Finding a countertop espresso machine that delivers professional quality without demanding professional skills or a professional footprint can feel like an impossible task. This is precisely why the Breville Bambino Plus makes such a compelling case for itself, and this Breville Bambino Plus Review: Big Performance, Small Footprint will explore how it manages to pack so much capability into such a compact frame. You will learn how this machine can become the centerpiece of your morning routine, producing excellent coffee with remarkable speed and consistency.
I tested this machine in a typical home kitchen environment, focusing on its day-to-day usability and the quality of the espresso it produces. The experience revealed a device designed not for hobbyists who want to tinker with every variable, but for individuals who value a great-tasting, cafe-style drink with minimal fuss and maximum convenience right from the first use.
Breville Bambino Plus Review: Big Performance, Small Footprint – Quick Verdict
After extensive testing, the Breville Bambino Plus stands out as an exceptional entry-level automatic espresso machine. It earns its reputation by delivering what matters most: great-tasting espresso and microfoam milk with incredible speed and user-friendliness. Its three-second heat-up time is a genuine game-changer for rushed mornings, allowing you to go from a cold start to a finished drink faster than you can walk to a coffee shop. The automated milk frothing is remarkably consistent, making latte art accessible to beginners. While it has some limitations for seasoned enthusiasts who crave total manual control, for its target audience, it is nearly perfect.
Pros
- Extremely fast heat-up time (approx. 3 seconds)
- Consistent and beginner-friendly automated milk frothing
- Surprisingly compact design that fits in small spaces
- Produces excellent espresso with good crema
Cons
- Built-in tamper is small and somewhat awkward to use
- Requires a good quality grinder for best results
- Water reservoir could be larger for multiple drinks
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Breville Bambino Plus Review: Big Performance, Small Footprint Overview
The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact, thermocoil-based espresso machine designed for the home user who wants quality and convenience without a steep learning curve. Its main purpose is to simplify the process of making espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. It achieves this through a combination of pre-infusion, precise temperature control, and an innovative auto-frothing milk jug that takes the guesswork out of texturing milk.
This machine is ideally suited for busy individuals, couples, or small families who appreciate good coffee but don’t have the counter space for a larger machine or the time to master a fully manual process. It’s a fantastic step up from pod-based systems or a regular drip coffee maker. Key specifications include its remarkably small footprint (just under 8 inches wide), a 54mm portafilter, a 1.7-liter water tank, and the signature feature: a three-second heat-up time from cold. It’s important to note that for optimal results, you will need a separate burr grinder, as it does not have one built-in.
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Key Features & Performance
Using the Breville Bambino Plus is a lesson in efficiency. The features are thoughtfully integrated to remove common pain points associated with home espresso, making the journey from bean to cup remarkably smooth and predictable.
Lightning-Fast Heat-Up Time
The advertised three-second heat-up is not a marketing gimmick; it’s a reality that fundamentally changes your coffee routine. I found I could turn the machine on, prepare my portafilter, and it would be ready to pull a shot almost immediately. This is a massive advantage over traditional single-boiler machines that can take ten to fifteen minutes to reach the proper temperature. It saves time and energy, making it practical for a single quick espresso without feeling like you’ve powered up a major appliance.
Automated Milk Frothing with Microfoam
This is arguably the Bambino Plus’s party trick. By placing the included stainless steel jug under the steam wand and selecting your desired temperature and texture, the machine does the rest. It automatically creates silky, velvety microfoam perfect for lattes and flat whites. The consistency is impressive. Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, the results are reliably good, eliminating the common beginner frustration of overheated or poorly textured milk. For those who prefer manual control, you can switch to a manual steam mode, but the automated system is a huge selling point.
Compact Footprint and Pre-Infusion
The small size is a major feature in itself. It fits comfortably on even the most cramped counter, often requiring less space than a toaster. Despite its size, it doesn’t compromise on core brewing technology. The pre-infusion function is a key feature typically found on more expensive machines. It gently wets the coffee puck with low pressure before applying full pressure for the extraction. This helps to saturate the grounds evenly, leading to a more balanced and flavorful shot with a richer crema, reducing the chance of channeling.
Usability and Daily Workflow
In my experience, the daily workflow is streamlined. The buttons are intuitive, and the LED indicators are clear. The 54mm portafilter is a joy to work with once you get used to it, though the included plastic tamper is its weakest accessory. The drip tray is well-designed and easy to remove and empty. The machine heats up so quickly that there’s no need to leave it on, which adds to its overall efficiency. Cleaning is straightforward, with most parts being dishwasher safe, and the steam wand has an automatic purge function to keep it clean.
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Final Verdict
After thoroughly testing the Breville Bambino Plus, I can confidently say it is one of the best-value espresso machines for its category. It excels at its primary goal: making excellent espresso and milk-based drinks with incredible speed and ease. The combination of its compact design, rapid heat-up, and foolproof automated milk frothing creates a user experience that is difficult to beat for someone new to home espresso or anyone prioritizing convenience.
Pros
- The three-second heat-up time is a genuine advantage for daily use.
- The automated milk frothing delivers cafe-quality microfoam consistently.
- Its small footprint makes it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space.
- Pre-infusion technology improves extraction quality and flavor.
- Very user-friendly with an intuitive control panel.
Cons
- The included tamper is undersized and feels cheap, so an upgrade is recommended.
- It does not include a grinder, so a separate quality burr grinder is a necessary investment.
- The water tank, while sufficient for a few drinks, needs frequent refills for larger households.
I highly recommend the Breville Bambino Plus to anyone looking to enter the world of home espresso without the complexity and wait times of traditional machines. It is perfect for busy professionals, small households, and those who value convenience and consistency. However, if you are an experienced espresso enthusiast who enjoys the ritual of manually controlling every variable of the shot and steaming process, you may find the Bambino Plus a bit limiting and should consider a more manual machine.
What Customers Say About This Product
User feedback consistently highlights the same strengths that I experienced during testing. The machine’s ease of use and the quality of the coffee it produces are common points of praise.
Sarah M. “Upgraded from a pod machine and the difference is night and day. The milk frother is magical—I finally make lattes that taste like they’re from a coffee shop. It’s so simple to use every morning.”
David L. “My kitchen is tiny, so the size was the main selling point. I was shocked that something so small could make such a powerful shot of espresso. The speed is unbelievable; I have my coffee ready in the time it takes to toast a bagel.”
Emma R. “As a beginner, I was intimidated by espresso, but the Bambino Plus made it approachable. The automatic settings gave me the confidence to start, and now I’m learning to steam milk manually. It’s the perfect machine to learn on.”
Michael T. “The only con is the tamper. I bought a separate 54mm tamper right away, and it made the process much better. Once you do that, this machine is flawless for the price.”