Breville Barista Express vs Bambino Plus
Buy the Barista Express (mid-to-high hundreds) if you want an all-in-one machine with a built-in grinder and bigger tank. Buy the Bambino Plus (mid-hundreds tier) if you want a compact, fast-heating machine with great auto-milk and you'll use your own grinder.
Check current prices on Amazon →
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Barista Express | Bambino Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Mid-to-high hundreds | Mid-hundreds tier ✅ |
| Grinder | Built-in burr ✅ | None (BYO) |
| Heat-up | ~1 min | ~3 sec ✅ |
| Size | Larger | Compact ✅ |
| Milk | Manual steam wand | Automatic frothing ✅ |
| Best For | Best all-in-one | Best compact + fast |
All-in-One vs Compact
Winner: depends on your setup
The Barista Express bundles a grinder, larger tank, and manual steam wand in one footprint — the simplest single-purchase path to home espresso. The Bambino Plus drops the grinder to stay tiny and affordable, then adds near-instant heat-up and automatic milk texturing. If you already own a grinder or want to save space, the Bambino is the savvy choice.
Speed & Milk
Winner: Bambino Plus
ThermoJet heating makes the Bambino ready in seconds, and its automatic milk frothing dials in temperature and texture for you — great for lattes without practice. The Barista Express's manual wand gives more control but takes longer to learn and to heat.
Who Should Buy What
Buy the Barista Express if you:
- Want one machine that includes a grinder
- Prefer a manual steam wand and bigger tank
- Don't mind a larger footprint
Check Barista Express price on Amazon →
Buy the Bambino Plus if you:
- Have limited counter space
- Want near-instant heat-up and auto milk
- Already own or will buy a separate grinder
Check Bambino Plus price on Amazon →
Complete your espresso setup
Conical Burr Grinder
A good burr grinder upgrades your cup more than any machine — consistent grind is what makes real espresso possible.
Shop on Amazon →Digital Coffee Scale
A 0.1g scale with a timer lets you weigh dose and yield so you can repeat a great shot instead of guessing.
Shop on Amazon →Gooseneck Kettle
Precise pour control and a temperature readout — essential for pour-over and handy for pre-warming cups.
Shop on Amazon →Knock Box
Bangs out the spent puck in one move and keeps grounds out of your sink drain — a small quality-of-life win.
Shop on Amazon →Bottomless Portafilter
See your extraction as it happens — spraying or channeling shows up instantly, so you dial in faster.
Shop on Amazon →☕ Before You Buy
Ordering your machine from Amazon? Prime's 30-day free trial gets it delivered fast with free shipping and Amazon's easy no-hassle returns. The trial is genuinely free for 30 days, and you can cancel anytime.
Try Prime freeAs an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, including Prime signups via this link.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Barista Express (mid-to-high hundreds) is an all-in-one with a built-in conical burr grinder — ideal if you want one machine that does everything. The Bambino Plus (mid-hundreds tier) is compact, heats up in seconds (ThermoJet), and has excellent automatic milk frothing, but has no grinder. Choose the Barista Express if you want a grinder included; choose the Bambino Plus to save counter space and money (and pair your own grinder).
Yes — the Bambino Plus uses the same 54mm portafilter and a capable pump, and with a good separate grinder it pulls espresso every bit as good as the Barista Express. The Express's advantage is the integrated grinder and larger water tank, not shot quality.
The Bambino Plus, dramatically. Its ThermoJet heating system is ready in about 3 seconds, versus a minute or so for the Barista Express to come to temperature. For quick single cups, the Bambino is the most responsive machine in Breville's lineup.
The Bambino Plus. It's one of the most compact real espresso machines available, so it fits small kitchens easily. The Barista Express is larger because it houses a grinder and bigger tank. If space is at a premium and you already own (or will buy) a grinder, the Bambino is the smarter pick.
Last updated: May 28, 2026. Prices vary by promotion.