Choose the Barista Express if you want one box that does everything: it grinds, brews, and steams, and it sells for about $699.95 as of November 2026. Choose the Bambino Plus if you drink mostly milk drinks and want the fastest, easiest mornings — but budget about $200 more for a good grinder, bringing its real cost to about $699.90.
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These are the two most recommended first espresso machines Breville sells, and they look like rivals — but they solve different problems. The Bambino Plus is a compact brewer with automatic milk texturing and no grinder. The Barista Express is a larger all-in-one with a built-in conical burr grinder and a manual steam wand. The price gap looks like $250 on paper, yet once you add the grinder the Bambino Plus needs, the two setups cost almost exactly the same.
We compared specs, prices, and verified owner reviews for both machines, plus the grinder most Bambino Plus owners pair with it. The right choice comes down to how you drink coffee, how much counter space you have, and whether you want to learn milk steaming or skip it.
How do the Bambino Plus and Barista Express actually differ?
The core difference is what is inside the box. The Barista Express includes a grinder, so it goes from whole beans to espresso with one purchase. The Bambino Plus has no grinder at all — it assumes you already own one, will buy one, or will use pre-ground coffee with the included dual-wall baskets.
The second difference is speed. The Bambino Plus uses Breville’s ThermoJet system, which reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds. The Barista Express uses a Thermocoil heater that takes about 30 seconds to get ready.
The third difference is milk. The Bambino Plus textures milk automatically — you set a temperature and a foam level, and the wand does the work. The Barista Express gives you a manual steam wand, which means full control and a learning curve.
| Feature | Bambino Plus (BES500BSS) | Barista Express (BES870XL) |
|---|---|---|
| List price, as of November 2026 | $499.95 | $749.95 (often $699.95; $499.95 on promo) |
| Built-in grinder | None — separate grinder required | Integrated conical burr, 16 grind settings |
| Heating system | ThermoJet, 3-second heat-up | Thermocoil, about 30-second heat-up |
| Portafilter | 54 mm stainless steel, 18 g dose | 54 mm stainless steel, 18 g dose |
| Pump | 15-bar Italian pump, 9-bar extraction | 15-bar Italian pump, 9-bar extraction |
| Temperature control | PID, 3 brew-temp settings | PID, adjustable brew temperature |
| Milk system | Automatic microfoam, 3 temps, 3 foam levels | Manual steam wand |
| Pressure gauge | No | Yes, on the front panel |
| Hot water outlet | No | Yes |
| Water tank | 64 fl oz (1.9 L), removable | 67 fl oz (2 L), removable |
| Bean hopper | None | 1/2 lb (8.8 oz) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 in | 12.5 x 13.8 x 15.9 in |
| Weight | About 11 lb | About 22 lb |
| Power | 1560 W | 1600 W |
| Warranty | 1-year limited (US listing) | 1-year limited (US listing) |
The table makes the trade-off plain: the Barista Express is the complete package, and the Bambino Plus is the faster, smaller, more specialized one.
Which machine makes better espresso?
The espresso itself is nearly identical, because the brewing hardware is nearly identical. Both machines use a 54 mm stainless steel portafilter with an 18-gram dose, a 15-bar Italian pump, low-pressure pre-infusion, and PID temperature control, and both are rated for 9-bar extraction.
That means the shot quality gap between these two machines comes from the grinder, not the brewer. Espresso is unforgiving about grind size: a few microns too coarse and the shot runs fast and sour; a few microns too fine and it chokes and turns bitter. The machine that grinds better and dials in finer is the machine that makes better espresso in your kitchen.
The Barista Express grinds directly into the portafilter at the push of a button, with dose control and 16 grind settings. Owner reviews consistently describe it as good enough for cafe-quality espresso for the first year or two of ownership. Its honest limit is adjustment range: 16 stepped settings mean you sometimes land between the setting that is slightly too coarse and the one that is slightly too fine, with no step in between.
A Bambino Plus paired with a capable separate grinder can edge past it on dialing-in precision. The Baratza Encore ESP, the grinder most often recommended for this pairing, offers 40 settings with 20 dedicated micro-steps for espresso — finer control than the Barista Express’s 16. It also keeps your upgrade path open: if you outgrow the grinder, you replace the grinder, not the whole machine.
There is one more practical point. Both machines ship with dual-wall (pressurized) baskets, which are forgiving of pre-ground coffee and inconsistent grinds, and single-wall (non-pressurized) baskets, which reward a good grinder with better flavor. Beginners usually start on the dual-wall baskets and move to single-wall once their grinding is consistent. Either machine supports that progression.
What about the grinder — built-in or separate?
The built-in grinder is the Barista Express’s whole reason to exist. One purchase, one box on the counter, one button to grind and dose. For a first-time buyer, it removes the most confusing decision in home espresso — which grinder to buy — and the risk of buying one that cannot grind fine enough for espresso. That convenience is why the Barista Express has been one of the best-selling home espresso machines since 2013, with more than 27,000 Amazon ratings averaging 4.5 stars as of November 2026.
The trade-offs are less obvious. The grinder is sealed inside the machine, so it cannot be deep-cleaned without a service appointment or upgraded without replacing the whole machine. If the grinder wears out first — owner reviews suggest it often does, around the 7-to-10-year mark — the whole appliance goes with it.
The Bambino Plus takes the opposite approach: it buys you freedom and charges you for it. You choose your own grinder, upgrade it later, and use it for filter coffee too. The Baratza Encore ESP is the natural pairing at $199.95 as of November 2026: 40 mm conical burrs, 40 stepped settings split into an espresso range (1–20) and a filter range (21–40), a portafilter dosing cup, and a repairable design with published parts and guides. It is the grinder most reviewers recommend when the budget is under $200 and espresso is the goal.
The catch is cost and counter space: the grinder adds $199.95 and a second appliance. And if you buy the Bambino Plus planning to “use pre-ground coffee for now,” be honest with yourself — pre-ground coffee goes stale fast, and the dual-wall baskets can only compensate so much. Budget the grinder from day one, or buy the Barista Express instead.
How do the milk systems compare?
The Bambino Plus textures milk automatically. Pour cold milk into the included jug, place it under the wand, choose one of three temperatures (Warm, Ideal, Hot) and one of three foam levels (Low, Medium, High), and press a button. The machine steams to the set temperature and stops, then purges the wand itself. Owner reviews praise it for repeatable, hands-free microfoam with no technique required — the same drink, the same way, every morning.
The cost of that convenience is control. The automatic system makes good, consistent foam, but it will not teach you latte art, and you cannot push it beyond its presets.
The Barista Express gives you a manual steam wand and nothing else. You control the steam, the angle, the depth, and the temperature, and you stop it yourself. Expect a week or two of large bubbles and scorched milk before it clicks. But the ceiling is higher — a manual wand in practiced hands makes the silky microfoam that latte art needs, and the skill transfers to any espresso machine you own later.
A simple rule of thumb: if milk drinks are your daily routine and you want them fast and consistent, the Bambino Plus wins. If you want to learn the barista craft and latte art is on your list, the Barista Express wins.
How much counter space does each machine need?
The Bambino Plus is one of the smallest semi-automatic espresso machines on the market. At 7.7 inches wide, it is narrower than a standard sheet of paper is long. The Barista Express is 12.5 inches wide — nearly 5 inches wider — and about 78 percent larger in footprint overall.
Height matters too, especially under kitchen cabinets. The Bambino Plus stands 12.2 inches tall and fits comfortably under standard 18-inch upper cabinets. The Barista Express is 15.9 inches tall, and its bean hopper sits on top — you need extra clearance above it to lift the lid and pour beans in. Measure your cabinet height before ordering.
Weight is the other half of the footprint story. At about 11 pounds, the Bambino Plus slides aside easily for cleaning. At about 22 pounds, the Barista Express is a two-hand lift that stays where you put it. If your kitchen is small or your counter is shared with other appliances, the Bambino Plus is the easier machine to live with.
What does each setup really cost?
Comparing list prices understates the real decision, because the Bambino Plus is not a complete setup on its own. Here is the honest first-year math, using prices as of November 2026.
| Cost item | Bambino Plus setup | Barista Express setup |
|---|---|---|
| Machine | $499.95 | $749.95 list / $699.95 street |
| Grinder | $199.95 (Baratza Encore ESP) | $0 (built-in) |
| Total to start brewing | $699.90 | $699.95 (street) / $499.95 (promo) |
| Included accessories | Tamper, Razor dosing tool, 480 ml milk jug, baskets | Integrated tamper, Razor dosing tool, baskets, milk jug |
| Ongoing costs | Beans, descaler, cleaning tablets | Beans, descaler, cleaning tablets, grinder brush |
At street prices, the two setups cost within five cents of each other: $699.90 for the Bambino Plus with the Encore ESP, versus $699.95 for the Barista Express. The $250 list-price gap is an illusion created by the missing grinder.
The exception is the promotion. Breville ran the Barista Express at $499.95 through November 9, 2026, via a manufacturer rebate at major retailers and on Amazon — $200 below its street price. If that price returns during a holiday sale, the Barista Express becomes $200 cheaper than the Bambino Plus setup, and the value argument flips decisively in its favor. If you are not in a rush, watch for that deal before buying either machine.
Budget for beans and cleaning supplies on top of the machine: fresh beans run roughly $15–$20 per bag, and both machines need regular descaling and cleaning-tablet backflushes. Neither machine is expensive to maintain; both are expensive to neglect.
Which machine should you buy?
There is no wrong answer here — both machines brew from the same 54 mm core, and both have thousands of satisfied owners. The right one depends on how you will actually use it.
Buy the Bambino Plus if you drink mostly milk drinks and want the easiest mornings. The automatic milk texturing, 3-second heat-up, and tiny footprint make it the best choice for latte and cappuccino drinkers, small kitchens, and anyone who wants great coffee with the least fuss. Pair it with the Baratza Encore ESP grinder from day one — the Bambino Plus itself is $499.95 on Amazon, and the pair totals $699.90.
Buy the Barista Express if you want one purchase that does everything and you want to learn the craft. The built-in grinder, manual steam wand, and pressure gauge give you the full barista workflow in a single box, and the learning curve pays off in better latte art and a deeper understanding of espresso. The Barista Express is $749.95 list on Amazon, usually sells around $699.95, and has dropped to $499.95 on promotion — at that price it is the best value in home espresso.
Buy the Bambino Plus if your counter is tight. At 7.7 inches wide and about 11 pounds, it fits where the Barista Express simply does not, and it slides aside easily when you need the space.
Wait for a sale if you can. The Barista Express at $499.95 is $200 cheaper than the Bambino Plus setup and the better buy at that price. If you see it at $499.95, buy it. If both machines are at full price and you drink milk drinks daily, buy the Bambino Plus with the Encore ESP and enjoy the 3-second mornings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bambino Plus or Barista Express better for beginners?
The Barista Express is better for a beginner who wants one purchase that covers everything, because the built-in grinder removes the hardest buying decision. The Bambino Plus is better for a beginner who mainly drinks milk drinks and wants the simplest daily routine, as long as a grinder is budgeted from the start.
Does the Bambino Plus need a separate grinder?
Yes, the Bambino Plus has no built-in grinder, so it needs a separate burr grinder for the best results — the Baratza Encore ESP at $199.95 is the most commonly recommended pairing. It can brew pre-ground coffee using the included dual-wall baskets, but pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly and limits shot quality.
Is the Barista Express grinder good enough?
Yes, for most home baristas the built-in conical burr grinder with 16 settings is good enough for cafe-quality espresso, based on specs and thousands of verified owner reviews. Its limits are finer dialing-in — a dedicated grinder like the Encore ESP offers more adjustment steps — and the fact that it cannot be upgraded without replacing the whole machine.
How long does each machine take to heat up?
The Bambino Plus reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds with its ThermoJet system, while the Barista Express takes about 30 seconds with its Thermocoil heater. Both are fast by espresso-machine standards, but the Bambino Plus is effectively instant.
Which machine is better for lattes?
The Bambino Plus is better for everyday lattes because its automatic milk texturing produces consistent microfoam at the push of a button. The Barista Express is better for learning latte art, because its manual steam wand gives full control over milk texture once you learn the technique.