Choosing a Breville espresso machine can make your home coffee routine more enjoyable, whether you prefer a rich espresso shot, a creamy latte, or a cappuccino with smooth milk foam. Breville offers compact machines for smaller kitchens, espresso makers with built-in grinders, and advanced models with automated brewing assistance.
The best choice depends on your budget, available counter space, and how much control you want over the brewing process. Some machines keep things simple, while others let you adjust grinding, dosing, extraction, and milk texture.
Table of Contents
In this guide, we compare popular Breville espresso machines, explain their main differences, and cover what to consider before buying one.
Best Breville Espresso Machines at a Glance
| Breville espresso machine | Best for | Built-in grinder | Milk frothing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Bambino | Small kitchens and beginners | No | Manual |
| Breville Bambino Plus | Convenient milk drinks | No | Automatic and manual options |
| Breville Barista Express | Traditional home baristas | Yes | Manual |
| Breville Barista Express Impress | Assisted grinding and tamping | Yes | Manual |
| Breville Barista Pro | Faster workflow and more control | Yes | Manual |
| Breville Barista Touch | Guided touchscreen operation | Yes | Automatic milk texturing |
| Breville Oracle Jet | Premium, automated preparation | Yes | Automatic milk texturing |
Features can vary by model and market. Check the current product listing for the exact specifications and included accessories.
Which Breville Espresso Machine Is Best?
1. Breville Bambino: Best for Small Kitchens
The Breville Bambino is worth considering if you want a compact espresso machine without a built-in grinder. Its smaller footprint makes it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space.
The machine uses a 54 mm portafilter and a ThermoJet heating system designed for a quick start. You can manually prepare espresso and steam milk, giving you room to develop your barista skills.
The main consideration is that you need a separate grinder if you want to grind fresh coffee beans at home. Pre-ground coffee is another option, depending on the filter basket you use.
Who should choose it: Beginners, apartment dwellers, and coffee drinkers who want a compact setup.
Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso Maker in Brushed Stainless Steel
Read our Breville Bambino review.
2. Breville Bambino Plus: Best for Milk-Based Coffee
The Breville Bambino Plus builds on the Bambino’s compact design, with automatic milk-texturing assistance for people who regularly prepare lattes and cappuccinos.
It is a useful option if you want to spend less time learning manual milk steaming. You can still enjoy a hands-on espresso workflow while using the machine’s milk features to simplify drink preparation.
Like the standard Bambino, it does not have a built-in coffee grinder. Remember to include a suitable grinder in your budget if you plan to use whole beans.
Who should choose it: People who regularly make cappuccinos and lattes and want help with milk preparation.
Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
3. Breville Barista Express: Best All-in-One Starting Point
The Breville Barista Express combines an espresso machine and a conical burr grinder in one unit. This means you can grind beans, prepare the coffee puck, extract espresso, and steam milk without purchasing a separate grinder.
Its manual controls make it suitable for people who want to learn the fundamentals of espresso preparation. You can adjust the grind setting and coffee dose, then refine your technique as you gain experience.
However, there is a learning curve. You may need to adjust the grind size, dose, and extraction time to get the flavor you want. Its larger footprint also requires more counter space than the Bambino.
Who should choose it: Home coffee enthusiasts who want an integrated grinder and hands-on control.
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
4. Breville Barista Express Impress: Best for Assisted Preparation
The Barista Express Impress is designed for people who want the Barista Express’s integrated grinder with additional assistance during coffee preparation.
Its Impress Puck System helps with dosing and tamping, reducing some of the guesswork involved in preparing a coffee puck. This can make the process more consistent for beginners who are still developing their technique.
Milk texturing remains a manual task, so you will still need to learn how to steam milk if you want to prepare café-style drinks.
Who should choose it: Beginners who want a built-in grinder but would appreciate assistance with dosing and tamping.
Breville BES876BSS Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
5. Breville Barista Pro: Best for a Faster Manual Workflow
The Breville Barista Pro combines a built-in grinder with a more modern control interface and a ThermoJet heating system. It is designed for people who want to move through espresso preparation efficiently without giving up manual control.
You can adjust the grind and work on your espresso technique while using the machine’s interface to manage preparation. Milk steaming is still manual, which gives you flexibility over the texture of your milk.
Compared with a compact Bambino setup, the Barista Pro takes up more counter space and includes features that may not be necessary for someone who only makes an occasional espresso.
Who should choose it: Coffee enthusiasts who make espresso regularly and want an integrated, relatively fast workflow.
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
6. Breville Barista Touch: Best for Touchscreen Convenience
The Barista Touch combines a built-in grinder with a touchscreen interface and automatic milk-texturing assistance. Its guided operation appeals to households where different people want to make coffee without learning every step from scratch.
The touchscreen helps simplify drink selection and preparation. Automatic milk texturing can also reduce the work involved in preparing common milk-based drinks.
It costs more than a basic manual setup, so consider whether the touchscreen and added automation are worth the price.
Who should choose it: Busy households and coffee drinkers who prefer guided controls and more automated milk preparation.
Breville BES881BSS Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel Finish
7. Breville Oracle Jet: Best for Premium Automation
The Breville Oracle Jet is a premium option for people who want more automation without moving entirely to a conventional one-touch coffee machine.
Its features include automatic grinding, dosing,g and tamping, along with guided espresso preparation and automatic milk texturing. The machine also offers a touchscreen drink menu and additional customization options.
This reduces several manual steps involved in making espresso. However, it’s a larger investment and requires more counter space than compact models.
Who should choose it: Coffee lovers who want premium features and an assisted espresso workflow with less manual preparation.
Breville BES990DBL Oracle Touch Espresso Maker in Damson Blue
Breville Espresso Machine Comparison
The biggest differences between Breville machines involve grinding, milk preparation, ease of use, and the amount of control available.
| Feature | Bambino | Barista Express | Barista Touch | Oracle Jet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee preparation | Manual | Manual | Guided | Highly automated |
| Milk preparation | Manual | Manual | Automatic assistance | Automatic assistance |
| Learning curve | Moderate | Moderate to high | Lower for guided use | Lower for assisted steps |
| Counter space | Compact | Larger | Larger | Larger |
| Best reason to choose | Small footprint | All-in-one value | Touchscreen convenience | Premium automation |
This comparison focuses on the general workflow rather than a performance ranking. Your preferred coffee drinks and preparation style should guide the final decision.
What to Consider Before Buying a Breville Espresso Machine
Built-In Grinder or Separate Grinder?
This is one of the most important decisions when choosing a Breville espresso machine.
A model such as the Bambino requires a separate grinder if you want to grind whole beans at home. This gives you more flexibility when choosing a grinder, but it adds another purchase and takes up additional space.
Machines such as the Barista Express, Barista Pro, and Barista Touch include a grinder. That creates a more integrated setup and keeps the main equipment together on the counter.
Consider the total cost of the machine, grinder, coffee beans, and accessories rather than comparing the machine prices alone.
Manual or Automatic Milk Frothing?
If you mainly drink espresso or Caffè americano, manual milk frothing may not matter much.
If you regularly make cappuccinos and lattes, automatic milk-texturing assistance can make your routine easier. Manual steaming gives you more direct control, but it takes practice to create smooth microfoam.
Choose based on the drinks you actually prepare rather than paying extra for features you may rarely use.
Counter Space and Kitchen Layout
Breville’s compact,d integrated machines suit different kitchen setups.
The Bambino is easier to accommodate in a small space, especially if you already have a grinder. Integrated models combine more equipment in one footprint but generally need additional room.
Measure the available counter area and check the machine’s height, width, depth, and clearance requirements before ordering.
Ease of Use
Think about how involved you want your coffee routine to be.
Manual machines are appealing if you enjoy adjusting the grind, preparing the coffee puck, and learning extraction techniques. Guided and automated models can reduce the number of steps you need to manage.
Neither approach is automatically better. The right machine is the one whose workflow fits your habits.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Every espresso machine needs regular cleaning. Coffee oils can build up, milk residue needs attention, and water hardness can affect maintenance requirements.
Before buying, check the cleaning instructions, descaling process, removable parts, and availability of compatible cleaning supplies. Automatic features can simplify some tasks, but they do not eliminate routine maintenance.
Are Breville Espresso Machines Worth Buying?
Breville is worth considering if you want a home espresso machine with manual controls, integrated grinding, and more automated preparation features.
The Bambino is a practical option for a compact setup. The Barista Express is worth comparing if you want a built-in grinder, while the Barista Touch and Oracle Jet offer more automation for those who prefer a more guided experience.
The best value depends on your budget and the features you will actually use. A less expensive machine paired with a suitable grinder may suit some households better than a premium model with features they don’t need.
Before buying, compare current prices, warranty terms, dimensions, and included accessories. Product prices and availability can change, so check the retailer’s latest listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Breville espresso machine is best for beginners?
The Bambino is a good option for beginners who want a compact machine and are comfortable learning to prepare espresso manually. The Barista Express is worth considering if you prefer a built-in grinder. The Barista Touch may suit beginners who want touchscreen guidance and automatic milk texturing.
Is the Breville Bambino better than the Barista Express?
Neither is best for everyone. The Bambino is compact and requires a separate grinder for whole beans, while the Barista Express includes a grinder and combines more of the coffee-making workflow in one machine.
Does a Breville espresso machine need a separate grinder?
Not every model does. The Bambino and Bambino Plus do not have built-in grinders, while models such as the Barista Express, Barista Pro, Barista Touch, and Oracle Jet include grinding functionality.
Can Breville machines make lattes and cappuccinos?
Yes. Many Breville espresso machines can prepare espresso and steam milk for drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. The milk workflow varies by model, with some using manual steam wands and others offering automatic milk-texturing assistance.
How long do Breville espresso machines last?
Lifespan depends on the model, how often you use it, water quality, and cleaning and maintenance. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions and check the warranty terms for the specific machine you plan to buy.
Is the Breville Barista Express worth it?
It may be worth considering if you want a built-in grinder, manual espresso controls, and a single integrated setup. If you already own a good grinder or have limited counter space, compare it with the Bambino before deciding.
Final Verdict
A Breville espresso machine can be a strong fit for home coffee drinkers, but the best model depends on your preferred balance of control, convenience, and cost.
Choose the Bambino for a compact manual setup, the Barista Express for an integrated grinder and hands-on preparation, or the Barista Touch for a more guided workflow.For a premium machine with extensive automation, consider the Oracle Jet.
Compare the models carefully, account for the grinder and accessories you may need, and choose the machine that fits your daily coffee routine.
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