Head-to-head

Barista Express vs Bambino Plus

Specs side by side and a straight answer on which to buy.

By Julien A. · Updated June 2026

Our takeJulien A. · CoffeeGearHQ

The deciding factor between these two isn't the price, it's the grinder. The Barista Express has one built in, plus a pressure gauge that teaches you to read a shot — buy it and you're pulling espresso out of a single box with nothing else to source. The Bambino Plus skips the grinder entirely to stay tiny and cheap, which means you'll need a separate one, and a good espresso grinder often costs as much as the machine.

So the 'cheaper' Bambino Plus may not be cheaper once it's a working setup — but it earns its place if counter space is precious or you already own a grinder. Our read: choose the Express if you want everything-in-one simplicity and room to learn on the gauge; choose the Bambino Plus if space is the real constraint or you're pairing it with a grinder you already trust. Just don't buy the Plus expecting to grind supermarket pre-ground — espresso won't forgive that.

Specs head-to-head

Spec	Barista Express	Bambino Plus
Pump pressure	Extraction Feedback pressure gauge	15 bar
Portafilter	54 mm	54 mm
Heating system	Thermocoil heating system	—
Integrated grinder	Steel conical burrs	—
Milk texturing	Manual milk texturing	Hands-free milk texturing
Water tank	67 oz.	64 fl.oz
Power	1600 W	1560 W
Voltage	110–120 Volts.	110-120 Volts
Dimensions	12.5" x 13.8" x 15.9"	7.5” x 13.5” x 12”
Weight	10.018 kg	4.95 kg

Which should you buy?

The Barista Express is the true all-in-one: a built-in grinder, a 54mm portafilter and a pressure gauge that teaches you espresso — one box and you're pulling shots. The Bambino Plus drops the grinder (you add one) but is far smaller, heats in ~3 seconds, and adds automatic milk frothing for hands-free lattes. Choose the Express if you want everything in one machine and enjoy the hands-on grind-dose-tamp routine; choose the Bambino Plus to save counter space, get near-instant espresso and let the machine steam your milk — just budget for a separate grinder.

Full reviews: Barista Express · Bambino Plus