Last updated: October 2, 2026
Breville’s small espresso machines are built for one job: good espresso without taking over your kitchen counter. The most relevant models are the Bambino and Bambino Plus. Both are about 7.7 inches wide, heat up in about 3 seconds, and use the same 54mm portafilter system as Breville’s larger machines. If you’re short on space but still want real pressure, steam, and temperature control, this is where Breville is strongest.
The trade-off is that small means fewer conveniences. You get a thermojet heating system, not a dual boiler, a small water tank and drip tray, and no built-in grinder. That matters more than the marketing suggests, so it’s worth comparing what you actually get before you buy.
Which small Breville are we talking about?
When people search for a small Breville, they usually mean one of these two:
Bambino (base model): The most compact and cheapest. Manual steam wand, simple controls, automatic 1- and 2-shot buttons. No auto-frothing. You control milk texturing entirely by hand. Footprint is tiny and height is low enough to fit under most cabinets.
Bambino Plus: Same thermojet and footprint, but adds auto milk frothing with a temperature sensor, plus a few usability upgrades like a larger drip tray cavity and more forgiving steam wand. You can still steam manually if you want, but you can also just set a temperature and let it stop itself.
Both need a separate grinder. Breville also sells larger integrated-grinder machines like the Barista Express, but those are nearly twice as wide and not really “small” in a tight kitchen. If counter space is the priority, the Bambino line is the actual small option.
Bambino vs. Bambino Plus vs. larger option
See also: Breville Bench Saver • Rocket Espresso Coffee Machine
This is where the decision gets clearer. They pull similar shots, but live very differently day to day.
| Machine | Width / Heat System | Steam / Milk | Water Tank | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bambino | 7.7″ wide / ThermoJet (3-sec heat) | Manual wand only | 47 oz (1.4L) | Tight spaces, hands-on control, lowest price |
| Bambino Plus | 7.7″ wide / ThermoJet (3-sec heat) | Manual + Auto with temp levels | 64 oz (1.9L) | Beginners, milk drinks daily, households with multiple users |
| Barista Express (reference) | 13.5″ wide / Thermocoil | Manual wand | 67 oz (2L) | Buyers who want grinder built-in and don’t need compact size |
The shot quality between Bambino and Bambino Plus is essentially identical. Same pump, same thermoblock, same 54mm basket. The difference is workflow. If you make mostly straight espresso or Americanos and you don’t mind learning to steam, the base Breville Bambino is fine and saves you $100+.
If you make lattes every morning, hate babysitting milk, or have a partner who wants a latte without learning technique, the Plus earns its premium. The auto-froth is not gimmicky — it actually stops at the temperature you set and gives you decent microfoam if you use cold, fresh milk and the right pitcher.
What you give up with a small footprint
This is the honest part. Small Brevilles are fast and compact because they cut things that larger machines keep.
You can’t brew and steam at the same time. ThermoJet heats instantly, but it’s still a single heating system. You pull the shot, then you steam. The wait is only a few seconds, but if you want to make four lattes back-to-back for guests, the cycle gets tedious and the machine will need a short purge between modes.
Small drip tray and tank. The base Bambino’s drip tray fills after 4-6 shots and a couple of purges. You’ll be emptying it more often than you expect. The Plus is slightly better but still small. The 47 oz tank on the base model looks big on paper, but with back-to-back steaming you’ll refill every 2-3 days with regular use.
Grinder is non-negotiable. Neither small Bambino includes a grinder, and pre-ground coffee will not get you consistent espresso. Budget for a capable espresso grinder. A good hand grinder works if you don’t mind the work, but most buyers are happier with an electric espresso grinder that pairs with 54mm Breville baskets. Without it, you’ll fight sour, fast shots and blame the machine.
Lightweight chassis. They weigh 10-11 pounds. That helps with moving and storage, but the machine will slide or lift when you lock in the portafilter if you don’t hold it. Rubber feet help, but it’s not as planted as a Barista Express or Dual Boiler.
Who should buy which
Get the base Bambino if: you have less than 10 inches of counter width, you drink mostly espresso, and you want to learn proper steaming. It’s also the right pick if you already own a good grinder and want the smallest, cheapest path to real espresso. The cheaper option is genuinely fine here — you are not getting a worse shot than the Plus.
Get the Bambino Plus if: milk drinks are your daily routine, you value consistency over control, or multiple people will use the machine. The auto-steam with three temperature settings and three texture levels removes the biggest learning curve. It also includes a slightly better set of accessories (including a proper steam wand tip and auto-purge). For a household where one person is into coffee and the other just wants a hot latte, it prevents a lot of frustration.
Skip both if: you need to make many milk drinks in a row, you want a built-in grinder to save buying one, or you want a machine you can plumb in or repair for 10+ years. In that case, look at larger single-boiler or heat-exchange machines, or consider other compact espresso machines that use a different boiler design.
Real-world quirks and failure modes
After living with these machines, a few patterns show up that specs don’t mention.
Temperature surfing isn’t needed, but purging is. The ThermoJet is PID-controlled, so you don’t need to temperature surf. You do need to purge the steam wand before and after steaming, and run a little water through the group head if the machine sat for 20+ minutes. Skip this and your first shot can taste flat or your milk gets watery.
The 54mm pressurized baskets mask bad grinding. Both machines ship with dual-wall (pressurized) and single-wall baskets. Pressurized will make pre-ground or coarse grinds look like espresso, but it’s not real espresso — it’s aerated coffee. To get syrupy shots with crema that lasts, you must switch to the single-wall basket and grind fine enough. Many returns happen because people never make that switch.
Steam power is good, then it drops. The Bambinos steam faster than most machines this size, but the thermoblock can run out of steam if you try to froth a large 20 oz pitcher for two lattes at once. Use a 12 oz pitcher and split it if you need two drinks. Overfilling the pitcher is the most common reason for thin, bubbly foam.
Descale lightly and often. Because the ThermoJet channel is narrow, scale builds up faster than on a big boiler if you have hard water. Use filtered water in the 60-100 ppm range. Breville’s descale alert is conservative; if you wait until it flashes and you have very hard water, flow can already be reduced. A simple water test strip is cheaper than a service call.
Three-way solenoid is weak. The puck stays wetter than on larger machines. Don’t slam the portafilter to knock it out right after brewing. Wait 20-30 seconds, then knock. If you need a dry puck for easy cleanup, this class of machine will always be a bit messier.
What to buy with it so you don’t get frustrated
Plan on three extras: a decent grinder, a proper tamper, and a small milk pitcher. The included plastic tamper works, but it’s light and inconsistent. A 54mm calibrated tamper gives you more even pressure. A 0.1g scale also helps — the difference between 17g and 18.5g is the difference between a gusher and a balanced shot on these machines.
If you use the pressurized basket while you wait for a grinder, keep expectations low. It will make drinkable coffee, but it will not teach you what the machine can do. Once you have a grinder that can go fine enough for espresso, switch to single-wall and dial in by taste, not by timer alone.
FAQ
Can a small Breville make real espresso or just strong coffee?
Real espresso. Both Bambino models hit 9 bars, have PID temperature control, and use standard 54mm single-wall baskets. With a good grinder and fresh beans, you get proper extraction. With pre-ground grocery coffee and the pressurized basket, you get strong coffee with fake crema.
Do I need the Bambino Plus if I only drink black coffee?
No. If you rarely steam milk, the base Bambino saves money and counter space with no loss in shot quality. Put the difference toward a better grinder, which will improve taste far more than auto-frothing.
How long do the small Brevilles last?
Typically 4-7 years with filtered water and regular cleaning. The most common failures are scale-related flow loss and steam valve wear. They are not designed for easy home repair like larger brass-boiler machines, so water quality and not overfilling the tank are your best protection.
Is it loud or hard to use in an apartment?
The vibration pump is noticeably louder than a kitchen faucet, but shots are only 25-30 seconds. Heat-up is almost instant, so you don’t have a boiler humming all morning. The small size and fast turnaround make it one of the better apartment options if you don’t want a machine that stays hot for hours.
