The Breville Bambino and the Smeg Espresso Machine cater to two different home baristas - the Bambino prioritizes performance, speed, and value in a modern, compact body, while the Smeg focuses on iconic 1950s retro style and serves as a colorful kitchen statement piece.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which of these popular espresso machines is the right fit for your countertop.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
The Breville Bambino is designed for the aspiring home barista who wants excellent, cafe-quality espresso without a bulky, complicated, or expensive machine. Its claim to fame is its incredibly fast heat-up time and compact size, making it a high-performance choice for small kitchens and apartments.
- What it is: A compact semi-automatic espresso machine focused on high performance and value.
- Key features: ThermoJet thermocoil heating system heats up in 3 seconds, 54mm portafilter, low-pressure pre-infusion for even extraction, powerful steam wand for microfoam latte art.
- Price: Around $300 to $350.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a minimalist brushed stainless steel finish that blends into contemporary kitchen designs.
- Materials/Construction: Features a sturdy stainless steel construction with some plastic components for parts like the included tamper. The core is engineered for thermal stability and durability.
- Pros: Extremely fast heat-up time saves you time in the morning. Compact footprint is ideal for small countertops. Low-pressure pre-infusion produces superior-tasting espresso. Excellent value for the price.
- Cons: Smaller water tank requires more frequent refilling. Lighter weight can cause it to move when locking in the portafilter. The included tamper is plastic and less substantial than an aftermarket version.
This machine is for the person who values the quality of the final espresso shot above all else and wants professional-grade features in an affordable, space-saving package.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Smeg Espresso Machine
The Smeg Espresso Machine is as much a piece of kitchen decor as it is an appliance. Known for its iconic 1950s retro design, it brings a vibrant pop of color and personality to any counter. It's built for design-conscious consumers who want a simple, reliable machine that looks fantastic.
- What it is: A retro-styled espresso machine that prioritizes aesthetic appeal and user-friendly operation.
- Key features: Thermoblock heating system, user-friendly control panel with three buttons, steam wand for frothing milk, and a de-calc alarm system. Available in a wide array of bold and pastel colors.
- Price: Around $400 to $600.
- Style: Unmistakable 1950s retro aesthetic with rounded curves, chrome accents, and vibrant color options like cream, black, red, and pastel blue.
- Materials/Construction: A solid-feeling combination of stainless steel for core components and high-quality colored plastic for the main body. The knobs and switches are designed to enhance the vintage feel.
- Pros: A stunning design piece that elevates kitchen decor. Simple and easy-to-use for beginners. Solid construction and reliable performance for basic espresso and milk drinks. Available in many colors to match your style.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than machines with similar or better performance. The focus on aesthetics means fewer advanced brewing features for coffee enthusiasts. Bulkier than the Bambino.
This is the ideal machine for someone who wants their appliance to be a central design element and is happy with good, straightforward espresso without needing pro-level features.
Shop this product: smeg.com/products/EGF01CREU
Breville Bambino vs. Smeg Espresso Machine Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The size difference is one of the most practical distinctions. The Breville Bambino is exceptionally compact, measuring just 7.7 inches wide. This makes it a perfect fit for tiny apartments, dorm rooms, or kitchens where counter space is at a premium. Its minimalist design helps it blend in and appear even smaller.
The Smeg espresso machine is noticeably larger, with a wider and deeper profile designed to make a visual statement. It needs more dedicated space and is meant to be seen. While still manageable for most countertops, its dimensions reflect its role as a decorative centerpiece rather than a space-saving tool.
Materials & Construction
Breville uses a sturdy brushed stainless steel that gives the Bambino a modern, functional feel. The construction is solid where it counts, such as in the brewing components and steam wand, though some included accessories are plastic to keep the cost down. The focus is squarely on performance and durability for daily use.
Smeg also uses high-quality materials, but its construction is all about achieving the perfect retro look and feel. A mix of stainless steel internals and a robust, glossy colored body creates a premium appearance. The weighty chrome knobs and portafilter handle add to the vintage experience, reinforcing that this machine is built with design as a primary goal.
Price & Value
When it comes to value for performance, the Breville Bambino is one of the best espresso machines on the market. At around $300-$350, you get advanced features like a 3-second heat-up time and low-pressure pre-infusion, a feature typically found on much more expensive machines. It delivers an excellent espresso shot for an entry-level price.
The Smeg machine, starting around $400-$600, carries a significant premium for its design. While it performs reliably and is built to last, you are paying for the brand name and unique aesthetic. From a pure coffee-making standpoint, the Bambino offers more advanced features for less money. The value of the Smeg lies in its dual function as both a competent espresso maker and a high-end design object.
Style & Versatility
The Bambino's sleek, stainless steel look is highly versatile, fitting seamlessly into nearly any modern, minimalist, transitional, or industrial kitchen. It’s understated and lets other elements in the kitchen shine. It isn’t meant to be the center of attention.
The Smeg's style is its main feature. It is the opposite of understated. Its 1950s curves and bold colors make it the star of the show. It works best in kitchens with a strong design identity, such as retro, eclectic, or modern farmhouse styles where a pop of color is desired. It’s less versatile but far more impactful in the right context.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville Bambino is built for the user who is getting serious about home espresso. It's for the person who researches extraction times, wants to practice their own latte art, and prioritizes the quality of the coffee over the look of the machine. It’s an ideal choice for anyone with a small kitchen who refuses to compromise on performance.
The Smeg Espresso Machine is for the design-oriented shopper. This person sees their kitchen as a curated space where every appliance must contribute to the overall aesthetic. They enjoy a good coffee but are equally invested in the experience and look of making it. It’s perfect for someone decorating a retro-inspired home or who simply wants to add a beautiful, functional object to their daily routine.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines make good espresso, but they serve completely different needs and priorities.
Choose the Breville Bambino if:
- You want the best possible espresso quality for the lowest price.
- You have limited counter space and need a compact machine.
- Fast heat-up times and performance features are important to you.
- You prefer a sleek, modern aesthetic that blends in with your other appliances.
Choose the Smeg Espresso Machine if:
- Kitchen design and aesthetics are your top priority.
- You are matching a retro or vintage decor theme.
- You see your espresso machine as a statement piece of decor.
- You are willing to pay a premium for iconic style and brand heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Bambino and the Smeg?
The main difference is priority: the Breville Bambino prioritizes performance and value (fast heat-up, pre-infusion) in a compact, modern design. The Smeg prioritizes iconic retro aesthetics, serving as a stylish statement piece with reliable, though more basic, functionality.
Which one makes better espresso?
Die-hard coffee lovers will argue the Breville Bambino makes better espresso due to its low-pressure pre-infusion feature, which ensures a more even and balanced extraction. However, the Smeg is perfectly capable of pulling a tasty shot of espresso that will satisfy most coffee drinkers.
Is the Smeg espresso machine worth the extra money?
Whether the Smeg is worth it depends on what you value. If you value design, brand recognition, and a specific retro aesthetic, then the premium price can be justified. If you're purely focused on performance for your dollar, there are better value options.
How compact is the Breville Bambino really?
It's very compact. At only 7.7 inches wide, it takes up less counter width than a standard toaster. This makes it one of the narrowest high-performance semi-automatic espresso machines available.
Which machine is easier to use for beginners?
Both are very beginner-friendly with simple, intuitive button controls for one-shot, two-shot, and steam functions. The learning curve for either machine is minimal for making basic espresso drinks.
Can you steam milk well on both machines?
Yes, both machines have powerful steam wands capable of creating the fine-textured microfoam needed for latte art. As with any manual steam wand, there is a learning curve, but both can produce excellent results with practice.
Which one is more durable?
Both machines are well-built with quality materials and are designed to last. Breville has a long-standing reputation for durable performance-oriented appliances, while Smeg is known for solid construction that lives up to its premium branding.
Does the Smeg come with as many accessories as the Breville?
Both typically come with the essentials: a portafilter, multiple filter baskets (single, double, pressurized), a scoop, and a tamper. The main difference is the Breville's tamper is often noted as being a lightweight plastic, which many users choose to upgrade.
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