Pros
- Tiny ~7.7-inch footprint fits even the smallest kitchen counters
- 3-second ThermoJet heat-up is genuinely transformative for daily use
- Automatic milk texturing makes latte-quality microfoam accessible to total beginners
- PID and pre-infusion deliver real café-quality shots; 2-year warranty and a ready-to-brew accessory kit
Cons
- No grinder included — a separate burr grinder adds $150–$300+ to the real cost
- Very lightweight (~3 lbs), so you steady it by hand when locking in the portafilter
- Small 1.9 L tank needs frequent refilling for multiple drinks
- US box ships with pressurized baskets only; single-wall baskets for serious dialing cost extra
Specifications
- Type
- Compact semi-automatic (no grinder)
- Footprint
- ~7.7" wide — the smallest here
- Heat-up
- ~3 seconds (ThermoJet)
- Portafilter
- 54mm (pressurized + single-wall baskets)
- Steam wand
- Automatic milk texturing — 3 temps, 3 froth levels
- Pump / pressure
- 15-bar pump; 9-bar extraction; pre-infusion
- Water tank
- 1.9 L (64 oz)
- Warranty
- 2-year limited
Performance
For its size, the Bambino Plus performs like a much bigger machine. The ThermoJet system is ready in about three seconds, PID and pre-infusion produce balanced, genuinely café-quality shots, and the automatic steam wand is the headline: it textures milk to a set temperature and froth level on its own, which is a real gift for beginners who’d otherwise struggle to steam by hand. The limits are practical rather than qualitative — no grinder, a small water tank, and a featherweight chassis that you stabilize while inserting the portafilter — but the espresso and milk it produces belie its tiny footprint and price.
Build Quality
Build is good for a compact machine but clearly cost-conscious: at around three pounds it’s very light, the portafilter and some components feel budget next to heavier machines, and the automatic steam wand and solenoid add complexity that owner reports flag as the most common wear points over time. The 2-year warranty is reassuring and better than the Barista Express’s one year, but this is a tidy, convenient appliance rather than a buy-it-for-decades machine — manage your expectations on longevity and keep up with descaling, especially in hard-water areas.
Value Assessment
At around $499 the Bambino Plus is strong value for what it uniquely offers: real espresso and automatic milk frothing in the smallest footprint available. The honest caveat is the same as any no-grinder machine — your true setup cost includes a decent burr grinder, which can push the total past an all-in-one Barista Express that bundles one in. So it’s the best value specifically when counter space is the constraint, or when you already own a grinder; otherwise the all-in-one may stretch your dollar further.
Who Should Buy It
Anyone with a small kitchen or apartment who wants genuine espresso and easy, automatic milk drinks in a minimal footprint — especially beginners who already own (or will buy) a separate grinder and value convenience over tinkering.
Who Should Skip It
Buyers who want the grinder included in one machine (the Barista Express), enthusiasts who want a 58mm machine to upgrade and keep for years (the Gaggia), and households making lots of back-to-back drinks who’d be annoyed by the small tank.
Final Recommendation
The Breville Bambino Plus is our Best Compact pick: the smallest way to make real café-quality espresso and latte milk at home, with a fast heat-up and beginner-friendly auto steaming. Just remember it needs a separate grinder and won’t last like an all-metal machine — but for tight spaces and easy daily drinks, nothing this small does it better.