Expert Comparison: Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine vs Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

Published on 02/06/2024 · 5 min readCompare Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine and Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine. Get expert insight below!
August Croft, Coffee Expert
Janelle G., Coffee Expert
Westin H., Coffee Expert
Contributed By Coffee Expert August Croft, Janelle G., Westin H., Roger Brown, Ashley Lindo and others

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Side by side comparison

Most recommended
Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
Most recommended
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Price
$679.95
20% off
$499.95
Color options
+ 1
User rating
4.57(992)
4.71(14)
The Curated Take

Best for those seeking high-quality, consistent espresso with a semi-automatic machine.

Best for coffee lovers seeking barista-quality espresso at an affordable price.

Housing material
Stainless steel, Plastic
Stainless steel, Plastic
Features
Auto shut off, Cup tray, Solenoid valve
Milk frother, Removable water reservoir

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 Plus. 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 offers a blend of automatic and manual features, making it ideal for both experienced and inexperienced baristas. On the other hand, the Bambino Plus is a compact, user-friendly machine that heats up quickly and delivers quality espresso and steamed milk. It's perfect for those who want a stylish, budget-friendly espresso machine at home. While both machines have their strengths, the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.

The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine is a semi-automatic machine that strikes a perfect balance between automatic and manual features. It's designed to cater to both experienced and inexperienced baristas, making it a versatile choice for households with mixed experience levels. One of its standout features is its quick heat-up time. The machine heats up within three seconds, allowing you to make espresso before getting right to work.

The Barista Pro also boasts a built-in grinder with 30 grind settings, allowing for high-quality and consistent espresso. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who want to optimize their espresso taste and performance. The machine also has pre-infusion and extraction technology, ensuring smooth and flavorful shots every time.

However, the Barista Pro isn't without its drawbacks. Some users have noted that the plastic components may break over time, and the steam wand can be difficult to clean. Despite these minor issues, the Barista Pro has proven to be a reliable machine that delivers creamy, well-extracted shots day in and day out.

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.

August Croft
Coffee Expert

The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is a compact, user-friendly machine that doesn't compromise on quality. It's perfect for those who want professional-quality espresso at an affordable price. The Bambino Plus heats up in just three seconds, allowing you to enjoy your espresso without waiting.

One of the standout features of the Bambino Plus is its powerful steam wand and automatic milk frothing system. This feature allows you to make professional-quality lattes with ease. The machine also has professional-sized fittings for easier dosing, making it a great choice for those looking to improve their shot pulling skills.

The Bambino Plus also comes with multiple accessories for easy maintenance. However, it's worth noting that the machine may not feel as premium as some of the other choices due to the building materials. Despite this, the Bambino Plus is a dependable machine that delivers consistently great-tasting espresso.

This is a wonderful home espresso machine for those looking for a budget or space-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice quality. It heats up quickly, offers an easy-to-use interface, and delivers quality espresso and steamed milk.

Janelle G.
Coffee Expert

Similarities

Both the Breville Barista Pro and Bambino Plus are designed to deliver high-quality espresso at home. They both feature quick heat-up times, allowing you to enjoy your espresso without waiting. Both machines also come with built-in features that enhance the taste and quality of the espresso, such as pre-infusion and extraction technology in the Barista Pro and an automatic milk frothing system in the Bambino Plus.

Both machines also offer a degree of customization, allowing you to adjust settings to your preferred espresso strength. They also come with professional-sized fittings for easier dosing. Despite their differences, both machines are designed to deliver a professional-quality espresso experience at home.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both machines offer a high-quality espresso experience, they cater to different needs and preferences. The Barista Pro is a semi-automatic machine that offers a blend of automatic and manual features. This makes it ideal for both experienced and inexperienced baristas. It's perfect for those who want a bit of control over their espresso-making process without the need for extensive barista knowledge.

On the other hand, the Bambino Plus is a compact, user-friendly machine that's perfect for those who want a stylish, budget-friendly espresso machine at home. It's great for those with limited counter space or those who prefer a more straightforward, less hands-on approach to making espresso.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, the Barista Pro takes the lead. Its blend of automatic and manual features makes it suitable for a wider range of users, from beginners to experienced baristas.

In terms of convenience, the Bambino Plus comes out on top. Its compact size, quick heat-up time, and automatic milk frothing system make it a convenient choice for those who want a quick and easy espresso experience at home.

For quality of espresso, it's a tie. Both machines deliver high-quality, flavorful espresso shots. They both have features that enhance the taste and quality of the espresso, such as pre-infusion and extraction technology in the Barista Pro and an automatic milk frothing system in the Bambino Plus.

In terms of price, the Bambino Plus is the more affordable option. However, the Barista Pro offers more features and capabilities, which may justify its higher price for some users.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Breville Barista Pro and Bambino Plus are excellent choices for home espresso machines. They both deliver high-quality espresso and offer features that enhance the taste and quality of the espresso. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.

If you're an experienced barista or someone who enjoys having a bit of control over the espresso-making process, the Barista Pro is a great choice. Its blend of automatic and manual features offers a versatile and customizable espresso experience.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a compact, user-friendly machine that delivers quality espresso without the fuss, the Bambino Plus is the way to go. Its quick heat-up time and automatic milk frothing system make it a convenient and straightforward choice for home use.

In the end, both machines offer a great espresso experience. It's all about finding the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Happy brewing!

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Shop Coffee & Espresso on Curated

Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
$679.95$849.95
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
$499.95
Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
$679.95$849.95

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