In-depth review
Breville Bambino Plus Review
In-depth review of the Breville Bambino Plus: 7.7-inch footprint, ThermoJet speed, automatic microfoam, and the grinder question every buyer must answer.
Breville Bambino Plus
Espresso-bar speed in a 7.7-inch footprint, with automatic microfoam.
- Width: 7.7 in
- Heat-up: ThermoJet, 3 seconds
- Milk: Automatic microfoam, 3 temps, 3 textures
Our verdict
The Bambino Plus is the best compact Breville precisely because it does not ask you to compromise on speed or milk: 3-second ThermoJet heat-up and automatic microfoam with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings in a 7.7-inch-wide box. The compromise is structural, not incidental: there is no grinder, so the real price is this machine plus a capable burr grinder, and the 54mm pressurized baskets assume you are still learning. If that math works, it is superb; if it does not, the Barista Express is the cheaper total package. See our beginner guide and its place in the best Breville ranking.
What we like
- 7.7-inch width fits where no Barista model can
- ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, fastest in the class
- Automatic microfoam with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings
- 64 oz tank is generous for the footprint
What to watch out for
- No built-in grinder, so budget a separate grinder
- 54mm portafilter with pressurized baskets by default
- Manual steam control is gone; you accept the machine's texture presets
Who it is for
Small-kitchen buyers who own or will buy a separate grinder and want fast, forgiving espresso with automatic milk.
Size and speed
The 7.7-inch width is the reason this machine exists: it fits where the 12-plus-inch Barista models cannot, including under low cabinets. ThermoJet delivers the same 3-second heat-up as the Pro, so the small box never feels like a slow box. The 64 oz tank is the quiet win over the base Bambino's 47 oz, stretching refills across more days.
Automatic microfoam
The hands-free steam wand with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings produces consistent, silky milk without technique. For households where lattes are daily and nobody wants to learn steaming, this is the feature that justifies the Plus over the base Bambino. The trade is control: you pick a preset, not a texture you invent.
The grinder question
Nothing about this machine works well without a burr grinder. Pressurized baskets tolerate pre-ground coffee, but stale grounds cap your ceiling fast. Price the machine plus a grinder before comparing against the Barista Express; many buyers find the Express cheaper all-in, with the Bambino Plus winning only when space is the deciding factor.
How it stacks up
Against the base Bambino, the Plus adds automatic microfoam (3 temps, 3 textures vs a manual wand) and a larger tank (64 oz vs 47 oz) in a nearly identical 7.7-inch footprint. Against the Barista Express, the Plus is faster (3-second ThermoJet vs thermocoil) and smaller, but the Express includes a 16-setting grinder and costs less as a complete setup for buyers starting from zero.
Key specifications
- Width
- 7.7 in
- Heat-up
- ThermoJet, 3 seconds
- Milk
- Automatic microfoam, 3 temps, 3 textures
- Water tank
- 64 oz
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
Owners praise
- Owners praise the 7.7-inch width for fitting where no Barista model can
- Many owners say the ThermoJet 3-second heat-up is the fastest in its class
- Owners like the automatic microfoam with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings
Common complaints
- Some owners are caught out by the missing built-in grinder, which changes the total cost
- Owners note the 54mm portafilter ships with pressurized baskets by default
- A common complaint is losing manual steam control and having to accept the texture presets the machine offers
Also consider
Breville Bambino
The cheapest way into Breville espresso: ThermoJet speed, manual steam.
- Width: 7.6 in
- Heat-up: ThermoJet, 3 seconds
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current price
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
The machine that defined home espresso: grinder, gauge, and steam wand in one box.
- Pump: 15-bar Italian pump
- Grinder: Integrated conical burr, 16 settings
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current priceResearch-based assessment. TheBrewLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the Bambino Plus need a separate grinder?
Yes. It has no built-in grinder. A burr grinder is effectively required for good results; factor it into the total cost before buying.
How is the automatic milk frothing?
Consistent and genuinely hands-off, with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings covering lattes through cappuccinos. It will not teach manual latte art technique, but the milk texture is right.
Bambino Plus vs Barista Express: which is better?
The Plus wins on size and speed; the Express wins on total cost when you need a grinder, since its 16-setting grinder is built in. Choose by your counter space and grinder situation, not by brand loyalty.
Can it pull a proper espresso shot?
Yes: 15-bar pump, low-pressure pre-infusion, and 54mm portafilter are the same fundamentals as the Barista line. Shot quality depends mostly on the grinder you pair it with.