An Great Entry into Espresso Machines - Breville Bambino Espresso Machine

The Breville Bambino is a compact yet powerful machine designed for home baristas who want real espresso without the learning curve or the bulk. Built on Breville’s acclaimed 4 Keys Formula, the Bambino delivers third wave specialty coffee using a commercial-style 54mm portafilter, PID-controlled temperature, and a 3-second ThermoJet™ heating system. It’s everything you need to start making real lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos — right at home.

From James of Ecstatic Expression Coffee Co.

This machine is my single dose espresso delight! While I use the Linea Mini R by La Marzocco for catering, the Breville Bambino is my go-to for single dose daily pulls and exploring atypical espresso shots of single origin coffees.

I find that preheating with 1-2 pulls of water is helpful to get the machine ready for optimal brewing.

For water, I use either Berkey filtered water with added Perfect Coffee Water Minerals, or Reverse Osmosis Water with Perfect Coffee Water minerals at about half the recommended packet amount for brewing. For example, I use two 1-gallon packets of minerals for 5 gallons of water, or half of a 5-gallon packet.

I also use a calibration shot trick to pull a continuous shot:
Press and hold the two single-dose and double-dose buttons until blinking, then press one to release a calibration shot with a continuous pull. Reach out if you'd like more details!

Professional Performance in a Small Package

Don’t let the size fool you. The Bambino offers many features found in machines twice the price — including true 9-bar extraction, programmable shot volume, automatic preinfusion, and a manual steam wand capable of producing latte-art quality microfoam.

Designed for speed and simplicity, it’s ready to brew in just 3 seconds, and transitions seamlessly from espresso to steam to hot water. Ideal for early mornings, small kitchens, or even travel setups.

What Sets It Apart

• 3-second startup time with ThermoJet™ technology
• 54mm commercial-style portafilter holds 18g of ground coffee
• True 9-bar extraction with overpressure valve
• PID temperature control for shot consistency
• Dedicated hot water button (not found on Bambino Plus)
• Compact footprint – great for apartments, small counters, and mobile setups
• Includes: tamper, milk pitcher, cleaning tools, pressurized + non-pressurized baskets

Expert-Backed Value

According to CoffeeGeek.com, the Bambino is “possibly the greatest bargain in home espresso machines today,” praised for packing advanced features like PID control and instant steam into a machine that regularly retails for under $300.

Released in 2020, it has become a standout in the budget espresso category — especially now that it includes both a milk pitcher and non-pressurized baskets, features that weren’t part of the original release.

Compatible With Pro-Level Accessories

The Breville Bambino uses the same 54mm portafilter size as the Barista Express, meaning it works perfectly with a wide range of third-party tools. You can easily find tampers, WDT tools, bottomless portafilters, and dosing funnels to take your espresso workflow even further — without upgrading your machine.

Ideal For

• Home espresso beginners
• Small kitchens and apartments
• Gifting to new coffee lovers
• Pairing with a quality burr grinder
• Customers who want a balance of ease and performance