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

Published on 02/07/2024 · 5 min readCompare Breville the Barista Touch Espresso Machine and Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine. Get expert insight below!
Matthew W., Coffee Expert
Crystal Baker, Coffee Expert
Brooke Burnett, Coffee Expert
Contributed By Coffee Expert Matthew W., Crystal Baker, Brooke Burnett, Eric T, Stephon Rudd and others

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Side by side comparison

Most recommended
Breville the Barista Touch Espresso Machine
Most recommended
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Price
$999.95
$499.95
Color options
+ 1
User rating
4.88(8)
4.71(14)
The Curated Take

Best for beginners seeking an efficient, enjoyable, and easy-to-use espresso 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, Touch screen
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 Touch and the Bambino Plus. Both machines are excellent choices for coffee enthusiasts, but they cater to different needs and preferences. The Barista Touch is perfect for beginners who want an easy-to-use machine with advanced features, while the Bambino Plus is a compact, budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on quality. Both machines offer professional-quality espresso and have impressive frothing capabilities. However, the Barista Touch has a touch-screen display and more advanced controls, while the Bambino Plus is more straightforward and compact. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to your personal preferences, budget, and counter space.

The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine is a dream come true for beginners stepping into the world of coffee. This machine is designed to make your mornings more efficient and enjoyable. It features a visual array of different espresso drinks, allowing you to easily select your favorite drink of the day. Whether you're craving a cappuccino or admiring an Americano, this machine has got you covered.

One of the standout features of the Barista Touch is its minimal time investment in heating to temperature. You can power on the machine and have a hot or iced beverage in minutes. The frothing abilities of the steam wand are especially impressive, creating a microfoam that lends itself to impressive latte art. However, it's important to wipe down the wand immediately after use, as it tends to get milk build up quite quickly.

The Barista Touch is also capable of handling multiple drinks in a row, making it perfect for entertaining guests. It's a great option for someone who doesn't want to fuss about with manual espresso machines and grinders. It's extremely easy to use with push-button technology and the ability to save custom drink preferences with a visual icon.

The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine is perfect for beginners who want an easy-to-use espresso machine with advanced features. It offers great functionality across the board. What makes this machine stand out is the advanced controls for manual operation integration when users are ready to get creative.

Matthew W.
Coffee Expert

The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is a solid choice for those who want a compact, affordable, yet high-performing espresso machine. It's a favorite among professional baristas for home use due to its great balance of affordability and performance.

The Bambino Plus heats up in just a minute and comes with a hefty 54mm portafilter. When paired with a good burr grinder, it can deliver professional results from the espresso. The steam wand is capable of creating any milk foam texture you desire, making it perfect for crafting a variety of espresso drinks.

One of the key features of the Bambino Plus is its automatic milk frothing system. This makes it easy to create professional-quality lattes with ease. Despite its small footprint and friendly price, the Bambino Plus is capable of making good quality espresso and steaming milk much like a professional machine.

The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is a great fit for coffee lovers who want barista-quality performance at home. It has a small footprint and an affordable price, while still being capable of making good quality espresso and steaming milk like a professional machine.

Crystal Baker
Coffee Expert

Similarities

Both the Breville Barista Touch and the Bambino Plus are designed to deliver barista-quality espresso at home. They both feature a powerful steam wand capable of creating a variety of milk foam textures, making them perfect for crafting a range of espresso drinks.

Both machines also come with a 54mm portafilter and are compatible with a good burr grinder, allowing you to achieve professional results from your espresso. They both heat up quickly, ensuring you can enjoy your espresso without waiting.

In terms of user-friendliness, both machines are designed to be easy to use, with the Barista Touch featuring a touch-screen display and the Bambino Plus offering straightforward controls.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both machines are excellent choices, they cater to different needs and preferences. The Barista Touch is perfect for beginners who want an easy-to-use machine with advanced features. It's ideal for those who want to experiment with different espresso drinks and appreciate the convenience of a touch-screen display.

On the other hand, the Bambino Plus is a compact, budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on quality. It's a great choice for those with limited counter space or those who want a straightforward, no-fuss machine.

The Barista Touch is also more suitable for entertaining guests, as it can handle multiple drinks in a row. The Bambino Plus, while still capable of delivering quality espresso, may not be the best choice for serving a large number of people due to its smaller size.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to ease of use, the Barista Touch takes the lead with its touch-screen display and ability to save custom drink preferences. However, for those who prefer straightforward controls, the Bambino Plus is a winner.

In terms of performance, both machines deliver professional-quality espresso and have impressive frothing capabilities. However, the Barista Touch has more advanced controls, giving it an edge for those who want to experiment with their espresso.

For affordability, the Bambino Plus is the clear winner. It offers great performance at a more budget-friendly price.

Finally, in terms of size, the Bambino Plus wins with its compact design, making it perfect for those with limited counter space.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Breville Barista Touch and the Bambino Plus are excellent choices for home espresso machines. The Barista Touch is perfect for beginners who want an easy-to-use machine with advanced features, while the Bambino Plus is a compact, budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on quality.

The choice between the two ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, budget, and counter space. If you're a beginner who wants to experiment with different espresso drinks and appreciates the convenience of a touch-screen display, the Barista Touch is a great choice. If you're looking for a straightforward, no-fuss machine that delivers quality espresso without breaking the bank, the Bambino Plus is the way to go.

No matter which machine you choose, you're sure to enjoy barista-quality espresso right at home. Happy brewing!

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Shop Coffee & Espresso on Curated

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