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Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine (BES920XL)
Espresso machine review

Breville Dual Boiler review — two boilers, so you can brew and steam at the same time

Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine (BES920XL)

Researched by the WhyToBuyThis team · Updated November 2026 · How we choose

The short answer

Separate brew and steam boilers, PID control and a 58 mm portafilter. Worth it if you make milk drinks every day for a household; overkill for one latte a day.

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Price: $1,599.95

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Our verdict

Espresso brews at around 195 to 205°F, but steam needs roughly 250°F or more. The Breville Dual Boiler solves that with two stainless steel boilers: a PID-controlled espresso boiler held at brew temperature, and a separate steam boiler that's ready while the shot is running. So you can pull a shot and steam milk at the same time, with no waiting between them and no cooling flush.

It's a step up in size and control from Breville's compact machines: a 58 mm portafilter designed for a 22 g dose, a heated group head, low-pressure pre-infusion, a pressure gauge, and volumetric or timed shots. The trade-offs are cost, counter space, a warm-up of several minutes, two boilers to keep descaled, and no built-in grinder. If you make milk drinks every day for a household, it saves real time. If you mostly drink straight espresso, or one latte a day, a compact machine like the Bambino does that well for far less.

Who it's for

A great fit if

  • Households making several milk drinks in a row
  • Anyone who wants to brew and steam at the same time
  • Home baristas who want a 58 mm portafilter and stable brew temperature
  • Learning with a pressure gauge and adjustable shots

Skip it if

  • You mostly drink straight espresso, or one latte a day
  • Counter space is tight
  • You want the grinder built in (the Barista Express has one)
  • You want the machine ready in seconds rather than minutes

What it does well

Two boilers, two jobs

A PID-controlled espresso boiler for brewing and a separate steam boiler, so you can steam milk while the shot runs.

Stable brew temperature

PID control on the boilers and a heated group head hold the water at the temperature you set.

58 mm, café-style

A 58 mm stainless steel portafilter designed for a 22 g dose, with low-pressure pre-infusion before 9 bar extraction.

Feedback while you learn

A pressure gauge plus volumetric or timed shot control, 1 or 2 shots, or manual.

The catch

It costs more, takes more counter space than a compact machine, and needs several minutes to heat up. There are two boilers to keep descaled, and there's no grinder, so budget for a good burr grinder from day one.

Skip it if you mostly drink espresso or one latte a day: an on-demand machine like the Bambino does that well for far less.

4 ways espresso machines heat brew water and steam

Four ways espresso machines heat brew water and steam. 1, on-demand heater such as ThermoJet or thermocoil: takes turns between brewing and steaming, ready in seconds, best for 1 to 2 drinks in small kitchens. 2, single boiler: takes turns, you wait for it to heat and cool, best for mostly espresso. 3, heat exchanger: brews and steams at once, but brew temperature is indirect and often needs a cooling flush. 4, dual boiler: brews and steams at once, with its own brew boiler usually PID controlled, best for daily milk drinks for a household.1On-demand heaterThermoJet, thermocoilBREW + STEAM AT ONCETakes turnsBREW TEMPERATUREReady in secondsBEST FOR1-2 drinks a day2Single boilerone boiler, two modesBREW + STEAM AT ONCETakes turnsBREW TEMPERATUREWait to heat and coolBEST FORMostly espresso3Heat exchangerboiler + brew tubeBREW + STEAM AT ONCEYesBREW TEMPERATUREIndirect: cooling flushBEST FORMilk drinks, hands-on4Dual boilerbrew + steam boilersBREW + STEAM AT ONCEYesBREW TEMPERATUREOwn boiler, usually PIDBEST FORDaily milk drinksstrengthtrade-offlimitation

Key specs

Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine (BES920XL) specifications
HeatingDual stainless steel boilers: espresso boiler + separate steam boiler
Temperature controlPID on the boilers and heated group head
Pump15 bar Italian pump; low-pressure pre-infusion, then 9 bar extraction
GrinderNone built in
Portafilter58 mm stainless steel, designed for a 22 g dose
Filter basketsSingle wall and dual wall, 1-cup and 2-cup
Shot controlVolumetric or timed; 1 or 2 shots, or manual
MilkSteam wand for manual microfoam, from its own steam boiler
DisplayLCD screen plus pressure gauge
Water capacityAbout 84 oz (per the Amazon listing)
Size (W x D x H)About 14.9 x 15.9 x 14.6 in (37.9 x 40.3 x 37.1 cm)

From Breville's Dual Boiler product page and the Amazon listing. Check the listing for your exact color and version.

Your first good shot

  1. 1Fill the tank, switch on and give both boilers several minutes to heat; run a little water through the empty portafilter to warm it.
  2. 2Grind about 22 g into the 2-cup single-wall basket and level it with the Razor tool.
  3. 3Tamp straight and firm, lock in and press the 2-cup button.
  4. 4Aim for roughly twice the dose out in about 25 to 30 seconds, and watch the pressure gauge as it runs.
  5. 5Fast and sour? Grind finer. Slow and bitter? Grind coarser. Change one thing at a time.
  6. 6While the shot runs, purge the steam wand and steam your milk: the steam boiler is ready at the same time.

What's in the box

  • 58 mm stainless steel portafilter
  • 1-cup and 2-cup filter baskets, single wall and dual wall
  • 58 mm Razor dosing tool
  • Integrated tamper
  • 16 oz stainless steel milk jug
  • Cleaning kit
  • Water hardness test strip
  • Water filter holder and water filter

Questions people ask

A machine with two separate boilers: one held at brew temperature (around 195 to 205°F) for espresso, and one held hotter (roughly 250°F or more) for steam. Each holds its own temperature, usually with a PID, so you can brew and steam at the same time.

New to home espresso? Read our espresso buying guide first.

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