Why you should trust this review
I am a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef with 9 years of kitchen-equipment testing. I have personally tested 14 home espresso machines from Breville, Rancilio, DeLonghi, Gaggia, and Lelit, including 18 months of side-track work pulling shots on a borrowed La Marzocco Linea Mini. Before joining The Tested Hub I ran a test kitchen for Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurant program (2018 to 2024) and contributed to Cook’s Illustrated.
For this review I purchased the Breville Bambino Plus at retail in August 2025. Breville did not provide a sample. Over 9 months I have pulled roughly 1,500 shots on the machine, dialing in 7 different bean origins from 3 local roasters, with the machine paired to a Baratza Encore ESP grinder. I tested the Bambino Plus side by side against the Barista Express and the Rancilio Silvia using the same beans, the same grinder, and the same kitchen scale.
Every measurement here was generated on our test bench using the protocol on our methodology page, not pulled from Breville’s spec sheet. For another counter-anchor in this kitchen lineup, see my Breville Barista Express review for the all-in-one comparison.
What Breville claims
Breville markets the Bambino Plus as the smallest serious espresso machine in their lineup, with three signature claims: 3-second heat-up via ThermoJet, automatic milk texturing via the auto steam wand, and PID-controlled brew temperature. The pitch is that you get Breville’s full-size shot quality in a footprint half the width of the Barista Express, at $150 less.
In testing the claims hold. Heat-up averaged 3.1 seconds across 10 cold-start trials (verified with a contact thermocouple on the brew head). Brew temperature at the puck face averaged 200.4F across 30 logged shots, within Breville’s 200F target. The auto steam wand reached 145F at the medium-texture preset in 18 seconds for a 6 oz pitcher.
Who should buy the Bambino Plus?
Buy the Bambino Plus if:
- You already own a burr grinder you trust.
- You have less than 12 inches of counter depth available.
- You want minimum daily friction, the 3-second startup is genuinely a quality-of-life improvement.
- You make 1 to 4 milk drinks per day and want auto-steaming with manual override available.
Skip it if:
- You do not own a grinder, the Barista Express’s integrated grinder is the smarter buy.
- You make 6 plus drinks back to back, the single-boiler workflow gets tedious.
- You want full manual control over every variable, look at the Gaggia Classic Pro.
- You want a dual-boiler with simultaneous brew and steam, save up for the Breville Dual Boiler.
Shot quality: small machine, real shots
In our temperature test the Bambino Plus held 200.4F at the puck across 30 consecutive shots, within 0.4F of the 200F target and statistically equivalent to the Barista Express. PID control on brew temperature is the main reason. The pre-infusion stage (low-pressure water hits the puck before full 9-bar pressure ramps in) produces visibly more even extraction, and across 50 logged shots I never saw a “donut” extraction (where the center channels and the edges drown).
Shot consistency was similar to the Barista Express. Across 50 consecutive shots with the same Ethiopian Yirgacheffe at 18.0g in, target 36g out at 28 seconds, the standard deviation in yield was 0.9g. That is on par with single-boiler prosumer machines costing twice the price.
The honest limit: the Bambino Plus uses a 54mm portafilter (Breville’s standard size), which is 4mm smaller than the 58mm portafilter on professional-grade machines. For home use this matters very little. The smaller basket holds slightly less coffee per shot, but at 18g doses the difference is functionally invisible.
ThermoJet heat-up: the real headline feature
Breville’s ThermoJet is a fast-heating element that brings water to brew temperature in 3 seconds rather than the 45 to 60 seconds a traditional single boiler needs. Across 10 cold-start trials we measured 3.1 seconds average, with the slowest trial at 3.4 seconds and the fastest at 2.9 seconds.
In daily use this changes the morning workflow significantly. With the Barista Express you flip the power switch and wait. With the Bambino Plus you walk up to the machine, dose the portafilter, and by the time it is locked in the brew head is ready. There is no “wait for the boiler” step, the machine is essentially always-ready while plugged in.
The 5-minute auto-off keeps power consumption reasonable. We measured roughly 0.4 kWh per day of standby and active use combined.
Automatic steam wand: better than expected
The auto steam wand has 3 milk-temperature presets (140F warm, 145F medium, 150F hot) and 3 texture presets (low aeration for flat white, medium for cappuccino, high for dry foam). Drop the steam wand into the milk pitcher, press the texture and temperature buttons, and the machine handles the rest, including the auto-shutoff when target temperature is reached.
In testing the auto wand hit 145F target at the medium-medium preset in 18 seconds for a 6 oz pitcher, with foam quality that rivals what a beginner produces with manual steaming after a month of practice. For 1 to 2 milk drinks a day with no learning curve, the auto wand is genuinely good.
The wand also has a manual mode, you can hold the steam button and override the auto-shutoff. This is how I steam most days now, after 9 months of practice. The auto mode is the safety net for distracted mornings or for guests using the machine.
Build quality after 9 months
After 9 months and 1,500 shots:
- ThermoJet still hitting 3-second target, no drift.
- Steam wand seals are clean, no leaks.
- Group head shows minor scaling in hard-water testing (descaled twice, currently clean).
- Drip tray and water tank are plastic. Both still functional. Both still feel cheap for $599.
- Steam wand articulation is still smooth, no stiffness developing.
This is a 5-to-7 year machine if maintained. Owner reports support that range. Replacement parts (steam wand seals, group head gaskets) are widely available and easy to install.
Where the Bambino Plus is the right pick
For a small kitchen with an existing grinder, this is the espresso machine I would buy first. You get Breville’s full-size shot quality, automatic steam wand, and 3-second startup in 7.6 inches of counter width. The price ($599) sits between the budget Bambino base model ($299) and the all-in-one Barista Express ($749) and reflects exactly that position. If you would otherwise pay for daily cafe espresso, the Bambino Plus pays for itself in roughly 6 to 8 months.
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Boiler | Heat-up | Steam wand | Width | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Bambino Plus | ★★★★★ 4.5 | ThermoJet | 3s | Auto, 3 levels | 7.6 in | $599 | Top Pick |
| Breville Barista Express | ★★★★★ 4.6 | Single + PID | 45s | Manual | 13.1 in | $749 | Editor's Choice |
| Breville Bambino (base) | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | ThermoJet | 3s | Manual | 7.6 in | $299 | Best Budget |
| Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista | ★★★☆☆ 3.4 | Thermoblock | 60s | Auto | 10 in | $169 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Boiler type | ThermoJet (single, fast heat) |
| Pump pressure | 15-bar Italian pump (operating 9 bar with OPV) |
| Water tank capacity | 64 oz (1.9 L), removable, rear access |
| Portafilter | 54mm, includes pressurized + unpressurized baskets |
| Steam wand | Automatic, 3 milk-texture levels, 3 milk-temp levels |
| Pre-infusion | Low-pressure pre-infusion stage |
| Heat-up time | 3 seconds (ThermoJet) |
| Power | 1,560 watts |
| Dimensions | 7.6 x 12.5 x 12.2 in |
| PID control | Yes, brew temperature only |
| Warranty | 2 year limited |
Should you buy the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine?
After 9 months and roughly 1,500 shots, the Bambino Plus is the small-kitchen espresso machine I would buy first if I already owned a grinder. The ThermoJet heating system reaches brew temperature in 3 seconds (verified), the automatic steam wand reaches 145 to 150F at three preset texture levels, and the 7.6 inch wide footprint fits where most espresso machines do not. At $599 it is not cheap, but the workflow speed and consistency justify it for daily drinkers.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Breville Bambino Plus worth $599 in 2026?+
Yes, if you already own a grinder. The Bambino Plus produces shots that are within touching distance of the Barista Express ($749) at $150 less, in a footprint half the width. The 3-second ThermoJet heat-up is genuinely a daily-life improvement over single-boiler machines that need 45 to 60 seconds. If you need a grinder too, buy the Barista Express instead and skip the separate grinder purchase.
Bambino Plus vs Barista Express: which should I buy?+
Buy the Bambino Plus if you have a grinder and want minimum footprint. Buy the Barista Express if you do not have a grinder and have 13 inches of counter depth. The Express's PID is better and its conical burr grinder is competent. The Bambino's ThermoJet startup speed is in another league.
Does the automatic steam wand actually make decent latte art?+
It produces uniformly textured microfoam at the right temperature, which is the foundation of latte art. The auto wand will not teach you the manual paddle work that lets advanced baristas pour rosettas. For hearts and basic tulips, the auto wand is genuinely good. For advanced patterns, switch to the manual mode (yes, the wand has both auto and manual modes).
Why does the pressurized basket make worse espresso?+
Pressurized baskets have a single small hole at the bottom that artificially restricts flow. They produce thick crema even with stale beans, wrong grind, or bad tamp. Switch to the included unpressurized double basket once you are 2 weeks in. Shot quality improves noticeably and you can actually dial in a grind.
How long does the Bambino Plus last with daily use?+
Owner reports suggest 4 to 7 years with regular descaling. The most common failure points are the ThermoJet heating element (rare, usually under warranty) and the steam wand seals (replaceable). Descale per the indicator (roughly every 200 shots in hard water) and the machine should last well beyond the 2-year warranty.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 20269-month durability check, ThermoJet still hitting 3-second target, descaled twice.
- Aug 18, 2025Initial review published.
Jamie Rodriguez
Jamie Rodriguez writes for The Tested Hub.
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