Espresso Machine · Single boiler / ThermoJet
Breville Bambino Plus
Breville · $$
A compact entry espresso machine with near-instant heat-up and automatic milk steaming.
Price range
$400 – $520
Breville Bambino Plus on video
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Why this matters
The Breville Bambino Plus occupies a genuinely useful niche in the home espresso market: a machine that strips away complexity without stripping away capability. At $499.95, it sits at the lower end of what serious espresso enthusiasts consider viable territory, yet it ships with a 54mm stainless steel portafilter, a ThermoJet heating system that reaches extraction temperature in three seconds, and an automatic steam wand capable of producing microfoam suitable for latte art. For apartment dwellers, first-time espresso buyers, or anyone who wants milk drinks without a steep learning curve, the Bambino Plus is one of the most straightforward on-ramps available. It is not a machine for the hobbyist who wants to manually dial in steam pressure or juggle multiple boilers — that buyer needs to look a tier higher. But for the person who wants a genuinely small footprint, fast mornings, and hands-free steaming without sacrificing espresso fundamentals, the Bambino Plus makes a strong, specific case for itself.
At a glance
Best for
- Beginners
- Small kitchens
- Milk drinks
Look elsewhere if
- You want a 58mm portafilter ecosystem: the Bambino Plus uses a 54mm portafilter, limiting your access to the much wider range of aftermarket baskets, tampers, and distribution tools built for the 58mm standard common on prosumer and commercial machines.
- You need to brew and steam simultaneously: the single-boiler design means shot pulling and milk steaming are sequential steps, which slows down multi-drink service and can be frustrating during busy mornings.
- You want hands-on manual control and data feedback: the Bambino Plus has no pressure gauge, no shot timer display, and no PID readout, so serious tinkerers who want to monitor and adjust extraction variables in real time will find it limiting.
- You are considering long-term upgrades toward a more capable setup: the non-standard portafilter size and entry-level single-boiler design mean the Bambino Plus is a starting point, not a machine you can meaningfully upgrade around — buyers with a longer horizon may be better served starting at a higher tier.
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The Breville Bambino Plus measures 7.5 inches wide by 13.5 inches deep by 12 inches tall — compact enough to fit comfortably under most upper kitchen cabinets without requiring a dedicated espresso station. The chassis is stainless steel, giving it a build quality that feels more substantial than its price tag suggests, and the overall aesthetic is clean and uncluttered. Breville includes a meaningful accessories package in the box: a 54mm tamper, the Razor precision dosing tool, a 16 fl.oz stainless steel milk jug, single and dual wall filter baskets in both one- and two-cup sizes, a cleaning disc, and a cleaning tool. That is a more complete starter kit than most competitors offer at this price.
The headline engineering feature is the ThermoJet heating system. Unlike the thermoblock designs common in budget espresso machines, ThermoJet is Breville's proprietary thermocoil approach, and the company states it reaches optimum extraction temperature in three seconds. Breville also claims the system uses up to 32 percent less energy annually compared to a thermoblock design, based on internal testing from November 2022. In practical terms, this means you are not waiting for the machine to warm up before your morning shot — you press a button and you are essentially ready.
Extraction follows a two-stage process: low-pressure pre-infusion first, then a ramp up to 9 bar delivered via a 15-bar Italian pump. Pre-infusion is valuable because it allows the puck to saturate evenly before full pressure hits, reducing channeling and improving extraction consistency — a feature more commonly found on machines at higher price points. The recommended dose is 18 grams using the included dual-wall filter baskets, though single-wall baskets are also included for those using freshly ground, quality coffee.
The steam wand is the Bambino Plus's most differentiating feature at this price. It operates in two modes: automatic and manual. In automatic mode, you submerge the wand tip in milk, press a button, and the machine handles temperature and texture on its own. There are three adjustable milk temperature settings and three texture levels, giving you some control over the outcome without requiring hands-on technique. Manual mode lets experienced users steam in the traditional barista style. The steam is generated at up to 266°F, which Breville says is sufficient for silky microfoam appropriate for latte art. For beginners, the automatic mode meaningfully lowers the barrier to a well-textured flat white or cappuccino.
The user interface is intentionally minimal: one-touch volumetric controls for single and double shots, plus steam. Shot volumes can be programmed, so once you dial in your preferred output, the machine will repeat it consistently. There is no pressure gauge, no shot timer display, and no PID readout — the Bambino Plus trusts you to taste and adjust rather than monitor data.
Day-to-day workflow is straightforward. The three-second heat-up means the machine can stay off between uses without penalty. Cleaning is aided by the included disc and tool, and the drip tray is accessible and easy to empty. The water tank capacity is not specified in the available documentation, but the machine's compact dimensions suggest it is sized accordingly for a single-household use pattern.
The Bambino Plus's trade-offs are real and worth naming plainly. The 54mm portafilter is non-standard. The industry default for prosumer machines is 58mm, and the wider ecosystem of aftermarket baskets, distribution tools, and tampers is built around that size. Breville does make 54mm accessories — including the Distribution Duo and Force Gauge Tamper sold separately for around $109.95 each — but your options are narrower than with a 58mm machine, and those accessories add meaningful cost on top of the purchase price.
The single-boiler architecture also means you cannot brew and steam simultaneously. After pulling a shot, you need to wait for the machine to transition to steam mode before texturing milk. On a ThermoJet system this transition is fast relative to traditional single boilers, but it is still a sequential process. For a household making multiple milk drinks in succession, this adds time. A dual-boiler machine eliminates this entirely, though those start at significantly higher prices.
There is no pressure gauge or shot timer built into the machine. For a beginner, that is arguably fine — fewer numbers to second-guess. For someone who wants to actively troubleshoot their extraction, it is a limitation. A separate bottomless portafilter and puck screen can help diagnose issues visually, but the machine itself offers no real-time feedback beyond the shot running.
In terms of peer comparisons, the Bambino Plus sits above the base Bambino, which foregoes the automatic steam wand, and below the Breville Barista Express, which integrates a grinder. The De'Longhi Dedica is a frequent comparison point — also compact, also single-boiler — but lacks the automatic steaming mode and ThermoJet speed. The Gaggia Classic Pro, often cited as a step toward a more manual, upgradeable espresso experience, uses a 58mm portafilter and a traditional boiler, appealing to a different kind of buyer who wants more hands-on control and a broader accessory ecosystem at a similar price point.
For its intended audience — beginners, small-kitchen households, people who primarily drink milk-based espresso drinks — the Bambino Plus delivers a coherent, capable package. The automatic steam wand works, the heat-up time is genuinely fast, and the included accessories mean you can start making real espresso the day it arrives without additional purchases. The trade-offs are well-defined and unlikely to matter to most of its buyers.
Pros
- Very fast heat-up
- Automatic milk steaming
- Compact footprint
Cons
- 54mm portafilter (non-standard)
- Limited simultaneous brew/steam
Who reviewed it
We synthesized this page from independent reviews and the manufacturer's own materials. Conclusions below are paraphrased, not quoted.
Breville (Manufacturer)
Breville positions the Bambino Plus as a compact, beginner-accessible machine capable of third-wave specialty coffee results through its ThermoJet heating, 9-bar extraction with pre-infusion, and hands-free automatic steam wand.
Source ↗Prima Coffee
Prima Coffee has recognized the Bambino Plus as one of the more practical entry-level espresso machines for home users who prioritize speed and automatic milk texturing in a small footprint.
Source ↗Wirecutter (The New York Times)
Wirecutter has noted the Bambino Plus as a strong pick in the entry-level espresso category, particularly for buyers who want automatic milk steaming and fast heat-up without a steep learning curve.
Source ↗Home Grounds
Home Grounds has highlighted the Bambino Plus's three-second heat-up and automatic steam wand as its standout features, while noting the 54mm portafilter as a meaningful limitation for buyers who want a broader accessory ecosystem.
Source ↗Seattle Coffee Gear
Seattle Coffee Gear has described the Bambino Plus as an accessible, well-rounded machine for beginners making milk drinks, praising its compact size and ease of use while acknowledging its single-boiler limitations.
Source ↗
Frequently asked questions
How fast does the Breville Bambino Plus heat up?
The Bambino Plus uses Breville's ThermoJet heating system, which the company states reaches optimum extraction temperature in three seconds. This makes it one of the fastest-heating machines in its category and means you do not need to pre-warm it for extended periods before use.
What size portafilter does the Bambino Plus use?
The Bambino Plus uses a 54mm stainless steel portafilter. This is a non-standard size — most prosumer and commercial machines use 58mm — which limits compatibility with third-party baskets, tampers, and distribution tools. Breville does make 54mm accessories, but the selection is narrower than the 58mm ecosystem.
Can the Bambino Plus steam milk and brew espresso at the same time?
No. The Bambino Plus has a single-boiler architecture, meaning it must switch between brew and steam modes sequentially. You pull your shot first, then the machine transitions to steam mode. The ThermoJet system makes this transition relatively fast compared to traditional single boilers, but simultaneous brewing and steaming is not possible.
How does the automatic steam wand work?
The automatic steam wand allows you to submerge the tip in milk, select your preferred temperature (three options) and texture level (three options), and press a button. The machine handles the steaming process for you, producing microfoam at up to 266°F. A manual mode is also available for users who prefer traditional hands-on steaming technique.
What is the recommended coffee dose for the Bambino Plus?
Breville recommends 18 grams of freshly ground coffee using the dual-wall filter basket for a full-flavored espresso. Single-wall baskets are also included for use with freshly ground specialty coffee, which requires more precise grinding and tamping.
Does the Bambino Plus have a pressure gauge or shot timer?
No. The Bambino Plus does not include a built-in pressure gauge, shot timer display, or PID temperature readout. The interface is intentionally minimal, with one-touch volumetric controls for single and double shots. This simplifies use for beginners but limits real-time feedback for those who want to actively monitor and adjust extraction.
What is the extraction pressure of the Bambino Plus?
The Bambino Plus uses a 15-bar Italian pump to deliver 9 bars of extraction pressure at the group head, which is the standard target pressure for espresso. It also features low-pressure pre-infusion before ramping up to full pressure, which helps saturate the puck evenly and reduce channeling.
What accessories are included with the Bambino Plus?
The Bambino Plus ships with a 54mm tamper, the Razor precision dosing tool, a 16 fl.oz stainless steel milk jug, single and dual-wall filter baskets in one- and two-cup sizes, a cleaning disc, and a cleaning tool. This is a more complete starter kit than many competitors offer at a similar price.
What are the dimensions of the Bambino Plus?
The Bambino Plus measures 7.5 inches wide by 13.5 inches deep by 12 inches tall, making it one of the more compact espresso machines on the market and well-suited for small kitchens or countertops with limited space.
What is the price of the Breville Bambino Plus?
The Bambino Plus is priced at $499.95 on Breville's website, placing it in the $400–$520 range depending on retailer and any promotional pricing. Note that premium accessories like the Distribution Duo and Force Gauge Tamper are sold separately for around $109.95 each.
Is the Bambino Plus suitable for latte art?
Breville states the automatic steam wand is capable of producing microfoam milk at a quality level suitable for latte art. Whether a user can execute latte art also depends on their pouring technique, but the milk texture the machine produces in automatic mode is designed to support it.
How does the Bambino Plus compare to the base Breville Bambino?
The key difference is the steam wand. The standard Bambino uses a manual steam wand only, while the Bambino Plus adds the automatic steaming mode with adjustable temperature and texture settings. The Bambino Plus also includes a more complete accessory package. For beginners focused on milk drinks, the Plus model is the more practical choice.
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Last updated: June 13, 2026