SetistryStart with your space
Our drawing of the Breville Bambino Plus, three-quarter view from the front right
Our drawing of the Breville Barista Express, three-quarter view from the front right

Two products, and a counter we have not seen

Bambino Plus vs Barista Express: which fits your counter

Bambino Plus is 7.7 in (19.6 cm) wide, 12.6 in (32 cm) deep (seattlecoffeegear.com, 25 September 2026) and height: published figures differ. Barista Express is 13.3 in (33.8 cm) wide, 12.3 in (31.3 cm) deep and 16 in (40.7 cm) tall (birite.com.au, 25 September 2026), though Williams Sonoma prints the width as 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm), and though Seattle Coffee Gear prints the depth as 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 13.2 in (33.5 cm), and though Whole Latte Love prints the height as 15.8 in (40.1 cm); Williams Sonoma prints 14.5 in (36.8 cm). Width separates them by more than anything else, 5.6 in (14.2 cm). With 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] of width or more, both fit; between 7.7 in (19.6 cm) and 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] only the Bambino Plus clears; below 7.7 in (19.6 cm) neither does. The weakest figure behind this comes from a retailer listing, not the manufacturer.

Four rows we can fill. A comparison table is usually the same length whatever is actually known. This one is as long as the evidence and no longer.

Back to the picker

Which takes less room, the Bambino Plus or the Barista Express?

Width separates them by more than anything else, 5.6 in (14.2 cm). With 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] of width or more, both fit; between 7.7 in (19.6 cm) and 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] only the Bambino Plus clears; below 7.7 in (19.6 cm) neither does. The weakest figure behind this comes from a retailer listing, not the manufacturer.

The two of them, on the figure this page turns on.

How do the Bambino Plus and Barista Express compare, figure by figure?

Every figure is used the same way it is used on each machine's own page. Where published figures differ, neither is used as a number.
What decides itIf the counter is tightBambino Plus$499.95 at Breville · Oct 29If you have the widthBarista Express$699.95 at Breville · Oct 29The difference
4 rows we can fill
1 measure reads the same on every machine: Voltage.
WidthBambino Plus7.7 in (19.6 cm)smallerRETAILER · 25 September 2026Barista Express13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)]largerRETAILER · 25 September 2026The difference5.6 in (14.2 cm)BAMBINO PLUS IS SMALLER
DepthBambino Plus12.6 in (32 cm)largerRETAILER · 25 September 2026Barista Express12.3 in (31.3 cm) [Seattle Coffee Gear prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 13.2 in (33.5 cm)]smallerRETAILER · 25 September 2026The difference0.3 in (0.7 cm)BARISTA EXPRESS IS SMALLER
VoltageBambino Plus120 VMANUFACTURER · 2 September 2026Barista Express120 VMANUFACTURER · 3 September 2026The differenceThe same
WeightBambino Plus10.9 lb (5 kg)smallerMANUFACTURER · 3 September 2026Barista Express22.1 lb (10 kg)largerMANUFACTURER · 3 September 2026The difference11.2 lb (5.1 kg)BAMBINO PLUS IS SMALLER
5 rows we will not fill · stated, not hidden
1 measure reads the same on every machine: Still missing before a fit answer.
HeightPublished figures differPublished figures differ for the Bambino Plus, so that reading is not used.
Power ratingPublished figures differPublished figures differ for the Barista Express, so that reading is not used.
Shot qualityNot ours to sayNot ours to say, nobody here has pulled one.
Reliability over five yearsNot ours to sayNot ours to say, we hold no service data.
Build qualityNot ours to sayNot ours to say, no unit has been handled here.
Still missing before a fit answerBambino PlusNothing missingPublished figures differ on height, so neither is used.Barista ExpressNothing missingPublished figures differ on power rating, so neither is used.The differenceNot comparable
What the maker states
5 measures read the same on every machine: Voltage, How the tank comes out, Pump pressure, Portafilter basket, Temperature control.
2 measures with no figure to compare: Boiler volume and material, Body material.
WeightBambino Plus4950 gBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026Barista Express10018 gBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
VoltageBambino Plus120 VASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 1 September 2026Barista Express120 VASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Power drawBambino Plus1560 WASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 1 September 2026Barista ExpressPublished figures differTwo published figures differ; neither is used for fit.The differenceNot comparable
Current drawBambino Plus13 AASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 1 September 2026Barista ExpressNot stated at the source we holdThe differenceNot comparable
Tank sizeBambino Plus64 fl.ozBREVILLE.COM · 10 September 2026Barista Express2 LBREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
How the tank comes outBambino PlusTopASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista ExpressTopASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Filling it in placeBambino PlusNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.Barista ExpressNoASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
BoilerBambino Plusthermocoil, marketed as ThermoJetBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista Expresssingle, thermocoil (not badged ThermoJet on this model)BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Boiler volume and materialBambino PlusNot stated at breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.Barista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.The differenceNot comparable
Pump pressureBambino Plus15 bar Italian pump, 9 bar extractionBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista Express15 bar Italian pump, 9 bar extractionBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Portafilter basketBambino Plus54 mmBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista Express54 mmASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 3 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Heat-up timeBambino PlusReady in 3 seconds thermojet systemBREVILLE.COM · 10 September 2026Barista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.The differenceNot comparable
Temperature controlBambino PlusPID TEMPERATURE CONTROLBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista ExpressPID TEMPERATURE CONTROLASSETS.BREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Milk frotherBambino PlusWith automatic milk texturingBREVILLE.COM · 6 September 2026Barista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.The differenceNot comparable
Built-in grinderBambino PlusNo6 September 2026Barista ExpressYes6 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Body materialBambino PlusNot stated at breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.Barista ExpressNot stated at assets.breville.comAs of 6 September 2026.The differenceNot comparable
WarrantyBambino Plus2 Year Limited WarrantyBREVILLE.COM · 10 September 2026Barista Express1 Year Limited WarrantyBREVILLE.COM · 10 September 2026The differenceNot comparable
Owner reports
What owners sayBambino PlusHow loud it is: an owner calls the machine loud enough to be awkward in a shared space at 5am, though quieter than a commercial machine2026-09-117 owner reports describe this machine.Barista ExpressFilling the tank where it stands: unless it is plumbed in, the machine has to be slid out of its corner to take the tank out2026-09-1111 owner reports describe this machine.The differenceNot comparable
For and against
The evidence's own caseBambino Plus

For

  • Narrower than the other: 7.7 in (19.6 cm) against 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] (retailer)
  • A 54 mm portafilter basket, the size the site's own accessories line stocks tampers and baskets for (manufacturer)

Against

  • Not stated at the source we hold: filling it in place, boiler volume and material, body material.
Barista Express

For

  • A 54 mm portafilter basket, the size the site's own accessories line stocks tampers and baskets for (manufacturer)

Against

  • Not stated at the source we hold: current draw, boiler volume and material, heat-up time, milk frother, body material.
The differenceNot comparable
Its own pageSee the Bambino PlusSee the Barista Express

Every figure here is one the maker published; the difference beside it is our subtraction, in that line's own unit.

More comparisons with Bambino Plus Espresso Machine (BES500): vs Barista Pro Espresso Machine (BES878), vs Stilosa Espresso Machine (EC260BK)

More comparisons with Barista Express Espresso Machine (BES870XL): vs Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine (BES876), vs Barista Pro Espresso Machine (BES878)

Further reading: How much room it needs behind, Dialing In on a Breville Bambino: Where Each Handle Sits

Which one for which kitchen?

Width separates the Bambino Plus from the Barista Express more than anything else, 196 mm against 338 mm, while depth does not, at 320 mm against 313 mm, within 10 mm. Each size is a pair of labelled retailer readings within 5 mm of each other: Seattle Coffee Gear with Whole Latte Love or Target for the Plus, Bi-Rite Home Appliances with Seattle Coffee Gear or Williams Sonoma for the Express. The other difference is a grinder. The Express has a conical burr grinder and a half-pound hopper built in, the Plus has none, and the Express weighs 10.018 kg to the Plus's 4.95 kg.

So the choice follows your width and your grinder. A gap between 196 and 338 mm wide takes only the Plus, and then you need a separate grinder. If the counter has 338 mm across and 407 mm of height above it, the Express gives you machine and grinder in one footprint. The Plus's automatic steam wand, with three milk temperatures and three texture levels, counts for more if milk drinks are daily. The Plus carries a two-year warranty and the Express a one-year warranty. Pick the Plus when width is short or you already own a grinder, and the Express when you want one machine and have the width.

Where can you buy them?

What each merchant showed, and the day we looked.

ItemMerchantAvailabilityPriceReturnsRoute
Bambino Plus Espresso Machine (BES500)Brevillethe brand's own storeCheck the shop's page for stockPrice: Oct 29: Oct 29$499.95Check the seller's return window before you buy.
Check price at AmazonAdd to Amazon cart
Breville$499.95Oct 29View at Breville
Barista Express Espresso Machine (BES870XL)Brevillethe brand's own storeCheck the shop's page for stockPrice: Oct 29: Oct 29$699.95Check the seller's return window before you buy.
Check price at AmazonAdd to Amazon cart
Breville$699.95Oct 29View at Breville

What do owners report about each?

Bambino Plus

Seven reports describe the Bambino Plus.

Most reported

  • room above3 reports · 1 source
  • how it holds up2 reports · 1 source

As of 11 September 2026. We quote owners in their own words; it is never a measurement or a fit answer.

Read all owner reports on the Bambino Plus page

Barista Express

Eleven reports describe the Barista Express.

Most reported

  • filling the tank where it stands2 reports · 2 sources
  • where the tank sits2 reports · 2 sources

As of 11 September 2026. We quote owners in their own words; it is never a measurement or a fit answer.

Read all owner reports on the Barista Express page

Your counter decides it.

If the counter is tight: the Bambino Plus. If you have the width: the Barista Express.

Between 7.7 in (19.6 cm) and 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] only the Bambino Plus Espresso Machine (BES500) clears. At 13.3 in (33.8 cm) [Williams Sonoma prints 12 in (30.5 cm); Whole Latte Love prints 12.5 in (31.8 cm)] or more the width decides nothing, and under 7.7 in (19.6 cm) neither of them fits. (retailer)

We are not picking one. Your counter picks it, and yours is the measurement missing from this page.

Measure the widest point, from the left edge to the right edge, in millimetres.

Every espresso machine we hold