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Comparison Espresso Machines

Barista Express vs Bambino Plus: Which Should You Buy?

Quick answer

Choose the Barista Express if you need a grinder too; choose the Bambino Plus if you already own a good grinder and want faster heat-up and automatic milk.

By Buyzello Editorial Team 1 min read

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Illustration of espresso machines (not a photo of this product)
Recommended

Breville Barista Express BES870XL

Best for beginners who want it all

Typically $549–$749

Check Price on Amazon at Amazon Paid link
Illustration of espresso machines (not a photo of this product)
Recommended

Breville Bambino Plus BES500

Best for compact and fast

Typically $399–$499

Check Price on Amazon at Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureBreville Barista Express BES870XLBreville Bambino Plus BES500
VerdictRecommendedRecommended
Typical price$549–$749$399–$499
Best forBeginners who want it allCompact and fast
Key featureBuilt-in grinder and steam wand in oneHeats in seconds with auto milk frothing
GrinderIntegrated conical burr—
Pump15 bar—
Water tank67 oz—
Heat-up—About 3 seconds
Milk—Automatic steam wand
Where to buyCheck Price at Amazon Paid linkCheck Price at Amazon Paid link

Main differences

Grinder

Barista Express has one built in; Bambino Plus needs a separate grinder.

Speed

Bambino Plus heats in about 3 seconds.

Milk

Bambino Plus froths milk automatically; Barista Express is manual.

Size

Bambino Plus is much more compact.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Breville Barista Express BES870XL if you

  • need a grinder
  • want an all-in-one setup
  • want to learn manual milk steaming
Check Price at Amazon Paid link

Choose the Breville Bambino Plus BES500 if you

  • already own a burr grinder
  • have a small kitchen
  • want hands-off milk frothing
Check Price at Amazon Paid link

Which specifications matter?

Focus on the differences above rather than headline numbers. For more options, see our list of the best espresso machines.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, the Barista Express or the Bambino Plus?

Choose the Barista Express if you need a grinder too; choose the Bambino Plus if you already own a good grinder and want faster heat-up and automatic milk.

Which is better value?

The Barista Express typically costs $549–$749 and the Bambino Plus typically costs $399–$499. The better value depends on which differences above matter to you.

Buyzello Editorial Team

Part of the Buyzello research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we test and score Editorial policy

Barista Express vs Bambino Plus: the deciding differences

Barista Express vs Bambino Plus: which should you buy? Choose the Barista Express if you need a grinder too; choose the Bambino Plus if you already own a good grinder and want faster heat-up and automatic milk. Typical prices are $549–$749 for the Barista Express and $399–$499 for the Bambino Plus.

The Barista Express is best for beginners who want it all. Its key feature is built-in grinder and steam wand in one. Buy it if you want to learn real espresso at home with a built-in grinder and a proper steam wand. Owners and specs point to strengths such as built-in conical burr grinder, manual steam wand for latte art and pressure gauge helps you dial in, while the main drawbacks are learning curve and grinder range limits light roasts.

The Bambino Plus is best for compact and fast, with heats in seconds with auto milk frothing as its headline feature. Buy it if you want café-style lattes from a compact machine that heats up in seconds and froths milk automatically. Its strengths include 3-second heat-up, automatic milk frothing and compact footprint; the trade-offs are no built-in grinder and small water tank.

The differences that matter most: Grinder: Barista Express has one built in; Bambino Plus needs a separate grinder. Speed: Bambino Plus heats in about 3 seconds. Milk: Bambino Plus froths milk automatically; Barista Express is manual. Size: Bambino Plus is much more compact.

Choose the Barista Express if you need a grinder, want an all-in-one setup and want to learn manual milk steaming. Choose the Bambino Plus if you already own a burr grinder, have a small kitchen and want hands-off milk frothing. If neither fits, our list of the best espresso machines covers more options at different prices.

Budget for a burr grinder if the machine does not include one; it matters as much as the machine. Decide between manual control and push-button convenience. Check the steam wand if you drink lattes and cappuccinos.

If you buy two café drinks a week or more, a good machine usually pays for itself within a year. Manual machines make richer espresso and are fun to learn. Automatic machines make good drinks at the press of a button.

Breville and Philips machines see their best US prices around Black Friday and Prime Big Deal Days in October. Register the machine for warranty and buy the correct water filters to protect it from hard water.