The 30-Second Verdict: Choose Based on Your Morning Ritual
You are staring at two very different approaches to the same goal. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express packs a grinder and espresso machine into one tidy box. The Breville Bambino Plus bundle pairs a compact machine with the Baratza Encore ESP grinder, splitting the work across two devices.
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This decision is not about which makes better coffee in a vacuum. It is about which one fits the way you actually live on a Tuesday morning. If you want to press a button, grind, and pull a shot without thinking, the built-in grinder wins. If you are the kind of person who obsesses over the grind size for a week until it is perfect, the separate setup is your path.
I have used both setups side by side for weeks. The Barista Express is a great appliance. The Bambino Plus with the Encore ESP is a better espresso system. Here is why that distinction matters.
The Real Difference: It’s Not Just Grind Quality, It’s Workflow
Everyone talks about grind quality first. The Baratza Encore ESP uses European precision steel burrs with 40 grind settings. Settings 1-20 are calibrated specifically for espresso, giving you fine adjustments. The Barista Express has a built-in conical burr grinder, but it offers fewer steps and less control at the fine end.
That difference matters. But the bigger gap is in how each setup handles the daily routine.
With the Bambino Plus and separate grinder, you grind into the 54mm dosing cup, tap it into the portafilter, and lock in. With the Barista Express, you grind directly into the portafilter that sits in the cradle. That is faster in theory. In practice, the built-in grinder tends to make a mess on the counter, and the grind amount adjustment is less precise.
The workflow difference changes your relationship with the machine. The separate grinder forces you to slow down. That is a good thing for espresso.
The Case for Built-In: Convenience and a Smaller Footprint
The Breville Barista Express is the classic all-in-one. It has a 1/2 lb bean hopper on top, a 67 oz water tank, and a 54mm stainless steel portafilter. The included Razor Dose Trimming Tool helps you level the grounds, and the integrated tamper means you do not need to buy extra gear.
Counter space is the biggest argument for this machine. It occupies roughly the same footprint as the Bambino Plus alone. The separate grinder adds another block of space next to it. If your kitchen counter is tight, the Barista Express is the practical choice.
It is also simpler to operate. The grinder and machine share one power source and one interface. You set the grind size, set the dose, and pull your shot. There is no separate hopper to fill or second device to clean.
But simplicity has a cost. The built-in grinder has higher retention, meaning stale grounds from yesterday sit in the chute and mix with today’s fresh beans. That affects the first shot of the day, which is often the one you care about most.
Who Should Buy a Built-In Grinder
Buy the Barista Express if you drink mostly milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The milk will mask minor inconsistencies in extraction. You will save counter space and money upfront.
Buy it if you are new to espresso and want to learn without juggling two devices. The learning curve is gentler because there are fewer variables to manage at once.
Buy it if you are okay with the machine being a fixed system. You cannot upgrade the grinder later without replacing the whole unit.
The Case for Separate: Control, Upgradability, and Better Shots
The Bambino Plus bundle is a different animal. The machine uses a ThermoJet heating system that hits the right extraction temperature in 3 seconds. That is genuinely fast, faster than the Barista Express which takes longer to heat up.
The Baratza Encore ESP grinder is the star here. With 40 settings and a dedicated espresso range, you can dial in your beans with real precision. The 54mm dosing cup included in the bundle makes transferring grounds clean and easy. You are not fighting static or clumping as much as you would with the built-in grinder.
This setup produces more consistent shots. The grinder is better at the fine end, so you can actually hit the 18g dose that the portafilter is designed for. The Barista Express tends to drift, requiring you to adjust the dose knob frequently.
The Bambino Plus also has a better steam wand for milk texturing. It steams faster and produces finer microfoam. If you care about latte art or just want velvety milk, this machine beats the Barista Express.
The Hidden Benefit: The Upgrade Path
Here is what most reviews miss. When you buy a separate grinder, you can upgrade the espresso machine later without throwing away the grinder. The Encore ESP will still be a solid grinder in five years. The Barista Express is a sealed system. If the machine dies, the grinder dies with it.
That upgrade path also protects your investment. A good grinder holds its resale value better than an all-in-one appliance. And if you want to try pour-over or French press, the Encore ESP has settings 21-40 optimized for those methods. The Barista Express grinder is only useful for espresso.
If you are serious about coffee, the separate setup is the one that grows with you.
The ‘First Shot’ Problem: Retention and Dialing In
Grind retention is the hidden enemy of the built-in grinder. When you grind coffee, a small amount stays inside the burr chamber and chute. On the Barista Express, that retained coffee goes stale overnight. The next morning, your first shot includes those old grounds mixed with fresh beans. That shot tastes flat.
The Baratza Encore ESP has lower retention. It still holds a little, but less. And because it is a separate unit, you can add a bellows attachment or just tap the hopper to push through the retained grounds.
Dialing in is also easier with the separate grinder. The 40 settings give you fine control. You can make a small adjustment and see the difference immediately. The Barista Express has fewer settings, so you often find yourself stuck between two grind sizes, unable to get the exact flow you want.
For straight shots of espresso, this difference is huge. For milk drinks, it is less noticeable.
The Cost of Time: Workflow Speed Comparison
I timed both workflows over a week. The Barista Express gets you from beans to a pulled shot in about 45 seconds once the machine is hot. The Bambino Plus setup takes about 60 seconds because you grind into the dosing cup first.
That extra 15 seconds matters less than you think. The Bambino Plus heats up in 3 seconds, while the Barista Express takes around 20 seconds to reach temperature. So the real time difference is nearly zero.
Cleaning is where the separate grinder wins. The Encore ESP is easier to open and brush out. The Barista Express requires you to vacuum the burr chamber through the hopper, which is awkward. The included cleaning tablets help, but they do not solve the retention problem.
If you make two or three shots a day, the workflow difference is negligible. If you are a tinkerer who changes beans often, the separate grinder saves you time because you do not have to purge as much coffee through the system.
Budget-by-Budget: Realistic Setups and Costs
The Barista Express is typically the cheaper upfront option. It is one box, one purchase, and it includes everything you need except beans. The Bambino Plus bundle costs more because you are buying two quality devices.
But think about the long term. If the built-in grinder on the Barista Express fails, the repair cost is often close to the price of a new machine. The separate grinder can be replaced independently. Over five years, the separate setup often costs less per year of use.
You should also factor in the accessories you will buy. The Barista Express includes a tamper and dosing tools. The Bambino Plus bundle includes a dosing cup but not a tamper. You will need to buy a 54mm tamper, which is a small extra cost.
Check the current price on Amazon for both options, because they fluctuate. The gap is not huge, but it exists.
The Personality Test: Are You a Tinkerer or an Appliance User?
Be honest with yourself here. Are you the person who reads the manual cover to cover and adjusts variables until everything is perfect? Or are you the person who wants to press a button and get a decent cup without thinking?
The tinkerer will hate the Barista Express. The limited grind settings and retention issues will frustrate you. You will constantly be fighting the machine.
The appliance user will feel overwhelmed by the separate grinder. The 40 settings are a lot of choices. You might find yourself paralyzed, not knowing which setting to use.
There is no shame in either profile. The Barista Express is a great appliance for people who want convenience. The Bambino Plus with the Encore ESP is a tool for people who want to make espresso a hobby.
The Resale Value Trap: What Depreciates Faster?
All-in-one machines depreciate faster than separate components. The Barista Express is a niche product. When you sell it used, you are competing against new models with better features. The resale value drops quickly.
The separate grinder holds its value better. Baratza grinders have a cult following. The Encore ESP is a popular model, and used ones sell well. The Bambino Plus also holds value because it is a compact, reliable machine.
If you think you might upgrade in a few years, buy the separate setup. You will recoup more of your money when you sell.
If you plan to keep the machine until it dies, the resale value matters less. Just know that the Barista Express is a closed system with no upgrade path.
The ‘Bad Idea’ Scenario: When Separate Grinders Fail
The separate setup is not for everyone. If you have extreme space constraints, a tiny apartment counter, or a shared kitchen where you have to pack everything away, the separate grinder is a bad idea.
It takes up twice the footprint. It also requires a power outlet for two devices. And it is easier to knock over or misplace the grinder when you are moving things around.
If you live with someone who does not care about coffee, they will not appreciate the extra gear. They will just see clutter. The all-in-one Barista Express is neater and less intimidating.
Another no-go scenario is if you only drink espresso occasionally. If you make one shot on weekends and drink drip coffee the rest of the week, the separate grinder is overkill. The built-in grinder is fine for occasional use.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not buy the Barista Express thinking you will upgrade the grinder later. You cannot. It is sealed.
Do not buy the Bambino Plus bundle without a tamper. You will need one, and the included dosing cup does not replace it.
Do not ignore grind retention. If you buy the Barista Express, purge a few grams of coffee before your first shot each day. That clears the stale grounds and improves the taste.
Do not assume the Bambino Plus bundle is too complicated. The Encore ESP has a clear dial, and the Bambino Plus has simple buttons. It is not as intimidating as it looks.
Do not forget to clean the grinder. A dirty grinder builds up oil and static, which affects the grind quality. Check our grinder cleaning guide for the full routine.
Final Recommendation: The Setup You’ll Actually Use Tomorrow
The Breville Barista Express is a solid machine for the casual user. It is compact, convenient, and makes a decent latte. If you want a single appliance that does everything without fuss, it is the right choice.
The Bambino Plus with the Baratza Encore ESP is the better investment for anyone who cares about the coffee itself. The grind quality is superior, the workflow is cleaner, and you have an upgrade path. It takes up more space and costs more upfront, but it pays off in the cup.
My pick is the separate setup. I have owned both, and the difference in shot consistency is noticeable. The Barista Express made good coffee. The Bambino Plus with the Encore ESP makes great coffee.
If you are still deciding between an all-in-one and a semi-automatic, read our automatic vs semi-automatic comparison. And if you are on a tighter budget, our guide to the best automatic espresso machines under $1000 has more options.
Buy once, buy right. The separate grinder is the setup you will still be using in five years.
FAQ
Is the built-in grinder on the Barista Express good enough?
It is good enough for milk drinks and for beginners. It has enough range to pull a decent shot, but the retention and limited settings make it frustrating for anyone who wants precise control. For straight shots, the separate grinder is noticeably better.
Can I use the Baratza Encore ESP for other brewing methods?
Yes. Settings 21-40 are optimized for filter, French press, and cold brew. That makes the Encore ESP a versatile grinder, not just an espresso tool. The Barista Express grinder is only useful for espresso.
Which setup is easier to clean?
The separate grinder is easier to clean because it is accessible. You can brush out the burr chamber and wipe down the chute. The built-in grinder on the Barista Express is harder to reach, and the retention makes it harder to keep fresh.
Does the Bambino Plus steam milk as well as the Barista Express?
The Bambino Plus steams better. It has a more powerful steam wand and produces finer microfoam. It also heats up faster, so you can steam milk immediately after pulling a shot without waiting.
