Breville Bambino Plus review: the best entry-level espresso machine you can buy
If you're stepping up from a Nespresso or a French press and have $400 to spend, the Breville Bambino Plus is the obvious answer. We've pulled over 1,200 shots through ours — here's what holds up and what doesn't.
The verdict
The Bambino Plus removes nearly every barrier between a beginner and a genuinely good espresso. Pre-programmed shot timing, automatic milk steaming, and a 3-second heat-up make it foolproof. The compromise is control: serious enthusiasts will outgrow it within a year. Most people won't.
- 3-second heat-up — no waiting, ever
- Automatic milk steaming with adjustable foam level and temperature
- Tiny footprint (12-inch deep, 7-inch wide)
- Pre-programmed 1- and 2-cup shots that pull a respectable shot out of the box
- Quality of espresso scales up with grind/dose tuning — there's room to grow
What we liked
- 54mm portafilter is non-standard — accessories cost more, fewer basket options
- No PID temperature control (ThermoJet is fast but less precise)
- Pressurized double-wall basket is the default; you'll want to swap to a real one
- Steam wand is auto-only — no manual steaming for latte art practice
What we didn't
Key specs
- Portafilter
- 54 mm pressurized + non-pressurized basket
- Boiler
- ThermoJet heating system
- Heat-up time
- 3 seconds
- Pump
- 15-bar Italian pump (pre-infusion enabled)
- Reservoir
- 1.4 L removable
- Steam
- Automatic with foam + temperature controls
- Footprint
- 7.6\" W × 12.6\" D × 12.2\" H
- Warranty
- 2 years
Who this is for
The Bambino Plus is for the espresso-curious. You've decided drip coffee isn't enough, you're not ready to tinker with a Gaggia Classic and a separate grinder, and you want something that fits on a counter without forcing you to relocate the toaster.
It's also great for households where multiple people make coffee at different skill levels — the auto features mean a beginner can pull a fine shot while an enthusiast can swap in a non-pressurized basket and tune from there.
What you get
A small, well-made machine that nails the unsexy fundamentals. The 3-second heat-up is the feature you don't believe until you live with it — there's no morning waiting, no thermal recovery time between shots. Auto milk steaming gets you to a flat-white-quality microfoam in 60 seconds, every time, without burning yourself or learning the mechanics of a proper purge-stretch-spin.
What it asks of you
A grinder. The Bambino Plus is forgiving but not magic. Pre-ground supermarket espresso will pull a sour, fast shot. A $150 hand grinder (1Zpresso J-Max or similar) plus fresh roasted beans will transform what comes out of this machine.
A second basket. The default 54mm baskets are pressurized — they create artificial crema and tolerate bad grind. Once you have a grinder, swap to a non-pressurized basket and you'll get the real flavor profile this machine is capable of.
What it can't do
Pull two back-to-back shots without a brief recovery (the ThermoJet handles single shots beautifully, but you'll feel a small pressure dip on shot two if pulled immediately). Steam milk manually for serious latte art training. Replace a $1,500 dual-boiler in any meaningful way.
Bottom line
If you have $400 and want espresso at home tomorrow, this is the machine to buy. If you're patient and ready to commit to the learning curve, the Gaggia Classic Pro is more rewarding long-term. To compare them directly, see our Bambino vs Gaggia head-to-head. For more options, see our best espresso machines under $500.