$685.00
9/ 10
Why we love it
The Barista Express is the most popular home espresso machine in the world for a reason. It has a built-in conical burr grinder, so you go from whole beans to espresso in a single machine — no separate grinder cluttering your counter. The grind-to-brew workflow keeps everything tight: adjust grind size, dose, tamp, pull. You learn espresso fundamentals without needing extra equipment. The steam wand is manual, which means you'll need to practice milk texturing, but that's actually a plus — you're building real skills. It's bigger than the Bambino, but you're getting a grinder and espresso machine in one footprint.
Pros
- Built-in burr grinder — no separate grinder needed
- Grind size dial makes adjustments easy to see and repeat
- PID temperature control for consistent extraction
- Manual steam wand lets you learn real milk texturing
- Huge community — tons of tutorials and tips online
Cons
- Built-in grinder isn't as good as a dedicated espresso grinder
- Bigger footprint — needs more counter space
- More to learn vs. the Bambino Plus's simpler workflow
- Higher price point at around $685
