Photo: UnsplashHere's a coincidence worth knowing about. Breville lists the Barista Express at $699.95. A Bambino Plus ($499.95) plus a Baratza Encore ESP grinder ($199.95) comes to $699.90. For the same money you can buy one all-in-one machine or a two-piece setup, and they suit different people.
- Want one appliance and like steaming milk yourself: Barista Express, $699.95 list.
- Want automatic milk and a smaller machine: Bambino Plus + Encore ESP, $699.90 list together.
- Same espresso basics: both machines use a 54 mm portafilter, an 18 g dose, pre-infusion and 9 bar extraction, per Breville.
Side by side
| Barista Express (BES870) | Bambino Plus (BES500) + Encore ESP (ZCG495) | |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $699.95 | $499.95 + $199.95 = $699.90 |
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr, 16 grind settings, dose control | Separate Encore ESP with espresso-focused grind resolution and a dosing cup |
| Heating | Thermocoil with PID, water at 200°F | ThermoJet, up to temperature in 3 seconds |
| Milk | Manual steam wand | Automatic texturing (3 temperatures, 3 textures) or manual |
| Portafilter | 54 mm, 18 g dose | 54 mm, 18 g dose |
| Water tank | 67 oz | 1.9 L (about 64 oz) |
| Machine size (W×D×H) | 15.9 × 13.1 × 12.4 in | 11.9 × 7.4 × 14.3 in, plus the grinder |
Specs and list prices are from Breville's and Baratza's US product pages, checked Oct 15, 2026. Breville's site showed the Barista Express out of stock that day. Prices change, so always confirm with the retailer.
Where they're the same
The espresso side is closer than the price tags suggest. Breville describes both machines with the same 54 mm stainless steel portafilter, an 18 g dose, single and dual wall baskets, low-pressure pre-infusion, and 9 bar extraction from a 15 bar pump. Both offer one-touch 1 and 2 shot volumetric buttons. The bigger differences are around the shot: the grinder, the milk and the counter.
Same money, same portafilter. The real choice is one box or two, and who steams the milk.
The grinder question
Grind straight into the portafilter with one touch. One plug, one footprint. Breville lists 16 grind settings.
A dedicated espresso-capable grinder you can also use for other brew methods. If either piece fails or you upgrade, you replace only that piece.
An all-in-one is simpler to set up and keeps everything in one place. A separate grinder gives you more flexibility later: you can move it to a pour-over setup, sell it, or upgrade to something like the Baratza Sette 270 without touching the machine. Our beginner grinder guide covers how the Encore ESP compares with the original Encore and the Fellow Opus 2.
Milk: manual or automatic
This is the clearest split. The Barista Express has a manual steam wand, so you texture the milk yourself. That's a skill to learn, and many people enjoy learning it. The Bambino Plus can texture milk automatically, with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings, and it still lets you steam by hand. If you mostly drink lattes and flat whites and want them without practice, that's a strong point for the Bambino Plus. Our Bambino vs Bambino Plus comparison goes deeper on that feature.
Counter space
Breville lists the Barista Express at 15.9 inches wide and 13.1 inches deep. The Bambino Plus is 11.9 inches wide and 7.4 inches deep, though you'll need room for the grinder next to it. If your counter is shallow, measure both arrangements before you choose.
Who should pick which
You want a single appliance, you like the idea of learning to steam milk, and you don't plan to swap grinders.
You drink mostly milk drinks, have a tight counter, or want the option to upgrade the grinder or machine separately.
If you'd rather press one button for everything, look at super-automatic machines instead.
When to buy
Both Breville machines show up in holiday promotions, so it can pay to wait if you're not in a hurry. Read when espresso machines go on sale and check whether a sale is real before you buy. You can also browse our espresso machines under $1,000 and espresso grinders under $500 guides.
FAQ
Is the Barista Express or the Bambino Plus better?
Neither is better across the board. The Barista Express puts the grinder inside the machine and has a manual steam wand. The Bambino Plus is smaller, has automatic milk texturing, and needs a separate grinder. Pick based on whether you want one appliance or two, and who you want steaming the milk.
Do the Barista Express and Bambino Plus use the same portafilter?
Yes, in size. Breville lists a 54 mm stainless steel portafilter with an 18 g dose for both machines, plus low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9 bar extraction from a 15 bar pump.
Does the Bambino Plus need a separate grinder?
Yes. The Bambino Plus has no built-in grinder, so you either buy pre-ground coffee or pair it with an espresso-capable burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore ESP.
Can I upgrade the grinder on a Barista Express later?
You can always add a separate grinder and stop using the built-in one, but you keep paying for the built-in grinder and its counter space. With a two-piece setup you can replace the grinder or the machine on its own.
