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Breville The Infuser BES840 (old version) review

Semi-automatic home espresso coffee machine. Priced at $580.

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CHOICE Expert Rating

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CHOICE Expert Rating

This is the product's overall performance score, based on key tests conducted by our industry experts in the CHOICE labs.

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Machine type View more details.

For more on types, see our buying guide. Fully automatic machines (that grind, dose and make the espresso) are covered in a separate report.

Semi-automatic
Recommended View more details.

We recommend manual and semi-automatic models with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 80% and capsule (pod) machines with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 70%, so long as they also score at least 70% for the crucial taste test. We may also consider other important factors including milk frothing.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is made up of taste (60%), ease of use (20%), milk frothing ability (15%), and coffee temperature consistency over consecutive cups (5%).

Taste test score View more details.

Three experts test the espressos in a 'blind' tasting, checking the colour and thickness of the crema (the tan-coloured foam on the top of an espresso), aroma, flavour, mouth-feel (for example, creaminess or wateriness) and aftertaste.

Ease of use score View more details.

How easy the machines are to use. We try the controls, fill the water tank and the bean hopper, adjust the grinder, make a coffee, and clean inside and out.

Milk frothing score View more details.

We experiment with each machine to find how it best froths milk, looking for fine, pourable froth. We use what the manufacturer recommends (a milk frother, milk-based capsule or coffee capsule extracted over milk).

Coffee temperature consistency score View more details.

We measure the consistency of four consecutive coffees for each machine after it warms up.

Measured heat-up time View more details.

Not scored, but will affect how quickly you can turn out a cup of coffee.

Time taken to froth 200mL milk
Shop Ethical rating View more details.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. The rating ranks from A (highest) to F (lowest); N/A means there is no rating for that company.

D
Brand reliability score View more details.

Brand reliability scores are based on responses from more than 2700 coffee machine owners in 2019. We ask whether they have run into a problem with their appliance in the last 12 months. Scores are based on brand, not model. Not all brands have scores as we require a minimum of 50 responses per brand.

Brand satisfaction score View more details.

Brand satisfaction score is based on how satisfied 2724 surveyed members are with their coffee machines from a scale of excellent to terrible (survey conducted in 2019). Not all brands have scores as we require a minimum of 50 responses per brand.

Warranty (years)
1
Country of origin
China
Availability
Discontinued model
Price View more details.

The manufacturer's recommended retail price. Prices are often flexible, so shop around both online and in bricks-and-mortar stores for options.

$580
Capsule type View more details.

The recommended capsule (pod) type for each model. Nespresso (original) refers to the older-style capsules, while Nespresso Vertuo is the newer patented and barcoded system which comes in different sizes (these are incompatible with third-party capsules).

N/A
Type of heating system View more details.

Thermoblock heats up only a very small quantity of water on demand as it flows through the system. Boilers heat a larger amount of water and keep it heated fairly consistently. A dual boiler includes two boilers; one for making coffee and one for steaming. Heat exchanger models use a single boiler but are designed to produce coffee and steam at the same time. 

Thermoblock
Water reservoir capacity (L) View more details.

How much water the tank can hold before it needs refilling.

1.8
Stated pump pressure (bar) View more details.

The pressure the pump exerts when pushing hot water through the ground beans; measurement given in 'bar'. Some trial and error with the pressure and grind is required. A high bar does not necessarily mean a superior machine. We optimise the machines before giving them a taste test to give them their best chance.

15
Dimensions (cm, HxWxD)
34 x 26 x 32
Weight (kg) View more details.

How much the coffee machine weighs.

7.8
Contents of packaging
Espresso machine, group handle, one and two cup filters (single wall), one and two cup filters (dual floor), stainless steel jug, measuring spoon, coffee tamp, water filter, accessory kit and literature.
Website
breville.com.au
Jug for milk frothing View more details.

Whether the machine comes with a milk jug for frothing or not.

No
Milk frothing View more details.

Manual machines generally contain integrated milk frothers. Capsule machines often have a separate milk frother which you either need to buy separately, or as part of a bundle. Some capsule machines use milk-based capsules.

Steam wand
Standby mode
Yes (after 2 hours)
Automatic power turn-off
Yes (after 4 hours)
Removable water reservoir
Yes
Water tank empty reminder View more details.

Whether there is an alert to tell you the water tank is low.

No
Hot water nozzle
Yes (separate nozzle)
Removable drip tray
Yes (with full indicator)
Cup warming plate View more details.

A place to warm your cup while preparing the brew, usually at the top of the machine. A warm cup maintains the coffee temperature for longer, preventing it from cooling too quickly.

Yes
Recycle scheme View more details.

Some capsule manufacturers provide a recycling scheme.

Cord storage
Yes
Programmable coffee quantity View more details.

Whether you can adjust the amount of water that pours into the shot.

Yes
Digital display
No
Espresso pressure or milk temperature gauge
Yes (pressure gauge)
Adjustable water temperature for coffee making
No
Adjustable steam pump rate
No
Member reviews

Average rating

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