Quick Verdict
For most apartments, buy the Breville Bambino (BES450BSS) new. Check the seller and current price on Amazon before you order.
The CASABREWS 3700 is cheaper but comes with more compromises. We do not recommend it over the Bambino.
Pair either machine with the TIMEMORE C3 ESP (not the Pro). The Breville Barista Express is not what we recommend for an apartment either.
Who This Comparison Is For
This comparison is for:
- renters choosing between the Breville Bambino and the budget CASABREWS 3700
- small-kitchen buyers who care about ThermoJet vs Thermal Block heat-up
- beginners who will start with dual-wall baskets and still buy a grinder like the C3 ESP
- shoppers who will buy new from a seller they trust
This comparison is not for:
- people who have already decided on the CASABREWS for price alone
- people who want a Bambino guide on its own (see Bambino for apartments)
- people who want the budget Stilosa, the narrow Dedica, the Bambino Plus, or an all-in-one like the Barista Express
- cafe-volume, plumbed-in, or 58 mm commercial-style shoppers
- anyone skipping the grinder
The Short Answer
| Decision | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most apartments | Breville Bambino | Buy new and check the seller and current price. |
| Weekday heat-up | Breville Bambino | ThermoJet in 3 seconds (Breville US) vs about 2 minutes for the CASABREWS Thermal Block. |
| Portafilter and baskets | Breville Bambino | 54 mm with dual- and single-wall baskets vs 51 mm with dual-wall baskets only. |
| Lowest cost | CASABREWS 3700 | More compromises. Not our pick. |
| All-in-one with built-in grinder | Not our apartment pick | The Barista Express is mentioned for contrast only. |
| Grinder for either machine | TIMEMORE C3 ESP | Espresso-capable hand grinder. Not the Pro. |
| Budget pump machine | De'Longhi Stilosa | See the budget espresso machine guide. |
If you want a compact ThermoJet machine, buy the Bambino new. The CASABREWS is cheaper, but that does not change our recommendation. Do not buy the Barista Express as your apartment machine.
Apartment counter: ThermoJet Bambino vs budget CASABREWS
Measure the counter, not the lifestyle photo. Both are compact machines with tanks, but they work very differently on a weekday.
Bambino: Breville US lists 11.9 × 6.1 × 13.5 in (W × D × H), and Amazon often shows 13.7"D × 6.3"W × 12"H. Check both. Measure for cabinet height, pulling the tank, swinging the portafilter, a pitcher, and room to wipe down.
CASABREWS 3700: CASABREWS lists 5.7" × 12.6" × 12.5" (W × D × H), and Amazon shows 12.6"D × 5.7"W × 12.5"H. It is narrower on paper, but that does not make it the better machine. Its tank is 1.3 L / 43.9 oz, compared with the Bambino's 1.4 L / 47 fl oz. Both refill by hand; neither needs plumbing.
Heat-up is the biggest weekday difference: the ThermoJet is ready in 3 seconds (Breville US), while the CASABREWS Thermal Block takes about 2 minutes (per CASABREWS). The portafilters also differ: 54 mm with dual- and single-wall baskets on the Bambino, and 51 mm with dual-wall baskets only on the CASABREWS. Parts do not swap between them. The Bambino weighs about 10.9 lb and the CASABREWS about 8.14 lb. The lighter weight does not outweigh the ThermoJet and the 54 mm basket options.
Renter test: can you move a Bambino to your next apartment? Yes. Before you order, make sure the listing is the Bambino itself, new.
Add an espresso grinder before you buy
Neither the Bambino nor the CASABREWS includes a grinder. Dual-wall baskets can get you started, but they will not let you dial in a single-wall shot. A blade mill or a drip burr grinder will choke the shot or let it gush.
The grinder we suggest is the TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 ESP (not the Pro). It fits in a drawer and is espresso-capable. See our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino.
You still need a scale; see our beginner espresso setup guide. Buy the grinder before a standalone frother. Both machines already have a manual steam wand.
Common Mistakes
Choosing the CASABREWS only because it is cheaper. We recommend the Bambino for most apartments.
Buying a resale unit or an unknown third-party offer thinking it is new. Check the seller and condition.
Choosing the Barista Express for its built-in grinder. It is not what we recommend for an apartment.
Skipping the grinder. Get an espresso-capable grinder such as the C3 ESP (not the Pro). A drip grinder will not work.
Trusting an old price. Prices change, so check Amazon when you buy.
Assuming 51 mm CASABREWS parts fit the 54 mm Bambino.
Planning to plumb it in. Both use a removable tank, and a rental does not give you a drain line.
FAQ
Is Bambino better than CASABREWS for apartments?
For most apartments, yes. The Bambino has ThermoJet heat-up, a 54 mm portafilter with dual- and single-wall baskets, and is widely available new. The CASABREWS 3700 is cheaper but has more compromises.
Should I buy CASABREWS 3700 to save money?
Only if you accept the compromises: Thermal Block heat-up of about 2 minutes and a 51 mm portafilter with dual-wall baskets only. For most apartments, we recommend buying the Bambino new and pairing it with a C3 ESP.
Does either machine include a grinder?
No. Pair either one with a C3 ESP. Do not buy the Barista Express just to get a built-in grinder.
Is Barista Express the apartment default here?
No. We mention it for contrast only and do not recommend it for an apartment.
How fast does Bambino heat up vs CASABREWS?
The ThermoJet is ready in 3 seconds (Breville US), compared with about 2 minutes for the CASABREWS Thermal Block (per CASABREWS). That gap is a main reason we recommend the Bambino.
What about Dedica, Stilosa, or Plus?
Each has its own guide: Dedica, the budget guide and Stilosa, and Bambino Plus.
Final Recommendation
Buy the Breville Bambino new for a compact ThermoJet machine on a rented counter. Check the seller and current price. Pair it with a C3 ESP.
The CASABREWS 3700 is cheaper, but it has slower heat-up and only dual-wall baskets. We do not recommend the Barista Express for an apartment either. The Dedica, Stilosa, Bambino Plus, and Bambino each have their own guides. Measure your counter, and buy the grinder.
Disclosure
Apartment Barista may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases through links on this page (tag next-1-20). That does not change our recommendations. Check the seller, condition, voltage, returns, and current price on Amazon before you buy. Prices and availability change.