How It Fared

See what buyers in China learned first.

Reviews & Guides · Kitchen & Dining

Breville 870 / Sage Barista Express: learning espresso with extra tamping tools

I've used the Breville 870 for a few months. A constant-force tamper helps me get a level puck, but milk foam and spilled grounds still take practice.

The 870 beside a wooden station holding tamping tools.
The 870 seen from the front.
The constant-force tamper and distributor in their stand.
The concentric pattern on the tamper’s base.
The owner’s milk coffee beside a laptop.

A few months with the 870 and a tamping set

I’ve used the Breville 870 for a few months and added a MHW-3BOMBER tamping set. Here are my honest impressions.

The 870

It’s very suitable for beginners. Grinding and brewing in one machine makes things easier, and I didn’t need a separate grinder. I don’t know if it’s something I’m doing, but the pressure seems to be between 10 and 11 every time. I’m not sure whether that’s normal.

The buttons are clear: single cup, double cup and the steam control are easy to understand. I still haven’t got the hang of frothing milk. Cleaning is convenient, though—there’s an indicator light, and I just follow the steps.

The extra tools

The constant-force tamper works well. It gives me the same force each time, which is helpful as a beginner. The puck feels firm and level, and I think the crema is thicker and more consistent. I’d recommend it.

The gravity distributor is less convenient for me. I first tamp with the machine’s supplied tamper, then use the distributor, but some grounds spill every time I turn it. I don’t know why.

It’s been ages since I bought coffee out. If you’ll make it regularly and enjoy the result, I think it’s worth buying a machine.

Source: 悲伤的鸡爪子 · Xiaohongshu · 7 August 2025 · 好物推荐｜新手小白可以闭眼入的铂富咖啡机. Search this Chinese title in Xiaohongshu to find the original post.

Before You Buy

Models in your region

The owner identifies the machine as a Breville 870; the exact regional model is unconfirmed. The owner used an MHW-3BOMBER tamping set.

Owner-described product Verified regional comparison What to know
Breville 870 Barista Express BES870 (US) Integrated grinder, manual tamping and manual milk texturing. The listed portafilter is 54 mm.
Breville 870 Sage Barista Express (UK) The related UK 870 family; check the supplied unit’s electrical rating and local support.
MHW-3BOMBER tamping set Exact accessory codes unconfirmed The owner does not give the tools’ diameters or model numbers. Match any replacement tool to your basket rather than buying by appearance.
Owner-described product
Breville 870
Verified regional comparison
Barista Express BES870 (US)
What to know
Integrated grinder, manual tamping and manual milk texturing. The listed portafilter is 54 mm.
Owner-described product
Breville 870
Verified regional comparison
Sage Barista Express (UK)
What to know
The related UK 870 family; check the supplied unit’s electrical rating and local support.
Owner-described product
MHW-3BOMBER tamping set
Verified regional comparison
Exact accessory codes unconfirmed
What to know
The owner does not give the tools’ diameters or model numbers. Match any replacement tool to your basket rather than buying by appearance.

Choosing for everyday use

The owner describes a Breville 870 with an integrated grinder. The verified regional models below are BES870 (US) and Sage Barista Express BES870 (UK); the owner’s exact regional version is unconfirmed. Preparing the coffee and steaming milk still take practice. The account shows that milk texturing still needs practice, while puck preparation remains part of the owner’s hands-on routine.

Breville’s current US accessory list includes a tamper, a 54 mm portafilter and a dosing funnel. Check the actual local bundle before buying extras; the owner’s package may differ. A tool that fits the basket is more useful than a set chosen solely for matching looks.

The owner’s “10–11” pressure reading lacks a stated unit and gauge calibration. It cannot diagnose a fault. Their impression of improved crema with a constant-force tamper is also an uncontrolled comparison.

The owner describes distributing after an initial tamp. It does not establish why grounds spill or whether the tool depth, dose or sequence causes it. Try a basic preparation routine before adding another distribution tool. The owner says they have not bought coffee out for a long time since buying the machine, suggesting that regular enjoyment is central to their recommendation.

Related Reading