OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Coffee Machines Methodology v3.0
Coffee Machines Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Coffee Machines Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Coffee Machines Methodology v3.0

Breville VCF186X review: 75 specs compared

Avg. price:~£300Type:?Water Container Capacity:?Pump Pressure:15 barBuilt-in Coffee Grinder:yesAutomatic Milk Frother:yes

Breville VCF186X Review: Compare 75 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Coffee Machines category and whether it is worth buying.

Breville VCF186X
7.3/10

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 45%, Reviews score 20%, List score 15%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components

45%

7.3

Technical score

20%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.7, the mark of a weaker model in this category

15%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

7.3

User score

â–²Better than 76% of coffee machines
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the coffee machine's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a coffee machine with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 57% of models
Score components

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

8.6

Price

â–²Better than 57%
7.3

Technical score

Technical score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 45% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components

35%

7.4

Performance

25%

6.2

Coffee Preparation

25%

8.0

Features

15%

7.7

Design

â–²Better than 82%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.7.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
No expert tests yet
7.3

User score

User score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.8, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models

7.3

Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

70%

8.7

Rating

30%

6.4

Popularity

â–¼Worse than 63%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 15% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of coffee machine Breville VCF186X

Technical score
Technical score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 45% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components:

35%

7.4

Performance

25%

6.2

Coffee Preparation

25%

8.0

Features

15%

7.7

Design

7.3
Reviews score
7.7
User score
7.3
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the coffee machine's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a coffee machine with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 57% of models
Score components:

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

8.6

Price

7.7
Power
?
Water Container Capacity
?
Pump Pressure
15 bar
Market range: <15 bar – >19 bar
This coffee machine delivers 15 bar of pump pressure, which is higher than the pump pressure of 13.8% of coffee machines and equal to that of 56.3% of coffee machines.
Heating Time
?
Heating System
?
Show more
Type
?
Works with Powdered Coffee
yes
This coffee machine accepts ground coffee. 48% of coffee machines accept ground coffee.
Works with ESE Pods
?
Works with Capsules
no
This coffee machine does not accept coffee capsules. 32.2% of coffee machines accept coffee capsules.
Capsule System
N/A
Show more
Water Level Indicator
?
Water Filter
no
This coffee machine does not have a water filter. 30% of coffee machines have a water filter.
Descaling Program
?
Cleaning Alert
?
Automatic Milk Circuit Cleaning
yes
This coffee machine cleans its milk circuit automatically. 81.9% of coffee machines offer automatic milk circuit cleaning.
Show more
Built-in Installation
no
Color
?
Vintage Look
no
This coffee machine does not have vintage styling. 10.6% of coffee machines have this look.
Housing Material
?
Drip Tray Material
?
Show more

Breville VCF186X vs the average coffee machine

246810TotalPerformanceCoffee PreparationFeaturesDesign
  • Automatic milk frothing
    This coffee machine has an automatic milk frother, while the average coffee machine does not. 24.1% of coffee machines have an automatic milk frother.
  • Cleans the milk circuit automatically
    This coffee machine cleans its milk circuit automatically, while the average coffee machine does not. 18.2% of coffee machines offer automatic milk circuit cleaning.
  • Has a built-in coffee grinder
    This coffee machine has a built-in coffee grinder, while the average coffee machine does not. 30.7% of coffee machines have one.
  • Has a portafilter
    This coffee machine has a portafilter, while the average coffee machine does not. 32.7% of coffee machines have a portafilter.
  • 7 mm wider portafilter
    This coffee machine features a wider, commercial-standard portafilter than the average coffee machine (58 mm vs 51 mm).
    58 mm vs 51.00 mm
  • Has a steam wand
    This coffee machine has a steam wand, while the average coffee machine does not. 39.7% of coffee machines have a steam wand.
  • 1.6% better value for money
    Breville VCF186X has better value for money than the average coffee machine (7.73 vs 7.6).
    7.73 vs 7.61
  • 1.6% better value for money
    Breville VCF186X has better value for money than the average coffee machine (7.73 vs 7.6).
    7.73 vs 7.61
  • Has a built-in coffee grinder
    This coffee machine has a built-in coffee grinder, while the average coffee machine does not. 30.7% of coffee machines have one.
  • Automatic milk frothing
    This coffee machine has an automatic milk frother, while the average coffee machine does not. 24.1% of coffee machines have an automatic milk frother.
  • Has a portafilter
    This coffee machine has a portafilter, while the average coffee machine does not. 32.7% of coffee machines have a portafilter.
  • Has a steam wand
    This coffee machine has a steam wand, while the average coffee machine does not. 39.7% of coffee machines have a steam wand.
  • Cleans the milk circuit automatically
    This coffee machine cleans its milk circuit automatically, while the average coffee machine does not. 18.2% of coffee machines offer automatic milk circuit cleaning.
  • 7 mm wider portafilter
    This coffee machine features a wider, commercial-standard portafilter than the average coffee machine (58 mm vs 51 mm).
    58 mm vs 51.00 mm
  • 2.5x more expensive
    Breville VCF186X is more expensive than the average coffee machine (£300 vs £120).
    £300 vs £120
  • 3.9% lower user score
    User score
    7.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.8, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models

    7.3

    Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    70%

    8.7

    Rating

    30%

    6.4

    Popularity

    7.3 vs 7.6
  • 2.5x more expensive
    Breville VCF186X is more expensive than the average coffee machine (£300 vs £120).
    £300 vs £120
  • 3.9% lower user score
    User score
    7.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.8, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models

    7.3

    Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    70%

    8.7

    Rating

    30%

    6.4

    Popularity

    7.3 vs 7.6

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Breville VCF186X

  • A 58 mm portafilter gives you a solid base for dialing in each shot.
  • The built-in grinder grinds whole beans for every shot.
  • The automatic milk frother makes milky drinks with little effort.
  • Automatic milk circuit cleaning takes some upkeep off your hands.
  • The steam wand lets you froth milk by hand.
  • The transparent reservoir shows how much water is left.

What customers don't like about Breville VCF186X

  • There is no automatic tamper, so tamping is up to you.
  • There is no PID controller for temperature control.
  • The milk temperature cannot be adjusted.
  • There is no display.
  • It does not take capsules, so pods are not an option.

Verdict

Built-in grinding and a 58 mm portafilter make the Breville VCF186X a machine for people who want to learn espresso properly. The grinder takes whole beans, and the portafilter leaves the dose and the tamp in your hands. A steam wand lets you froth milk by hand, which is good practice for a beginner. For everyday milk, the automatic frother does the job, and the automatic milk circuit cleaning takes some of the upkeep off your hands. The trade-off is how much you have to do yourself. There is no automatic tamper and no PID controller, so each shot depends on your own technique. The milk temperature cannot be adjusted, and there is no display. It suits someone who enjoys making coffee and does not mind some practice.

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