Breville Bambino Plus
Exact average 83.5 · 6 printed, 15 estimated · printed scores only: 85
Image: BrevilleThe Bambino Plus heats up in seconds and steams milk automatically, and critics say it makes better espresso than anything else its size. 18 of 21 reviewers who tested it recommend it, though you will need a separate grinder.
Reviewed by Woman & Home, Livingetc, Good Housekeeping UK and 18 more
The catch: No grinder, and the price has gone up.
15 of these 21 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.
What 21 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 100Woman & Home
Described as an outstanding, great-value espresso machine that makes tasty coffee and helps beginners with automatic milk steaming, with only small gripes about plant milks and cup clearance.
Read Woman & Home review - 85Livingetc
A compact espresso machine that suits small kitchens and gives easy shots and good automatic milk frothing, but it is basic and takes a few tries to dial in.
Read Livingetc review - 85Good Housekeeping UK
Picked as best for beginners thanks to its automatic milk wand and one-touch use.
Read Good Housekeeping UK review - 85BBC Good Food
A compact, easy-to-use machine that produced thick, balanced espresso with glossy crema and an efficient milk wand.
Read BBC Good Food review - 80Home Grounds
A compact, easy-to-use espresso machine that heats quickly and froths milk automatically, making good espresso in a small footprint despite a plasticky build.
Read Home Grounds review - 72TechGearLab
A compact, very easy machine with decent espresso and good automatic milk steaming, best for novices who already own a grinder.
Read TechGearLab review - 89est.Tom's Guide
A hands-on test that calls it the best entry-level espresso machine, with brilliant shots and a powerful wand.
Read Tom's Guide review - 89est.Coffee Chronicler
A long-term review by a certified Q Grader calling it the budget semi-automatic that rivals must beat and a great beginner choice.
Read Coffee Chronicler review - 89est.Taste of Home
After years of daily use, the writer calls this compact machine her most-used kitchen gadget, praising its speed and consistent cafe-style drinks.
Read Taste of Home review - 89est.The Guardian (The Filter)
Called quite possibly the most perfect beginner machine, with great ease of use and quality brews.
Read The Guardian (The Filter) review - 85est.Lance Hedrick
The Breville Bambino Plus is an excellent, budget-friendly espresso machine that performs well out of the box, especially for beginners.
Read Lance Hedrick review - 83est.Trusted Reviews
A compact, attractive and easy espresso machine that makes good shots and offers automatic milk texturing, though it lacks a grinder and is not exactly cheap.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 83est.Architectural Digest
Listed as the best espresso machine for beginners in a roundup, with a contributor praising its weight, espresso and auto-froth.
Read Architectural Digest review - 83est.Bon Appétit
Chosen as the best budget espresso machine for beginners, requiring little effort and heating in seconds.
Read Bon Appétit review - 83est.Epicurious
Named best budget espresso machine, it heats almost instantly and its hands-free milk steaming gave rich texture even with oat milk.
Read Epicurious review - 83est.CNET
Picked as the best compact espresso machine in a tested roundup, with praise for its quality shots, steam wand and ease of use.
Read CNET review - 79est.Tom's Coffee Corner
The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact and capable espresso machine that offers impressive features like automatic milk steaming and rapid heating.
Read Tom's Coffee Corner review - 79est.James Hoffmann
The Sage Bambino Plus is a feature-rich espresso machine that excels at milk steaming, making it a great choice for those who want good results without needing advanced barista skills.
Read James Hoffmann review - 79est.Lifestyle Lab
The Breville Bambino Plus is a powerful, compact espresso machine that is well-suited for home users who prioritize lattes and cappuccinos.
Read Lifestyle Lab review - 77est.Coffeeness
A compact, easy-to-use starter espresso machine with good value and automatic milk frothing, but the reviewer finds espresso too tepid and the build flimsy, preferring the Gaggia Classic Pro as an entry pick.
Read Coffeeness review - 77est.Gear Patrol
Pulls consistent, good shots from a very compact machine, but needs a separate grinder and scale and the reviewer finds it niche versus other Breville models.
Read Gear Patrol review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
Watch a video review
- Lance Hedrick on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 85
- James Hoffmann on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 79
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs De'Longhi Stilosa79
- Tom's Guide: it depends. Choose this one if: you want better shots with little fuss, a sturdier metal build, and push-button milk frothing, and can afford the higher price.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other espresso machines critics rate highly
Compare head to head
Common questions
Is the Breville Bambino Plus worth it?
Most critics think so: 18 of 21 recommend it. No grinder, and the price has gone up.
Do critics agree about the Breville Bambino Plus?
Broad agreement: scores range from 72 (TechGearLab) to 100 (Woman & Home), a spread of 28 points across 21 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Breville Bambino Plus?
Grinder (4 of 21 reviews), Price (4 of 21 reviews), Temperature control (3 of 21 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Breville Bambino Plus?
The Breville Barista Pro (critic score 86), best overall.