Breville Researched
Barista Express
The classic all-in-one: built-in grinder, manual wand, everything you need to start in one box.
All-in-one startersValue seekers
$500Read review →
Breville Researched
Bambino Plus
The easiest path to genuinely good espresso and hands-free milk in a tiny footprint.
BeginnersSmall kitchensMilk drinks
8.5
BrewSift Score
Excellent
$500
Approximate — verify the latest price
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Should you buy it?
Buy it if
- Beginners
- Small kitchens
- Milk drinks
- 3-second heat-up
Skip it if
- No built-in grinder
- Plastic body
- 54mm basket limits dose vs 58mm
Not for you? Consider the Breville Barista Express — or see all espresso machines .
The verdict
Breville's ThermoJet heats in ~3 seconds and the automatic steam wand textures milk to a set temperature and foam level, so beginners get café-style lattes without learning to steam. A 54mm portafilter and pre-infusion punch above the price; you just need a decent grinder beside it.
BrewSift Score breakdown
Scored across the dimensions that matter for espresso. The overall is a weighted average — see the formula.
Espresso quality8.4
Milk-drink workflow8.6
Ease of use9.2
Temperature stability8.2
Build quality7.8
Cleaning & maintenance8.4
Value8.6
Pros & cons
What we like
- 3-second heat-up
- Automatic milk texturing to set temp & foam
- Compact (under 8" wide)
Watch-outs
- No built-in grinder
- Plastic body
- 54mm basket limits dose vs 58mm
Specifications
- Portafilter
- 54mm
- Boiler
- ThermoJet (single)
- Heat-up
- ~3 sec
- Milk
- Automatic steam wand
- Footprint
- 7.7 × 12.6 in
What owners say
Owners love the speed and auto-milk; a few wish for a 58mm basket and metal body.
Complete your setup
The gear that pairs with the Bambino Plus to make a complete, working setup.
Add a grinder
Baratza
Encore ESP
Grind consistency does more for the cup than almost any other purchase — a burr grinder is what makes good gear actually taste good.
$200Buy
Add a scale
Hario
V60 Drip Scale (VST-2000B)
Weighing your dose and yield is what makes a good cup repeatable, shot after shot.
$59Buy
Add prep tools
Normcore
58.5mm Spring-Loaded Tamper
A WDT tool and a properly sized tamper kill channeling — the cheapest fix for sour, uneven shots.
$44Buy
Compare it head-to-head
Alternatives to consider
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Gaggia Researched
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A 58mm commercial-style machine that teaches real espresso and welcomes modifications.
Learning real espressoTinkerers
$501Read review →
DeLonghi Researched
La Specialista Arte EC9155
An affordable all-in-one with a built-in grinder, guided tamping, and a real steam wand.
All-in-one under $500Hands-on beginners
$449Read review →