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Wading through the wide world of espresso at home can be overwhelming. There are coffee scales, espresso grinders, knock boxes, and even water filters to explore as you fine-tune your process. But more important than anything else, you’ll need a good espresso machine. The ideal at-home espresso machine should be user-friendly, consistent, and capable of producing a high-quality espresso shot with little fuss. 

It might seem impossible for one espresso machine to achieve all of that without costing you thousands of dollars, but the Breville Bambino Plus ticks off all of the boxes, and more, making it our top pick since we first started reviewing espresso machines in 2021. Better yet, it’s on sale for 20% off, but only for a limited time. 

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

During our test of 22 espresso machines, the Breville Bambino Plus held its own against models twice its size, and as a compact machine (7.6 inches by 12.5 inches by 12.2 inches), it doesn’t take up too much counter space. It was quick to heat — in fact, it could get water up to brewing temperature in just three seconds.. Plus, once it was at temperature, its precise temperature control feature kept water at a consistent 200ºF for every shot we pulled.   

For a machine that pulled impressive, cafe-quality espresso pulls throughout our tests, it was easy to use thanks to its simple, intuitive interface (no fiddling around with knobs and levers!). Plus, it has an automatic steam wand that makes silky smooth milk at three different temperature and foam level options. 

Its excellent espresso performance combined with its user-friendly design makes the Breville Bambino Plus an ideal home espresso option for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Breville espresso machines rarely go on sale, so grab it for $100 off while you can.

FAQs

How do I get started with making espresso at home?

Our espresso 101 guide goes through all the essential tools, terms, and techniques for hitting the ground running on your espresso journey.

How do I clean a Breville Bambino Plus?

On the day-to-day, you should purge and wipe the steam wand after every use, flush the machine’s group head to avoid the buildup of coffee grounds, and clean the portafilter and basket. The Breville Bambino Plus also has helpful cleaning instructions printed on the back of its removable water reservoir.

What espresso tool upgrades should I make?

Once you’ve got the essentials down, there are a few ways to finesse your espresso process even further. Our guide in how to get the most out of your espresso machine covers our upgrade recommendations for portafilters, tampers, scales, and even water.

What beans should I use with an espresso machine?

While you can use regular coffee beans, there are espresso blends designed specifically for brewing balanced shots.

Why We’re The Experts

• An Uong is a Commerce Writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An is married to an ex-barista who’s talked her ear off about all things related to espresso machines and espresso pulling.
• We’ve tested espresso machines for years, and the Breville Bambino Plus continues to be our favorite semi-automatic, small model, and even bested other Breville models.

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