Breville Bambino Plus
Specs, pros & cons and how the Bambino Plus compares to 331 other espresso machines from $99.95.
Synthesised from owner reviews and expert coverage of the Bambino Plus.
- Price
- $499.95
- Pump pressure
- 15 bar
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
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The verdict
The Bambino Plus is the best small-footprint starter espresso machine you can buy. It is tiny, heats up in around three seconds thanks to Breville's ThermoJet system, and its automatic steam wand froths milk hands-free with selectable temperature and texture — uniquely beginner-friendly for milk drinks.
The catch is what it leaves out: there is no grinder, so budget for a separate one, and the small water tank and single-boiler design mean a compact, no-frills experience. As a first machine for a small kitchen, it punches far above its size.
What we like
- Near-instant ~3s heat-up (ThermoJet) — espresso on demand
- Automatic milk texturing: set temperature and froth, walk away
- Genuinely tiny footprint; standard 54mm portafilter
- Outstanding in-the-cup quality for the size and price
What to know
- No built-in grinder — factor in a separate grinder
- Small water tank; single boiler (no simultaneous brew + steam)
- Lightweight, plasticky feel next to bigger Brevilles
What owners say
Owners love the heat-up speed and the auto-froth, which removes the steaming learning curve that trips up beginners on other machines. The recurring caveats are the missing grinder (a real added cost) and the small tank that needs frequent refills. Most agree it is the best espresso-per-square-inch on the market.
Who it's for
If counter space is tight or you want the lowest-fuss path to milk drinks, the Bambino Plus is hard to beat. The automatic milk system means a flat white or latte without the wand technique most machines demand.
The grinder caveat
Remember it is machine-only. Pair it with a capable espresso grinder (an Eureka Mignon or Baratza Encore ESP, for example) — espresso lives and dies on the grind, and pre-ground will hold this otherwise-excellent machine back.
Specifications
- Pump pressure
- 15 bar
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
- Milk texturing
- Hands-free milk texturing
- Water tank
- 64 fl.oz
- Power
- 1560 W
- Voltage
- 110-120 Volts
- Dimensions
- 7.5” x 13.5” x 12”
- Weight
- 4.95 kg
How it compares
| Spec |  Bambino $299.95 | Bambino Plus $499.95 |  Duo-Temp Pro $499.95 |  Gaggia Classic Pro E24 $549 |  Barista Express $699.95 |  De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB $699.95 |  Barista Pro $849.95 |  Rancilio Silvia $995 |  Barista Touch $999.95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar | Extraction Feedback pressure gauge | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Portafilter | 54 mm | 54 mm | 54 mm | 58 mm | 54 mm | 51 mm | 54 mm | 58 mm | 54 mm |
| Heating system | — | — | — | Single aluminium boiler | Thermocoil heating system | Thermoblock | — | Single brass boiler | — |
| Integrated grinder | — | — | — | — | Steel conical burrs | Conical burr, 8 settings | Steel conical burrs | — | Hardened steel conical burrs |
| Milk texturing | Manual milk texturing | Hands-free milk texturing | Manual milk texturing | — | Manual milk texturing | — | Manual milk texturing | — | Hands-free milk texturing |
| Water tank | 47 fl.oz | 64 fl.oz | 61 fl.oz | 61 oz | 67 oz. | 1.7 L | 67 oz. | 2 L | 67 oz. |
| Power | 1560 W | 1560 W | 1600 W | 1425 W | 1600 W | 1400 W | 1680 W | 1100 W | 1680 W |
| Voltage | 110-120 Volts | 110-120 Volts | 110–120 Volts. | — | 110–120 Volts. | — | 120 volts | — | 110–120 Volts. |
| Dimensions | 6.25" × 13.5" × 12" | 7.5” x 13.5” x 12” | 12.6" x 10.1" x 13.1" | — | 12.5" x 13.8" x 15.9" | — | 13.5" x 13.9" x 13.5" | — | 12.4" x 12.8" x 13.4" |
| Weight | 4.725 kg | 4.95 kg | 6.618 kg | — | 10.018 kg | — | 9.488 kg | — | 9.888 kg |
See it in action
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube →
Frequently asked
Does the Bambino Plus come with a grinder?
Bambino vs Bambino Plus?
How we research & test
Helpful guides: Dialing in your grind · Steaming milk · Descaling