Expert Comparison: Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine vs Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
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Side by side comparison | Most recommended | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $679.95 20% off | See Price and Details |
Color options |    | -- |
User rating | 4.57(992) | 4.13(486) |
The Curated Take | Best for those seeking high-quality, consistent espresso with a semi-automatic machine. | Best for beginners looking for professional-grade espresso at home. |
Housing material | Stainless steel, Plastic | Stainless steel |
Features | Auto shut off, Cup tray, Solenoid valve | -- |
In the world of espresso machines, Breville is a name that stands out. Today, we're comparing two of their popular models: the Barista Pro and the Bambino. Both machines are excellent choices for coffee enthusiasts, but they cater to different needs and preferences. The Barista Pro is a semi-automatic machine that blends automatic and manual features, making it ideal for households with mixed experience levels. It heats up in seconds and has a built-in grinder for optimizing espresso taste and performance. On the other hand, the Bambino is a compact, beginner-friendly machine that delivers high-quality espresso and steamed milk at a great value. It comes with five different portafilter baskets and heats up in just three seconds. Both machines have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine is a semi-automatic machine that strikes a balance between automatic and manual features. It's perfect for households with varying levels of barista experience. The machine is automatic where it counts most, such as shot extraction and dosing, but it also allows experienced baristas to have some programmability.
One of the standout features of the Barista Pro is its quick heat-up time. The machine heats up within three seconds, allowing you to make espresso almost instantly. This is a significant advantage for those who need their morning coffee fix in a hurry.
The Barista Pro also comes with a built-in grinder with 30 grind settings. This feature allows you to optimize the taste and performance of your espresso. The machine also has a water sensor that lets you know when it's time to refill the reservoir, ensuring that you never run out of water in the middle of brewing.
However, the Barista Pro is not without its drawbacks. Some of its components are made of plastic, which may break over time. The steam wand can be difficult to clean, and the hot water could be hotter. Despite these minor issues, the Barista Pro is a robust and reliable machine that has held up well after months of use.
This machine is automatic where it counts most (shot extraction and dosing) and manual enough for experienced baristas like me to have some programmability. It blends automatic and manual features extremely well, making it perfect for my household full of mixed experience levels.
This machine is automatic where it counts most (shot extraction and dosing) and manual enough for experienced baristas like me to have some programmability. It blends automatic and manual features extremely well, making it perfect for my household full of mixed experience levels.
Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
- We price match
- Returnable
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine summary
The Breville Bambino Espresso Machine is a compact, beginner-friendly machine that delivers high-quality espresso and steamed milk at a great value. It's perfect for newcomers who want a machine that's easy to use but still offers some control over their espresso shots.
The Bambino heats up in just three seconds, making it one of the fastest machines on the market. This feature is a significant advantage for those who need their coffee fix in a hurry.
The Bambino comes with five different portafilter baskets, including pressurized and precision options. This versatility allows you to experiment with different brewing methods and optimize the taste of your espresso.
The machine also has a powerful steam wand that can create professional-grade microfoam for latte art. However, the steam wand only has one hole, which means it may steam a bit slowly compared to other machines.
Despite its compact size, the Bambino packs a punch. It has a 15-bar Italian espresso pump that creates nine bars of pressure, which is the sweet spot for espresso. It also has an overpressure valve, which prevents the machine from exceeding nine bars of pressure, even if you're grinding very finely.
However, the Bambino does have some drawbacks. It does not have a 3-way solenoid valve, so you need to end your shots early. Also, it may not be sturdy enough for some users, and it may require a burr grinder for peak performance.
The Breville Bambino was my entry into home espresso. It is great for newcomers who want a machine that's easy to use but still have some control over their espresso shots. It has a great price point for the quality of shots it can pull, and steams milk well although the one-hole steam wand does steam a bit slowly.
The Breville Bambino was my entry into home espresso. It is great for newcomers who want a machine that's easy to use but still have some control over their espresso shots. It has a great price point for the quality of shots it can pull, and steams milk well although the one-hole steam wand does steam a bit slowly.
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Bambino are designed to deliver high-quality espresso at home. They both have quick heat-up times, with the Barista Pro heating up in three seconds and the Bambino in just three seconds. This feature allows you to make your coffee almost instantly, which is a significant advantage for those who need their morning coffee fix in a hurry.
Both machines also offer some level of control over the brewing process. The Barista Pro has a built-in grinder with 30 grind settings, allowing you to optimize the taste and performance of your espresso. On the other hand, the Bambino comes with five different portafilter baskets, giving you the flexibility to experiment with different brewing methods.
Both machines also have powerful steam wands for frothing milk. However, the Barista Pro's steam wand could use a better coating to avoid milk buildup, while the Bambino's steam wand only has one hole, which may steam a bit slowly.
Finally, both machines are designed to be user-friendly. The Barista Pro blends automatic and manual features, making it suitable for both experienced and inexperienced baristas. The Bambino, on the other hand, is a beginner-friendly machine that's easy to use but still offers some control over the espresso shots.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both machines are designed to deliver high-quality espresso, they cater to different needs and preferences. The Barista Pro is a semi-automatic machine that's perfect for households with mixed experience levels. It's ideal for those who want a balance between automatic and manual features. The built-in grinder and the programmability make it a great choice for experienced baristas who want to fine-tune their espresso shots. However, its automatic features also make it accessible for beginners.
On the other hand, the Bambino is a compact, beginner-friendly machine that's perfect for newcomers to the world of espresso. Its small size makes it ideal for those with limited kitchen space. The Bambino is also a great choice for those who want a machine that's easy to use but still offers some control over their espresso shots. Its pressurized baskets are forgiving, making it a great choice for beginners or when using pre-ground beans.
In terms of drawbacks, the Barista Pro has some plastic components that may break over time, and its steam wand can be difficult to clean. The Bambino, on the other hand, does not have a 3-way solenoid valve, so you need to end your shots early. It also may not be sturdy enough for some users, and it may require a burr grinder for peak performance.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Bambino, it's clear that both machines excel in different areas.
Ease of Use: The Bambino wins in this category. Its beginner-friendly features, such as the pressurized baskets and quick heat-up time, make it easy for anyone to make high-quality espresso at home.
Performance: The Barista Pro takes the lead here. Its built-in grinder with 30 grind settings and programmability allow you to fine-tune your espresso shots for optimal taste and performance.
Value for Money: Both machines offer great value for money, but the Bambino edges out the Barista Pro in this category due to its lower price point and high-quality performance.
Durability: The Barista Pro wins in this category. Despite some plastic components, it has held up well after months of use. The Bambino, on the other hand, may not be sturdy enough for some users.
Overall, the choice between the Barista Pro and the Bambino depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both machines are excellent choices for making high-quality espresso at home.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Bambino are excellent espresso machines that cater to different needs and preferences. The Barista Pro is a semi-automatic machine that's perfect for households with mixed experience levels. It offers a balance between automatic and manual features, allowing both experienced and inexperienced baristas to make high-quality espresso at home.
On the other hand, the Bambino is a compact, beginner-friendly machine that delivers high-quality espresso and steamed milk at a great value. It's perfect for newcomers who want a machine that's easy to use but still offers some control over their espresso shots.
Both machines have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you're an experienced barista looking for a machine with programmability or a beginner looking for a machine that's easy to use, both the Barista Pro and the Bambino are excellent choices. So, grab your favorite coffee beans, and let's get brewing!
