Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL Review

As a passionate home barista, I’ve always been on the hunt for the perfect espresso machine that balances professional-grade features with the comfort of home use. That's where the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL comes in. This machine caught my attention for its dual boiler system, advanced features, and promise of delivering barista-quality coffee from the comfort of my kitchen. In this review, I’ll take you through my experiences with the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL and why I think it’s a solid contender for any serious coffee enthusiast. 

Unboxing the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

The day I unboxed my Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL was a day of excitement. This isn’t just any espresso machine; it’s one that comes loaded with features straight out of the box, and it immediately stands out with its stainless steel finish, solid construction, and thoughtful design. I could tell from the very first moment that Breville had put effort into ensuring every detail was both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Included in the box were several accessories: a tamper, a stainless steel milk jug, single and double wall filter baskets, a cleaning kit, and a water hardness test strip. These are all welcome additions that allow for more personalization and control, especially the different types of filter baskets. The machine itself has a solid feel—from the portafilter to the knobs—and it doesn’t take up too much space, comfortably fitting under my kitchen cabinets. 

Features of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

What sets the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL apart from many other espresso machines is its dual boiler system. This means you can extract espresso and steam milk at the same time. As someone who loves making lattes and cappuccinos, this feature is a game-changer. With my previous single-boiler machine, I always had to wait in between extracting and steaming, which often felt like an eternity when I just wanted to get my caffeine fix.

The BES920XL has a precision PID temperature control, which allows me to set the brew temperature accurately. This may seem like a minor detail, but temperature stability is crucial for consistent espresso shots. I also appreciate the programmable shot volume and pre-infusion settings. Pre-infusion allows me to gently wet the coffee grounds before applying full pressure, which ensures even extraction and enhances the flavor of my espresso.

Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL: Ease of Use

Let’s talk about usability—because while it’s great to have a machine packed with features, it’s not worth much if it’s hard to use. The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL has an LCD display that makes everything easy to understand. It shows the temperature, shot duration, and any errors or reminders, which has been incredibly helpful in perfecting my shots. 

The control panel is intuitive, and adjusting settings like brew temperature or pre-infusion time feels straightforward. I found it easy to set custom parameters, and the machine remembers my preferences even after being turned off. The steam wand is also really effective; it’s mounted on a swivel and has great pressure for creating the perfect microfoam—essential for anyone wanting to try their hand at latte art.

Performance of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

Performance-wise, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL does not disappoint. It has delivered consistently great espresso shots every time I’ve used it, thanks to its excellent temperature stability and pressure control. The 15-bar Italian pump is powerful, and I’ve noticed it doesn’t struggle when pulling longer shots or during back-to-back uses. 

With the dual boiler, I can brew my espresso while steaming milk simultaneously, which cuts down significantly on the time it takes to make drinks for friends and family. This is particularly valuable when entertaining. I also love the volumetric control, allowing me to either manually control my shot or have the machine do it automatically based on pre-programmed volumes.

The BES920XL also features an over-pressure valve (OPV), which limits the maximum pressure throughout extraction, preventing bitter flavors in my shots. Combined with the PID temperature control, this means I can produce consistent, barista-quality espresso every time—a huge plus for a machine at this price point.

Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL: Steaming Milk and Microfoam Quality

Milk steaming is where the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL really shines for me. The steam wand is incredibly powerful compared to other home machines I’ve used, which makes a big difference when trying to achieve that silky, velvety microfoam needed for lattes or cappuccinos. Because the BES920XL has a dedicated steam boiler, there is no lag time, and the steam is dry and consistent.

It did take me a bit of practice to get the hang of stretching and texturing the milk correctly—especially since I wanted to try my hand at some basic latte art—but once I got it down, it became quite intuitive. The ball-joint mounted wand makes it easy to position, giving me more control during the process.

Maintenance of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

I’ll admit that I was initially concerned about maintenance with a machine this sophisticated, but Breville made it manageable. The machine gives alerts for regular tasks like descaling, backflushing, and changing the water filter. I really appreciate these reminders, as I don’t always keep track of when my last cleaning cycle was.

The descaling process itself is straightforward, and the machine even has a built-in descaling function. One nice feature is the front-fill water tank; I don’t have to move the machine around every time it needs more water, which was a small but significant quality-of-life improvement over my previous espresso machine. Additionally, the drip tray is well-designed with an indicator that pops up when it’s full, so I don’t accidentally overfill it.

Who is the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL Best For?

If you are someone who genuinely loves coffee and wants the tools to replicate a high-quality café experience at home, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is for you. This machine delivers in terms of quality and customization without being overly intimidating or complex. While it may be overkill for someone who only wants the occasional espresso, for someone like me—who enjoys experimenting and serving a variety of drinks—it’s a fantastic fit.

I also think it’s perfect for anyone who is ready to upgrade from a single-boiler machine and is serious about learning more about the nuances of espresso making. It bridges that gap between casual home brewing and professional coffee equipment, offering features that are usually reserved for machines that cost quite a bit more.

Product Review Conclusion: Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is an exceptional espresso machine that provides the features and control of a commercial-grade model but in a format that’s approachable for home use. I’ve enjoyed every moment of experimenting with it—from dialing in my grind to perfecting my milk texture.

The dual boiler setup, along with programmable options, PID temperature control, and volumetric shot control, allows for a level of consistency that is difficult to find in other home machines at this price point. While there are some minor drawbacks—such as the need for a separate grinder and the warm-up time—these pale in comparison to the positives.

For anyone who is passionate about making great coffee at home and wants to take their espresso game to the next level, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is well worth the investment. It’s a machine that grows with you as your skills develop and provides all the tools necessary to make the perfect cup of coffee, time and time again.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

Q: Does the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL come with a grinder?
A: No, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL does not come with a built-in grinder. You will need to purchase a separate grinder for use with this machine.

Q: How long does the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL take to heat up?
A: The machine takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the optimal brewing temperature. It's recommended to allow a few extra minutes to ensure temperature stability.

Q: Can you steam milk and brew espresso at the same time?
A: Yes, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL features a dual boiler system, which allows you to steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.

Q: How often do I need to descale the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL?
A: The frequency of descaling depends on water hardness and usage, but the machine provides a reminder when descaling is necessary. Typically, it’s recommended to descale every 2-3 months.

Q: Is the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, while the machine has advanced features, it is still user-friendly, and the LCD display helps guide beginners through the process. However, it may take some practice to master all the settings.

Q: Can I program custom shot volumes on this machine?
A: Yes, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL allows you to program custom shot volumes, making it easy to replicate your preferred espresso shot every time.

Q: What kind of maintenance does the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL require?
A: The machine requires regular descaling, backflushing, and water filter changes. It provides alerts for these maintenance tasks, making upkeep straightforward.