Breville Bambino Plus Review: Fast & Easy Espresso at Home

Introduction

Tired of inconsistent espresso shots and complicated machines? The Breville Bambino Plus is designed to bridge the gap between café-quality espresso and the convenience of home brewing. This machine tackles common frustrations – lengthy heat-up times, temperature instability, and the daunting task of milk texturing – delivering a remarkably streamlined espresso experience. Whether you’s a budding home barista or simply appreciate a perfectly pulled shot, the Bambino Plus promises to elevate your daily ritual.

Overview

The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact espresso machine engineered for speed and precision. It doesn’t require complex barista skills; instead, it empowers users to consistently produce third-wave specialty coffee with a formula focused on quick heating, accurate temperature control, and automatic milk texturing. With its small footprint, it’s perfect for smaller kitchens or those who want a powerful espresso maker without the bulk of a larger machine. The target user is the home enthusiast who values quality espresso, appreciates a user-friendly design, and desires a machine that delivers consistent results with minimal effort.

Features

ThermoJet Heating System: The Bambino Plus boasts Breville’s innovative ThermoJet heating system, which reaches the optimal extraction temperature in a lightning-fast 3 seconds. This eliminates the frustrating wait often associated with traditional espresso machines, allowing for quick, back-to-back shot preparation. It’s a massive advantage for busy mornings or when entertaining guests.

Precision PID Temperature Control: Maintaining consistent water temperature is crucial for optimal espresso extraction. The Bambino Plus utilizes a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller, a sophisticated technology that ensures water temperature remains within a tight margin of error. This delivers unparalleled extraction consistency and flavor integrity, ensuring every shot is as good as the last.

Automatic Milk Frothing with Adjustable Settings: Forget the guesswork of manual milk frothing! The Bambino Plus’s automatic steam wand takes the complexity out of milk texturing. Simply press the button to achieve velvety microfoam with adjustable temperature and texture settings. This creates barista-quality lattes and cappuccinos with effortless ease.

Dose Control Grinding with 54mm Portafilter: Accurate dosing is key to balanced espresso. The machine’s included 54mm porta-filter, designed to hold 19 grams of ground coffee, contributes to a full-flavored, cafe-quality espresso shot. It’s a simple yet crucial element of achieving consistency.

Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion: Before the full pressure is applied, the Bambino Plus uses a low-pressure pre-infusion phase. This gently expands the coffee grounds, ensuring they’s evenly saturated and prepared for optimal extraction. It prevents channeling and promotes a more balanced, flavorful espresso.

Benefits

Faster Morning Routine: The 3-second heat-up time dramatically reduces the time spent waiting for the machine to be ready, streamlining your morning routine and freeing up valuable time.

Consistent Espresso Quality: The PID temperature control and pre-infusion system deliver remarkably consistent espresso shots, minimizing the variability often associated with home brewing.

Effortless Milk Texturing: The automatic steam wand simplifies milk frothing, allowing even beginners to create velvety microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.

Compact Design Saves Space: Its small footprint makes the Bambino Plus ideal for kitchens with limited counter space, without compromising on performance.

Cafe-Quality Espresso at Home: Achieve barista-level espresso quality without the need for extensive training or complicated equipment.

Usages

Perfect for Busy Mornings: The quick heat-up and streamlined operation make the Bambino Plus ideal for those who need a fast, reliable way to get their daily espresso fix.

Great for Espresso Lovers: Espresso enthusiasts can appreciate the machine’s ability to deliver consistently excellent shots, with the precision controls to fine-tune their extraction.

Ideal for Latte and Cappuccino Creation: The automatic milk texturing feature allows anyone to easily create delicious lattes and cappuccinos, whether you’s a beginner or an experienced barista.

Excellent for Couples with Different Preferences: With adjustable settings and consistent performance, the Bambino Plus caters to diverse tastes and preferences in a shared kitchen.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fast heat-up time
• Precise temperature control
• Automatic milk frothing
• Compact design
• Consistent espresso quality
• Easy to use

Cons

• No integrated grinder
• Can be slightly noisy when frothing
• Water tank could be larger
• Requires some experimentation to dial in grind settings

FAQs

How easy is the machine to clean?: The Bambino Plus features an automatic milk frothing cleaning cycle, and the drip tray is easily removable for thorough cleaning. Regularly wiping down the machine and backflushing (according to Breville’s guidelines) will maintain optimal performance.

Is the water temperature always accurate?: The PID control system closely monitors and adjusts the water temperature, ensuring accurate and consistent results. Minor variations can occur due to water hardness and ambient temperature, but the machine strives for precision.

How loud is the grinder?: The machine doesn’t include an integrated grinder; it’s designed to be used with pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder. The noise level will depend on the type of grinder used.

How well does it extract the flavor from different coffee beans?: The Bambino Plus performs exceptionally well with a wide range of coffee beans, from light roasts to dark roasts. Experimenting with grind size and dosage will optimize extraction for different beans.

What is the warranty on this espresso machine?: The Breville Bambino Plus comes with a one-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.

Product Specifications

Dimensions	7.6″D x 12.5″W x 12.2″H
Weight	11 pounds
Brewing Capacity	19 grams coffee
Pressure	15 bar
Temperature Range	90–100°C (195–212°F)
Materials	Brushed Stainless Steel
Grinder Type	N/A (designed for pre-ground coffee)
Wattage	1300W
Voltage	120V
Water Tank Size	47 oz
Filter Type	54mm porta-filter
Accessories Included	Stainless Steel Milk Jug, Tamper, Cleaning Tool
Warranty Details	One-year limited warranty

Ratings

Overall Rating	4.6
Ease of Use	4.8
Espresso Quality	4.7
Milk Frothing	4.5
Durability	4.4
Value for Money	4.3

Recommendation

The Breville Bambino Plus is highly recommended for home baristas who want a fast, easy, and consistent espresso experience. It’s also an excellent choice for those who are new to espresso making and want to enjoy café-quality drinks without the learning curve of more complex machines. If you’re looking for a compact powerhouse that delivers exceptional performance, the Bambino Plus is a worthwhile investment.

Conclusion

The Breville Bambino Plus is more than just an espresso machine; it’s an investment in your daily ritual. Its combination of speed, precision, and user-friendliness makes it a standout choice for home coffee enthusiasts. While it lacks an integrated grinder, its ability to consistently deliver rich, flavorful espresso and velvety microfoam makes it a truly exceptional machine. Experience the difference and elevate your coffee game with the Breville Bambino Plus.