BREVILLE DUAL BOILER BES920 REVIEW: IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN!

In my opinion, the Breville Dual Boiler is vastly underrated by specialty coffee enthusiasts. Let me tell you why.

The Breville Dual Boiler (BDB) doesn’t look like a prosumer espresso machine; it looks like a Breville. So it tends to be overlooked by serious espresso enthusiasts. That’s a mistake. With two boilers, PID temperature control, and programmable pre-infusion, the Dual Boiler has the chops to compete with the best – in a far more user-friendly and affordable package.

So what’s the catch? Well, I’ll get to that in this review, along with everything else you need to know before investing in this machine.

A Full Review Of The Breville Dual Boiler

Breville makes some of the best espresso machines on the home market, known for their friendly designs and easy-to-use interfaces. The Breville Dual Boiler BES920 (previously the BES920XL and also known as the Sage Dual Boiler in Europe) keeps that ethos while offering features that appeal to more advanced baristas.

It’s a fantastic and surprisingly rare combination, as most prosumer machines require a more advanced skill set. It reminds me a little of the Decent Espresso Machine, except with a vastly lower price tag. The trade-off is that the Dual Boiler lacks the commercial-grade build of a prosumer model. 

What does that all mean for you? I’ll break down the details in this Breville Dual Boiler review.

How I Rated It

• Brewing Capability
• User Friendliness
• Milk Frothing
• Build Quality
• Value for Money

4.2

• SEE ON AMAZON
• SEE ON SEATTLE COFFEE GEAR

A Breville With The Heart Of A Prosumer Machine

The Breville Dual Boiler espresso machine has (surprise!) two boilers – a 0.3-liter brew boiler and a 0.95-liter steam boiler – allowing you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. If you’re a lover of milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, this is a must for crafting cafe-quality drinks. 

The boilers are heated by an impressively powerful 1700-watt heating element, which makes this one of the fastest dual boilers I’ve tested when it comes to heat-up and recovery times. From turn on, it takes just 10 minutes for both boilers to be ready – less if you’re only pulling espresso shots.

The BDB comes with a commercial-standard 58mm portafilter, which immediately sets this machine apart from the less advanced Breville models with 54mm portafilters. The double shot baskets can accommodate a dose of up to 22g. For comparison, the 54mm baskets with my Breville Bambino max out around 17g.

You get four filter baskets, both pressurized and non-pressurized options for double and single shots. I like how many Breville machines offer this. Start with the pressurized baskets if you’re new to espresso, then swap in the non-pressurized versions as your skills (and grinder budget) progress.

PID Temperature Control – In The Group, Too!

Both boilers have independent PID temperature controllers, delivering superior temperature control compared to old-school pressure stats (1). You can set the temperature more accurately and maintain it with fewer fluctuations. 

You can set the steam temperature from 265 to 285 ℉, which is a broader range than the previous model, and the brew temperature between 190 and 205 ℉ (2). The major perk of a dual boiler system versus a heat exchanger is that changing one doesn’t impact the other. A high steam pressure doesn’t increase your brew temp or vice versa.

A third PID-controlled heater is installed in the group head itself, an absolutely stunning feature for the price. It essentially guarantees the consistent extraction temperature required for perfect espresso. Indeed, in testing, I never measured more than 1 ℉ of fluctuation – performance I expect from only the top-end machines.

Solidly The Easiest To Use Dual Boiler In Its Class

Prosumer espresso machines usually come with the caveat that there’s a learning curve, especially those with lower price points. Not so when using the Breville Dual Boiler. Despite having prosumer capabilities, it maintains the classic user-friendly Breville interface. Anyone can enjoy exceptional espresso.

Automatic Volumetric Programming

The Breville Dual Boiler is an automatic espresso machine. You can pre-program single and double shot sizes, making pulling a shot of espresso as simple as hitting a button. Unusually, the latest edition of the BDB lets you do this either by shot volume or by time, but I recommend using volume.

There is also a manual button if you prefer the control of a semi-automatic machine, which works in conjunction with a built-in shot timer.

You can program a low-pressure pre-infusion stage with an impressive amount of flexibility (3). Not only can you set the pre-infusion time, but you can even adjust the pressure. Programming is easy and intuitive using the backlit LCD screen and associated buttons.

This degree of control is why the BDB appeals to novices and experts alike. Making espresso is as straightforward or as complex as you want to make it.

Other User-Friendly Features

The BDB has a brew pressure gauge front and center. Admittedly, a steam pressure pressure gauge would be a nice addition, but if I can only have one, I’ll take brew pressure every time! It’s a really useful metric for dialing in shots.

I am a huge fan of the programmable turn-on time, which lets me have the machine hot and ready by the time I wake up in the morning. Even though most cheap coffee machines have this functionality, it’s unaccountably absent from nearly every high-end espresso maker, forcing the purchase of extra gadgets like smart plugs.

It also has a Standby mode and an Auto Shut Off. After one hour of inactivity, it enters a low-power mode and cools the boilers. After four hours, it will shut off. These features are fantastic for energy efficiency, safety, and preserving the machine’s longevity.

The only thing missing is control over brew pressure (4). The OPV isn’t user-adjustable and there are no mods for flow control available for this machine.

Very Easy Maintenance

Cleaning and maintenance is an area in which the BDB shines, especially compared to most double boilers. 

The latest model adds an automatic descaling process, which is a huge selling point. With most prosumer machines, you want to avoid descaling altogether because it typically involves an expensive and time-consuming trip to a technician or dealer. With the Dual Boiler, it’s as easy as pushing a few buttons.

The BES920 also ships with a water hardness test strip. Enter the test results into the machine, and it will calibrate itself to your local water to tell you exactly when you must descale (5).

Day-to-day cleaning is even more manageable. Unlike other prosumer models, no technical know-how is required; you won’t be lubricating gaskets or removing side panels. For the most part, this machine will alert you when anything is needed. Just keep the water tank full and the drip tray empty. The drip tray even has a floating pop-up to let you know it’s full. 

Steam Milk Like A Pro

The steaming pressure isn’t blow-your-socks-off powerful, but it’s more than enough to craft silky microfoam for latte art. You can ramp it up further by maxing out the steam boiler temperature, and the 3-hole tip speeds things along. 

Personally, I don’t mind a slightly toned-down steam pressure. It takes about 35 seconds to steam milk for a latte, which works out pretty perfectly with the timing of the espresso extraction.

The steam wand is professional-caliber and double-walled so that the exterior stays cool. It’s operated manually. Breville hasn’t included their auto-frothing system on this machine, an indication it’s designed for more serious users. That said, the learning curve is quick.

A lever on the side of the machine modulates steam pressure, a nice ergonomic alternative to a steam knob. And the frothing jug is included – a great little value-add that only Breville seems to offer these days.

The Breville Dual Boiler offers a dedicated hot water outlet, always a welcome touch for Americano fans.

Standard Breville Looks And Build Quality

The design of the Breville Dual Boiler is immediately familiar if you’ve seen any Breville products. The brand has mastered the cohesive look. It features smooth curves, a brushed stainless steel casing, inset backlit buttons, and a small LCD screen. It has a friendly and approachable vibe rather than the steel-wrapped heavy-duty look of a typical prosumer machine. 

It is one of the biggest Breville machines but still much more compact than the typical double-boiler espresso maker, which is excellent if you have limited counter space. Measuring 15.9″ x 14.7″ x 14.9″, it even fits comfortably underneath upper cupboards. 

For convenience, you can fill the 84-ounce water reservoir from the front or the back of the machine or remove it for refilling at the sink. Cleverly, the BDB has retractable wheels to quickly move it around. This is great when filling the water tank, especially if your machine lives under your cupboards. 

Build Quality

Build quality is what has been sacrificed to deliver all the functionality discussed above at a reasonable price point. That is not to say this isn’t a well-made machine, with the typically excellent Breville engineering and a durable stainless steel casing. But it doesn’t offer the commercial espresso components of a prosumer model. While a well-maintained prosumer machine might last decades, a more realistic lifespan for a Breville is 5 years, though there are always exceptions. 

Breville has recently extended the warranty on this model from 1 to 2 years, showing their increasing confidence in its longevity.

Prosumer Features, Appliance Price

The BDB retails for $1600, though it is not uncommon to find it on sale. I would rank it among the best-value espresso machines on the market. The obvious comparisons are the Lelit Elizabeth ($1800), Rancilio Silvia Pro ($1850), and the Profitec Pro 300 ($1819) – three double boilers with PIDs.

While all three outpace the Breville in build quality, none can even approach it in the degree of programmability or user-friendliness. And the steam and espresso quality is equivalent. In fact, the BDB has a bigger steam boiler than either the Lelit or Rancilio.

Plus, Breville espresso machines include all the accessories you need. You get a stainless steel steaming pitcher and a nice metal tamper that attaches to the machine magnetically. Hidden in the drip tray storage area, you’ll find a backflush disc, Allen key, “razor” dose trimming tool, and a steam tip cleaning tool.

Don’t Buy the Breville Dual Boiler If…

• You’re not interested in specialty coffee: The BDB is a coffee geek’s espresso machine. If you don’t think you’ll take advantage of all its programmability and unmatched temperature stability, one of the cheaper Breville home espresso machines will offer better value. I’d look into the Infuser, Duo Temp, or Breville Bambino.

• You want a built-in grinder: Many Breville machines are equipped with built-in conical burr grinders – one of the hallmarks of the brand. Consider the Breville Barista Express, Barista Pro, Barista Touch, or Oracle if you lack the space or budget for a separate grinder.

• You want commercial-grade build quality: If reading this review makes you think a prosumer machine is more your style, I’d recommend any of the three I just mentioned. The Profitec Pro 300, Rancilio Silvia Pro X, and Lelit Elizabeth are all well-regarded compact and affordable dual boiler machines with commercial-grade components.

The Verdict

Are you looking for the brewing capability of a prosumer espresso machine in a more approachable and affordable package? Believe it or not, that actually exists! It’s the Breville Dual Boiler. The friendly design and easy operation of this at-home espresso machine belie the advanced features tucked away inside, making it perfect for beginners and experienced baristas alike.

SEE ON AMAZON