Barista Touch Vs Bambino Plus
The Barista Touch is definitely the better pick for convenience, especially with its touchscreen interface, built-in grinder, and automated milk frothing. The ability to save drink recipes is a game-changer for households with multiple coffee drinkers or for those who love consistency. Meanwhile, the Bambino Plus is a solid choice for those who don’t mind manually dialing in their espresso and already own (or plan to buy) a quality grinder. The fast heat-up time (3 seconds) and automatic milk frothing still make it an excellent machine for beginners.
Would you like a deeper comparison on espresso quality, steaming power, or ease of use?
Barista Touch vs. Bambino Plus: Specs & Features Comparison
The Breville Barista Touch and Bambino Plus are both excellent espresso machines, each with its unique strengths. The Breville Barista Touch is the winner due to its advanced features and customization options. It measures 16 x 12.5 x 12.7 inches and weighs 26.8 lbs. The machine features a touch display interface with 8 one-touch drink options, a built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings, and a single ThermoJet heating system. It operates at 15 bars of pump pressure and includes pre-infusion. The Barista Touch’s auto-frothing wand, dual spigots with a 4-inch cup clearance, and a 2-liter water reservoir with a 0.25 kg bean hopper make it a standout choice. It also offers optional filters, compatibility with pre-ground coffee, and the ability to save user profiles.
The Breville Bambino Plus is the runner-up, offering a more budget-friendly option with a smaller footprint. It measures 7.7 x 12.7 x 12.3 inches and weighs 12.3 lbs. The Bambino Plus features a button-operated interface with one-touch drink options, a single ThermoJet heating system, and 15 bars of pump pressure with pre-infusion. It includes an auto-frothing wand, dual spigots with a 4.5-inch cup clearance, and a 1.9-liter water reservoir but does not have a built-in grinder or bean hopper. The Bambino Plus is compatible with pre-ground coffee and offers optional filters.
- Breville Barista Touch: Built-in burr grinder with 30 grind settings, ThermoJet quick heating system, easy-to-use and intuitive touchscreen, automatic steam wand.
- Breville Bambino Plus: Budget-friendly, tiny footprint and lightweight, temperature sensor for milk frothing, ThermoJet fast-heating system, adjustable pre-infusion, very easy to use.
Breville Barista Touch excels with its advanced features, customization options, and built-in grinder, making it the ideal choice for those who seek precision and convenience. The Breville Bambino Plus, with its compact design and affordability, is a great option for those who prefer a straightforward and efficient espresso-making experience without sacrificing quality.
Barista Touch vs. Bambino Plus: Key Differences
The Breville Barista Touch decisively outshines the Bambino Plus with a 4-2 score, demonstrating the value of its premium features. Let’s break down their differences to help you decide which machine better fits your coffee-making needs.
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
- Winner: Breville Barista Touch
Built-in Grinder:
- The Barista Touch boasts a built-in burr grinder with 30 grind settings, ensuring precise and consistent grounds. This eliminates the need for a separate grinder, simplifying your setup and saving counter space.
- The Bambino Plus lacks a built-in grinder, making it more compact and budget-friendly, but you’ll need to invest in a standalone grinder like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro for the best results.
Dosing & Tamping:
- Both models include a 54mm portafilter, but the Barista Touch offers both single-wall (barista-level precision) and double-wall baskets (for beginners). It also features automatic dosing, grinding, and minimal mess with its portafilter collar.
- The Bambino Plus only includes single-wall baskets, requiring you to purchase double-wall baskets separately if you’re a fan of pre-ground coffee.
Heating System:
- Both machines feature Breville’s ThermoJet heating system, reaching optimal temperature in just 3 seconds. However, neither heats the group head immediately, so pulling a blank shot or two for proper temperature may be necessary.
Brewing System:
- Both machines have pre-infusion, which gently saturates coffee grounds for richer flavors. The Barista Touch automates this, while the Bambino Plus allows you to adjust the pre-infusion manually—a great option for experimenting with brewing variables.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Tie
When comparing the Breville Barista Touch and the Bambino Plus in terms of design and convenience, both machines hold their own in different ways.
Dimensions & Weight:
- Barista Touch: Measures 16 x 12.5 x 12.7 inches and weighs 26.8 lbs. It is larger but still compact enough for most countertops. If you plan to place it under cabinets, ensure you have enough space for easy access to the bean hopper and water tank.
- Bambino Plus: A much smaller and lighter option, measuring 7.7 x 12.7 x 12.3 inches and weighing just 12.3 lbs. Its ultra-compact size makes it a great choice for smaller kitchens, although you’ll need to hold it firmly when attaching the portafilter. Additionally, you’ll need extra counter space for an external grinder.
Build & Interface:
- Both machines are constructed from stainless steel and come in a variety of color options.
- The Barista Touch features a modern touchscreen interface, adding a sleek, high-tech feel to your setup.
- The Bambino Plus keeps things simple with button-operated controls, providing a straightforward and fuss-free experience.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance:
- Both models include dual spouts for simultaneous brewing and feature a removable drip tray to accommodate taller cups.
- Barista Touch: Offers 4 inches of cup clearance.
- Bambino Plus: Provides slightly more clearance at 4.5 inches.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper:
- Both machines have rear-positioned, removable water reservoirs, which can be a bit inconvenient compared to front-loading designs.
- Barista Touch: Includes a 2-liter water tank and a 0.25 kg bean hopper. It also supports the use of water filters to enhance coffee quality and reduce scale buildup.
- Bambino Plus: Has a 1.9-liter water tank but does not include a built-in bean hopper.
Milk Frothing System:
Winner: Tie
Both machines come equipped with automatic steam wands, making milk frothing simple and effortless. These features elevate the convenience and allow you to create velvety microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.
- Customization: Both wands let you adjust milk temperature and texture. The Bambino Plus offers 3 preset levels, while the Barista Touch provides finer control via touchscreen sliders.
- Ease of Use: These wands self-clean after each frothing session and come with a stainless steel milk jug, sparing you from purchasing one separately.
- Manual Mode: For advanced users, manual frothing options are available, providing more control over the frothing process.
Drink Options & Programmability:
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
Drink Options:
- Barista Touch: Offers an extensive list of one-touch drinks, including espresso, latte, flat white, cappuccino, Americano, hot chocolate, tea, and milk. It also features a hot water outlet and allows you to save up to eight custom recipes for personalized brewing.
- Bambino Plus: Provides basic functionality with a focus on espresso brewing. It does not include a hot water outlet or customizable drink slots.
Programmability:
- Barista Touch: Enables adjustments for coffee strength, shot timing, milk foam temperature, and texture with its intuitive touchscreen interface. It is designed for those who value customization and precision.
- Bambino Plus: While simpler, it allows for milk foam temperature and texture adjustments at three preset levels, catering to users who prefer ease of use over extensive customization.
The Breville Barista Touch emerges as the winner for those seeking an all-in-one espresso machine with built-in grinding, extensive drink options, and automation. Its advanced features and customization capabilities make it ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want a premium experience.
On the other hand, the Bambino Plus is an excellent budget-friendly alternative for those looking for a compact and straightforward espresso maker. While it lacks advanced features, it still delivers exceptional performance for quality coffee making—just be prepared to invest in a separate grinder if you go this route. Both machines cater to different preferences, ensuring there’s a perfect choice for every coffee lover.
Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Touch
Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Barista Touch is an advanced espresso machine designed for coffee enthusiasts who want a high level of customization and automation. It combines a sleek, user-friendly interface with powerful features to deliver third-wave specialty coffee at home.
Key Features:
- Built-in Burr Grinder: Integrated hardened steel conical burr grinder with 30 precision grind settings for consistent and optimal coffee grounds.
- ThermoJet Heating System: Achieves the optimum extraction temperature in just 3 seconds, ensuring fast and efficient coffee-making.
- Intuitive Touchscreen: Simplifies the brewing process with an easy-to-use display, allowing for quick selection of pre-programmed drinks and customization.
- Automatic Steam Wand: Froths milk to your desired temperature and texture with minimal effort, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
- Manual Removable Magnetic Tamper: Allows you to tamp manually for better control over coffee extraction.
Pros:
- Built-in burr grinder with 30 grind settings.
- ThermoJet quick heating system.
- Easy-to-use and intuitive touchscreen.
- Automatic steam wand.
- Budget-friendly for its features.
Cons:
- Only one boiler.
- No automatic tamping system.
The Breville Barista Touch strikes an excellent balance between automation and manual control, making it suitable for both novice coffee enthusiasts and experienced home baristas. Its built-in grinder, customizable options, and touchscreen interface make it a standout option in the premium espresso machine category.
Quick Rundown of Breville Bambino Plus
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Breville Bambino Plus is a compact and efficient espresso machine designed to deliver third-wave specialty coffee at home. Its small footprint and user-friendly features make it a great choice for beginners and those with limited counter space.
Key Features:
- Dose Control Grinding: Uses the 54mm portafilter with 19 grams of coffee for balanced and full-flavored espresso. Note: Requires a separate grinder.
- Optimal Water Pressure: Low-pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure for even flavor extraction.
- Faster Heat-Up Time: The innovative ThermoJet heating system reaches the ideal temperature in just 3 seconds, saving you valuable time.
- Precise Espresso Extraction: Digital temperature control (PID) ensures water is delivered at the perfect temperature for optimal extraction.
- Milk Frothing: Features a temperature sensor for consistent milk frothing and allows customization of foam texture.
Pros:
- Tiny footprint and lightweight.
- Temperature sensor for milk frothing.
- ThermoJet fast-heating system.
- Adjustable pre-infusion.
- Very easy to use.
Cons:
- Cheap portafilter.
- No single-wall basket.
- No brewing temperature control.
The Breville Bambino Plus combines value, speed, and convenience to deliver a quality espresso experience in a compact package. It’s ideal for those seeking professional coffee results without the complexity or cost of larger, feature-packed machines.
Conclusion:
When it comes to the battle between the Breville Barista Touch and the Bambino Plus, the Barista Touch clinches the victory with a 4-2 score. It’s a classic case of getting what you pay for—each machine caters to different priorities and preferences.
The Breville Barista Touch shines with its extensive features and advanced customization. Its built-in burr grinder with 30 grind settings eliminates the need for a separate grinder, saving space and enhancing convenience. The intuitive touchscreen offers seamless navigation, allowing users to select from pre-programmed drink options or save up to eight personalized recipes. Whether it’s automatic milk frothing, adjustable brewing parameters, or the addition of a hot water outlet, the Barista Touch is an all-in-one solution for coffee enthusiasts who value automation and control.
On the other hand, the Breville Bambino Plus proves to be an excellent option for those seeking simplicity and affordability without sacrificing coffee quality. With its ultra-compact design, fast ThermoJet heating system, and consistent milk frothing, it ensures professional results in a straightforward manner. While it lacks advanced programmability and a built-in grinder, pairing it with an external grinder provides a flexible and budget-friendly espresso-making experience.
Final Verdict: The Barista Touch is the top choice for those who desire premium features, customization, and an integrated all-in-one design. However, the Bambino Plus remains an attractive option for beginners or budget-conscious users who prioritize ease of use and a smaller footprint. No matter which machine you choose, both deliver the quality and reliability expected from Breville, ensuring a great cup of espresso at home.