Breville Die Cast 800ESXL Espresso Machine

Pros: Robust, heavy duty diecast brushed metal finish easily cleaned
Cons: None really to speak of

I recently decided to retire my Proteo Barista espresso machine purchased from Starbucks ten years ago. I was thinking of replacing it with the same machine but wanted to see what was out on the market comparable in features and price. The old ...

Pros: Built like a tank, Pro steam wand, looks great, performance and value.
Cons: Frother attachment needs to be cleaned a lot other than that none.

All espresso machines should be built this well and with this level of attention to detail. I know other "legendary" espresso machine companies really perform on the inside, but sometimes lack form and function on the outside. Not that the Breville ...

Pros: Well designed, solid, kinda sexy, makes excellent espressos and machiatos - every day!
Cons: You'll need the correct grind or grinder, or its prone to clogging.

I had never been much of an espresso drinker until our 3 week trip to Italy where I became addicted to espressos and machiatos. After reading Eopinion reviews, we used a 20% off coupon for Linens & Things (which doesn't carry the Breville) at a Bed ...

Pros: Excellent espresso, deep color with excellent CREMA using fresh grind or pods delivered hot.
Cons: Can't order, give it money, and have it deliver a disposable cup beverage.

As I said in the title, my goal was to come as close to a Starbuck's coffee as possible, and I think this is the best home machine to do the job under $400. I wanted to use the machine for 1 month before writing this review; to give it a fair shake and ...

Pros: Aesthetically pleasing. Very well built. Excellent tactile feel. Great frothing.
Cons: Espresso is very average. Single hole filter causes clogging and a trip to Starbucks.

After serving me for more than 11 years, my trusty and excellent ESTRO Profi machine that I bought in Starbucks requested a retirement. The strange thing is that, given an amazing array of choices offered today by espresso machine vendors, one would ...

Pros: Looks nice. Coffee is good (the most important thing). Cool power plug.
Cons: Steamer streams hot-water for several seconds before producing steam. Noisy. Filter clogs easily. Very heavy.

Having owned a Krups espresso machine since 1988 it was beginning to get distinctly tired, so my wife and I recently decided to splurge on a new machine. The reviews we read about the Breville and its amazingly good looks convinced us to try it. ...

Pros: Beautiful, excellent espresso/crema, has easily paid for itself.
Cons: can clog--but won't when the grind is right and you keep it clean.

We purchased this machine last year after reading reviews here, and as I was not very experienced in making espresso at the time of purchase I wanted to wait till I could write an educated review. So here's my experience. The short of it, I love this ...

Pros: easy to use, quality coffee, great features for a manual machine
Cons: None to speak of

I just purchased this machine and fell in love immediately. It makes great coffee and is simple and convenient to operate. I had been researching machines for several months and the cost of a good machine can be staggering. However the one thing that ...

Pros: Easy to use, great froth
Cons: none

This is a great espresso machine! Why pay $4.00 or $5.00 for a cappucino when you make it just as good or better if you ask me at home with this machine? This makes a hot shot of espresso in about 3 minutes- start to finish. One of the best features ...

Pros: Great looking machine, quality expresso, heavy duty (real metal) machine.
Cons: I wish it had better water controls defining the amount of expresso shots.

Ok, I paid $100 bucks for my delonghi two years ago last month, before it died. Even in its brand new state, I hated the thing; but as a busy father of two kids and a cat, time just flew by and that thing just ended up on the counter. Anyway, after ...

Pros: Gorgeous, simple to use. Foolproof pulls with great crema. Built like a tank.
Cons: Steamer is less powerful than a tiny Krups we have, but may just need descaling.

I found a lightly used 800ESXL on Craigslist, and visited the owner (Seattle, don't you know). I fell in love with the elegant design and all the solid metal surfaces. It looks great on the counter, and it makes consistently good espresso, so why am I ...

Pros: Great cup of coffee (any style)
Cons: A little costly, but worth every cent.

This machine looks sexy and the coffee makes for a "party in your mouth".

Yes, it is not cheap. But spend peanuts and you will get monkeys in this space. The machine works well with ground coffee and pods. I have found no fault with it. Beautifully made and will look at home in any kitchen.

Can easily make tall or small coffees due to the distance between the head and the base. So a coffee mug is very much at home here...

Pros: Quick heating, good steam, great crema
Cons: CONSTANT CLOGGING!!!

After our Gaggia died, we had to get a new one. While the Gaggia was fairly good, we were looking for something better. Decided to try the Breville.
This machine is beautiful & produces excellent shots - when it doesn't clog. The portafilter has a double-wall construction, with many holes on the inner level and only one tiny little hole on the outer level. It clogs very easily (even comes with a special 'cleaning tool') & is difficult to clean. We believe it's clogging in the space between the walls, so even when that single hole appears clear, it clogs again right away. It won't even flush water through. Takes many tries to clean, then clogs again right away. My husband (former professional barista for many years) has tried to adjust the grind and the tamp but we can't get away from the problem. If we could pop out the inner layer, and rinse between we'd be fine. I love the machine - but it shouldn't be this difficult to get a darned shot through! It's going back to the store, and we'll have to find a different one...

Pros: When it works properly ... it's great
Cons: Pump makes noise. Told its the filter cup. Offer NO service or repair.

Looks classy, but it doesn't work the same every time. When I talk to the US rep, they have no solution except maybe my coffee in too fine or the the filter cup needs cleaning. Only used it about 10 times before it started acting up. My 7 year old Starbuck's maker is more dependable ... and it's tired.

Pros: Consistent, fast, beautiful machine
Cons: A little loud, but thats normal

Being a Mocha addict, this was the perfect machine for me. I am able to make my own coffee at home and it tastes better. The machine is consistent, and that's what you want in a machine like this to keep you making coffee.

I used to have a Starbucks Barista, nice machine, but not consistent. This made me stop drinking as much home made coffee. I saw the Breville and decided I'd add it to my list of "gotta gets". When this machine arrived, first thing I noticed was how beautiful it looks on my counter.

The instruction manual is simple and in MINUTES I was making my first Mocha. I love the fact that after weeks of using this machine, I am getting the EXACT same coffee EVERYTIME...

I used the Starbucks pre-measured PODS, it makes staying consistent easier.

We rarely use the hot water dispenser. I'm also amazed at how fast it can get warm and at how well the coffee warmer up top works.

Features include a line cleaning pin for clogs in your frother. No other machine took the consideration to include this, and it is useful as clogs can happen.