Three second heat up and automatic microfoam make this the friendliest path to real espresso.
8.5
KADS SCORE
Quick Take
The Breville Bambino Plus at $499.95 on breville.com is the compact espresso machine that made automatic milk texturing mainstream. It heats in seconds, pulls proper 54mm shots, and steams milk with one button. The catch is the missing grinder: real espresso needs fresh grounds, so factor in another $200 for one.
Loves
- Heats up in about three seconds flat
- Automatic steam wand textures milk for you
- Tiny footprint fits the smallest kitchens
- 54mm portafilter with both pressurized and standard baskets
- Two year warranty, double most rivals
Not For
- No grinder included, so budget for one separately
- Lightweight body wobbles when locking the portafilter
- Automatic steam wand can overflow the jug
- Some owners report leaks or failures after months
The Details
Full Review
Quality
The Bambino Plus packs a thermocoil boiler into a 7.7 inch wide body that feels almost impossibly small for what it does. The stainless and plastic exterior is more appliance than heirloom, and at under 11 pounds it needs a steady hand when twisting in the portafilter. But the engineering is serious: low pressure pre infusion, precise temperature control, and a steam wand that genuinely produces silky microfoam at the touch of a button.
Value
$499.95 plus a $200 grinder puts the real cost near $700, which is exactly the Barista Express with a built in grinder. So why the Bambino Plus? The footprint is half the size, the heat up is instant, the warranty is two years instead of one, and a separate grinder can be upgraded later. It goes on sale to $399.95 regularly, and at that price with a good hand grinder it is the best value in home espresso.
You’ll Love It If
Latte and cappuccino drinkers, apartment dwellers, and beginners who want great espresso without a six month learning curve.
Skip It If
Purists who want to tinker will outgrow it, and straight espresso drinkers can save money with the simpler Bambino.
FINAL VERDICT
The Bambino Plus is the best beginner espresso machine for small kitchens and milk drink lovers. It removes every excuse: fast, compact, and forgiving, with genuinely good shots once you feed it fresh grounds. Just go in knowing the grinder is mandatory, not optional.
8.5 / 10
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