The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact espresso machine made by Breville, widely available in the US and sold as the Sage Bambino Plus in the UK and Europe, priced around $499. After testing 43 coffee makers, Tom’s Guide editors crowned it readers’ favorite espresso machine—and the verdict holds up. For anyone serious about espresso but short on counter space, this machine delivers barista-quality shots without the learning curve.
Key Takeaways
- Automatic milk steaming removes guesswork, making it ideal for beginners who want café-quality drinks immediately.
- Compact footprint fits small kitchens where full-size dual-boiler machines cannot.
- PID temperature control prevents burnt espresso, a common problem in budget machines.
- No built-in grinder means you need to buy a separate burr grinder for best results.
- Single boiler limits simultaneous espresso and steaming for advanced users.
Why the Breville Bambino Plus Wins
The Breville Bambino Plus stands out because it removes friction from the espresso-making process. Its automatic milk steaming—called smart steaming—handles temperature and texture without requiring the barista skill that manual wands demand. You don’t calculate ratios or obsess over timing; the machine does the heavy lifting. That’s why beginners gravitate toward it, and why experienced testers respect it despite its entry-level positioning.
The machine’s 15-bar maximum pressure and PID temperature control work together to produce consistent extraction. PID prevents the burnt, bitter shots that plague cheaper machines, a problem that becomes obvious when you taste a Bambino Plus espresso alongside a $150 De’Longhi Stilosa. The difference isn’t subtle. One tastes like espresso; the other tastes like regret.
Build quality separates this machine from competitors at similar price points. The metal exterior, metal drip tray, and weightier construction suggest longevity. After seven years on the market, it still outsells newer rivals, a testament to reliability that budget alternatives cannot claim.
How the Breville Bambino Plus Compares
The non-Plus version of the Breville Bambino is cheaper but lacks automatic steaming, forcing you to master manual milk wanding—a skill that takes weeks to develop. The Plus version’s smart steaming justifies the higher cost if you want café-quality cappuccinos without the apprenticeship.
Against the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch, the Bambino Plus wins for simplicity, though the De’Longhi appeals to users who want more manual control. The De’Longhi Stilosa at $150 beats the Bambino Plus on price alone, but the taste gap is enormous. One tester, an ex-barista, compared the two directly: the Stilosa produces thinner, less flavorful shots and struggles with milk texture. The $370 price difference reflects real engineering, not just brand markup.
Even the budget Casabrews 3700 Essential, priced at $129, loses to the Bambino Plus in both espresso quality and steaming performance. Inferior extraction and weaker milk-frothing capabilities make it a false economy; you’re not saving money, you’re buying disappointment.
What Holds It Back
The Breville Bambino Plus has real limitations worth acknowledging. It lacks a built-in grinder, so you’ll need to invest in a separate burr grinder—another $100 to $300 depending on quality. A single boiler means you cannot pull espresso and steam milk simultaneously; if you’re making multiple drinks for guests, you’ll wait between shots. Advanced espresso enthusiasts often prefer dual-boiler machines that handle parallel tasks, though the Bambino Plus suits home users making one or two drinks at a time.
The $499 price tag is not cheap. For someone on a tight budget, the De’Longhi Stilosa delivers functional espresso at $150, even if the quality gap is significant. The Bambino Plus represents a commitment to better coffee, not a casual purchase.
Who Should Buy the Breville Bambino Plus?
Buy this machine if you have limited counter space and want espresso that tastes genuinely good without a steep learning curve. The automatic steaming is a significant shift for anyone intimidated by traditional espresso machines. If you live in a small apartment or condo and crave café-quality drinks at home, this is the answer.
Skip it if you’re a coffee purist who enjoys the ritual of manual steaming and temperature management. Skip it if you cannot justify $499 plus the cost of a grinder. Skip it if you make espresso drinks for a crowd regularly—the single boiler will frustrate you.
Is the Breville Bambino Plus worth the price?
Yes, if you compare it to what you’d spend at a café. A single cappuccino costs $5 to $7 in most cities. The Bambino Plus pays for itself in roughly 70 to 100 home drinks, and the espresso tastes as good as what a skilled barista pulls. Factor in the cost of a grinder, and the total investment is still less than a year of daily café visits.
Can you use pre-ground coffee with the Breville Bambino Plus?
Technically yes, but the results suffer. Pre-ground coffee loses flavor quickly and often packs inconsistently, leading to uneven extraction. A burr grinder—preferably one with espresso-specific settings—transforms the machine’s potential. It’s not optional; it’s essential.
How does the Bambino Plus compare to dual-boiler machines?
Dual-boiler machines let you pull espresso and steam milk at the same time, a feature that matters if you’re making multiple drinks or running a home café. The Bambino Plus cannot do this because it heats one boiler for both tasks. For home use, the single boiler is fine. For high-volume entertaining or serious espresso experimentation, dual-boiler machines offer more flexibility—though they cost significantly more and take up more space.
The Breville Bambino Plus earned its readers’ choice crown because it solves a real problem: how to make excellent espresso in a small space without years of training. Seven years after launch, newer machines have tried to dethrone it, and they keep failing. If you’re ready to stop visiting cafés and start making espresso at home, this machine is where to start.
Where to Buy
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
