The Breville Bambino Plus and the Lelit Anna are espresso machines aimed at very different home baristas. The Bambino Plus, from Australian brand Breville, prioritizes speed, convenience, and automatic features for beginners, whereas the Anna, from Italian maker Lelit, offers professional-grade materials, manual control, and a more hands-on experience for the serious enthusiast.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which machine is the right fit for your coffee station.
Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus is designed to bring café-quality espresso into the home with minimal fuss or learning curve. Its combination of an extremely fast heat-up time, an automated milk frothing system, and a remarkably compact footprint makes it a top choice for beginners and those with limited counter space.
- What it is: A compact, user-friendly home espresso machine with automatic and manual features.
- Key features: 3-second heat-up time, automatic steam wand for milk texturing with adjustable temperature and froth level, precise PID temperature control, 54mm portafilter, and pre-infusion function.
- Price: Typically priced around $700–$800 USD.
- Dimensions: 7.7" W x 12.6" D x 12.2" H, making it one of the smallest high-performance machines available.
- Materials/Construction: Features a mix of durable plastic and stainless steel accents for a modern, lightweight build.
- Style: Sleek, minimalist, and modern. Fits seamlessly into contemporary kitchen designs without overpowering the counter.
- Pros: Incredibly fast heat-up time, automatic milk frothing, very small footprint, and user-friendly interface simplify the espresso process.
- Cons: Lighter build may not feel as substantial as all-metal machines, some plastic components may be less durable over many years, 54mm portafilter is non-standard for high-end accessories.
This machine is ideal for anyone who wants great-tasting espresso and lattes every day without dedicating time to mastering barista skills.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Lelit Anna
The Lelit Anna is a semi-automatic espresso machine that embodies traditional Italian craftsmanship. Built for the coffee enthusiast who wants control over every variable, it features high-end components like a brass boiler and PID temperature control in a robust stainless steel body, offering a durable and precise brewing experience.
- What it is: A professional-style semi-automatic espresso machine for serious home baristas focused on manual control.
- Key features: Brass boiler for temperature stability, PID controller for precise brew temperature, 57mm professional-style portafilter, built-in pressure gauge (manometer), multi-directional steam wand.
- Price: Usually priced between $1,200–$1,500 USD.
- Dimensions: Approximately 9.8" W x 14.2" D x 14.2" H and weighing around 22 pounds.
- Materials/Construction: A heavy-duty build featuring a full stainless steel body and brass internal components for superior longevity and heat retention.
- Style: Classic, industrial Italian espresso machine aesthetic. It looks like a small commercial machine and makes a statement.
- Pros: Excellent build quality and durability, precise temperature management with the PID, provides full manual control for crafting the perfect shot, high-end components ensure consistency.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive, has a much steeper learning curve, larger and heavier than the Bambino Plus, requires manual milk frothing skills.
The Lelit Anna is for the dedicated coffee hobbyist who views espresso making as a craft and wants a machine that will last for years while offering professional-level control.
Shop this product: lelit.com/product/anna-pl41tem/
Breville Bambino Plus vs. Lelit Anna Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most immediate difference is size. The Breville Bambino Plus is exceptionally compact at just 7.7 inches wide, designed specifically for small kitchens, apartments, or anyone trying to minimize appliance clutter. Its lighter weight also makes it easy to move if needed.
In contrast, the Lelit Anna is a much more substantial machine, measuring nearly 10 inches wide and weighing a hefty 22 pounds. Its size and weight give it a stable, permanent feel but require a dedicated spot on your counter - a true "coffee station" appliance rather than something you tuck away.
Materials & Construction
Here, the philosophies of the two brands are clear. The Bambino Plus uses a smart mix of brushed stainless steel and high-quality plastic to achieve a sleek look at an accessible price point while keeping the machine lightweight. It’s built for reliable daily use in a home environment.
The Lelit Anna is built like a small tank. Its full stainless steel body, brass boiler, and other professional-grade internal components are designed for longevity and thermal stability, mirroring the build of commercial machines. This heavy-duty construction is reflected in its price and is a key reason espresso purists favor it.
Usability & Learning Curve
The Bambino Plus is built for convenience. With its 3-second ThermoJet heat-up time and automatic milk frothing, a complete beginner can make a high-quality latte within minutes of unboxing the machine. This plug-and-play approach removes much of the guesswork and makes it perfect for busy mornings.
The Lelit Anna demands a more hands-on approach. The PID offers precise control, but you have to know what temperature you want. The manual steam wand requires practice to achieve perfect microfoam. It’s a rewarding machine for those who want to learn the craft of espresso, but it can be frustrating for someone just wanting a quick and easy coffee.
Price & Value
Priced around $700-$800, the Breville Bambino Plus offers tremendous value. It packs premium features like a PID and automatic milk steaming into an affordable package, making it one of the best entry points into high-quality home espresso.
The Lelit Anna’s price tag of $1,200-$1,500 places it in a different category. Its value comes from its durability and the professional-level control it provides. For a dedicated enthusiast, it’s a long-term investment in a hobby, a machine built to last a decade or more with proper care.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are excellent choices, but they are built for entirely different users and priorities.
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- You are new to making espresso at home and want great results quickly.
- Convenience and speed are your top priorities for your morning routine.
- You have limited counter space in your kitchen or apartment.
- You want a reliable machine for daily coffee without a steep learning curve.
Choose the Lelit Anna if:
- You see espresso as a hobby and want to control every aspect of the brew.
- Build quality and longevity are more important to you than automatic features.
- You're willing to practice and learn manual skills like milk steaming.
- You have a larger budget and dedicated space for your coffee setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Bambino Plus and Lelit Anna?
The main difference is usability and target audience. The Bambino Plus is an automatic-focused machine for convenience and beginner-friendliness, while the Lelit Anna is a manual-focused machine for enthusiasts who want detailed control and professional build quality.
Which one is better for a beginner?
The Breville Bambino Plus is unequivocally better for a beginner. Its fast heat-up time, simple controls, and especially its automatic milk steam wand remove the biggest hurdles for anyone new to making espresso drinks.
Is the Lelit Anna worth the extra money?
For a coffee enthusiast, yes. The extra cost goes toward a full stainless steel build, a brass boiler for better heat stability, and the precision of a PID controller and pressure gauge. It's a machine built to last for years and allows for much greater skill development.
How fast do they heat up?
The Breville Bambino Plus has a remarkable 3-second heat-up time thanks to its ThermoJet heating system. The Lelit Anna, with its traditional brass boiler, takes several minutes (typically 5-10) to fully heat up and stabilize.
Which machine makes better milk foam?
A skilled user can make superior milk foam with the Lelit Anna's manual steam wand, allowing for precise control needed for latte art. However, the Bambino Plus's automatic steam wand produces consistently good, hands-free milk foam that is far better than what a beginner could achieve on a manual wand.
Can I use standard 58mm accessories with the Lelit Anna?
No, the Lelit Anna uses a 57mm portafilter, which is slightly smaller than the commercial 58mm standard. While aftermarket accessories are available for this size, the selection is more limited than the 58mm size.
Which one is more durable long-term?
Thanks to its heavy-duty stainless steel and brass construction, the Lelit Anna is built for superior long-term durability and is generally easier to repair and service over many years of use.
How much maintenance do these machines require?
Both require regular maintenance like backflushing and descaling. The Bambino Plus's automated cleaning cycles make this process straightforward. The Lelit Anna requires a more manual but equally important cleaning regimen to maintain its performance.
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