If you want better Value and Price
Choose Breville Bambino Espresso Machine. It scores 4.8 vs 4.1 for Value and Price, with a 4.1 overall score.
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Bambino Plus for compact, fast espresso and easy milk drinks. Skip it if you want a heavier, repair-friendly machine, a built-in grinder, larger drip tray, or full control for light roasts.
Best for
Best for small-kitchen users, beginners, and milk-drink makers who want quick cafe-style drinks with automatic frothing and are willing to use a capable grinder.
Not for
Not for users who want a heavy, repair-friendly, built-in-grinder machine, frequent one-button hot water drinks, or full temperature/preinfusion control for very light roasts.
Verdict
Review evidence frames the Breville Bambino Plus as an unusually capable compact espresso machine: reviewers repeatedly praised its fast ThermoJet heat-up, strong milk steaming, approachable controls, and ability to pull very good shots when paired with a capable grinder. The key tradeoff is that the same small, lightweight design that makes it apartment-friendly also brings annoyances, especially a tiny drip tray, a moving body when locking in the portafilter, and some plastic or cheap-feeling parts. It suits users who want cafe-style drinks without a large setup, but it still asks for careful puck prep, preheating, cleaning, and a separate grinder to reach its best results.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
29 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.010 (34%)
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Positive 3.5-4.410 (34%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.46 (21%)
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Negative 1.5-2.43 (10%)
Pros
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Reviewers strongly praise the very fast heat-up and quick brew-to-steam workflow, often emphasizing the roughly three-second readiness.
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Milk steaming is one of the strongest points, with auto and manual modes often producing impressive microfoam, though a few reviewers found auto foam imperfect.
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The compact footprint and attractive design receive broad praise, especially for small kitchens, with the tradeoff that the light body can move during use.
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The 9-bar pressure/OPV setup is consistently praised as appropriate for espresso and helpful for producing better-tasting shots.
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The 3-way solenoid and related workflow earn praise for drier pucks, reduced portafilter mess, and cleaner puck knockouts.
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Popularity evidence is limited to one review, but it explicitly frames the Bambino Plus as a best-selling espresso machine.
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Reviewers repeatedly say the Bambino Plus can make very good to cafe-quality espresso, especially with fresh beans, a capable grinder, and appropriate prep.
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The ThermoJet system earns strong speed praise, but reviewers also note limits with long shots, cold metal parts, and thermoblock-like behavior.
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Sensors and automation reduce errors through features like low-water detection, auto frothing, auto purge, and maintenance safeguards.
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Setup is described as approachable enough that users do not need to spend long with the manual before starting.
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Overall user experience is praised for speed, ease, compactness, and quality results, although one user found the espresso workflow finicky.
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Water capacity is repeatedly praised as generous for such a small machine and capable of handling multiple drinks without refilling.
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Recognition evidence is limited but positive, with one review noting the machine as a Test Kitchen favorite.
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Value is generally seen as strong for frequent espresso or milk-drink users, but less compelling for occasional drinkers or buyers needing extra gear.
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Auto purge, cleaning reminders, easy descaling/backflush steps, and reservoir guidance are positives, although one long-term user found routine cleaning confusing.
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PID control, stable extraction, and repeatable water delivery support consistent results, though preheating and workflow can affect first and second shots.
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Portability evidence is limited, but one long-term reviewer liked it enough to take the machine to a hotel.
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Accessory coverage is generally generous and compatible with many 54mm add-ons, though some reviewers dislike the stock portafilter or tamper.
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The single ThermoJet-style setup delivers dual-boiler-like speed for some users, but reviewers still note thermal-control tradeoffs versus true dual boilers.
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Filter and basket evidence is mixed: pressurized baskets help beginners, but missing water-filter or single-wall-basket inclusions frustrate some reviewers.
Cons
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Build quality opinions are mixed: fit, finish, and long-term reliability get praise, while lightweight construction, plastic parts, and repair concerns draw criticism.
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Support evidence is mixed: one reviewer criticized repair fees and parts availability, while another praised Breville's warranty situation against cheaper rivals.
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Hot water exists and can be convenient, but reviewers repeatedly call the button combination awkward or less ideal for frequent Americano use.
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Reviewers stress that the machine needs a capable separate grinder to shine; that improves espresso but can undermine the compact setup.
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Only one reviewer raised a cable-related concern, noting the separate grinder setup changed a single power cord into two.
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The drip tray and cup area draw the most criticism because the tray fills quickly, though some reviewers liked the float indicator and easy cleaning.
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Marketing accuracy is mixed: the three-second heat claim is supported, but dose, preinfusion, and ThermoJet improvement claims receive pushback.
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Repeated design flaws include the very small drip tray, cheap or plastic-heavy portafilter, janky group head, and overly light body.
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Packaging sustainability is a clear weak point in the evidence because one reviewer criticized the continued use of styrofoam and non-biodegradable plastic.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Coffee Machines, this product is above average in Milk, steam and frothing, Pump pressure consistency, Mess-free used-puck disposal, near average in Design, ergonomics and footprint, Espresso and beverage quality, below average in Environmental packaging sustainability, Cup, tray and carafe handling, Accuracy of marketing claims.
Summary
29 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher6 (21%)
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Same as average within 0.3 pts15 (52%)
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Below average 0.4+ pts lower8 (28%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental packaging sustainability | 1.5 | 3.3 | -1.8 |
| Cup, tray and carafe handling | 2.5 | 3.7 | -1.2 |
| Milk, steam and frothing | 4.6 | 3.9 | +0.7 |
| Accuracy of marketing claims | 2.3 | 3.3 | -1.0 |
| Pump pressure consistency | 4.6 | 3.8 | +0.8 |
| Mess-free used-puck disposal | 4.6 | 3.8 | +0.8 |
| Speed and time-to-cup | 4.9 | 4.1 | +0.8 |
| Grinder, hopper and dosing system | 3.1 | 3.7 | -0.6 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Filter
Choose Diletta Mio Espresso Machine. It scores 4.6 vs 3.5 for Filter, with a 3.9 overall score.
If you want better Build quality and durability
Choose Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine. It scores 4.6 vs 3.4 for Build quality and durability, with a 4.1 overall score.
If you want better Environmental packaging sustainability
Choose Breville Oracle Jet Espresso Machine. It scores 4.5 vs 1.5 for Environmental packaging sustainability, with a 4.2 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Similar: espresso quality The Breville Bambino is said to perform similarly well to the Bambino Plus for espresso quality.
Barista Express
- Similar: water tank capacity The Bambino Plus water tank is described as nearly matching the Barista Express capacity.
- Alternative: switching from integrated-grinder machine The reviewer replaced a long-used Barista Express with the Bambino Plus.
- Worse: low water sensor The Bambino Plus is credited with a low water sensor that the Barista Express lacks.
Gaggia Classic Pro
- Better: entry-level recommendation and price The reviewer ultimately prefers the lower-priced Gaggia Classic Pro as the entry-level pick.
- Worse: shot consistency The Bambino Plus is presented as more consistently good than the Gaggia Classic Pro.
FAQ
Is the Breville Bambino Plus good for beginners?
Yes. Reviewers praised the simple controls, automatic milk frothing, sensors and cleaning prompts, while noting that best espresso still requires learning puck prep and grinder settings.
Does it make good espresso?
Reviewers generally said it can make very good or cafe-quality espresso. The strongest results came when users paired it with a capable grinder and used the single-wall baskets.
How good is the automatic milk frothing?
Milk frothing was one of the strongest points in the reviews. Several reviewers praised the microfoam and convenience, though a few said automatic results can be a little too foamy or not quite as polished as manual steaming.
What are the biggest drawbacks?
The recurring drawbacks are the tiny drip tray, lightweight body, stock portafilter quality, cold grouphead/portafilter preheating needs and dependence on a separate grinder.
Is the three-second heat-up claim realistic?
Reviewers broadly supported the very fast water heat-up, but several still recommended running a blank shot first because the grouphead, cup and portafilter start cold.
Is it worth the price?
The evidence supports strong value for frequent espresso and milk-drink users in small spaces. It is less compelling for occasional users or buyers who also need to purchase a grinder and upgraded accessories.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.1
Article Reviews
tomsguide.com
- Review score
- 3.9
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