Breville
Breville Barista Express BES870
$699.95
Released 2015
Best Espresso Machines · head-to-head
Breville Barista Express BES870 vs Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi is cheaper at $219. Every spec and price links to its source.
Nespresso
Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi
$219Cheaper
Released 2017
Which is better: the Breville Barista Express BES870 or Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi is the cheaper at $219.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Breville Barista Express BES870 | Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699.95 | $219 |
| Brand | Breville | Nespresso |
| Released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Type | semi-automatic | capsule |
| Boiler | thermocoil | thermoblock |
| Built in grinder | Yes | No |
| Grind settings | 16 | — |
| Milk frother | manual steam wand | none (Aeroccino sold separately) |
| Pressure (bar) | 15 | — |
| Water tank (L) | 2 | 1.2 |
| Programmable | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2015 | 2017 |
Sources — Breville Barista Express BES870: breville.com (verified 2026-06-15). Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi: target.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Breville Barista Express BES870 and Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Type: Breville Barista Express BES870 semi-automatic vs Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi capsule
- Boiler: Breville Barista Express BES870 thermocoil vs Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi thermoblock
- Built in grinder: Breville Barista Express BES870 true vs Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi false
- Milk frother: Breville Barista Express BES870 manual steam wand vs Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi none (Aeroccino sold separately)
- Water tank (L): Breville Barista Express BES870 2 vs Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi 1.2
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Breville Barista Express BES870
Based on one whitelisted hands-on review (Tom's Guide, April 2023). The reviewer set the machine up in the office for extended testing and rates it among the best espresso machines, praising consistently excellent shots with thick crema and superior milk steaming, while flagging the lack of a low-water warning, a fingerprint-prone stainless finish, and a real learning curve. No cross-source verification was possible; treat as a single-source view. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Consistently produces excellent espresso shots with thick crema; Superior milk steaming and frothing once mastered; Classic all-in-one stainless design with built-in conical burr grinder and four baskets.
Flagged: No low-water warning and the reservoir is hidden at the back, hard to check at a glance; Stainless finish quickly picks up fingerprints and stray coffee grounds; Learning curve; steaming milk and swapping single/double baskets takes practice.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus by De'Longhi
Two whitelisted testers reviewed this exact machine hands-on but qualitatively, with no lab measurements: TechRadar (2018, month-long test) and Reviewed/USA Today (2019). Both praise one-touch convenience and reliability, rich crema from centrifusion brewing, and the compact sleek design; both flag the aluminum-pod recycling hassle, though they split on overall value and eco-impact. (2 sourced reviews.)
Praised: One-touch, no-learning-curve convenience and reliability; Rich, crema-topped coffee from centrifusion brewing; Sleek, compact, countertop-friendly design.
Flagged: Aluminum pods are a recycling hassle and create waste; Locked into pricey proprietary Nespresso pods.