in-one grind-and-brew design removes the biggest barrier to home espresso — the grinder — while still delivering real espresso quality. It's not the choice for serious espresso hobbyists who want to obsess over separate components, but for the Canadian household that wants great espresso without a barista degree, nothing at this price point competes.
