Built-In Grinder vs Separate Grinder: Which Espresso Setup Is Worth the Money?
Buying an espresso machine is only half the decision. You still need to work out how you're going to grind your coffee, and that's where the price comparison gets interesting.
A machine with a built-in grinder looks like the obvious choice. One purchase, one footprint on the counter, fewer things to think about. But a separate espresso machine and grinder can make more sense if you want flexibility, easier upgrades, or a setup that fits your kitchen.
I'm comparing three familiar options: the Breville Barista Express BES870XL, the Breville Bambino Plus, and the Baratza Encore ESP. They offer two different approaches to making espresso, and neither is automatically the right choice for everyone.
The all-in-one option: Breville Barista Express
The appeal of the Barista Express is easy to understand. The grinder sits directly above the brewing unit, so you can grind your beans into the portafilter without moving between two appliances. For someone setting up a home espresso corner for the first time, that convenience matters.
You still need to adjust the grind, measure your dose and learn how to pull a balanced shot. The machine doesn't remove the learning curve, but it does reduce the number of separate buying decisions you have to make.
The Barista Express is a sensible option if you want to learn espresso without researching a separate grinder first. Its manual steam wand also gives you room to practise milk texture and latte art.
The trade-off is upgrade flexibility. If you later decide that you want a different grinder, you can't simply remove the built-in grinder and use the machine as a conventional standalone espresso machine. The integrated design is convenient, but it also ties those two parts together.
In other words, you're buying a complete arrangement rather than two independent pieces of equipment. That's not a disadvantage if you like the workflow and don't expect to change your setup often.
> Check Breville Barista Express on AmazonThe separate setup: Bambino Plus and Encore ESP
The alternative is to let the espresso machine and grinder do their jobs separately. The Bambino Plus handles brewing and milk texturing; the Encore ESP handles grinding. It takes up space for two appliances, but it also means you can change one without replacing the other.
The Bambino Plus is compact and heats up quickly. One of its main attractions is its automatic milk texturing, which is useful if you regularly make milk-based drinks but don't want to steam milk entirely by hand.
Because the Bambino Plus doesn't include a grinder, you can choose the grinder that suits your budget and brewing habits. That's the main difference from the Barista Express: you're not locked into one integrated arrangement.
The Bambino Plus doesn't make the process completely automatic, though. You'll still need to dial in your coffee, adjust grind size and prepare the puck consistently. The grinder remains an important part of the setup.
For someone who likes the idea of upgrading equipment over time, this separation can be useful. You can keep the espresso machine and shop for a different grinder later, rather than having to change the entire machine-and-grinder arrangement.
The grinder: Baratza Encore ESP
A separate grinder isn't just an extra item on the shopping list. Grind size affects how quickly water passes through the coffee, so it's a key part of adjusting extraction. The Encore ESP is designed to cover espresso grinding as well as other brewing methods.
The advantage here is independence. If your preferences change, you can compare other grinders without needing to replace your espresso machine at the same time.
Of course, a separate grinder isn't a shortcut to perfect espresso. You'll still need to experiment with the grind setting and dose, and you'll need to move the ground coffee from the grinder into the portafilter. You also need counter space for both appliances.
The Bambino Plus and Encore ESP make the most sense as a pair if you want a compact espresso machine with automatic milk texturing and the freedom to upgrade your grinder separately.
> Check Breville Bambino Plus on Amazon > Check Baratza Encore ESP on AmazonWhich setup costs less?
The fair comparison is the price of the Barista Express against the combined price of the Bambino Plus and Encore ESP. Comparing the espresso machines alone would leave out the grinder that the Bambino Plus needs.
Prices and promotions change, so I wouldn't declare a winner based on a price that may no longer be available. Check the three listings on the day you're ready to buy, then compare the totals.
| What matters | Barista Express | Bambino Plus + Encore ESP |
|---|---|---|
| Grinder | Built in | Purchased separately |
| Counter space | One main appliance | Two appliances |
| Milk preparation | Manual steam wand | Automatic milk texturing available |
| Grinder upgrades | Less flexible | Replace the grinder independently |
| Initial buying decisions | Fewer | Need to select both products |
Don't forget to account for any accessories you actually need, but avoid adding optional upgrades just to make one setup look more expensive. Start with the core machine-and-grinder cost.
Which one makes more sense long term?
The strongest argument for a separate grinder is that it gives you options later. You can keep the Bambino Plus and change the grinder if your needs evolve. That can be useful if you become more interested in espresso and want to experiment with different equipment.
The Barista Express is still a reasonable long-term choice if you enjoy its workflow and have no particular desire to change grinders. An integrated design isn't automatically inferior; it simply prioritises convenience over modularity.
I'd be cautious about buying equipment based only on the idea that you might upgrade one day. If you value simplicity now and are happy with the built-in grinder, you may never need to change it. Buy for the way you actually make coffee, not just the setup you imagine owning in the future.
My verdict
Choose the Barista Express if...
You want one main appliance with an integrated grinder, a manual steam wand and fewer separate buying decisions. It is a straightforward option for someone who wants to learn espresso without assembling a setup from individual components.
> Check Barista Express on AmazonChoose the Bambino Plus + Encore ESP if...
You prefer to keep the grinder separate, want the Bambino Plus's automatic milk texturing, or value the option to upgrade the grinder independently later.
> Check Bambino Plus on Amazon > Check Baratza Encore ESP on AmazonI wouldn't pay extra for a separate setup simply because it sounds more upgradeable. I'd check the combined price first, then decide whether the flexibility, compact machine and milk features are worth the difference to me.
Frequently asked questions
Is a separate grinder better than a built-in grinder?
Not automatically. A separate grinder gives you more freedom to replace or upgrade it. Espresso quality still depends on the grinder, beans, grind setting and preparation.
Does the Breville Bambino Plus have a built-in grinder?
No. It is an espresso machine without an integrated grinder, so you need a separate grinder such as the Baratza Encore ESP or another suitable model.
Can the Baratza Encore ESP grind for espresso?
It is designed to handle espresso grinding as well as other brewing methods. You'll still need to dial in the grind for your beans and machine.
Is the Barista Express suitable for beginners?
It can be. The integrated grinder reduces the number of separate products you need to choose, although you'll still need to learn grind adjustment, dosing and milk steaming.
Which setup is better for a small kitchen?
The Barista Express keeps the grinder and espresso machine in one footprint. The Bambino Plus is compact, but the separate grinder needs its own counter space.
Before you buy
Confirm the exact model, colour, current price and included accessories on Amazon before ordering. The combined cost of the Bambino Plus and Encore ESP is the figure to compare against the Barista Express, not the Bambino Plus price on its own.
