Breville Bambino Review

If you’re looking for an affordable, beginner-friendly espresso machine that delivers quality shots with room to grow, the Breville Bambino is an excellent choice. As Breville’s entry-level espresso machine, it offers a balance of affordability, ease of use, and features typically found on more expensive models. We have been using this machine for a couple of years, so let’s dig in and see how it performs.

About Breville

Breville, an Australian kitchen appliance company, has a mixed reputation in the coffee world. While some espresso enthusiasts turn their noses up at Breville machines, others are devoted to the brand. The Breville Dual Boiler, for example, has a cult following and is often cited as the best-value prosumer espresso machine. Though Breville machines may not have the same aesthetic appeal or build quality as high-end Italian brands, they pack impressive features into a modern appliance design.

Breville Bambino Review

Design and Features

The Breville Bambino is one of Breville’s entry-level espresso machines, but it delivers features and performance well beyond its price point. As the name suggests, it has a small counter footprint, making it ideal for compact kitchens. Despite its size, it houses a 1.4L water tank—enough to last a few days if you’re making just a few coffees daily. The drip tray is small but includes an indicator to remind you when it needs emptying. One thing to note is that the Bambino is a lightweight machine, meaning you may need to stabilize it when locking in the portafilter to prevent it from shifting. It comes with a range of accessories, including single and double-shot baskets (both pressurized and unpressurized), a tamper, a milk jug, a wand cleaning tool, and descaling powder.

Probably our favorite feature of the Breville Bambino is its ThermoJet Heating System, which heats up in just three seconds, significantly faster than traditional machines that can take 15–30 minutes. This makes it perfect for those busy mornings when you need an espresso before heading out the door.

The machine is also incredibly easy to use and offers room to grow. It features just four buttons—single and double shot, hot water, and steam—making operation intuitive, especially for beginners. The single and double shot buttons deliver 30ml and 60ml shots by default, but they can be manually overridden or reprogrammed to suit different espresso recipes.

The Breville Bambino comes with a 54mm portafilter, a common feature in entry-level espresso machines. The smaller diameter portafilter allows for easier and more consistent extractions. The Bambino comes with single and double-shot baskets, both pressurized and unpressurized. The pressurized baskets are great for pre-ground coffee, helping produce crema even if the coffee isn’t freshly ground. For those using a grinder, the unpressurized baskets allow more control over the extraction process. One downside of the portafilter is that it is made of aluminum, which doesn’t retain heat as well as stainless steel. Preheating it before brewing can help, though upgrading to a stainless steel portafilter is an option for better heat retention.

Another impressive aspect of the Bambino is its built-in PID and pre-infusion system, features not commonly found on entry-level machines. The PID ensures stable brewing temperatures, while the pre-infusion gradually ramps up pressure for a smoother and more balanced extraction.

Espresso Quality & Workflow

Thanks to the PID and pre-infusion features, the Bambino is capable of pulling great espresso shots, especially when paired with a quality grinder like the Comandante C40 or Eureka Mignon Specialita (which we use). When brewing, we almost always opt for the double shot basket, as the single shot basket produces a very small yield and is difficult to dial in.

For optimal results, you can use anywhere between 16-19 grams of coffee per shot. After using this machine for a while, we strongly recommend preheating everything before brewing. Our routine includes running a blank shot through the portafilter and preheating the espresso cup beforehand. This is because, while the ThermoJet heating system is incredibly convenient, it doesn’t actually heat up the machine itself. Unlike traditional boilers, which warm the entire unit over time, the ThermoJet instantly produces hot water and steam but shifts into idle mode when not in use. As a result, preheating all components helps maintain a stable brewing temperature and ensures better shot consistency. While this extra step isn’t ideal, it’s a small trade-off considering the instant heat-up time the Bambino offers.

Milk Steaming

The Bambino features a manual steam wand, unlike its older sibling, the Bambino Plus, which has an automatic one. The wand includes Breville’s signature rubber grip to prevent burns and is fully articulating, allowing for easy positioning. There is only one setting to control the steam wand pressure and a single-hole tip making it beginner-friendly. While it takes longer to steam milk compared to higher-end machines, it still produces beautiful microfoam and well-textured milk. For those looking to improve performance, aftermarket 3- or 4-hole steam tips are available. One advantage of the ThermoJet heating system is that you can start steaming milk immediately after pulling a shot, eliminating any wait time.

Another useful feature of the Bambino is its dedicated hot water button, perfect for making Americanos or preheating cups. The hot water dispenses through the steam wand rather than a separate outlet, and while the flow is relatively thin compared to dedicated hot water dispensers, it’s still a handy addition.

Durability & Build Quality

The Breville Bambino is well-built for its price but does rely on plastic components. The portafilter, as mentioned above is made of lightweight aluminium and has a plastic insert. The tamper is plastic as well. Additionally, the machine lacks a 3-way solenoid valve, which means removing the portafilter immediately after pulling a shot can be messy. However, waiting a few minutes or steaming milk first helps mitigate this.

Downsides & Considerations

• No 3-way solenoid valve, leading to potential messiness after shot pulls.
• Small drip tray needs to be emptied frequently.
• Hot water from the steam wand flows slowly compared to dedicated dispensers.
• Lightweight build requires holding the machine when inserting/removing the portafilter.
• ThermoJet system requires preheating accessories for optimal shot consistency.

Breville Bambino vs. Bambino Plus

The Bambino Plus is the upgraded sibling of the Bambino, offering a few additional features. The most notable is the automatic milk frother, which creates microfoam with no barista skills required. The Plus also boasts a larger water tank and a higher-quality tamper. However, the standard Bambino provides manual steam control and comes at a lower price, all while maintaining the same espresso system. In our opinion, this makes it the better value choice for those who prefer more control over their milk steaming.

Alternatives to Consider

Who Should Buy the Breville Bambino?

The Breville Bambino is an ideal choice for beginners who want to start making espresso at home without breaking the bank. It’s perfect for those who enjoy milk-based beverages and need a fast-heating machine with minimal maintenance. While it may lack some features of more expensive machines, it offers outstanding value for its price. 

Breville Bambino- Final Verdict

For an entry-level espresso machine, the Breville Bambino is hard to beat. With its PID temperature stability, volumetric controls, instant heat-up, and solid steam performance, it delivers a great home espresso experience. While it requires some workflow adjustments, the energy efficiency, affordability, and upgradability make it a top contender in the budget espresso machine category.