Breville Cafe Roma Vs Bambino
Let’s take a closer look at two budget-friendly semi-automatic coffee machines designed for beginners: the Breville Cafe Roma and the Breville Bambino. Both are affordable options, but the Bambino comes out on top for its ability to deliver better espresso and milk froth.
The Breville Bambino is a compact powerhouse, offering features you’d expect from a more advanced machine. Its sleek design and small footprint make it a great fit for any kitchen. What sets it apart is the pre-infusion feature, which gently wets the coffee grounds before brewing to ensure even extraction. Plus, it lets you manually adjust the pre-infusion duration, giving you more control over your espresso shots. For beginners looking to start their coffee journey, the Bambino is an excellent stepping stone before upgrading to a higher-end model.
On the other hand, the Breville Cafe Roma is often praised as a reliable entry-level option, but I find it underwhelming. While it is compact and budget-friendly, it lacks the essential pre-infusion feature and falls short with its below-average steam wand, which struggles to produce quality milk froth. Adding to the disappointment is the inclusion of a plastic tamper, which feels out of place in a coffee setup, even at this price point.
In summary, if you’re just starting and want a machine that delivers quality espresso and decent milk froth while offering room for experimentation, the Bambino is the clear winner. The Cafe Roma might suffice for basic needs, but its limitations may leave you wanting more.
Breville Cafe Roma Vs Bambino: Specs & Features Comparison
| Feature | Breville Bambino | Breville Cafe Roma |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 inches | 11.8 x 8.6 x 8.7 inches |
| Weight | 10.7 lbs | 13 lbs |
| Interface | Button-operated | Knob-operated |
| Heating System | Single ThermoJet | Single Thermoblock |
| Milk Frothing | Superior performance | Less impressive |
| Water Reservoir | 1.4 L | 1.2 L |
| Compatibility | No pods, no grinder | ESE pods compatible |
| Price | $299.95 | $191.10 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Breville Bambino and Breville Cafe Roma are two budget-friendly espresso machines with distinct features that cater to different needs. The Bambino, measuring 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 inches and weighing 10.7 lbs, is incredibly compact and lightweight. Its button-operated interface is simple to navigate, and it offers two one-touch drink options.
Equipped with a Single ThermoJet heating system, it heats up quickly, ensuring your espresso is ready in no time. With a 15-bar pump pressure and a manual steam wand, it excels in creating high-quality espresso and perfectly textured milk froth. Its dual spigot provides a cup clearance of 4 inches, and the machine includes a 1.4 L water reservoir, though it doesn’t feature a built-in grinder. Priced at $299.95, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking performance and convenience in a small package.
The Breville Cafe Roma, on the other hand, is slightly larger at 11.8 x 8.6 x 8.7 inches and weighs 13 lbs. It features a knob-operated interface and a single one-touch drink option. This machine uses a Single Thermoblock heating system, which is also efficient but not as quick as the ThermoJet.
Like the Bambino, it operates at 15-bar pump pressure and includes a manual steam wand, but its milk frothing performance is less impressive. The Cafe Roma also has a dual spigot with a 4-inch cup clearance and a slightly smaller 1.2 L water reservoir. Although it lacks a built-in grinder, it is compatible with ESE pods, adding to its versatility. Priced at $191.10, it’s a more affordable option with a compact footprint and basic functionality.
Both machines are easy to use and offer great value, but the Bambino edges ahead with its faster heating system, superior milk frothing, and overall performance. The Cafe Roma, while budget-friendly and compatible with pods, may not satisfy those seeking advanced features or premium espresso quality.
Breville Cafe Roma Vs Bambino: Differences
When it comes to comparing the Breville Cafe Roma and the Bambino, the latter outshines its counterpart with a clean sweep of 4-0. Here’s a deeper dive into what sets these two budget-friendly espresso machines apart.
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Bambino
Built-in Grinder
Neither the Bambino nor the Cafe Roma comes with a built-in grinder, which means you’ll need to pair them with an external grinder for freshly ground coffee. Luckily, Breville offers great options like the Smart Grinder Pro, which delivers excellent quality at a reasonable price. The Bambino is also available in a bundle with a grinder, which could save you money compared to buying them separately.
Dosing & Tamping
Both machines come with essential tools like a portafilter and tamper. The Cafe Roma features a smaller 50 mm portafilter, while the Bambino boasts a slightly larger 54 mm one, which provides more even extraction and flavor potential.
The tamper included with the Cafe Roma doubles as a scoop, but it’s made of lightweight plastic, which feels flimsy. In contrast, the Bambino’s tamper, though also plastic, is more robust and provides a sturdier feel during use.
Both machines come with dual-wall filter baskets for single and double shots. The Cafe Roma also supports ESE pods, offering a convenient option for quick brewing without grinding fresh coffee beans. While I’m a fan of fresh coffee grounds, ESE pods are a handy backup for busy mornings or when time is short, and it’s always nice to have this versatility.
Heating System
Both models feature single boilers, which means they can’t brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. However, they’re designed to heat water quickly, so you won’t have to wait long between brewing and steaming.
The Cafe Roma uses a thermoblock heating system that heats water in about 30 seconds, which is impressive. But the Bambino steps up the game with its ThermoJet technology, delivering hot water in just 3 seconds! If you’ve ever struggled with older machines that take up to half an hour to heat up, the Bambino’s speed will feel like a revelation.
Brewing System
One of the standout features of the Bambino is its pre-infusion function. This feature gently saturates the coffee grounds at low pressure before brewing, enhancing the flavor and ensuring even extraction by preventing channeling.
What sets the Bambino apart even further is its customizable pre-infusion duration. You can control how long the pre-infusion lasts simply by holding down the single- or double-shot button, making it a unique feature for a machine at this price point. Once you release the button, the machine begins the extraction process. This added flexibility allows you to fine-tune your brew to achieve the perfect taste.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Breville Bambino
Dimensions & User Interface
The Breville Cafe Roma measures 11.8 x 8.6 x 8.7 inches and weighs 13 pounds, while the Breville Bambino comes in slightly larger at 12.6 x 12.2 x 7.7 inches but is lighter at 10.7 pounds. Both machines are compact and corrosion-resistant, with a stylish stainless steel finish that makes them a great fit for any kitchen countertop, even in tight spaces.
The Bambino’s lighter weight makes it easy to move around, though it might require a bit of stabilization when locking the portafilter into place.
In terms of control, the Cafe Roma uses a straightforward interface with a power button, a central dial for switching between brewing and steaming, and two indicator lights for preheating and machine status. The Bambino keeps it simple as well, featuring four buttons for single shot, double shot, hot water, and steam, ensuring a minimalist and user-friendly experience.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
Both machines feature dual spouts with a 4-inch cup clearance. While neither has an adjustable spout height, you can remove the drip tray for more room if you want to brew espresso into a larger travel mug.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
The Bambino has a larger 1.4-liter water reservoir, compared to the Cafe Roma’s 1.2-liter tank. This means fewer trips to refill, which is a nice convenience for frequent use. The Bambino’s water tank is located at the back, while the Cafe Roma’s side-mounted tank features a front-facing slot for easy monitoring of water levels.
Neither machine includes a built-in bean hopper or water filter, so it’s best to use bottled or softened water to ensure the longevity of your espresso machine.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Bambino
Both machines require manual steaming for milk, which might take some practice if you’re new to frothing. Thankfully, Breville includes a stainless steel milk pitcher with both models, a thoughtful addition that many brands charge extra for.
The Cafe Roma’s steam wand lacks a 360-degree rotation feature, which can make it difficult to position the milk pitcher comfortably during frothing. This limitation is a downside for anyone serious about achieving precise milk texture.
In contrast, the Bambino’s steam wand offers free rotation thanks to its ball joint, providing better flexibility. It has a single-hole tip, which isn’t as powerful as commercial-grade wands, but with patience, it produces excellent micro-foam, making it suitable for latte art.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Breville Bambino
Drink Options
Both machines are designed for simplicity, so don’t expect a wide range of pre-programmed specialty drinks. They both excel at delivering classic espresso, but the Bambino has a useful hot water function. This feature is perfect for pre-heating cups, making Americanos, or brewing tea. Simply press the hot water button, and the wand dispenses hot water.
Additionally, both models include a cup warmer on top, ensuring your espresso stays hot and delicious when served.
Programmability
When it comes to customization, the Cafe Roma offers only basic manual shot timing. Meanwhile, the Bambino allows for more control, letting you program preferred shot volumes for single and double-shot buttons. As a bonus, you can fine-tune the pre-infusion time for a more tailored brewing experience.
Quick Overview of Breville Bambino
The Breville Bambino delivers exceptional third-wave specialty coffee, ensuring barista-quality performance in a compact and efficient design. This machine is equipped with a 54mm portafilter to extract full flavor and an automatic steam wand that produces hands-free microfoam for cappuccinos and lattes, making it a standout choice for coffee enthusiasts.
⏩ Key features include:
- Automatic Microfoam Milk Texturing: The steam wand allows customization of milk texture and temperature, delivering barista-quality microfoam that enhances coffee flavor and supports latte art creation.
- Faster Heat-Up Time: With the innovative ThermoJet heating system, the Bambino reaches the optimal brewing temperature in just 3 seconds, saving you time without compromising on quality.
- Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion: The Bambino gradually increases pressure during the extraction process to ensure a balanced and flavorful espresso.
- Precise Extraction: The Digital PID Temperature Control maintains consistent water temperature, ensuring an ideal espresso extraction every time.
⏩ Pros:
- Compact, space-saving design.
- Rapid heat-up with the ThermoJet system.
- Affordable price point for its features.
- Simple and intuitive to use.
- Excellent milk frothing capabilities.
⏩ Cons:
- Does not include a built-in grinder.
- No option for adjusting brewing temperature.
Quick Overview of Breville Cafe Roma
The Breville Cafe Roma is an affordable and straightforward espresso machine designed for entry-level coffee makers. It features a 15-bar thermoblock pump system for efficient brewing and a dual-wall filter to enhance crema quality. While it may lack advanced features, it excels in simplicity and affordability.
⏩ Key features include:
- Stainless Steel Build: The durable stainless-steel construction ensures longevity and a sleek design for your countertop.
- Thermoblock Heating System: The Cafe Roma heats up quickly, delivering coffee in a matter of seconds.
- Dual-Wall Filter System: This system ensures excellent crema for a professional touch.
- ESE Pod Compatibility: For convenience, it can brew espresso using Easy Serving Espresso pods, making it ideal for busy mornings.
- Accessories Included: Comes with a stainless steel frothing pitcher, tamper/measuring spoon, and cleaning tool.
⏩ Pros:
- Easy to operate.
- Budget-friendly price.
- Compact and fits well in small spaces.
- Compatible with ESE pods for quick brewing.
- Heats up efficiently with its thermoblock system.
⏩ Cons:
- Steam wand lacks 360-degree rotation, limiting frothing flexibility.
- No pre-infusion feature for improved flavor extraction.
- Comes with a flimsy plastic tamper.
Conclusion
When comparing the Breville Cafe Roma and the Breville Bambino, it’s clear that these machines cater to distinct user needs, but the Breville Bambino emerges as the overall winner.
The Bambino offers superior features, such as the ThermoJet heating system for a rapid 3-second heat-up, low-pressure pre-infusion for enhanced flavor extraction, and an automatic steam wand for creating barista-quality microfoam. It’s a great choice for those who value performance, convenience, and versatility in their coffee-making experience.
The Cafe Roma, on the other hand, shines as a budget-friendly, entry-level option. With its compact design, compatibility with ESE pods, and straightforward operation, it’s ideal for beginners or those who want a simple espresso machine without advanced features.
If you’re serious about crafting high-quality coffee and exploring latte art, the Bambino is worth the extra investment. However, if you’re looking for a no-frills, affordable espresso maker, the Cafe Roma delivers a solid experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your coffee preferences, skill level, and budget.