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What kind of coffee maker are you?
Pick the machine, or say what yours is doing. Descaler and cleaner are two different chemistries for two different problems, and most machines only ever get one of them.
The whole Breville range, one row at a time
Portafilter, grinder, heating and milk system for every machine, straight from Breville’s published specification — so you can choose on facts.
Compare
Three ways into the 54 mm family
Same 54 mm portafilter and 18 g dose across all three. What changes is how much of the work the machine does for you.
| Model |
Bambino
$299.95 | Pick the one that fits
Barista Express
$699.95 |
Barista Touch
$999.95 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinder | None — pair with a grinder | Built in, 16 settings | Built in, 30 settings |
| Milk | Manual steam wand | Manual steam wand | Auto MilQ™ hands-free |
| Heating | ThermoJet®, 3 s heat-up | Thermocoil with PID | ThermoJet®, 3 s heat-up |
| Portafilter | 54 mm, 18 g dose | 54 mm, 18 g dose | 54 mm, 18 g dose |
| Model | ESE986J0320 | ESE986C0100 | ESH986G0060 |
| Link | See the machine | See the machine | See the machine |
Figures are the manufacturer’s published specifications for each model.
All espresso machines
Breville Dynamic Duo Machine and Grinder Package Breville Dynamic Duo Machine and Grinder ...
Breville Oracle Dual Boiler Espresso Machine Breville Oracle Dual Boiler Espresso Machine
Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine
Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso M...
Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso...
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
Descaler, cleaner, milk cleaner
Scale is mineral
Limescale is calcium and magnesium left behind when tap water is heated. It coats the element and the boiler, so the machine takes longer to heat and runs louder. A descaler is an acid — it dissolves mineral.
Oil is not scale
Coffee is about 15% oil by weight. It builds up in the brew head, the portafilter and the grounds path, and it goes rancid. That is what makes a clean machine taste bitter. A cleaner is alkaline — it lifts oil. Descaler will not touch it.
Milk is a third problem
Milk protein and fat set hard inside a steam wand. Neither descaler nor brew-path cleaner is formulated for it — the wand takes its own alkaline cleaner.
Care & descaling
Breville Claro Swiss Water Filter Breville Claro Swiss Water Filter
Biocaf Coffee Equipment Cleaning Tablets — 120 ct Biocaf Coffee Equipment Cleaning Tablets ...
Biocaf Coffee Equipment Cleaning Powder — Tub Biocaf Coffee Equipment Cleaning Powder —...
Urnex Puro Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets Urnex Puro Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets
Before you buy
One price, no fake discount
We list one price per item. There is no crossed-out "was" price and no percentage-off badge, because we have never charged a higher price for these items.
54 mm or 58 mm decides the accessories
The Barista family takes a 54 mm portafilter, the Dual Boiler and Oracle machines take 58 mm. Tampers, naked portafilters and dosing funnels are sized to one or the other — every tool page says which.
Specifications straight from the maker
Every Breville page lists the portafilter, heating system, grinder, steam wand and what is in the box, drawn from the manufacturer’s published material. Compare like for like before you order.
Free shipping to the US & UK
Delivery in 7–10 business days, with tracking emailed as soon as your order is dispatched.
30-day returns
Machines may be unboxed and tested; consumables unopened. Within 30 days of delivery.
Part number on every page
So you can check it against the box before you order.
Questions
Do the machines come with a manufacturer warranty?
Machines carry the manufacturer’s own warranty. How it is honoured, and whether it depends on the unit being bought through an authorised channel, is set by the manufacturer — read their terms before you buy. We are not an authorised service centre and cannot carry out warranty repairs. Separately, anything that arrives damaged, faulty or not as described we replace or refund in full, and that is our own commitment. See our about page.
What is the difference between descaling and cleaning?
Descaling removes limescale — the calcium and magnesium that heated tap water leaves on the element and in the boiler. It is an acid. Cleaning removes coffee oil from the brew head and portafilter. It is alkaline. They are different chemistries for different deposits, and one will not do the other’s job.
How often should I descale?
It depends almost entirely on your water hardness, not on the machine. Soft water can go six months; hard water may need it every four to six weeks. Most machines with a descale light are counting brew cycles, not measuring scale. There is a longer explanation on our descaling guide.
Which Breville should I start with?
If you already own a grinder, the Bambino or Bambino Plus. If you do not, the Barista Express family builds one in. Every machine page lists the portafilter size, the heating system and what is in the box under Specifications, drawn from the manufacturer’s published material, so you can compare like for like.
Why is there no "was" price or discount badge?
Because we have never charged a higher price for these items. A crossed-out price is only honest if the shop actually sold at that price, so we show one price and leave it at that.
Is shipping free, and how long does it take?
Shipping is free to addresses in the US and the UK. Orders arrive in 7–10 business days and tracking is emailed as soon as the order ships. The machines here are the US models; if you are ordering for a UK address, check the electrical rating on the manufacturer’s page first. Full details in our shipping policy.
Are you connected to Breville?
No. Barista Lane is an independent retailer. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Breville. Machine brand names on this site describe what a product fits. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Where a listing names a machine brand, it is telling you what the product fits — that is a fact about the product, not a claim about who supplies us.