What to know first
- The ThermoJet heating system is specified to reach brewing temperature in 3 seconds.
- Automatic milk steaming offers three milk temperatures and three foam texture levels.
- A 54 mm stainless steel portafilter is designed for an 18-gram dose of ground coffee.
- Dual-wall and single-wall filter baskets let beginners start simply and move toward a more hands-on workflow.
- At 11.9 inches wide, 7.4 inches deep, and 14.3 inches high, it is made for tight counters.
- There is no built-in grinder, so whole-bean drinkers need a separate espresso-capable grinder.
What the Breville Bambino Plus is
The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact semi-automatic espresso machine. You add ground coffee to its portafilter, tamp it, lock it into the machine, and use the one- or two-shot buttons to brew espresso. It is not a pod machine, a drip brewer, or a bean-to-cup machine that grinds and prepares everything for you.
Its main convenience feature is the hands-free steam wand. Place the included 16-ounce stainless steel milk jug on the machine's temperature sensor, choose from three temperature settings and three texture levels, and the Bambino Plus can steam the milk automatically. You can also steam manually once you are ready to take over.
Breville lists the Bambino Plus as a current compact automatic-steam espresso machine. That matters because it remains a practical choice for shoppers who want a small, straightforward espresso setup rather than a large all-in-one appliance.
Why it stands out
The Bambino Plus removes the long wait that makes many home espresso machines inconvenient on rushed mornings. Its ThermoJet heating system is specified to reach the proper extraction temperature in 3 seconds. Fill the tank, prepare the portafilter, and the machine should not be the part of the routine holding you up.
Milk drinks are where the Plus earns its name. The automatic steam function gives you a repeatable starting point for lattes and cappuccinos without requiring you to learn wand position, milk temperature, and foam texture all at once. Three temperature choices and three texture levels give the feature more usefulness than a single fixed automatic setting.
The 54 mm stainless steel portafilter is designed to hold 18 grams of coffee, and the machine uses low-pressure pre-infusion before its stated 9-bar extraction. In plain terms, it wets the coffee gently before brewing at full pressure, a process intended to support even extraction. The machine's 15-bar pump rating is not the important number here. The stated 9-bar brewing pressure is the relevant part of the espresso process.
Breville includes both dual-wall and single-wall filter baskets. Dual-wall baskets are more forgiving when you are using pre-ground coffee, older coffee, or a grinder that is not finely tuned for espresso. Single-wall baskets give you a path to refine your coffee, grind, dose, and tamp later, once you have a capable grinder and want more control.
What it is like to own
The Bambino Plus keeps the core workflow simple: dose coffee into the portafilter, tamp it, brew a single or double shot, then steam milk if you want it. Its volumetric one- and two-shot buttons reduce the number of decisions required for a basic drink. That is a better fit for a weekday latte than a machine that expects you to manage every step manually.
It comes with the essentials to begin: a 54 mm tamper, Breville's Razor dosing tool, a stainless steel milk jug, single-wall and dual-wall baskets, a cleaning tool, and a cleaning disc. You still need coffee, and whole-bean buyers need a separate grinder. The lack of an integrated grinder keeps the machine compact and means there is no built-in grinder to clean or troubleshoot.
Espresso ownership still involves regular cleanup. Empty and rinse the portafilter after each drink, wipe and purge the steam wand after milk, and keep up with cleaning and descaling when the machine calls for it. Automatic milk steaming makes frothing easier, but it does not eliminate the need to clean the steam system.
The small footprint is a genuine daily advantage. At 11.9 by 7.4 by 14.3 inches, the machine can fit on a narrow coffee station with room left for a grinder, beans, and a knock box. Its compact size is particularly useful in apartments, dorm-style kitchens, and kitchens where the espresso machine cannot permanently take over the counter.
What to know before you buy
The Bambino Plus does not include a grinder. That is not automatically a drawback, since a separate grinder gives you more flexibility and keeps the machine smaller, but it changes the real purchase. Use pre-ground espresso for the simplest start, or budget for a grinder that can make fine, consistent espresso grounds if you buy whole beans.
This is still a semi-automatic machine. The automatic milk feature reduces the learning curve, but you will tamp coffee, attach the portafilter, empty the puck, and clean up after each drink. If you want to press one button and walk away with a finished milk drink, a fully automatic machine is a better match.
It is designed around single drinks, not batch brewing. The Bambino Plus can make espresso for several people in sequence, but it cannot replace a 10- or 12-cup drip brewer when your household wants a full pot ready at once.
The specs that matter
You do not need to wait through a lengthy warm-up before making a morning espresso.
It uses a substantial dose of coffee for espresso while keeping the machine compact.
The machine is designed to wet the coffee before full-pressure brewing, which supports a more even extraction.
You can make milk drinks with less technique at first, then switch to manual steaming as your confidence grows.
The machine gives you a simple repeatable starting point for everyday espresso instead of requiring manual timing for every shot.
Dual-wall baskets are more forgiving for beginners, while single-wall baskets support a more precise espresso routine with fresh coffee and a good grinder.
Its narrow 7.4-inch depth helps it fit on a small counter or dedicated coffee cart.
You have the core tools to start making espresso and milk drinks without immediately buying a separate pitcher or tamper.
Who this product fits
You want a latte before work but hate waiting for appliances
The Bambino Plus is specified to heat in 3 seconds, so the machine can be ready while you dose and tamp coffee. Its automatic milk setting can handle the steaming step while you finish the rest of breakfast.
You are buying your first espresso machine for a small apartment
Its compact footprint leaves more counter room than a larger espresso machine with an integrated grinder. Start with the dual-wall baskets and pre-ground espresso, then add a separate grinder later if you want to improve your routine.
You want cappuccinos but are nervous about steaming milk
Choose an automatic milk temperature and foam texture, then let the machine steam the milk in the included jug. You can move to manual steaming when you want to practice more control.
You already own a good espresso grinder
The Bambino Plus lets your grinder remain the center of the coffee setup. Use the single-wall baskets to work with freshly ground coffee and adjust your grind, dose, and tamp without being limited by a built-in grinder.
What else to compare
Choose a different machine if your routine calls for a lower price, a full pot of coffee, or more built-in automation.
Breville Bambino Plus FAQ
Is the Breville Bambino Plus good for beginners?
Yes. The one- and two-shot buttons, included dual-wall filter baskets, and automatic milk steaming make the basic espresso workflow easier to learn. It still requires you to dose, tamp, and clean the portafilter, so it is beginner-friendly rather than fully automatic.
Does the Breville Bambino Plus have a built-in grinder?
No. You need pre-ground espresso or a separate grinder if you buy whole beans. A separate grinder adds cost and counter space, but it also gives you more choice and leaves one less system built into the machine.
How fast does the Breville Bambino Plus heat up?
Breville specifies that its ThermoJet heating system reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds. That fast start is one of the machine's most useful advantages for daily espresso.
Can the Breville Bambino Plus make lattes and cappuccinos?
Yes. It has a steam wand that can work automatically or manually. The automatic mode offers three milk temperatures and three foam texture levels, so it can support both smoother latte milk and foamier cappuccino-style milk.
What is the difference between the Bambino Plus filter baskets?
Dual-wall baskets are designed to be more forgiving when coffee is pre-ground or the grind is inconsistent. Single-wall baskets give you more direct control, but they demand fresher coffee and a grinder that can be adjusted for espresso.
Is the Breville Bambino Plus small enough for a tight kitchen?
Yes. It measures 11.9 inches wide, 7.4 inches deep, and 14.3 inches high. It is a sensible option when you want espresso capability without dedicating a large section of the counter to the machine.
Should you buy the Breville Bambino Plus?
Buy the Breville Bambino Plus if your goal is a compact home espresso setup that makes lattes and cappuccinos approachable. The 3-second heat-up, automatic steam wand, and forgiving dual-wall baskets solve the biggest early frustrations without turning the machine into a bulky, fully automated appliance.
Skip it if you need a built-in grinder, a full pot of coffee, or a completely hands-off drink maker. For the shopper who is willing to tamp coffee and clean up after each drink, the Breville Bambino Plus offers a practical route to espresso and milk drinks in a small kitchen.