Breville Bambino Plus Review: Small Footprint, Serious Coffee
The Breville Bambino Plus is one of the most popular entry points into home espresso — and it's earned that reputation. At $549 AUD, it's compact, fast, and more capable than its size suggests. If you're new to espresso at home and don't want to give up half your bench, this is worth a close look.
Here's what you need to know.
What the Bambino Plus Actually Is
The Bambino Plus is a single-boiler espresso machine built around speed and simplicity. Its ThermoJet heating system reaches extraction temperature in three seconds — not a figure that matters much on paper until you're standing in the kitchen at 7am and realise you don't have to wait for anything.
It uses a 54mm portafilter (slightly smaller than the commercial-standard 58mm on higher-end machines, but more than sufficient for home use) and comes with both single and dual wall filter baskets. The dual wall basket is forgiving for beginners — it produces a crema regardless of grind precision, which is useful while you're learning. The single wall rewards better technique and a quality grind.
The steam wand is a standout feature for this price point. It's automatic — set your preferred milk temperature and texture level, and it handles the rest. This won't replace the control of a manual wand for latte art, but it produces consistently good microfoam for everyday flat whites and lattes without much practice required.
What It Does Well
Speed. Three seconds to brewing temperature is genuinely useful. If you're pulling one or two coffees in the morning and time matters, this machine removes one of the common friction points with home espresso.
Milk texturing. The auto steam wand is well-calibrated. Beginners will get usable microfoam quickly; more experienced brewers will eventually want to override it for finer control, but for most use cases it performs well.
Size. The Bambino Plus is genuinely compact. It fits where larger machines won't, which for many households is the deciding factor.
Ease of setup. Everything included — portafilter, filter baskets, milk jug, cleaning tools, razor dose-trimming tool, and a water filter. You're not hunting for accessories to get started.
What to Know Before Buying
No built-in grinder. The Bambino Plus doesn't include a grinder — you'll need one separately. We'd suggest the Breville Smart Grinder Pro as a well-matched pairing. Grind quality is the single biggest variable in espresso, and a capable grinder will do more for your cup than any machine upgrade.
54mm portafilter. If you ever want to upgrade baskets or accessories, note that 54mm is specific to Breville's smaller range. It's not a limitation for most home brewers, but worth knowing.
Single boiler. There's a brief wait between pulling a shot and steaming milk while the boiler adjusts temperature. It's short — but if you're making multiple drinks in a session, the Dual Boiler removes this entirely.
The Coffee Question
A machine like the Bambino Plus rewards a quality, freshly roasted bean. Our Crave blend — strong and punchy with a full body — pulls well through this setup and is forgiving enough while you're dialling in. If you prefer milk-based drinks, Elevate is the smoother option; its sweetness comes through even with a less-than-perfect extraction.
Pros and Cons
Works well:
- 3-second heat-up — genuinely fast
- Auto steam wand produces consistent microfoam
- Compact footprint for smaller kitchens
- Good value at $690 AUD for what it delivers
- Comes with everything needed to start
Worth knowing:
- No built-in grinder — budget for one separately
- 54mm portafilter limits accessory compatibility
- Single boiler means a brief pause between shot and steam
- Auto steam wand limits manual control for latte art
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bambino Plus need a separate grinder? Yes. There's no grinder built in — you'll need to grind beans before brewing. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is a natural pairing and fits neatly alongside it on the bench.
Can you make latte art with this machine? Yes, though the auto steam wand limits how much manual control you have over milk texture. The microfoam it produces is good for flat whites and lattes. For detailed latte art, a manual wand — as on the Dual Boiler — gives you more precision.
Is it suitable for beginners? It's one of the better beginner options available. Fast heat-up, intuitive controls, and an automatic steam wand reduce the variables while you're learning. We also run regular Home Barista Masterclasses if you want to get more from your setup.
How does cleaning work? Straightforward. The machine has a cleaning cycle for the group head, a removable drip tray, and stainless steel surfaces that wipe down easily. Breville includes a cleaning tool in the box.