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Breville Bambino Plus
Tiny, fast, beginner-friendly espresso maker with surprisingly good milk foam
Loupe's take: Experts and owners agree on this one. Who's Loupe?
Photo: Breville
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Updated October 26, 2026
All 5 hands-on expert reviewers found the Bambino Plus easy to use and compact, and the expert score of 91 is slightly higher than the owner score of 86. Of 617 owner comments, 44% praise shot quality, 40% call it easy to use and 30% like the milk steaming, while only 5% complain about the shots. Reliability is the softer spot. It scores 78, 9% of comments mention failures, 6% say the unit broke or died, and retailer reviews average just 3.61 stars across 64 ratings versus 4.1 on Amazon from 2,400 votes. Long-term durability evidence is thin, since only 5 expert reviews exist and 3 of them publish scores.
What each expert concluded
A tiny, beautifully built espresso machine with instant heat-up and an impressive automatic microfoam steam system, held back mainly by small conveniences like the tiny drip tray, awkward hot water activation, and wasteful packaging.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗The writer found the Bambino Plus to be an easy-to-use, compact, well-priced machine that makes excellent espresso and good automatic microfoam, suitable for both beginners and experts despite a few minor drawbacks.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A compact, beginner-friendly semi-automatic machine that makes good-but-not-great espresso and acceptable milk drinks at a reasonable price, best paired with a separate grinder.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A very easy-to-use, compact, great-value-on-sale entry-level machine that makes excellent espresso and decent milk, best for beginners, though it's pricey for its class and has some fiddly design quirks.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A compact, attractive and easy-to-use espresso machine with good shots and effective automatic milk texturing, held back mainly by its lack of a grinder, small drip tray and a price that isn't budget-friendly.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗Verdicts paraphrased; open a card to read the original. How we score
The verdict in 10 seconds
You'll love it if
- You're new to espresso and want good results quickly
- Your counter space is tight
- You love lattes and cappuccinos but don't want to learn milk frothing
Skip it if
- You want a built-in grinder and don't already own one
- You're an experienced home barista who wants gauges and fine control
- You'd find emptying a small drip tray after every session annoying
What owners rave and rant about
What they rave about
What they rant about
Share of 617 owner reviews and comments that mention each topic.
The no-fluff verdict
The Bambino Plus is small and quick, ready to brew almost as soon as you switch it on, and simple enough that newcomers pull good shots early. Its standout is the automatic milk steaming, which makes silky foam for lattes and cappuccinos without any barista skill. The main catches are a tiny drip tray that needs emptying constantly and the need for a separate grinder. It suits beginners and small kitchens more than seasoned espresso tinkerers.
We researched 5 expert reviews, analyzed 8,120 owner ratings and
comments across 9 sources, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Ratings across the web
AmazonGoogle ShoppingRedditYouTubeShop ratings lean positive (happy buyers, brand-moderated stores); forums lean critical (people post problems). Our owners score weighs both equally.
Questions people actually ask
How do you descale the Breville Bambino Plus?
With a descaling solution, when the machine's cleaning alert prompts you. A maintenance guide is printed right on the machine, and a starter supply of descaler comes in the box.
Based on: Reviewers note the cleaning alerts, the printed guide and the included descaler.What do you need to decalcify the Bambino Plus?
Descaler, which you will need to buy once the starter supply runs out. Some people also add an optional water filter, because none comes in the box in the US.
Based on: Cost lists show a $14 descaler and $16 filters, with no filter included in the US.How do you clean the Bambino Plus?
Mostly by emptying the drip tray, wiping down, and backflushing with cleaning tablets when the machine asks. The steam wand purges itself automatically after steaming.
Based on: Reviewers cite the self-purging wand, the cleaning alerts and a backflush every 200 shots.How often do you need to clean the Bambino Plus?
The drip tray needs emptying after nearly every session, while deeper cleaning happens only now and then. The tray is small, and the machine flags the bigger jobs for you.
Based on: 4 of 5 reviewers flag the small drip tray; a few owners mention cleaning hassle.How do you make espresso with the Bambino Plus?
Grind your coffee, tamp it into the portafilter, lock it in, and press a shot button. The machine pre-wets the coffee first, which forgives an uneven grind or tamp, but you need a separate grinder for fresh beans.
Based on: Reviewers praise the easy buttons and pre-infusion; most note no built-in grinder.How much does the Breville Bambino Plus cost?
Usually $399–$500 in the US. Prices move with sales, so check the current price.
Based on: Prices quoted in expert reviews and at Amazon.com.What does the Breville Bambino Plus cost to run?
Mostly replacement parts and supplies
- Separate espresso grinder if you don't own one (price varies)
- Descaling solution: about $14
- Extra cleaning tablets for backflushing: about $14 (backflush every 200 shots)
- ClaroSwiss water filter: about $16, replaced every 90 days or 40 liters
- Claris filter holder kit: about $8
Has the Breville Bambino Plus been recalled?
No. We found no U.S. safety recalls for this model.
Based on: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.
Face-offs
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