Coffee & Espresso · Head-to-head
Breville Bambino Plus vs Breville Barista Express
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full Best Beginner Espresso Machines: 3 Worth Buying (and 1 Popular One to Skip) comparison.
For most beginners the Bambino Plus is the sweet spot - real espresso, auto milk froth and a tiny footprint - with a separate grinder added later. Choose the Barista Express if you'd rather have the grinder built in, or the Gaggia Classic Pro if you want to truly learn the craft.
Breville Bambino Plus
Buy itCafe-quality shots and hands-off milk froth in a tiny footprint - the easiest real espresso machine to live with.
- Near-instant ThermoJet heat-up (about 3 seconds) and consistent, rich shots
- Automatic milk texturing rivals a cafe, plus a manual steam wand when you want control
- Compact stainless build fits where a toaster would go
- No built-in grinder - you must budget for a separate burr grinder
- Auto volume/shot-stop can be inconsistent; experts suggest stopping shots manually
Breville Barista Express
Buy itGrinder, brewer and steam wand in one box - the all-in-one that still teaches you the craft.
- Built-in conical burr grinder with 16+ settings - grind-to-cup in one machine
- Dose control and PID temperature control build real skill and give consistent results
- Capable manual steam wand for smooth microfoam once dialed in
- Pricier, and getting grind/dose/time right takes patience at first
- Steam wand is weaker than higher-end machines; needs regular cleaning and descaling
Side by side
The 6 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Breville Bambino Plus Our pick | Breville Barista Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | The average beginner who wants great espresso and milk drinks with the least fuss. | Beginners who want one countertop box that does everything and rewards learning. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium |
| Machine type | Semi-auto (ThermoJet) | Semi-auto + integrated grinder |
| Grinder included | No - pair with a burr grinder | Yes - conical burr, 16+ settings |
| Portafilter | 54 mm | 54 mm |
| Milk frothing | Auto + manual steam wand | Manual steam wand |
| Skill-building & upgrades | Solid fundamentals, easy to live with | Grind-to-cup control in one box |
| Ease of use (day one) | Very easy | Moderate - more to dial in |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Breville Bambino Plus if
the average beginner who wants great espresso and milk drinks with the least fuss.
Know before buying: no built-in grinder - you must budget for a separate burr grinder.
Pick the Breville Barista Express if
beginners who want one countertop box that does everything and rewards learning.
Know before buying: pricier, and getting grind/dose/time right takes patience at first.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Breville Bambino Plus - Cafe-quality shots and hands-off milk froth in a tiny footprint - the easiest real espresso machine to live with. Choose the Breville Barista Express instead if beginners who want one countertop box that does everything and rewards learning.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete Best Beginner Espresso Machines: 3 Worth Buying (and 1 Popular One to Skip).