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Breville Barista Express (BES870) vs Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)
Last updated: 15 Feb 2026 · Australian pricing and availability
My Verdict
Starting from scratch? Get the Barista Express. It's the complete package. Already have a good grinder or want a tiny machine? The Bambino Plus paired with a quality grinder can actually make better espresso in a much smaller footprint.
★ Winner
Breville Barista Express (BES870)
Breville
RefDat
4.3
$549
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | Detail | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr grinder included. Bambino has none. Separate purchase required. | Breville Barista Express (BES870) |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Express: $649-$699 total. Bambino: $499 + $150-$500 grinder = $649-$999 total. | Breville Barista Express (BES870) |
| Size | Bambino is dramatically smaller (195mm vs 330mm wide). Fits on any benchtop. | Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) |
| Heat-up Time | 3 seconds (ThermoJet) vs 30 seconds (thermocoil). | Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) |
| Milk Texturing | Auto MilQ system textures milk hands-free. Express has manual steam wand only. | Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) |
| Espresso Quality Ceiling | With a premium external grinder (Niche Zero, DF64), the Bambino can outperform the Express. | Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) |
| Simplicity | One machine, one plug, one setup. Everything you need out of the box. | Breville Barista Express (BES870) |
| Repairability | 4.1/5 vs 3.8/5. Express has larger repair community and more parts in circulation. | Breville Barista Express (BES870) |
Detailed Comparison
The grinder question settles this completely, and I see people get confused by it all the time. If you're buying your first espresso setup, the Express wins every single time. It's got a built-in conical burr grinder, so you're paying $649-$699 for the complete package. Turn it on and you can make espresso in under a minute without fussing. The Bambino Plus looks like a steal at $499 until you realise it has no grinder included. Then you're buying a separate burr grinder, which isn't cheap. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro adds $300-$400 to the bill. Something like a Niche Zero is another $500+ on top. Suddenly the Bambino doesn't look like the budget option anymore once you do the maths. That said, if you already own a quality grinder sitting in a cupboard (or you're willing to splurge on something like the Niche Zero), the Bambino is legitimately excellent. It's tiny (195mm vs the Express's 330mm), heats up in three seconds instead of thirty, and has that automatic milk texturing that does the job without fussing. The espresso quality ceiling is actually higher on the Bambino when paired with a top-tier grinder. But for most people starting from scratch with no grinder, the Express is simpler and more honest money. One machine, one power cord, done.Buying in Australia
| Breville Barista Express (BES870) | Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) | |
|---|---|---|
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Breville Barista Express (BES870) if:
Buy the Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) if:
See all my ranked picks in Best Espresso Machines in Australia.
Need help deciding? Read my Espresso Machines buyer's guide.