Breville Bambino Plus Review: The Ultimate Beginner’s Machine?
The Breville Bambino Plus is everywhere. It’s the machine every YouTube reviewer and forum expert seems to recommend for beginners. But does it live up to the hype?
After three months of daily use, putting hundreds of shots through it, I can give you a straight answer: Yes, but with one critical caveat.
This isn’t just a list of specs from the website. This is a real-world breakdown of what it’s actually like to live with the Bambino Plus day in and day out. Let’s get into it.
Breville Bambino Plus: At a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Thermocoil Heated, Compact Espresso Machine |
| Dimensions | 7.6″ W x 12.6″ D x 12.2″ H |
| Water Tank | 64 oz (removable) |
| Pressure | 15-bar Italian pump |
| Heat-Up Time | 3 Seconds |
| Key Features | Auto Milk Frothing, Pre-infusion, Super Fast Heat-Up |
What We Love (The Pros)
1. The 3-Second Heat-Up Time is a Game-Changer.
This is the Bambino Plus’s killer feature. There is no waiting. You decide you want coffee, and 3 seconds later, the machine is ready to pull a shot. This removes a massive barrier to daily use and makes it perfect for busy mornings.
2. The Automatic Steam Wand is Genius for Beginners.
This feature alone justifies the “Plus” in the name. You can manually steam milk, but the auto-froth function is magic for beginners. You set the temperature and texture level, and the machine does the rest. It produces consistently velvety, perfectly textured milk for lattes and cappuccinos with zero skill required.
3. It’s Surprisingly Consistent.
Once you’re dialed in, the Bambino Plus pulls remarkably consistent shots. The included pre-infusion feature (which gently wets the coffee grounds before applying full pressure) helps ensure an even extraction, reducing channeling and sourness.
4. The Footprint is Tiny.
It takes up a minuscule amount of counter space. If you have a small kitchen or apartment, this is a huge benefit.
What You Need to Know (The Cons)
1. The Pressurized Baskets Are a Trap.
The machine comes with two types of portafilter baskets:
- Pressurized (Dual Wall) Baskets: For pre-ground coffee. They create artificial crema and are forgiving.
- Non-Pressurized (Single Wall) Baskets: For freshly ground coffee. They require a good grinder but produce far superior espresso.
The Verdict: Use the non-pressurized baskets immediately. The pressurized baskets produce a weak, fake-tasting shot and will hold you back. This leads to the biggest con…
2. YOU MUST BUY A GRINDER.
This is the critical caveat. The Breville Bambino Plus is useless without a quality espresso grinder. The machine’s potential is completely locked behind having coffee that is ground fresh and fine enough. The “3-second heat-up” is negated if you have to wait for a grinder to warm up.
3. The Water Reservoir is a Bit Small.
At 64oz, you’ll be refilling it every 2-3 days if you’re making multiple drinks a day. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a minor annoyance.
4. It’s Mostly Plastic.
The machine is very light. While it feels well-built for a plastic appliance, it doesn’t have the heft or premium feel of a metal machine like a Gaggia Classic Pro.
Who Is This Machine REALLY For?
Get the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- You are a complete beginner who values speed and convenience above all else.
- You love milk-based drinks and want the easiest path to great microfoam.
- You have limited counter space.
- You understand that you must budget for a good grinder (like the Baratza ESP).
Avoid the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- You see espresso as a hobby and want to tinker and mod your machine.
- You primarily drink straight espresso and want ultimate control over pressure and temperature.
- You want a machine built like a tank that will last 20 years.
The Verdict: The Ultimate Beginner Machine?
For its target audience—the person who wants great café-style drinks at home with minimal fuss and maximum speed—the Breville Bambino Plus is arguably the best beginner machine on the market.
Its combination of instant heat-up and automated milk steaming is unmatched at its price point. However, calling it “affordable” is misleading. The true cost is the machine plus a quality grinder, which pushes the total investment closer to the $500-$600 range.
If that fits your budget and your goal is convenience, you will be absolutely thrilled with it. It delivers on its promises.
Ready to pair it with the right grinder? We’ve tested them all. Here is our breakdown of the [Best Espresso Grinders for Beginners] The Best Espresso Grinders for Beginners in 2025 (No BS Guide)
