Best Breville Espresso Machines Compared: Bambino Plus vs Barista Express vs Pro
Three of Breville's most popular home espresso machines, compared on the numbers Breville publishes. We have not tested them ourselves.
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All three machines use a 54mm portafilter and the same 9 bar extraction after low-pressure pre-infusion. They differ on the grinder, heating system and milk wand. The Bambino Plus is the compact pick with automatic milk, the Barista Express is the all-in-one starter, and the Barista Pro adds more grind settings and a faster heat-up.
Quick picks
- Best compactthe Bambino PlusCheck price
- Best all-in-one valuethe Barista ExpressCheck price
- Best grind controlthe Barista ProCheck price
| Spec | Top pickBrevillethe Bambino Plus | Brevillethe Barista Express | Brevillethe Barista Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small kitchens and automatic milk | An all-in-one starter setup | Faster heat-up and finer grind control |
| List price | $499.95 (Breville US, Oct 27, 2026) | $699.95 (Breville US, Oct 27, 2026) | $849.95 (Breville US, Oct 27, 2026) |
| Grinder | None built in | Conical burr, 16 settings | Conical burr (Baratza burrs), 30 settings |
| Heat-up | 3 seconds (ThermoJet) | Thermocoil with PID (200°F water) | 3 seconds (ThermoJet) |
| Milk | Automatic and manual steam wand | Manual steam wand | Manual steam wand |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 11.9 x 7.4 x 14.3 in | 15.9 x 13.1 x 12.4 in | 16.1 x 13.8 x 13.1 in |
| Price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Specs from each manufacturer's US product page. Bars compare each spec against the best value in this table; they are not test scores. Prices change often, so we link out instead of quoting them.
The picks
★Best compact
Brevillethe Bambino Plus
Best for: Small kitchens and automatic milk
A compact 54mm espresso machine with a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up and automatic milk texturing. You need a separate grinder.
What we like
- Narrowest footprint of the three
- Hands-free milk texturing
- Lowest list price here
Watch out for
- Needs a separate burr grinder
- Fewer controls than the Barista models
At 11.9 inches wide, the Bambino Plus is the narrowest. Its wand can texture milk automatically. Budget for a separate burr grinder.
★Best all-in-one value
Brevillethe Barista Express
Best for: An all-in-one starter setup
A 54mm machine with a built-in conical burr grinder (16 settings), PID temperature control at 200°F and a manual steam wand.
What we like
- Grinder built in
- Volumetric 1 and 2 shot buttons
- Dosing Funnel included
Watch out for
- Fewest grind settings of the two grinder models
- Manual milk only
The Barista Express grinds, doses and extracts in one machine. Breville says its PID control delivers water at 200°F.
★Best grind control
Brevillethe Barista Pro
Best for: Faster heat-up and finer grind control
A 54mm machine with Baratza European precision burrs (30 settings) and a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up.
What we like
- 30 grind settings
- 3-second heat-up
- Grinder built in
Watch out for
- Highest list price here
- Largest footprint
The Barista Pro moves to Baratza burrs with 30 settings and the 3-second ThermoJet heater.
Pair it with
A good thermometer helps with milk too. See our best instant-read thermometers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a grinder with the Bambino Plus?
Yes. The Bambino Plus has no built-in grinder. The Barista Express and Barista Pro both include conical burr grinders.
What is the difference between the Barista Express and Barista Pro?
Per Breville, the Pro has 30 grind settings and a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up. The Express has 16 grind settings and a Thermocoil heater with PID control at 200°F.
