SetistryStart with your space
Our drawing of the Breville Barista Express, three-quarter view from the front right
Our drawing of the Breville Barista Touch, three-quarter view from the front right

Two products, and a counter we have not seen

Barista Express vs Barista Touch: which fits your counter

Barista Express is 13.3 in (33.8 cm) wide, 12.3 in (31.3 cm) deep and 16 in (40.7 cm) tall (birite.com.au, 25 September 2026), though Williams Sonoma prints the width as 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm), and though Seattle Coffee Gear prints the depth as 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 13.2 in (33.5 cm), and though Whole Latte Love prints the height as 15.8 in (40.1 cm); Williams Sonoma prints 14.5 in (36.8 cm). Barista Touch is 12.5 in (31.8 cm) wide, 12.7 in (32.3 cm) deep and 16 in (40.6 cm) tall (abt.com, 25 September 2026), though Breville (bes880 product page) prints the depth as 12.4 in (31.5 cm); Breville Australia (bes880 product page) prints 12.4 in (31.4 cm), and though Breville (bes880 product page) prints the height as 15.7 in (39.9 cm); Breville Australia (bes880 product page) prints 15.7 in (40 cm). Width separates them by more than anything else, 0.8 in (2 cm). With 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] of width or more, both fit; between 12.5 in (31.8 cm) and 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] only the Barista Touch clears; below 12.5 in (31.8 cm) neither does. The weakest figure behind this comes from a retailer listing, not the manufacturer.

Five rows we can fill. A comparison table is usually the same length whatever is actually known. This one is as long as the evidence and no longer.

Back to the picker

Which takes less room, the Barista Express or the Barista Touch?

Width separates them by more than anything else, 0.8 in (2 cm). With 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] of width or more, both fit; between 12.5 in (31.8 cm) and 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] only the Barista Touch clears; below 12.5 in (31.8 cm) neither does. The weakest figure behind this comes from a retailer listing, not the manufacturer.

The two of them, on the figure this page turns on.

How do the Barista Express and Barista Touch compare, figure by figure?

Every figure is used the same way it is used on each machine's own page. Where published figures differ, neither is used as a number.
What decides itIf you have the widthBarista Express$699.95 at Breville · Oct 29If the counter is tightBarista Touch$999.95 at Breville · Oct 29The difference
5 rows we can fill
1 measure reads the same on every machine: Voltage.
WidthBarista Express13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)]largerRETAILER · 25 September 2026Barista Touch12.5 in (31.8 cm)smallerRETAILER · 25 September 2026The difference0.8 in (2 cm)BARISTA TOUCH IS SMALLER
DepthBarista Express12.3 in (31.3 cm) [Seattle Coffee Gear prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 13.2 in (33.5 cm)]smallerRETAILER · 25 September 2026Barista Touch12.7 in (32.3 cm) [Breville (bes880 product page) prints 12.4 in (31.5 cm); Breville Australia (bes880 product page) prints 12.4 in (31.4 cm)]largerRETAILER · 25 September 2026The difference0.4 in (1 cm)BARISTA EXPRESS IS SMALLER
HeightBarista Express16 in (40.7 cm) [Whole Latte Love prints 15.8 in (40.1 cm); Williams Sonoma prints 14.5 in (36.8 cm)]largerRETAILER · 25 September 2026Barista Touch16 in (40.6 cm) [Breville (bes880 product page) prints 15.7 in (39.9 cm); Breville Australia (bes880 product page) prints 15.7 in (40 cm)]smallerRETAILER · 25 September 2026The difference0 in (0.1 cm)BARISTA TOUCH IS SMALLER
VoltageBarista Express120 VMANUFACTURER · 3 September 2026Barista Touch120 VMANUFACTURER · 3 September 2026The differenceThe same
WeightBarista Express22.1 lb (10 kg)largerMANUFACTURER · 3 September 2026Barista Touch21.8 lb (9.9 kg)smallerMANUFACTURER · 3 September 2026The difference0.3 lb (130 g)BARISTA TOUCH IS SMALLER
4 rows we will not fill · stated, not hidden
Power ratingPublished figures differPublished figures differ for the Barista Express, so that reading is not used.
Shot qualityNot ours to sayNot ours to say, nobody here has pulled one.
Reliability over five yearsNot ours to sayNot ours to say, we hold no service data.
Build qualityNot ours to sayNot ours to say, no unit has been handled here.
Still missing before a fit answerBarista ExpressNothing missingPublished figures differ on power rating, so neither is used.Barista TouchNothing outstandingThe differenceNot comparable
What the maker states
7 measures read the same on every machine: Voltage, Tank size, Filling it in place, Pump pressure, Portafilter basket, Temperature control, Built-in grinder.
2 measures with no figure to compare: Boiler volume and material, Body material.
WeightBarista Express10018 gBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026Barista Touch9888 gBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
VoltageBarista Express120 VASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026Barista Touch120 VBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Power drawBarista ExpressPublished figures differTwo published figures differ; neither is used for fit.Barista Touch1680 WBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Current drawBarista ExpressNot stated at the source we holdBarista Touch14 ABREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Tank sizeBarista Express2 LBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026Barista Touch2 LBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
How the tank comes outBarista ExpressTopASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista TouchRearASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Filling it in placeBarista ExpressNoASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista TouchNoASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
BoilerBarista Expresssingle, thermocoil (not badged ThermoJet on this model)BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista Touchthermocoil, ThermoJetBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Boiler volume and materialBarista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.Barista TouchNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.The differenceNot comparable
Pump pressureBarista Express15 bar Italian pump, 9 bar extractionBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista Touch15 bar Italian pump, 9 bar extractionBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Portafilter basketBarista Express54 mmASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026Barista Touch54 mmBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Heat-up timeBarista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.Barista TouchReady in 3 seconds thermojet systemBREVILLE.COM · 10 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Temperature controlBarista ExpressPID TEMPERATURE CONTROLASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista TouchPID TEMPERATURE CONTROLASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Milk frotherBarista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.Barista TouchFor automatic milk texturingASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Built-in grinderBarista ExpressYes6 September 2026Barista TouchYes6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Body materialBarista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.Barista TouchNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.The differenceNot comparable
WarrantyBarista Express1 Year Limited WarrantyBREVILLE.COM · 10 September 2026Barista Touch2 Year WarrantyBREVILLE.COM · 10 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Owner reports
What owners sayBarista ExpressFilling the tank where it stands: unless it is plumbed in, the machine has to be slid out of its corner to take the tank out2026-09-1111 owner reports describe this machine.Barista TouchBeans that clog it: a replacement unit's grinder motor jams consistently on light roast beans, though it handles dark roast2026-09-1113 owner reports describe this machine.The differenceNot comparable
For and against
The evidence's own caseBarista Express

For

  • Shallower than the other: 12.3 in (31.3 cm) [Seattle Coffee Gear prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 13.2 in (33.5 cm)] against 12.7 in (32.3 cm) [Breville (bes880 product page) prints 12.4 in (31.5 cm); Breville Australia (bes880 product page) prints 12.4 in (31.4 cm)] (retailer)
  • A 54 mm portafilter basket, the size the site's own accessories line stocks tampers and baskets for (manufacturer)

Against

  • Not stated at the source we hold: current draw, boiler volume and material, heat-up time, milk frother, body material.
Barista Touch

For

  • Narrower than the other: 12.5 in (31.8 cm) against 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] (retailer)
  • A 54 mm portafilter basket, the size the site's own accessories line stocks tampers and baskets for (manufacturer)
  • The maker states more of the sheet's own fields for this one than for any other in the category (15 of them) (manufacturer)

Against

  • Not stated at the source we hold: boiler volume and material, body material.
The differenceNot comparable
Its own pageSee the Barista ExpressSee the Barista Touch

Every figure here is one the maker published; the difference beside it is our subtraction, in that line's own unit.

More comparisons with Barista Express Espresso Machine (BES870XL): vs Stilosa Espresso Machine (EC260BK), vs Bambino Espresso Machine (BES450)

More comparisons with Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880): vs Barista Pro Espresso Machine (BES878), vs Stilosa Espresso Machine (EC260BK)

Which one for which kitchen?

The Barista Touch is 20 mm narrower than the Barista Express, 318 mm against 338 mm, and the Express is 10 mm shallower, 313 mm against 323 mm, so the two pull in opposite directions by small amounts. Height is level at 406 mm and 407 mm. These are retailer figures with each side labelled, a pair within 5 mm behind each one: Abt and Target for the Touch, Bi-Rite Home Appliances with Seattle Coffee Gear or Williams Sonoma for the Express.

The larger difference is in how the machines are handled. The Express's 2 L tank lifts out upward, and the Touch's slides out of the back and in again there, so think about space above the Express and space behind the Touch. The Touch also lists a touch screen with automatic milk texturing and a two-year warranty, and the Express lists a one-year warranty. Their weights are 10.018 kg and 9.888 kg. If your cabinet sits low over the counter or you make milk drinks daily, take the Touch. If the front edge of the counter is the tight spot, take the Express, knowing the margin is only 10 mm.

Where can you buy them?

What each merchant showed, and the day we looked.

ItemMerchantAvailabilityPriceReturnsRoute
Barista Express Espresso Machine (BES870XL)Brevillethe brand's own storeCheck the shop's page for stockPrice: Oct 29: Oct 29$699.95Check the seller's return window before you buy.
Check price at AmazonAdd to Amazon cart
Breville$699.95Oct 29View at Breville
Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880)Brevillethe brand's own storeCheck the shop's page for stockPrice: Oct 29: Oct 29$999.95Check the seller's return window before you buy.
Check price at AmazonAdd to Amazon cart
Breville$999.95Oct 29View at Breville

What do owners report about each?

Barista Express

Eleven reports describe the Barista Express.

Most reported

  • filling the tank where it stands2 reports · 2 sources
  • where the tank sits2 reports · 2 sources

As of 11 September 2026. We quote owners in their own words; it is never a measurement or a fit answer.

Read all owner reports on the Barista Express page

Barista Touch

Thirteen reports describe the Barista Touch.

Most reported

  • room above5 reports · 3 sources
  • reaching the hopper3 reports · 3 sources

As of 11 September 2026. We quote owners in their own words; it is never a measurement or a fit answer.

Read all owner reports on the Barista Touch page

Your counter decides it.

If the counter is tight: the Barista Touch. If you have the width: the Barista Express.

Between 12.5 in (31.8 cm) and 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] only the Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880) clears. At 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] or more the width decides nothing, and under 12.5 in (31.8 cm) neither of them fits. (retailer)

We are not picking one. Your counter picks it, and yours is the measurement missing from this page.

Measure the widest point, from the left edge to the right edge, in millimetres.

Every espresso machine we hold