Breville Barista Express: Same Espresso in the +α Bambino
Quick verdict: Buy the Barista Express if you want grinder and machine in one box. Buy the Bambino if you want the same 54mm café drinks for $400 less — and will grind separately.
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4.4 ★ on Amazon · 27,963 ratings · 10K+ bought in past month
$699.95 at Amazon Checked Oct 23, 2026
Walmart: marketplace sellers only — from $599 · Target: not sold
KEY SPECS
- Model: BES870XL — Brushed Stainless Steel
- 15-bar Italian pump
- Built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder
- 54mm portafilter
- 67 oz removable water tank
- Manual microfoam steam wand
- Footprint: 12.5 in W × 15.9 in H
- Warranty: 1-year limited (Breville)
WHY THIS PICK
- The best-selling home espresso machine in its class on Amazon — 10K+ bought in the past month
- Everything in one box: the grinder is built in, so there is nothing else to buy to start
- Proven for years: on sale since 2010, with a 4.4-star average across 27,963 ratings
HONEST NOTE
$699.95 is the full list price — no deal on it today, so there is no reason to rush. It is also a big, manual machine with a real learning curve, and because the grinder is built in, a grinder failure means the whole machine goes in for repair.
+α THE VALUE OPTION
Nearly the same performance as the compared pick — for much less money.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
$299.95 at Amazon — $400 less · 57% less
4.0 ★ on Amazon · 2,679 ratings · 4K+ bought in past month
Checked Oct 23, 2026
MAIN FUNCTIONS
- Same 54mm portafilter — the size that decides the shot
- ThermoJet heats in about 3 seconds — faster than the Express
- Steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos · about 6 inches wide
THE TRADE-OFF
No built-in grinder — pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder, and a smaller 47 oz tank.
WHO SHOULD BUY WHICH
The Barista Express (BES870XL) is the complete countertop café in one box, and nothing about it is automatic — that is the point. It rewards the hands-on process: dialing in the grind, tamping, watching the pressure gauge. Buy it if you want one machine that does everything and counter space is not a fight. Buy the Bambino if you want the same drinks for $400 less, your counter is small, and you are fine grinding separately — or using pre-ground coffee while you learn.
Prices can change.