How we chose
Queue 2 re-audited the category using current-model status, Australian availability, independent CHOICE testing, exact-model Australian owner evidence, workflow, grinder and milk capability, maintenance, warranty and realistic value.
Worth Buying scores are our research-based editorial judgements. Customer ratings shown separately come from third-party owner-review sources. No physical laboratory testing is claimed.
Breville Barista Express Impress BES876
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The BES876 combines a 25-setting integrated grinder, dose guidance and an assisted tamping lever. It reduces the mess and obvious preparation errors of a traditional first setup, but still requires the user to adjust grind, start extraction and texture milk manually.
CHOICE has tested the exact BES876 in Australia. We also use the BES876 ourselves. In everyday use, the assisted dosing and tamping genuinely make preparation cleaner and more repeatable, although grind adjustment and manual milk steaming still require learning.
| Model | BES876 |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr grinder; 25 settings |
| Hopper / tank | 250g / 2L |
| Portafilter | 54mm |
| Heating | Thermocoil with PID |
| Power | 1850W |
| Approximate dimensions | 33 × 38 × 41cm |
| Australian warranty | 2 years; Australian Consumer Law also applies |
| Price and availability | $869 reference price; widely available through established Australian appliance retailers · checked 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
Recurring praise covers the cleaner assisted workflow, ease of use and coffee quality once dialled in. Complaints mention the learning required for the steam wand and grinder, plus isolated reliability, repair and service experiences. The 29-review independent sample is useful but still modest.
Pros
- Clean, repeatable preparation
- Excellent learning platform
- Useful integrated grinder
- Still develops manual skills
Cons
- Costs more than the BES870
- Still requires dialling in
- Manual milk takes practice
- Integrated-grinder upgrade lock-in
- Some repair complaints
Breville Australia → Read our owner review →
Breville Barista Express BES870
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The BES870 remains a mainstream Australian benchmark because it packages a grinder, PID-managed espresso platform and manual steam wand into one familiar machine. It does not provide the BES876's dose feedback or assisted tamping, so technique matters more from the beginning.
CHOICE has tested the exact BES870. Its much larger Australian owner sample gives stronger long-term context than the newer machines: many owners praise coffee quality, value and years of use, while recurring negative reports concern grinder, pressure, leaks and repair experiences.
| Model | BES870 |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Integrated steel conical burr grinder; 16 settings |
| Hopper / tank | 250g / 2L |
| Portafilter | 54mm |
| Tamping | Manual |
| Milk | Manual steam wand |
| Australian warranty | Confirm the current Breville written term at purchase; Australian Consumer Law applies |
| Price and availability | $719 reference price through mainstream Australian retailers · checked 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
The large exact-model Australian review pool repeatedly praises coffee quality, straightforward use after dialling in, long service from well-maintained units and value. Negatives include inconsistent results while learning and recurring reports involving grinder faults, pressure, leaks or repairs.
Pros
- Strong value against newer assisted machines
- Huge Australian owner sample
- Proven long-running platform
- Good espresso when dialled in
- Broad parts and retailer support
Cons
- Manual dosing is messier
- Fewer grind settings
- Requires more technique
- Integrated grinder cannot be separated
- Recurring reliability complaints exist
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The EC9555 combines a 15-setting grinder, Smart Tamping station, PID temperature control, dynamic pre-infusion and 9-bar extraction. Its dedicated Cold Brew and Espresso Cool functions are genuine differentiators for households that regularly drink coffee over ice.
CHOICE has tested the exact EC9555 in Australia. Appliances Online displayed 4.8/5 from 207 reviews at research time, but its feed may include retailer, manufacturer or mixed-source submissions and is not treated as 207 independently verified Australian purchases. ProductReview's separate 5.0/5 result came from only three reviews. Owner feedback supports coffee quality and consistency, while some owners mention drip-tray inconvenience and a learning curve around steaming.
| Model | EC9555 |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Integrated burr grinder; 15 settings |
| Tamping | Smart Tamping station |
| Extraction | PID, dynamic pre-infusion and 9-bar extraction |
| Milk | Manual MyLatte Art steam wand |
| Cold drinks | Cold Brew and Espresso Cool functions |
| Australian warranty | Confirm De'Longhi Australia's current exact-model term; Australian Consumer Law applies |
| Price and availability | From $879; commonly listed around $879–$899 through established Australian retailers · checked 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
The larger Appliances Online review feed is broadly positive about coffee quality and consistency, although its mixed-source provenance requires caution. Complaints include the drip-tray design and the practice required for milk steaming. Treat ProductReview's 5.0/5 from three reviews as early independent evidence, not a dependable category-leading result.
Pros
- Strong assisted workflow
- Cold Brew and Espresso Cool modes
- Manual milk control
- Independent CHOICE testing
- Competitive Breville alternative
Cons
- Only three independent local reviews
- More expensive than BES870
- Steaming still needs practice
- Drip-tray complaints
- Integrated-grinder lock-in
Assisted or traditional manual—which do you need?
Assisted preparation
The BES876 and EC9555 reduce dosing and tamping mess while leaving extraction and milk in the user's hands. They suit learners who want guidance without moving to a one-touch automatic machine.
Traditional integrated manual
The BES870 costs less and gives the user full responsibility for dose distribution and tamping. It suits patient buyers who value the proven platform more than workflow assistance.
None of these is fully automatic. If pressing one button for espresso and milk is the priority, an automatic coffee machine is the more appropriate category. If grinder upgrades and maximum control matter, consider a separate espresso machine and grinder.
Ownership, cleaning and consumables
All three require beans, filtered water where appropriate, cleaning tablets, descaler and routine steam-wand care. Integrated grinders save bench space but lock grinder and espresso machine into one body, so a grinder problem can affect the whole setup.
Breville's internal water filters and De'Longhi's equivalent consumables add recurring cost. Cleaning tablets remove coffee oils; they do not replace mineral descaling. Follow the exact manual, purge and wipe the wand after every use, empty the drip tray and adjust filter/descaling intervals for local water hardness.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the Breville Barista Express Impress BES876 for the strongest overall beginner-to-intermediate workflow: its assisted dosing and tamping make daily preparation cleaner without removing the skills that improve espresso.
Choose the BES870 when value and its very large Australian ownership record matter more than workflow assistance. Choose the De'Longhi EC9555 when Smart Tamping and cold-coffee functions are genuinely useful, while accepting that its independent Australian review sample is still tiny.
Useful FAQs
Are these machines fully automatic?
No. All three grind beans and make espresso, but the user still adjusts the grind, starts extraction and textures milk manually.
Is the BES876 worth paying more for than the BES870?
Yes when cleaner guided dosing and assisted tamping will be used daily. Experienced users comfortable with manual preparation may get better value from the BES870.
Which is best for iced coffee?
The De'Longhi EC9555 has the clearest advantage because it includes dedicated Cold Brew and Espresso Cool functions.
Do integrated grinders remove the need to dial in?
No. Bean age, roast and humidity affect flow, so grind settings still need adjustment. Assisted machines reduce preparation inconsistency but cannot remove this step.