Breville Bambino Plus vs Breville Barista Express
Quick take: The Breville Bambino Plus costs $100 less; the Breville Barista Express has a built-in grinder; the Breville Bambino Plus heats up faster (3 seconds).
| Spec | Breville Bambino Plus | Breville Barista Express |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Auto Milk Texturing, 3-Second Heat Up | Built-in Grinder, Pre-Infusion, Pressure Gauge |
| Approx. price | ~$400 | ~$500 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 64 oz | 67 oz |
| Warm-up time | 3 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Steam wand | Auto | Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Beginners | Enthusiasts |
| Dimensions | 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 in | 12.5 x 13.8 x 15.9 in |
| Weight | 11 lbs | 23 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Breville Bambino Plus
- ✓Very fast heat-up
- ✓Compact footprint
- ✓Automatic milk steaming
- ✓Great starter machine
- ✗No built-in grinder
- ✗Small water tank
- ✗Auto steam offers less control than a manual wand
Breville Barista Express
- ✓The default first-machine recommendation in the community for a decade
- ✓Integrated dose-control grinder saves counter space and money
- ✓Analog pressure gauge gives instant feedback while dialing in
- ✓PID-controlled thermocoil holds brew temperature well for the price
- ✗Built-in grinder struggles with light roasts and retains grounds
- ✗Grind steps are coarse - inner burr adjustment is a hassle
- ✗Must wait between brewing and steaming on the single thermocoil
- ✗Only a 1-year warranty on a $700 machine
What owners say
Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus is the $500 version of the same tiny Thermojet machine, and the extra $200 buys the milk. Its steam wand carries a temperature and texture sensor, so you drop it into the pitcher, press once, and it shuts off on its own at a chosen warmth and foam level - which is why it is the machine most often suggested to someone buying their very first setup, and the one that keeps showing up in households where a partner, a roommate or a teenager also has to be able to make a latte. It also adds a solenoid valve for drier pucks and no post-shot dripping, a 64 oz tank instead of 47 oz, and a second year of warranty. Heat-up is still about three seconds, the basket is still 54mm, and it still takes up almost no counter. Full owner insights →
Breville Barista Express
The Barista Express is the machine that taught a whole generation of people to pull espresso. It is a thermocoil single-boiler with a conical burr grinder bolted to the left side, a 54mm portafilter, a dose-control grind cradle, the little razor tool for trimming the puck, and an analog pressure gauge on the front. It has been on sale for well over a decade with barely a change, it is still the most-discussed all-in-one in home espresso, and it remains the default answer when someone wants one appliance on one square of counter that grinds, brews and steams for $700. Full owner insights →
Breville Bambino Plus vs Breville Barista Express: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Express?
The Breville Bambino Plus is the cheaper of the two at roughly $400, about $100 less than the Breville Barista Express at ~$500. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Which is better for lattes and cappuccinos, the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Express?
The Breville Bambino Plus steams and textures milk automatically, while the Breville Barista Express uses a manual steam wand you texture milk with yourself. An automatic system gets you a consistent milk drink with no practice; a manual wand takes a few weeks to learn but gives you proper microfoam and latte art once it clicks.
Does the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Express have a built-in grinder?
Only the Breville Barista Express grinds its own beans. The Breville Bambino Plus needs a separate grinder, which is worth budgeting for — a dedicated burr grinder is usually the bigger upgrade to shot quality, but it also costs extra counter space and money on top of the machine.
Which heats up faster, the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Express?
The Breville Bambino Plus is ready sooner — 3 seconds against 30 seconds for the Breville Barista Express. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.