Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 vs Lelit Mara X
As of July 22, 2026, the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 ($1500) is about $200 cheaper than the Lelit Mara X ($1700).
If you're newer to espresso or watching the budget, the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is the easier place to start — it sits in the prosumer tier and costs less. The Lelit Mara X is a enthusiast-tier machine that rewards you if you plan to grow into it. At today's prices the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 saves you about $200 (13.3%), a modest gap that's easy to justify if the pricier model fits your needs better. The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is MAP-priced (everyone lists the same number), while the Lelit Mara X shows real retailer variation — it can be worth waiting for a dip. Remember the all-in cost: the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 has a built-in grinder (ready to brew near $1620), whereas the Lelit Mara X still needs a separate grinder, pushing a complete setup to about $3015. The Lelit Mara X is currently at its lowest tracked price ($1700), so timing is on your side there.
Price history
Key differences
- Tier: Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 — prosumer; Lelit Mara X — enthusiast
- Boiler / architecture: Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 — semi-auto; Lelit Mara X — heat exchanger
- MSRP: Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 — $1500; Lelit Mara X — $1600
- Current price: Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 — $1500; Lelit Mara X — $1700 (13.3% gap)
- Built-in grinder: Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 — yes; Lelit Mara X — no
- Complete setup from: Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 — $1620; Lelit Mara X — $3015
| Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 | Lelit Mara X | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest now | $1499.95 | $1699.95 |
| Cheapest at | seattlecoffeegear | seattlecoffeegear |
| MSRP | $1500 | $1600 |
| Savings | save $0 vs MSRP | — |
| Tier | prosumer | enthusiast |
| Type | semi-auto | heat exchanger |
| Retailers tracked | 3 | 3 |
| Price spread | 0% (MAP-tight / near-zero dispersion) | 0% (MAP-tight / near-zero dispersion) |
| Complete setup from | $1620 | $3015 |
Which is cheaper, the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 or the Lelit Mara X?
The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is cheaper at $1500, about $200 less than the Lelit Mara X at $1700 (as of July 22, 2026).
How big is the price difference between the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 and Lelit Mara X?
About $200 (13.3%) at today's prices — the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is $1500 and the Lelit Mara X is $1700.
Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 or Lelit Mara X better for a beginner?
The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is the friendlier first machine — it sits in the prosumer tier and costs less, while the Lelit Mara X is a enthusiast-tier pick better suited once you know what you want.
Does either the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 or Lelit Mara X have a built-in grinder?
The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 has a built-in grinder; the Lelit Mara X does not, so you'll need a separate grinder (a complete setup runs about $3015).
Prices last updated July 22, 2026. The cheaper pick is highlighted; “complete setup” adds a recommended grinder + essentials (see each product’s setup builder). Confirm the final price at the retailer.