The Breville Bambino Plus and the Breville Infuser both make excellent espresso, but they serve different home baristas. The Bambino Plus is designed for speed and convenience with a 3-second heat-up time and automatic milk frothing, while the Infuser offers more manual control with a pressure gauge and traditional steam wand for those who want to perfect their craft. These key differences in automation and user control really separate the two machines from Breville's popular lineup.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right espresso machine for your kitchen counter.
Breville Infuser
The Breville Infuser is a mid-range semi-automatic espresso machine that gives aspiring home baristas the tools they need for more manual control. Its signature feature is a low-pressure pre-infusion that soaks the coffee grounds before high-pressure extraction, leading to a more balanced and flavorful shot. With its solid stainless steel construction and onboard pressure gauge, it’s built for users who are serious about the details of making great espresso.
- What it is: A semi-automatic espresso machine focused on temperature stability and manual control for enthusiasts.
- Key features: Low-pressure pre-infusion, PID temperature control, 1600W Thermo coil heating system, front-mounted pressure gauge, 54mm stainless steel portafilter, manual steam wand.
- Price: Typically around $600–$700.
- Materials/Construction: Features a durable and heavy brushed stainless steel body with commercial-grade components.
- Style: A classic, professional espresso machine look with a substantial presence on the counter.
- Pros: Excellent flavor extraction due to pre-infusion technology. A pressure gauge provides instant feedback to dial in your shot. Greater control over milk frothing with the manual steam wand. Solid, durable build quality.
- Cons: Slower to heat up compared to the Bambino Plus. Larger footprint takes up more counter space. The manual steam wand has a steeper learning curve for beginners.
The Infuser is the ideal choice for someone who enjoys the process of making espresso and wants the feedback and control needed to improve their technique over time.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes840.html
Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact powerhouse designed for convenience without sacrificing quality. Its standout feature is the innovative ThermoJet heating system, allowing the machine to be ready for extraction in just three seconds. It further simplifies the latte-making process with an automatic steam wand that froths milk to the perfect temperature and texture for you, making it incredibly beginner-friendly.
- What it is: A compact, fast, and user-friendly espresso machine with automatic milk texturing.
- Key features: 3-second heat-up time with ThermoJet system, automatic microfoam milk texturing with adjustable temperature and texture, 54mm portafilter, very small footprint.
- Price: Typically around $500–$700, often priced competitively with the Infuser.
- Materials/Construction: A streamlined stainless steel exterior with a compact, efficient internal design.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist, designed to fit seamlessly into any sized kitchen.
- Pros: Incredibly fast heat-up time is perfect for busy mornings. Automatic milk frothing creates consistent, perfect microfoam every time. Its small footprint saves a significant amount of counter space. Simple and intuitive to operate.
- Cons: Lacks a pressure gauge, offering less feedback for shot diagnosis. The compact design means a smaller drip tray that needs frequent emptying. Less manual control may feel limiting for experienced users.
The Bambino Plus is perfect for the espresso drinker who wants café-quality drinks quickly and easily, especially if they have limited space or are new to making espresso at home.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes500.html
Breville Infuser vs. Breville Bambino Plus Comparison
Performance & User Experience
The core difference between the Infuser and the Bambino Plus comes down to performance driven by user experience. The Infuser is methodical. It takes a couple of minutes to heat up, uses low-pressure pre-infusion to gently prepare the coffee puck, and features a pressure gauge that shows you exactly what's happening during extraction. This is invaluable data for someone wanting to learn why a shot is pulling too fast or too slow. Its manual steam wand gives you full control to practice latte art.
The Bambino Plus, on the other hand, is built for pure speed and simplicity. The ThermoJet heating system has you ready to pull a shot in three seconds, a major advantage for rushed mornings. The automatic milk frothing is its killer feature - just place the jug and it does the work for you, delivering consistently silky microfoam. It removes the guesswork and learning curve entirely, but with that comes a loss of control for those who want to master frothing themselves.
Dimensions & Footprint
There's a significant size difference here. The Breville Infuser measures roughly 12" x 12" x 12", demanding a dedicated spot on your countertop. Its substantial size reflects its more robust internal build and feature set. It feels like a permanent fixture in a home coffee setup.
The Breville Bambino Plus is drastically smaller at approximately 7.7" wide by 12.2" deep. Its narrow profile allows it to fit into tight spaces where the Infuser simply couldn't, making it a perfect solution for apartments, small kitchens, or crowded countertops. If counter space is your top concern, the Bambino Plus is the clear winner.
Materials & Construction
Both machines feature Breville's signature brushed stainless steel finish and feel well-built for their price point. However, the Infuser has more heft and feels more substantial. Its construction seems geared toward longevity and frequent use, with heavier components and a more traditional, solid feel.
The Bambino Plus is still durable with its steel shell, but its compact nature means lighter materials overall. It’s plenty sturdy for daily use, but if you prioritize that heavy, commercial-style feel in your appliances, the Infuser has a clear edge.
Price & Value
The pricing for both machines often overlaps, typically sitting in the $500 to $700 range depending on sales and retailers. This makes the decision less about cost and more about what you value. The value of the Infuser lies in its professional-grade features that teach you the craft of espresso. You're paying for control, feedback, and a machine that lets you grow as a barista.
The value of the Bambino Plus is in its cutting-edge convenience and smart design. You are paying for speed and automation that deliver excellent results with zero learning curve. For someone who just wants a great latte quickly, the automatic texturing and 3-second heat-up offer incredible value.
Style & Aesthetics
Your kitchen's style may sway your decision. The Infuser has a classic, almost industrial look that fits well in a dedicated coffee nook. Its buttons, dial, and pressure gauge give it a technical, professional appearance that says you're serious about your coffee.
The Bambino Plus is modern and minimalist. With its simple four-button interface and sleek, compact lines, it blends into contemporary spaces without drawing too much attention. It’s designed to look good without taking over the kitchen.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these Breville espresso machines are excellent, but they are clearly designed for different priorities and lifestyles.
Choose the Breville Infuser if:
- You view making espresso as a hobby and want to learn the craft.
- You value precision tools like a pressure gauge to perfect your shots.
- You want full manual control over frothing milk to practice latte art.
- You have enough dedicated counter space for a larger, more traditional machine.
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- You need an espresso machine that is ready to go almost instantly.
- Counter space is limited in your kitchen or apartment.
- You want consistently great textured milk for lattes without the learning curve.
- Your priority is convenience and simplicity for a quick, delicious coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Infuser and Bambino Plus?
The main difference is control versus convenience. The Infuser offers more manual control over the shot with a pressure gauge and pre-infusion, alongside a manual steam wand. The Bambino Plus prioritizes speed with a 3-second heat-up time and convenience with an automatic milk frothing wand.
Which machine makes better espresso?
Both can make excellent espresso with a quality grinder and fresh beans. A skilled barista can potentially extract a more nuanced shot from the Infuser by using its feedback tools, but the Bambino Plus delivers consistently excellent results with less effort.
Is the Bambino Plus's automatic milk frother good?
Yes, it's one of its most praised features. It consistently creates silky, well-integrated microfoam that is ideal for lattes and cappuccinos, often producing better results than beginners can achieve with a manual wand.
Which machine is more beginner-friendly?
The Bambino Plus is significantly more beginner-friendly due to its fast heat-up, simple interface, and foolproof automatic milk frothing.
How long does the Infuser take to heat up?
The Infuser typically takes about 1-2 minutes to heat up fully and stabilize temperature, which is much longer than the Bambino Plus’s near-instant 3 seconds.
Can I use my own coffee grinder with these machines?
Absolutely. In fact, using a quality burr grinder is essential to get the best performance out of either machine. Both come with a 54mm portafilter and include both pressurized (for pre-ground coffee) and single-wall (for fresh grounds) filter baskets.
Which one is easier to clean?
They are comparable in general cleaning, but the Bambino Plus has a slight edge with its automatic steam wand purge cycle, which clears the wand of milk residue immediately after use. However, its small drip tray needs to be emptied more often.
Do I need to buy any accessories?
Both machines come with the essential accessories to get started (portafilter, tamper, filter baskets, milk jug). However, for best results with either, you'll want to invest in a quality burr grinder, a digital scale, and potentially an upgraded tamper.
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