Breville Researched
Bambino Plus
The easiest path to genuinely good espresso and hands-free milk in a tiny footprint.
BeginnersSmall kitchens
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
A 58mm commercial-style machine that teaches real espresso and welcomes modifications.
ResearchedLearning real espressoTinkerers58mm
7.8
BrewSift Score
Good
$508.01
Approximate — verify the latest price
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Should you buy it?
Buy it if
- Learning real espresso
- Tinkerers
- 58mm
- 58mm commercial portafilter
Skip it if
- Steep learning curve
- No PID out of the box
- Slow steam recovery
Not for you? Consider the Breville Bambino Plus — or see all espresso machines .
The verdict
The enthusiast's entry point: a 58mm commercial portafilter, a proper steam wand, sturdy build, and a huge modding community (PID kits, OPV, flow control). It demands technique and has no frills, but the espresso ceiling far exceeds the price. The listing we link is the RI9380 Classic Evo Pro, with an aluminium boiler; Gaggia North America now sells the Classic Pro E24, a revision with a lead-free brass boiler, so check which model a listing ships.
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 workflow7.0
Ease of use6.6
Temperature stability7.4
Build quality8.2
Cleaning & maintenance8.0
Value8.8
Pros & cons
What we like
- 58mm commercial portafilter
- Endlessly moddable (PID, OPV)
- Built to last & repairable
Watch-outs
- Steep learning curve
- No PID out of the box
- Slow steam recovery
Specifications
- Portafilter
- 58mm commercial
- Boiler
- Single, aluminium
- Milk
- Manual steam wand
- Mods
- PID/OPV/flow popular
From the journal
Where the Classic Evo Pro comes up in our guides.
Complete your setup
The gear that pairs with the Classic Evo Pro 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.
$199.95Buy
Add a scale
Hario
V60 Drip Scale (VST-2000B)
Weighing your dose and yield is what makes a good cup repeatable, shot after shot.
$49.5Buy
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.
$42.99Buy
Compare it head-to-head
Read the rival's review:Breville Bambino Plus
Alternatives to consider
All espresso machines
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
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
Breville Researched
Bambino
The Bambino Plus's cheaper sibling — same fast heat-up and tiny footprint, with a manual steam wand.
Smallest footprintBudget espresso + manual milk
DeLonghi Researched
Dedica Arte EC885
A genuinely slim, genuinely cheap entry into real (if modest) espresso with a steam wand.
Tight budgetsNarrow counters