Breville Duo Temp Pro Vs Bambino

The Breville Duo Temp Pro and Bambino espresso machines offer exceptional quality and functionality, catering to coffee enthusiasts with different needs. The Breville Duo Temp Pro, with dimensions of 10 x 12.6 x 12.6 inches and a weight of 18.2 lbs, features a knob-operated interface and a larger 1.8L water reservoir, accommodating dual spigots with a 4.5-inch cup clearance. Its single Thermocoil heating system ensures consistent performance, and the manual steam wand delivers excellent milk steaming results. Additionally, it stands out with an optional filter, reducing the frequency of descaling. On the other hand, the Breville Bambino, measuring 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 inches and weighing just 10.7 lbs, is a more compact and lightweight option. It utilizes a button-operated interface and offers a 1.4L water reservoir with dual spigots and a 4-inch cup clearance. The Bambino’s single Thermocoil heating system and manual steam wand perform impressively for its size and price, making it an affordable and beginner-friendly choice. While the Duo Temp Pro provides a slightly more robust and accommodating design, the Bambino excels in portability, ease of use, and value, making both machines excellent choices depending on individual preferences.

Breville Duo Temp Pro Vs Bambino Review: Differences

When comparing the Breville Duo Temp Pro and the Breville Bambino espresso machines, it’s clear that both models are designed to deliver high-quality espresso, but they cater to slightly different preferences and needs. Let’s explore the key features, similarities, and differences in detail to better understand which machine might suit you best.

Coffee Flavor & Brewing System

Both machines excel at producing smooth, rich espresso with balanced flavors and a thick crema, thanks to their 15-bar Italian pump, PID temperature control, and pre-infusion capabilities. The pre-infusion step gently introduces water to the coffee grounds before full pressure is applied, resulting in a more even and flavorful extraction. While pre-infusion is a standard feature in both machines, the Breville Bambino allows users to adjust its duration, giving it a slight edge in brewing flexibility.

Each model also includes a passive cup warming tray, which preheats your cups and ensures your coffee stays at the ideal temperature longer. These fundamental brewing features mean that both machines can meet the expectations of espresso enthusiasts, though the Bambino’s adjustability provides more room for experimentation.

Built-in Grinder

Neither the Breville Duo Temp Pro nor the Bambino includes a built-in grinder, which is common among semi-automatic machines at this price point. While this means you’ll need a high-quality standalone grinder to unlock the full potential of these machines, their compact designs ensure that finding space for a grinder won’t be an issue. Whether you already own a grinder or plan to purchase one, both machines accommodate freshly ground coffee seamlessly and deliver excellent results.

Dosing & Tamping

The Breville Duo Temp Pro takes the lead in this category with its inclusion of four filter baskets—two pressurized and two non-pressurized—giving users greater flexibility. Non-pressurized baskets are favored by experienced baristas for achieving superior flavor, while pressurized baskets are more forgiving for beginners. The Bambino, in comparison, only comes with pressurized baskets, though non-pressurized baskets can be purchased separately.

Both machines use a 54mm portafilter, but the one included with the Bambino feels slightly less robust, lacking the professional-quality feel of the Duo Temp Pro’s portafilter. Additionally, the Duo Temp Pro’s tamper has a magnetic feature, allowing it to attach neatly to the side of the machine for convenient storage. While the included tampers for both models are lightweight and adequate for beginners, upgrading to a heavier tamper is highly recommended as you become more serious about your espresso.

Heating System

Both machines feature a stainless steel thermocoil heating system, which is known for its fast heat-up times, durability, and consistency. While neither model can multitask between brewing and steaming due to the single heating system, the thermocoil’s efficiency minimizes wait times. The Duo Temp Pro and Bambino heat up quickly, allowing you to transition from brewing to steaming without significant delays. Thermocoil systems are becoming increasingly popular in espresso machines because of their reliability and energy efficiency, and both models exemplify this trend.

Design & Convenience

Here is where the two models differ more noticeably. The Breville Duo Temp Pro has a more robust and professional feel, with dimensions of 10 x 12.6 x 12.6 inches and a weight of 18.2 pounds. Its larger 1.8-liter water reservoir includes an optional water softener filter, which is particularly useful in areas with hard water. The filter not only extends the lifespan of the machine by reducing limescale buildup but also lowers the frequency of descaling.

The Breville Bambino, on the other hand, is a more compact and lightweight option, measuring 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 inches and weighing just 10.7 pounds. While it has a slightly smaller 1.4-liter water reservoir and no filter included, its space-saving design makes it ideal for smaller kitchens or users who value portability. Both machines feature stainless steel construction with some plastic components, giving them a sleek appearance and a durable feel, though their light weights can make them prone to moving around when locking or removing the portafilter.

The control panels on both models are straightforward and user-friendly, making them accessible to beginners. The Duo Temp Pro uses a knob-operated interface, while the Bambino features a button-operated interface, each offering intuitive functionality for a seamless espresso-making experience.

Spout Type & Cup Clearance

Both models come with dual spouts for versatility and offer enough cup clearance to accommodate a range of espresso cups. The Duo Temp Pro slightly outperforms the Bambino here with a 4.5-inch cup clearance compared to the Bambino’s 4 inches, providing more flexibility for different cup sizes. Additionally, removing the drip tray allows for extra space when needed.

Milk Frothing System

The manual steam wands on both machines are top-notch, providing the ability to create creamy microfoam for cappuccinos, lattes, and other milk-based drinks. Mounted on a ball joint, the wands can rotate 360 degrees, allowing for precise control and flexibility. While the single-hole steam tip may take some practice to master, especially for those accustomed to multi-hole wands, both machines can deliver café-quality steamed milk with enough effort and patience.

It’s worth noting that the steam wands also double as hot water outlets, making them versatile for tea lovers or other hot water needs. However, be mindful that the wands take a moment to fully shut off after use, so keeping the pitcher in place for a few seconds can prevent spills or splatters.

Programmability

Programmability is limited on both models, as neither allows adjustments to brewing temperature or coffee strength. Users can, however, customize the volume of single and double shots. While this lack of advanced programmability might deter those who enjoy fine-tuning every aspect of their espresso, both machines are well-suited for straightforward, high-quality brewing.

Quick Overview of the Breville Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine

The Breville Duo Temp Pro is an elegant and user-friendly espresso machine designed to deliver barista-quality coffee at home. Utilizing low-pressure pre-infusion, it gradually saturates coffee grounds before full extraction, resulting in a perfectly balanced cup that highlights the sweetness, acidity, and bitterness of the brew. Its 1600W Thermocoil heating system, combined with an integrated stainless steel water path, ensures accurate and consistent water temperatures, an essential feature for optimal espresso extraction.

The machine is equipped with a manual steam wand, powered by a high-performance 1600W element, which allows users to create creamy microfoam for lattes, cappuccinos, and even latte art. Additionally, the auto-purge function automatically adjusts the temperature after steaming, ensuring your next shot is extracted at the ideal temperature.

Pros:

• Fast-heating Thermocoil system for consistent performance.
• Compact yet sturdy design made of stainless steel.
• Excellent manual milk steaming capabilities for microfoam creation.
• Convenient auto shut-off feature to conserve energy.

Cons:

• Limited customization settings for advanced users.
• Lacks an integrated grinder, requiring an external purchase.

With its combination of ease of use, reliable performance, and professional-grade milk frothing, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is an excellent choice for espresso enthusiasts seeking consistent results and sleek design. While it may lack advanced programmability and an in-built grinder, its overall quality and versatility make it a worthy addition to any coffee setup.

Conclusion

The Breville Duo Temp Pro emerges as the overall winner in this comparison, earning a score of 4-3. Its inclusion of non-pressurized baskets, larger water reservoir, and optional water softener filter make it the better choice for users seeking versatility and convenience. Its magnetic tamper and professional feel further enhance its appeal.

However, the Breville Bambino holds its own with its compact design, adjustable pre-infusion, and affordability, making it a fantastic choice for beginners or those with limited counter space. Both machines deliver excellent espresso and are well-equipped to meet the needs of coffee enthusiasts, ensuring a satisfying brewing experience no matter which model you choose.