Two models compared on maker specs and U.S. list prices, with a buy-now-or-wait call for each.
We earn from qualifying purchases, including as an Amazon Associate and through Prima Coffee affiliate links.
Quick verdict
Best valueBreville Bambino Plus ($499.95 list, checked Oct 30, 2026). ThermoJet heating, PID (digital control that holds the water at a steady temperature), hands-free milk texturing and a 2 Year Limited Warranty at the lower list price. No grinder. Where to buy
Solid pickBreville Barista Express ($699.95 list, checked Oct 30, 2026). Adds a built-in steel conical burr grinder and a 67 oz tank, for one machine that does it all. Where to buy
Editor picks
Ready to buy? Start with a kit or compare our top picks.
7 recorded points, Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 5, 2026 (maker list price). List $699.95.
Recorded priceMaker list price Only prices we checked and dated ourselves; nothing back-filled.
Is this a real Black Friday low?
Breville Bambino Plus: $499.95 maker U.S. list price, checked Oct 30, 2026. We do not yet have enough of our own dated price history to call a Black Friday low on this model. We have tracked it since Oct 17, 2026, and the list price has not changed.
Breville Barista Express: $699.95 maker U.S. list price, checked Oct 30, 2026. We do not yet have enough of our own dated price history to call a Black Friday low on this model. We have tracked it since Oct 17, 2026, and the list price has not changed.
We only compare against prices we checked and dated ourselves at the maker's store. We never show a made-up "was" price. Related: Black Friday price watch and buy now or wait.
Setup cost
Breville Bambino Plus setup (machine + grinder + scale): $758.90.Breville Bambino Plus $499.95 + Baratza Encore ESP $199.95 + Timemore Black Mirror Basic 3.0 scale $59.00.
Breville Barista Express setup (machine only; grinder built in + scale): $758.95.Breville Barista Express $699.95 + Timemore Black Mirror Basic 3.0 scale $59.00.
Totals add each maker's U.S. list price, checked Oct 30, 2026 (scale checked Oct 30, 2026). Retailer prices can be lower. Build your own on the setup builder or see home espresso setups.
Recall status. Breville: none found (automated CPSC name match, data fetched 2026-11-05 10:11 CST; not a safety rating). Details at the end of this page.
Get an email when one of these drops in price
Pick a model. We check prices at each maker's own store, date every check, and email you when we record a lower price. Free; unsubscribe anytime.
After you subscribe, Kit sends a confirmation email. Click the link in it to start getting alerts. We store your email and the model you picked; sent through Kit.
Everything below comes from each maker's own product page (list price, specs and the date we checked), U.S. CPSC recall notices, and, for the buy-now-or-wait calls, named public reports of last year's holiday prices. We show no star ratings or review counts. Some links may earn us a commission; see the disclosure.
Thermocoil heating (a metal coil that heats water as it flows through) system
Yes
Steel conical burrs
54 mm
67 oz
15.9 x 13.1 x 12.4 in
22.09 lbs / 10.018 kg
1 Year Limited Warranty
$699.95
Oct 30, 2026
Specs and list prices from each maker's U.S. product page, checked Oct 30, 2026. "Not stated" means the maker page did not list it.
Price gap. The Breville Bambino Plus has the lower U.S. list price ($499.95 vs $699.95, a $200.00 difference), per each maker's site checked Oct 30, 2026.
Spec sheet, line by line
Spec
Bambino Plus
Barista Express
Grinder
None (needs a separate grinder)
Integrated conical burr (steel), 16 grind settings, dose control with manual override
Heating
ThermoJet, digital PID temperature control
Thermocoil, digital PID temperature control
Heat-up
3 seconds
Not stated (Thermocoil; expect a wait before steaming)
Pre-infusion / pump
Low-pressure pre-infusion (a gentle soak of the coffee before full pressure), then 9 bar extraction via 15 bar pump
Low-pressure pre-infusion, 15 bar pump
Interface
1 cup, 2 cup and steam buttons (volumetric)
Buttons and analog pressure gauge; single or double shot
54 mm stainless, 18 g dose, single- and dual-wall baskets, tamper, Razor dose tool
54 mm stainless, single- and dual-wall baskets, integrated tamper, Razor dose tool
Bean hopper
None
1/2 lb
Water tank
64 oz
67 oz
Power
1560 W, 110–120 V
1600 W, 110–120 V
Size (W x D x H)
11.9 x 7.4 x 14.3 in (maker listing)
15.9 x 13.1 x 12.4 in
Weight
10.9 lb
22.1 lb
Warranty
2 year limited
1 year limited
List price
$499.95
$699.95
From Breville's U.S. product pages (BES870, BES878, BES500), checked Oct 30 and Nov 2, 2026. List prices are Breville's; Amazon prices move, so check the button for today's price.
What the spec gaps mean day to day
Grinder. The Express has one built in. The Bambino Plus does not, so you need a grinder made for espresso. Most of the Bambino's lower list price goes on that grinder.
Milk. The Bambino Plus can steam milk for you, with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings, so you can walk away while it works. On the Express you steam by hand, which takes practice but gives you more control for latte art.
Speed and space. The Bambino Plus heats in about 3 seconds and is 11.9 in wide and 10.9 lb. The Express is a 22 lb machine with a Thermocoil, so it takes longer to warm up and to get to steam. The Bambino tank is a little smaller (64 oz vs 67 oz).
Warranty. Breville lists 2 years on the Bambino Plus and 1 year on the Express.
Amazon new-offer price, checked Nov 6, 2026. Seller: No1collectibles.
Buy now or wait? Leaning wait. Last year the Bambino Plus was reported at $399.95 against a $499.95 list price on Cyber Monday. Source: Bon Appétit, Dec 1, 2025. This is a past pattern, not a forecast; we do not have our own retailer price history yet.
Heating
ThermoJet
PID
Yes
Portafilter
54 mm
Weight
10.91lbs / 4.95kg
Warranty
2 Year Limited Warranty
Key specs from Breville's product page, checked Oct 30, 2026.
No CPSC recall found that names Breville (CPSC data fetched 2026-11-05 10:11 CST). This is an automated name match, not a safety rating.
Breville Barista Express: semi-automatic with grinder machine, $699.95 list.
$499.95
Amazon new-offer price, checked Nov 6, 2026.
Buy now or wait? Buy now. Amazon has the Barista Express at $499.95 (checked Nov 6, 2026), down from its $699.95 list price. That already matches last year’s reported Black Friday and Cyber Monday low of $499.95, so there is little reason to wait. Breville’s own store is still $699.95. No deal badge is showing and the price can change at any time. Last year’s low: TechRadar, Nov 27, 2025, Bon Appétit, Dec 1, 2025. Check Amazon price
Amazon price checked Nov 6, 2026
Heating
Thermocoil heating system
PID
Yes
Portafilter
54 mm
Grinder
Steel conical burrs
Water tank
67 oz
Weight
22.09 lbs / 10.018 kg
Key specs from Breville's product page, checked Oct 30, 2026.
No CPSC recall found that names Breville (CPSC data fetched 2026-11-05 10:11 CST). This is an automated name match, not a safety rating.
What is the price difference between the Breville Bambino Plus and Breville Barista Express?
The Breville Bambino Plus has the lower U.S. list price ($499.95 vs $699.95, a $200.00 difference), per each maker's site checked Oct 30, 2026.
Which is better, the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Express?
Breville Bambino Plus is our Best value: ThermoJet heating, PID, hands-free milk texturing and a 2 Year Limited Warranty at the lower list price. No grinder. Breville Barista Express is our Solid pick: Adds a built-in steel conical burr grinder and a 67 oz tank, for one machine that does it all.
Should I buy now or wait for Black Friday?
Breville Bambino Plus: Leaning wait. Breville Barista Express: Leaning wait. These calls rest on named public reports of last year's holiday prices; they are past patterns, not forecasts.
Do you earn money from these links?
From some, yes. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure page.
