Is the Breville Barista Express Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jul 2025) and Tom's Guide (May 2025). How we score
Worth it. Buy the Breville Barista Express.
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen's overall top pick and "a great all-in-one choice": the built-in grinder and factory settings have you "pulling solid espresso shots from the first time you use it." The alternatives have catches. The Bambino Plus costs less and brews just as well but has no grinder, so you'd need to buy one, and the Ninja Luxe Café, which ATK Recommended with Reservations, costs about the same.
Breville Barista Express warranty: 1-year limited
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Breville Barista Express
Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Average of 2 testers: America's Test Kitchen 9 · Tom's Guide 10
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Best Compact Model: "basically the Barista Express without the grinder," heating in just 3 seconds, with automatic milk frothing that "came out perfectly frothed." The catch: you need a separate burr grinder, which eats into the savings unless you already own one. It has a longer warranty (2 years vs 1). ATK didn't test long-term durability.
| Criterion | Breville Barista Express | Breville Bambino Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee quality | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Cleanup | 3/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Espresso Machines (updated July 2, 2025)
Sources: Tom's Guide: Breville Bambino Plus review (May 8, 2025), America's Test Kitchen: The Best Espresso Machines (updated July 2, 2025)
Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso, Drip & Cold Brew
Average of 2 testers: America's Test Kitchen 7 · Tom's Guide 10
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen rated it Recommended with Reservations: it "brewed good espresso" with nice automatic frothing, but "its design struck us as overcomplicated," and its drip and cold brew were "mediocre." Its grind-size assistant "changed its mind more than once" with new beans, wasting coffee. ATK didn't test long-term durability, and the listing doesn't state a warranty.
| Criterion | Breville Barista Express | Ninja |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee quality | 3/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Ease of use | 3/3 | 2/3 |
| Cleanup | 3/3 | 2/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Espresso Machines (updated July 2, 2025)
Sources: Tom's Guide: Ninja Luxe Café vs Breville Barista Express (Nov. 28, 2024), America's Test Kitchen: The Best Espresso Machines (updated July 2, 2025)
Common questions
Breville Barista Express or Ninja Luxe Café?
America's Test Kitchen made the Barista Express its overall top pick and rated the Ninja Luxe Café Recommended with Reservations. The Ninja brewed good espresso and adds drip and cold brew, but testers found it overcomplicated and its drip and cold brew mediocre.
Do I need a grinder with the Breville Bambino Plus?
Yes. The Bambino Plus has no built-in grinder, so you need a separate burr grinder or pre-ground coffee. America's Test Kitchen describes it as basically the Barista Express without the grinder.
Sources: Tom's Guide: Breville Barista Express review (Apr. 3, 2023), America's Test Kitchen: The Best Espresso Machines (updated July 2, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
