The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo and the Breville Bambino Plus are two top-tier espresso machines, but they serve fundamentally different coffee drinkers. The Magnifica Evo is a versatile "bean-to-cup" machine with a built-in grinder, offering extensive customization for enthusiasts, whereas the Bambino Plus is a compact, semi-automatic machine that prioritizes speed, simplicity, and consistently perfect automatic milk frothing.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right espresso machine from DeLonghi or Breville for your kitchen.
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo
The Magnifica Evo is an all-in-one solution for the home barista who wants fresh, bean-to-cup coffee with lots of control. It combines a high-quality grinder and a feature-rich brewer into a single unit, allowing you to go from whole beans to a perfect espresso with the touch of a button while still offering manual controls for those who like to experiment.
- What it is: A fully automatic, bean-to-cup espresso machine with a built-in grinder and a manual steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos.
- Key features: Integrated ceramic burr grinder with adjustable settings, a bypass doser for pre-ground coffee, customizable brew strength and temperature, and a manual steam wand for total control over milk texture.
- Price: Around $700-$800, positioned as a mid-range, feature-packed machine.
- Dimensions: Approximately 11" W x 15" D x 14" H, requiring a fair amount of counter space.
- Materials/Construction: A durable build of high-quality plastics and stainless steel components ensures longevity.
- Style: Classic, professional-looking design with a sleek black finish and soft-touch buttons that fits well in both modern and traditional kitchens.
- Pros: Convenient all-in-one system means no separate grinder needed. Highly customizable for dialing in the perfect shot. Built-in grinder provides consistently fresh coffee. Durable construction.
- Cons: Larger footprint takes up more counter space. Manual milk frothing has a steeper learning curve than automatic systems. Higher initial investment.
This is the machine for the coffee enthusiast who values the ritual and control of making espresso, wants freshly ground beans for every cup, and has the counter space for an all-in-one setup.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/magnifica-evo-fully-automatic-espresso-machine
Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus is designed for speed, convenience, and performance in a small package. Its standout feature is its 3-second heat-up time and its fully automatic steam wand, which creates barista-quality micro-foam milk for lattes and cappuccinos without any guesswork, making it perfect for busy mornings or espresso newcomers.
- What it is: A compact, user-friendly semi-automatic espresso machine renowned for its speed and automatic milk frothing system.
- Key features: Proprietary ThermoJet heating system (3-second heat up), an automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture settings, a 54mm portafilter for full flavor extraction, and a tiny footprint.
- Price: Typically ranges from $600-$700.
- Dimensions: A very compact 7.7" W x 12.6" D x 12.2" H, ideal for small kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: A sleek and sturdy brushed stainless steel body gives it a premium look and feel.
- Style: Modern, minimalist, and an elegant brushed metal finish that suits contemporary kitchens perfectly.
- Pros: Extremely fast heat-up time. Flawless automatic milk frothing makes perfect lattes easy for anyone. Incredibly compact design saves counter space. Simple and intuitive to use.
- Cons: Requires a separate coffee grinder for the best results. Offers less control over brewing variables compared to the Magnifica Evo. The small drip tray needs frequent emptying.
The Bambino Plus is meant for those who prioritize convenience and speed, want consistently great milk-based drinks without the fuss, and need an espresso machine that won't dominate their countertop.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/bes500
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo vs. Breville Bambino Plus Comparison
Workflow & Convenience
The biggest difference between these two machines is the workflow. The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is an automatic machine, you put whole beans in the top, select your drink, and it grinds, doses, tamps, and brews your coffee internally. You only interact with it to froth your milk manually. This offers incredible "bean-to-cup" convenience for freshness.
The Breville Bambino Plus is semi-automatic. You'll need to grind your coffee separately (or use pre-ground), dose it into the portafilter, tamp it down, and then lock it into the machine to brew. However, where it excels in convenience is its 3-second heat-up time and completely automatic milk steaming. Just place the jug under the wand and it does all the work for you, shutting off when it reaches the perfect temperature and texture. This makes it much faster for morning lattes.
Dimensions & Footprint
There's no contest here. The Breville Bambino Plus is one of the most compact espresso machines on the market, at just 7.7 inches wide. It's designed to fit into tight spaces, small apartments, or on cluttered countertops, making cafe-quality coffee accessible to anyone.
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo, with its integrated grinder and larger water reservoir, is a much larger machine at 11 inches wide and 15 inches deep. It requires a dedicated spot on your counter and serves better as the centerpiece of a coffee station rather than a discreet appliance tucked away in a corner.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are built to last, but with different design philosophies. The Bambino Plus features a sleek, durable brushed stainless steel exterior that looks and feels premium. Under the hood, its proprietary ThermoJet heating system is designed for speed and efficiency.
The Magnifica Evo uses a combination of stainless steel and high-grade, sturdy plastic in its construction. Its focus is on internal durability, with a robust ceramic burr grinder and a time-tested brew group designed for thousands of cycles. It feels like a workhorse built for the long haul.
Price & Value
On paper, the Bambino Plus is slightly more affordable. However, to get the most out of it, you need a quality burr grinder, which can cost an additional $100-$300. This brings the total investment for a full setup much closer to, or even above, the price of the all-in-one Magnifica Evo.
The value proposition for the DeLonghi comes from its integration - you get a grinder and brewer in one clean package. For the Breville, the value is in its speed, foolproof milk frothing, and compact size. Which offers better value depends on whether you already own a grinder or prefer an integrated system.
Style & Versatility
The Breville Bambino Plus, with its brushed stainless steel and clean lines, fits a very modern, minimalist aesthetic. It's chic and compact, looking great in contemporary and Scandinavian-style kitchens. Its small size makes it visually versatile, as it doesn't overwhelm a space.
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo has a timeless, slightly more traditional "prosumer" appliance look. The black finish and chromed details give it a classic appearance that works well in a variety of kitchen styles, but its larger size makes a bolder statement.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are a good choice, but they target different habits, kitchen sizes, and levels of involvement.
Choose the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo if:
- You want the freshness and convenience of a bean-to-cup machine.
- You don't want to buy or make space for a separate grinder.
- You enjoy having granular control over coffee strength, grind size, and temperature.
- You would rather perfect the art of manual milk frothing yourself.
- You have dedicated space for a larger machine on your counter.
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- Your top priority is speed - you want coffee and lattes in a minute or two.
- You have limited counter space or prefer a minimalist kitchen aesthetic.
- You want effortless perfection in your milk-based drinks.
- You already own a good coffee grinder or plan on buying one.
- You feel at ease with a machine that knows exactly what it's doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Magnifica Evo and Bambino Plus?
The primary difference is the workflow. The Magnifica Evo is a fully automatic "bean-to-cup" machine with a built-in grinder and manual steam wand. The Bambino Plus is a compact semi-automatic machine that requires a separate grinder but has a fast 3-second heat-up with an automatic milk steaming system.
Which is better for beginners?
The Breville Bambino Plus is generally easier for beginners. Its simple interface, quick operation, and foolproof automatic milk frothing remove the guesswork, especially for those new to making lattes and cappuccinos.
Do I need a separate grinder for the Breville Bambino Plus?
While you can use pre-ground coffee, a separate burr grinder is highly recommended to get cafe-quality espresso from the Bambino Plus. Freshly ground beans make a significant difference in flavor and quality.
How fast do they heat up?
The Breville Bambino Plus wins here with a remarkable 3-second heat-up time. The DeLonghi Magnifica requires at least 30-45 seconds to get ready and reach the optimal temperature before use.
Which machine offers more control over the coffee?
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo offers more brewing control. You can adjust grind size, coffee dose, and brew temperature to precisely tailor your espresso shot, which is ideal for the avid coffee lover who is passionate and wants control.
How do you froth milk on each machine?
On the Magnifica Evo, you froth milk manually with its steam wand, giving you complete control to create the texture you want. The Bambino Plus's system is fully automatic - you select the temperature and texture level, and it does the rest perfectly every time, then purges itself clean afterward.
Which is easier to clean?
Both are quite easy. The Bambino Plus's wand auto-purges, and it has a descaling cycle, but its small drip tray needs to be emptied often. The DeLonghi has an automatic rinse cycle for cleaning, and the internal brewer part inside the machine needs to be removed and rinsed under water weekly for a thorough cleaning, no chemical agents required.
Can the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo use pre-ground coffee?
Yes, it has a "bypass doser," which is a small chute that allows you to use a scoop of pre-ground coffee instead of the whole beans from the hopper. This is great for making an occasional decaf espresso.
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