Breville Bambino Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

Ya es la segunda Breville que compro. Tienen muy buen servicio en Mexico y la calidad del producto es muy buena. El cafe queda con una crema excelente. El espumador también genera muy buena leche para los capuchinos. Importante tenerla bien descalcificada siempre

 Well, allow me to say, this is the first machine I have had since the 1980s was it and that one Hoovered. Finally tried a unit, one of the many seemingly all variants of the same 51mm units. I had to send it back because, while very nice at the price point I feel it (and they) are probably best – and aimed at – milk coffee drinks and not actually espresso.

Some, seems all similar did, have something the Bambino lacks – more metal. In feel (if there is such a thing) they, or at least mine – felt substantially more robust. It felt actually like better quality. But I couldn’t adjust the water and couldn’t get enough coffee in the portafilter. Maybe, some other options would fit the 51mm unit. I couldn’t confirm it.

This unit has a lot of plastic in it including the group head. BUT! It can adjust/learn pump-run time (adjust the water volume indirectly). The temperature is non adjustable. But I don’t think water temp (as long as it is very near boiling) is really a variable most home espresso drinkers would benefit from – especially the beginners and novices.
With the thermocoil design I understand it has, it heats in like 3 literal seconds. Steam is good (but I drink simple espresso so I am honestly not much help in evaluating that part). The wand has good articulation.

I do like that Breville is big enough that plenty of 54mm baskets, portafilters, screens and papers are available – including bottomless.

While I do like the unit’s function and it has everything I wanted, it does feel cheap for the value proposition. I don’t think it will hold up well for the length of time I keep appliances. It might. But, I do worry that the fact it knows how long it has been powered up/plugged in – makes me wonder if Breville embedded a count-down timer to planned obsolescence. I hope not, but the manual is clear in disclosure that it’s recording usage data.

I added a picture of three pucks/cakes (whatever term you like) within the first 24hours of receipt. The two dark ones were with pre-ground 6 month old (or longer) coffee and the third was with Folgers Classic drip grind.

Yes, I do wish the entire Breville line was built on a standard 58mm group head (I do prefer a thinner cake per dose). And I do worry if it has an internal count-down to death timer and if the plastic will hold up.

Edit: (added a bottomless portafilter and IMS basket)
They — finally — came today. While these are aftermarket non-Breville parts, I added a video of a shot. (Replaced that because it was a little dark – new video has a little spurt – welcome to aftermarket bottomless portafilters. It happens sometimes)

I don’t claim to be an expert since it’s been 35, idk 40ish years since I have had an espresso machine. I’m just now re-learning how to do it (or learning this machine); but, since I detest coffee snobs who discourage much more than they impress, I wanted to share.

No, I’m sure it’s not “perfect” but with this machine you really have potential without having to sell a kidney to pay for it (oops, I hope that doesn’t violate ‘community standards’.

I might add some other still pictures later if anyone cares. Not a knock on the OEM portafilter & basket but I do prefer the aftermarket rimless basket because it is possible to make a larger diameter and thinner puck (ceteris paribus).

The coffee in the shot was Lavazza Crema e Aroma which I guess from the “use by” was 3 months old. And, yes I prefer some blend of robusto (anywhere between 1/3rd and 2/3rds). If you would like to try your hand at espresso without variable overload and/or no room to experiment, then this machine is a pretty good starter.

Edit 2:
I added a picture of the IMS basket (2 pucks). Why? Well, so you could compare to the first picture where the stock Breville rimmed basket was used. Really there are only about 2 point. The stock basket has a rim (grips inside the portafilter great) and because the walls have draft – the pucks pop out easy. The downside is, that same taper that turns loose of the post brew coffee is less forgiving on volume of coffee powder. A light dose is hard to tamp and a large one won’t fit or gets up into the shower head they call it.

The aftermarket I chose is rimless so it tamps better. Not having a taper/draft-walled, your puck can be thinner for the same dose and there are more holes. So, you get more variables to dial in. The downside is, the pucks will eject in their entirety, you just might need an extra whack.

The combo of bottomless & basket seems to be a trade-off. I seem to get more Crema and a rare spurt (see the video). So far, spurts have been rare. It’s no defect, just a tamp made by a human.

THE REASON I added the aftermarket parts to the review isn’t to hurt Breville or over criticise them, no quite the opposite. While a little cheaply built like the plastic group head and more expensive than a 51mm manual espresso machine, being slightly larger portafilter size (I wish it was 58mm) – it heats quickly, is semi automatic and you can always add accessories later if you want. Don’t have to, but you can.

I’m very happy with this machine. It isn’t the best espresso maker but it is quite small and a very reasonable price. It will make you a decent cup of coffee, heats up fast and is easy to use.

My only complaints are true nitpicks:

1. You can’t use the steam wand and make espresso at the same time. This is quite an annoying limitation on many Breville products but it is fairly justified on this small device with a tiny boiler. It would be nice but it isn’t a deal breaker by any means.

2. The steam pressure is a little low. Again, it would be nice to have a bit more juice available here but it is understandable, and by no means insufficient to make great steamed milk.

3. The water tank is at the back. This is again something that is likely the best compromise for such a small machine. This tank-at-the back arrangement ensures that it uses up very little counter space, however it does have downsides. The biggest downside is that it is difficult to see the current water level. I generally need to pull it out a bit to check or lean in and push whatever is beside it on the counter out of the way. This is probably not much of an issue if you will have nothing next to it on one side as you can see the tank from both sides, but if you have it next to a wall and a grinder like I do it is a little annoying. The tank at the back makes filling it a little less convenient, you will typically have to pull it quite far out to fill the tank if you have a cupboard above it. However this also isn’t a major issue as you don’t need to fill it very often.

Overall I am super impressed. At this budget and size it is a great set of tradeoffs. I doubt any of these minor downsides would be a significant problem for most users.

I’ve only made one latte so far just got it today. I used Starbucks espresso beans I had them grind them for espresso and tasted just like the latte I buy there!! Worth the money for sure. It’s not loud at all, performance is great and easy to use after a lot of research. Appearance seems to be durable… I’ll let you know after using this for awhile longer.. but I did a lot of researching espresso machines and definitely recommend this machine.. update- so i’ve made a few more lattes they all come out tasting great a little bit of a water mess but after a lot of research, I realize that just happens with these and you just wanna leave the Portafilter and after you’re done and let it drip while you’re drinking your drink, then it will come out without the water on the top. Also, I realized if you run a 2 cup with the porta filter in before you make your espresso to prime it and make it hot then you take it out and you add your espresso and tamp it and make your drink. I did order a puck screen it seems that you put it on top of your espresso after you tamp it to keep the top clean. You still have to clean it but at least the grind don’t get up there, or so I’ve read. I will update again once I get everything I ordered
Update- I bought a 30 pound tamp and a leveler which did make a big difference, and once i found the right amount of grinds to put in my 2 cup my espresso has tasted better. I’m having a hard time getting the milk to froth correctly but with practice I’m getting better. I’m definitely happy with the bambino but wish I got a better one due to the fact that you have to know what you’re doing and I’m new to this but this one works better each time I make a latte.