The Breville Barista Pro and Bambino Plus are two of the best home espresso machines, but they serve different users. The primary difference is that the Barista Pro is an all-in-one machine with a built-in grinder and an LCD screen for precise control, while the Bambino Plus is a hyper-compact machine focused on speed and simplicity, requiring a separate grinder for fresh coffee.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Breville espresso machine for your kitchen counter.
Breville Barista Pro
The Barista Pro is designed for the aspiring home barista who wants café-quality results and control without a massive learning curve. It combines a high-quality conical burr grinder and a powerful espresso machine into one sleek stainless steel unit. Its ThermoJet heating system brings it to the optimal extraction temperature in just three seconds, and the intuitive LCD screen provides real-time feedback on your grind size, dose, and shot time.
- What it is: A semi-automatic, all-in-one espresso machine with an integrated burr grinder and advanced user controls.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system for a 3-second heat-up, built-in conical burr grinder, digital LCD display for control over grind and shot, manual and automatic milk steaming, 54mm stainless steel portafilter.
- Price: Approximately $700-$750
- Dimensions: 13.9" x 13.5" x 16" (W x D x H)
- Materials/Construction: Brushed stainless steel casing with professional-grade components.
- Style: Modern and professional, with a clean digital interface that looks at home in contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: No need to buy a separate grinder, super-fast startup time, provides granular control over the espresso-making process, powerful steam wand for excellent milk texture, LCD screen is very user-friendly.
- Cons: Significantly larger footprint than the Bambino Plus, higher price tag, the built-in grinder may not satisfy coffee purists who prefer elite standalone grinders.
The Barista Pro is the right choice for coffee lovers who want an all-in-one solution that allows them to experiment with grind settings and dial in the perfect shot.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus is engineered for speed, convenience, and a minimal footprint. It's one of the smallest and fastest espresso machines on the market, ready to brew in just three seconds. It skips the built-in grinder to save space, focusing instead on producing excellent espresso quickly and featuring an automatic steam wand that froths milk to your preferred temperature and texture with the push of a button.
- What it is: An ultra-compact and fast semi-automatic espresso machine without an integrated grinder.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system for a 3-second heat-up, automatic milk frothing with adjustable temperature and texture, extremely compact design, simple push-button interface, 54mm stainless steel portafilter.
- Price: Approximately $500-$600
- Dimensions: 7.7" x 12.6" x 12.2" (W x D x H)
- Materials/Construction: Brushed stainless steel body ensuring durability.
- Style: Minimalist and compact, designed to fit seamlessly into any space without clutter.
- Pros: Incredible 3-second heat-up time, amazingly small footprint is perfect for apartments, foolproof automatic milk steaming, more affordable price point, simple and easy to use for beginners.
- Cons: Requires a separate grinder to use fresh beans (an added cost and space), offers minimal control over brew parameters, smaller water tank requires frequent refilling.
This machine is for anyone who prioritizes counter space, speed, and simplicity, especially beginners or those who already have a preferred grinder.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Breville Barista Pro vs. Breville Bambino Plus Comparison
Grinder & Workflow
The most significant difference between these two machines is the integrated grinder. The Barista Pro simplifies the bean-to-cup workflow by combining grinding and brewing into one station. You can adjust the conical burr grinder across 30 different settings to dial in the perfect flavor profile, all controlled through the central LCD screen.
In contrast, the Bambino Plus is exclusively a brewing machine. To get the best results, you'll need to purchase a separate burr grinder. While this adds an extra step and cost, it also gives users the freedom to pair the Bambino Plus with any grinder they choose, including high-end models that may outperform the Barista Pro's built-in unit.
Dimensions & Design
When it comes to size, there is no contest. The Bambino Plus is remarkably compact, with a width of just under 8 inches. It’s designed specifically for kitchens with limited counter space. Its design is minimalist and straightforward, with just a few buttons on the front panel.
The Barista Pro is significantly larger in every dimension to accommodate its internal grinder and larger water tank. Its design aesthetic feels more professional and substantial, anchored by the prominent digital display that serves as the machine's command center.
User Interface & Control
The Barista Pro gives you a high degree of control over your espresso. Its LCD screen provides precise feedback and allows you to adjust grind size, grind dose, shot volume, and brew temperature. It's a machine built for tinkerers who enjoy the process of perfecting their coffee.
The Bambino Plus is built for simplicity. Its interface consists of intuitive buttons for single shot, double shot, and steam. There is very little to adjust other than the programmable shot volumes. The machine handles the pre-infusion and temperature automatically, making it ideal for users who want consistently good espresso with zero fuss.
Price & Value
The Bambino Plus comes in at a lower price point, typically around $500. However, you must factor in the additional cost of a quality burr grinder, which can range from $100 to several hundred dollars. The Barista Pro, at around $750, offers the value of an all-in-one system. For the price, you get a capable grinder and espresso machine in one package, representing excellent value for someone starting from scratch.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville machines heat up in three seconds and can produce fantastic espresso, but they appeal to different priorities.
Choose the Breville Barista Pro if:
- You want an integrated, all-in-one machine and don't want to buy a separate grinder.
- You enjoy the process of tweaking settings like grind size and shot volume to perfect your brew.
- You have ample counter space in your kitchen.
- You are an intermediate user or an ambitious beginner who wants a machine to grow with.
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- Counter space is a top priority - you need a compact, space-saving machine.
- You value speed and simplicity and prefer a "press-and-go" experience.
- You already own a high-quality coffee grinder or plan to buy a specific one separately.
- You are a beginner seeking a foolproof introduction to great home espresso.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Barista Pro and Bambino Plus?
The single biggest difference is that the Barista Pro has an integrated conical burr grinder, while the Bambino Plus does not. This also leads to differences in size, user interface (LCD screen vs. buttons), and level of control.
Do I need a separate grinder for the Bambino Plus?
Yes. To get the best quality espresso, you should use freshly ground beans. You will need to purchase a separate burr grinder to pair with the Bambino Plus.
Is the grinder on the Barista Pro good enough?
For the vast majority of home users, the integrated grinder on the Barista Pro is excellent. It offers plenty of adjustment settings and is very convenient. However, dedicated coffee enthusiasts may prefer the performance and fine-tuning capabilities of a separate, high-end standalone grinder.
Which machine is faster to use?
Both machines feature Breville's ThermoJet heating system and are ready to brew in 3 seconds. The Bambino Plus might offer a slightly faster day-to-day workflow due to its simpler button-based operation versus navigating the Pro's digital menus.
Can both machines make lattes and cappuccinos?
Absolutely. Both machines have powerful steam wands capable of producing silky, micro-foam milk perfect for latte art. The Bambino Plus is particularly well-known for its excellent automatic steam wand, which lets you choose milk temperature and texture levels.
Which one is better for beginners?
The Bambino Plus is generally considered better for absolute beginners due to its simplicity, compact size, and nearly foolproof operation. The Barista Pro is a great choice for ambitious beginners who want to learn the craft of espresso more deeply.
Do they use the same size portafilter?
Yes, both the Barista Pro and Bambino Plus use Breville's standard 54mm portafilter. This means accessories like tampers, funnels, and filter baskets are often interchangeable between them.
Are these machines hard to clean?
No, Breville designs its machines for easy maintenance. Both have removable drip trays and water tanks. They will prompt you when it's time for a cleaning or descaling cycle, which are straightforward, guided processes.
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