Breville Bambino Plus vs Breville Barista Express
Both machines cost $499.95 new as of November 3, 2026: the Bambino Plus at Best Buy and the Barista Express at Target. Buy the Bambino Plus if you want fast, low-effort espresso and milk drinks and already own a grinder. Buy the Barista Express if you want one machine that grinds, doses and brews, and you don't mind learning to dial it in.
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Breville Bambino Plus
4.4$499.95at Best BuyObserved at 9:09 AM
Choose the Bambino Plus if you want espresso in about 3 seconds of heat-up with a hands-free automatic steam wand and you already have a burr grinder.
Pros
- Ready to brew in about 3 seconds.
- Automatic steam wand makes microfoam hands-free.
- Narrow 7.5 in width fits tight counters.
- Large rating base of 4,400 at 4.4 out of 5.
- PID temperature control and dual wall filters help beginners.
Cons
- No grinder, so you need to buy one separately.
- Manual puck prep still required.
What separates them
| Breville Bambino Plus | Breville Barista Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in grinder | None; you need a separate grinder | Integrated conical burr grinder with grind size dial, doses into the portafilter |
| Milk frothing | Automatic hands-free steam wand with microfoam presets | Manual steam wand for hand-textured microfoam and latte art |
| Heat-up and speed | Ready to brew in about 3 seconds | Beans to espresso in under a minute, plus warm-up time |
| Water tank | 64 fl oz, removable | 67 fl oz |
| Footprint | 7.5 in wide, 13.5 in deep, 12 in high | 11 in wide, 13.5 in deep, 12 in high, 22.9 lb |
| Controls and learning curve | Simple; brew strength selector and PID temperature control | Grind size, dose and shot timing to dial in; reviewers note a learning curve |
| Portafilter |
Price history
$699.95$209.99
- Breville Bambino Plus: lowest $365.00 on Nov 1 at Eugène Allard Cuisine et Tendances; $365.00 on Nov 3.
- Breville Barista Express: lowest $209.99 on Oct 30 at Le Maschere Gioielli; $499.95 on Nov 3.
Prices at every store
Breville Bambino Plus
- Macy'sNew
In stock
$499.95Observed at 9:09 AM - Best BuyNew
In stock
$499.95Observed at 9:09 AM - TargetNew
Availability unknown
$499.99Observed at 10:43 PM
Also available at
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Williams-SonomaCheck price at Williams-Sonoma
- Eugène Allard Cuisine et TendancesCheck price at Eugène Allard Cuisine et Tendances
Specs compared
| Spec | Breville Bambino Plus | Breville Barista Express |
|---|---|---|
| Water Tank Size | 64 fl.oz | 67 fl oz tank |
| Color | Stainless #BES500BSS1BUS1 | Silver |
| Capacity | Single shot, Double shot | — |
| Pressure | 9 bar (extraction) | — |
| Grind System | No built-in grinder | — |
| Brew Time | 3 seconds (ready to start) | — |
| Brew Style | Espresso | — |
| Brewing System | Single-serve | — |
| Brew Strength | Brew strength selector | — |
| Brew Settings | PID temperature control | — |
| Depth |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for beginners?
- The Bambino Plus. It heats in about 3 seconds, has an automatic steam wand and needs no grinder dialing. The Barista Express rewards practice but reviewers note a learning curve.
- Do I need a separate grinder for the Bambino Plus?
- Yes. It has no built-in grinder, so budget for a burr grinder. The Barista Express grinds on demand into the portafilter, so one machine covers both.
- Which makes better espresso?
- Both use a 54mm portafilter and PID temperature control. The Barista Express adds fresh on-demand grinding and pre-infusion, which matter more for shot quality than the machine alone.
- Which is better for lattes and cappuccinos?
- The Bambino Plus if you want hands-free microfoam. The Barista Express if you want to hand-texture milk and pour latte art.
- Is the Barista Express worth the extra?
- There is no extra at the moment: both are $499.95 as of November 3, 2026. The Barista Express adds a grinder; the Bambino Plus adds automatic frothing and a smaller footprint.
- Which lasts longer?
- Neither maker publishes a lifespan figure. The Barista Express has more parts, including the grinder, to maintain; the Bambino Plus has fewer. Descale both regularly with the ClaroSwiss-style filter routine.
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