Breville Bambino Plus: A Compact Espresso Machine That Elevates Home Brewing

Effortless barista-style espresso and silky microfoam in a sleek, space-saving design.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 19, 2025

Effortless barista-style espresso and silky microfoam in a sleek, space-saving design.

Breville Bambino Plus Review: Elevating Espresso at Home

The Breville Bambino Plus stands out in the world of compact espresso machines, offering users the ability to produce near café-quality espresso and impressively textured milk foam—all without consuming excessive kitchen space or demanding a trained barista’s skill set. This review explores the features, usability, espresso quality, and overall value of the Bambino Plus, guiding both beginners and enthusiasts in their pursuit of excellent home espresso.

Why Choose the Bambino Plus?

Compact, speedy, and smartly engineered, the Bambino Plus appeals to those with limited kitchen space and anyone who appreciates a good cup without fuss. Its rapid ThermoJet heating, stable temperature control, and adept automatic milk frothing put it ahead of many entry-level competitors in performance.

Footprint: Occupies minimal counter space. Ideal for apartments and small kitchens.
Speed: Heats up and is ready to brew in roughly 3 seconds.
Ease of Use: Intuitive controls and straightforward workflow lower the barrier for espresso newcomers.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Out of the box, the machine feels well-built and thoughtfully designed. The inclusion of both pressurized (dual-wall) and non-pressurized (single-wall) filter baskets allows users to start with pre-ground supermarket beans and, with a better grinder, upgrade to more nuanced, freshly roasted coffees.

Included accessories:
- Portafilter with 54mm filter baskets (pressurized and non-pressurized)
- Stainless steel milk jug
- Tamper
- Cleaning tools
Related: Breville Barista Express Impress: A Detailed Espresso Machine Review

Core Features and Technical Specs

Feature	Description
ThermoJet Heating	Ready to brew in 3 seconds; minimal downtime between brewing and steaming
PID Temperature Control	Fixed water temperature at 200°F for stable extraction
Automatic & Manual Milk Frothing	Three temperature and texture presets for easy microfoam; manual option for more control
9-Bar Extraction Pressure	Optimized for espresso; avoids over-extraction and bitterness
Compact Footprint	Fits comfortably on small countertops and under cabinets

Espresso Quality: Café Shots at Home

The Bambino Plus consistently produces flavorful and balanced espresso, especially when paired with a quality grinder. The PID control ensures extraction happens at a stable temperature—a crucial variable for unlocking nuanced flavors and avoiding sour or bitter notes.

Pressurized vs. Non-Pressurized Baskets: Beginners can use pressurized baskets for a forgiving extraction even with inconsistent grind sizes. Upgrading to a premium grinder and non-pressurized baskets will unlock richer, more complex espresso—comparable to what you might find in a café.
Dosing Tips: While Breville advertises an 18-22g dose for double shots, most users find optimal results with about 17.5g in the standard basket, with the option to use aftermarket baskets for larger doses if desired.
Pre-Infusion: Both manual and automatic pre-infusion modes help ensure even saturation and minimize channeling (uneven extraction).

Pro Tip: Run a blank double shot through the grouphead before brewing your first espresso to pre-warm the metal and maintain shot quality throughout multiple back-to-back pulls.

Milk Steaming and Microfoam: Impressive for Its Size

The Bambino Plus offers automatic milk frothing with customizable temperature and foam settings, a rarity in this price bracket. The steam wand is powerful enough to create microfoam suitable for latte art, though expert-level smoothness may require some manual finishing.

Three distinct temperature settings (low, med, high) and three foam density levels
Delivers frothed milk for cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites on par with much larger machines
The steam wand’s manual mode gives skilled users more control, allowing creation of more textured, paint-like milk for advanced latte art
Auto-purge cleanses the wand after frothing, reducing maintenance
While the wand is not fully rotatable, its length makes it easy to create a swirling vortex in the pitcher

Workflow: From Bean to Cup

The prime advantage of the Bambino Plus is its streamlined workflow. The process is simple and repeatable—even for those new to espresso:

Pre-flush the grouphead to warm all metal components.
Grind fresh coffee (preferably with a high-quality burr grinder).
Choose basket type—pressurized for ease, or non-pressurized for authenticity.
Tamp and lock the portafilter.
Initiate shot pull. Let the machine’s pressure and temperature do their work.
Steam milk. Choose automatic (preset) or manual mode as desired.
Purge steam wand, enjoy drink, repeat as necessary!

Many users will appreciate that the workflow doesn’t feel intimidating or convoluted, even compared to classic machines with more manual steps and fiddly temperature management.

Who Is the Bambino Plus For?

Beginner Baristas: The forgiving design and intuitive controls make learning enjoyable.
Enthusiasts with Small Kitchens: The compact footprint and minimal noise (approx. 50–55dB) suit environments where space and peace are priorities.
Households with Diverse Coffee Preferences: The auto-frothing delivers reliable results for cappuccino, latte, and flat white lovers, while the stable shot quality keeps espresso purists satisfied.

Comparing with Other Machines

Feature	Bambino Plus	Classic Entry-Level Machine
Heat-Up Time	~3 seconds	30+ seconds (boiler or thermoblock)
Milk Frothing	Automatic & manual, multiple settings	Manual only, often less consistent
Temperature Stability	PID controlled (fixed, non-adjustable)	Manual or basic thermostats (may fluctuate)
Size	Compact	Bulky
Price	Mid-range	Variable, often similar

Limitations and Quirks

Temperature: The fixed brew temperature (200°F) works well for most beans, but dark roast aficionados may wish for adjustability.
Dosing: Fitting more than 17.5g in the double basket is impractical; aftermarket baskets can provide versatility.
Grouphead Heating: Requires an initial flush to avoid temperature loss; not self-heating.
Steam Wand: Not fully rotatable, but functional for most pitcher techniques.
Construction: Some plastic components, but overall build quality is solid and suitable for everyday use.

Noise Levels

Both the Bambino and Bambino Plus produce only about 50–55dB of noise while extracting shots—noticeably quieter than most grinders and many larger machines. This keeps the process from becoming a disruption in multi-use kitchen spaces.

Maintenance

Perform routine cleaning and back-flushing as advised by the user manual.
The auto-purge feature simplifies steam wand maintenance by cleaning after each use.
Descale every few months for longevity, especially in areas with hard water.

Expert Opinions and User Feedback

Praised by experienced baristas and first-timers alike for its speed, ease, and value.
Café-quality results are within easy reach, even for beginners just learning about tamping and grind size.
Many users appreciate milk frothing presets and find the workflow smooth and frustration-free.
The need for a high-quality grinder is echoed in expert reviews—don’t expect stellar results from subpar burrs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How fast does the Bambino Plus heat up?

A: Thanks to its ThermoJet heating system, the Bambino Plus is ready to brew and steam in about 3 seconds.

Q: Do I need a special grinder for best results?

A: Yes, investing in a premium burr grinder dramatically improves espresso quality. Entry-level grinders may not deliver a fine or consistent enough particle size for non-pressurized shots.

Q: Can the automatic milk frothing create microfoam suitable for latte art?

A: The automatic frothing makes good foam for most drinks, though some manual finishing is needed to achieve truly glossy, paint-like microfoam for intricate latte art.

Q: Is the brew temperature adjustable?

A: No—the PID system keeps the brew temperature stable at 200°F, which is ideal for most coffees but not user-adjustable.

Q: How noisy is the machine?

A: When pulling shots, the Bambino Plus is surprisingly quiet (50–55dB), much lower than most grinders or larger espresso machines.

Should You Buy the Breville Bambino Plus?

If you want consistently good espresso and silky milk foam, with an easy workflow and minimal clutter, the Bambino Plus is ideal. Its rapid startup, temperature stability, and forgiving nature suit both beginners and experienced users seeking convenience. Those seeking more hands-on control or temperature adjustment may prefer traditional machines, but for most home baristas, the Bambino Plus delivers exceptional value and results.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete