As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links.
Espresso machine with or without a built-in grinder?
Updated
Buy a machine with a built-in grinder if you want one box, one plug and fewer choices. Buy a machine without one if your counter is narrow, you already own an espresso-capable grinder, or you want to be able to replace one piece without losing the other. Either way you need a grinder. The only path that skips it is pre-ground coffee in a pressurized basket, and that has a taste ceiling.
Side by side
| Grinder built in | Separate grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Counter space | One wide machine. The Barista Express is 12.5 inches wide | Two smaller pieces. The Bambino is 6.3 inches wide, plus about 5 to 8.5 inches for an electric grinder |
| If the grinder fails | The whole machine goes in for repair | You can still brew with pre-ground coffee while you sort it out |
| Upgrades | You are tied to the grinder you got | Swap either piece later |
| Choices to make | One | Two, and the grinder must be sold for espresso |
If you want it built in
- Breville Barista Express. Conical burr grinder with a grind size dial, and both basket types in the box. Caveat: it weighs 22.1 pounds, and owner reports on durability are mixed.
- Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier. It weighs the dose and suggests a grind setting. Caveat: some owners report grinder trouble over time, and with a built-in grinder that stops the whole machine.
If you want them separate
- Breville Bambino plus a grinder from our espresso grinder picks. The Baratza Encore ESP is the simple choice. Caveat: you now have two things to buy, and some Bambino owners report early failures.
- A hand grinder such as the 1Zpresso J-Ultra keeps the total footprint close to the machine alone. Caveat: you crank every dose.
What about the budget machines?
The CASABREWS CM5418 and De'Longhi Stilosa are listed for ground coffee. You can add a grinder later, but check which baskets came in your box first. A fine grind from a good grinder can choke a pressurized basket. See pressurized vs non-pressurized baskets.
When you add up the cost of home espresso, count the grinder too. Our cost calculator covers beans and milk only. For the longer case for owning a grinder, read do you need a grinder.