Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine $399

Got excited that mine might finally ship.

You put in 300$ off and BB says 30

cocreg wrote: ↑You put in 300$ off and BB says 30

It is $300 off the RRP
You can usually get these on sale for $480
The $30 is a best buy typo

Interested. How does this compare to the breville barista express? I've started using a separate grinder and wouldn't mind freeing the counter space.

How does this compare to the quality of espresso that is mde by Nespresso machines?

I’ve had both. The coffee quality and grinder you pair with a bambino will affect your results significantly. You can make a superior espresso than a Nespresso but depending on many factors. You can also make a much worse espresso than a nespresso

If you want easy, convenient and consistent go Nespresso. If you want to fine tune, adjust and explore coffee the Bambino might be a good place to start.

You may also want single wall filter baskets for this machine (mine only came with pressurized filter baskets)
https://www.breville.com/ca/en/parts-ac ... 01520.html

Personally I love the Breville and would not go back to Nespresso.

User381589 wrote: ↑ Interested. How does this compare to the breville barista express? I've started using a separate grinder and wouldn't mind freeing the counter space.

If you're already using a separate grinder and you're looking to free up counter space, this may be a pretty good option. I believe that this heats up faster with the ThermoJet? vs the Thermocoils. It also has the automatic frother.

The only thing to keep in mind, is that traditionally, the Bambino comes with the dual walled (pressurized filter baskets). Not sure if the Plus comes with the non pressurized baskets (the description would indicate that it does not).

newcan wrote: ↑ It is $300 off the RRP
You can usually get these on sale for $480
The $30 is a best buy typo

Ok will write Best Buy. Lol

I got regular Bambino cyber monday at the Bay for 230 - 10% code and 7% Rakuten. Supposed to arrive Monday.

dietsprite wrote: ↑ How does this compare to the quality of espresso that is mde by Nespresso machines?

You'd have the ability to make truer espresso.

It'd be a matter of preference. with the Bambino you have the ability to explore the world of espresso and would potentially pull much better shots than the nespresso; if you have/buy a grinder, you can try different beans, play with your tamp, distribution etc. With Nespresso, all the work is already done and you have a solid cup.

The pressurized baskets (dual wall), much like Nespresso (centrifuge) gives you something akin to Crema.
You can also purchase the non pressurized baskets to have more control over your espresso shot.

I had this when it was on sale at The Bay. I wanted to love this machine but it had issues. The portafilter is always difficult to put in place. I literally have to hug the whole machine. And I think because of all the moving and wiggling it tends to leak out of the drip tray.
In the end, Breville said they can't have a replacement until late winter/early spring.

TroyS493 wrote: ↑ I’ve had both. The coffee quality and grinder you pair with a bambino will affect your results significantly. You can make a superior espresso than a Nespresso but depending on many factors. You can also make a much worse espresso than a nespresso

If you want easy, convenient and consistent go Nespresso. If you want to fine tune, adjust and explore coffee the Bambino might be a good place to start.

You may also want single wall filter baskets for this machine (mine only came with pressurized filter baskets)
https://www.breville.com/ca/en/parts-ac ... 01520.html

Personally I love the Breville and would not go back to Nespresso.

I have the exact same setup with the Sette 270. I love this machine because it's pretty easy to fine tune. Once I got my designated input/output for the shot amount I reprogrammed the one shot and two shots based off my calculations. The milk frothing is great too. You can choose to do manual and when you're feeling lazy the auto works really well (won't get microfoam that will let you do latte art with auto foaming).

I got a naked portafilter and the unpressurized baskets so further refine things.

Keep in mind that if you want to go down the rabbit hole you'll need a quality grider.

the_14th wrote: ↑ I had this when it was on sale at The Bay. I wanted to love this machine but it had issues. The portafilter is always difficult to put in place. I literally have to hug the whole machine. And I think because of all the moving and wiggling it tends to leak out of the drip tray.
In the end, Breville said they can't have a replacement until late winter/early spring.

for what it is, the bambino plus is decent at its price point. if you want a more 'substantial' machine that will have the weight to not require some 'hug' or bracing when attaching the portafilter, then you need to move up, quite a bit (gaggia classic at least, rancilio silvia--better).

if you are making espresso-based milk drinks, then the bambino, even with pressurized portafilters, is probably good enough.

if you plan to pull and drink shots, and want to pay around the same money, i would scour kijiji for a used, but cared for, example of the gaggia or rancilio

User381589 wrote: ↑ Interested. How does this compare to the breville barista express? I've started using a separate grinder and wouldn't mind freeing the counter space.

I had many nespresso machines, barista express and tried this in a breville coffee making class. This machine has a small footprint , sensors for frothing and only pressurised baskets. Personally I cant taste too much difference between non and presure baskets from the express. A good separate grinder would cost too much so I like the express. But my express visited the repair depot twice this year so getting a good grinder and going away from breville is an option.
I think this bambino is a great starter option for the price.

I still use nespresso on lazy days or if I want to try other beans or decaf but making latte dosnt taste as good as using the breville

Lexington wrote: ↑ If you're already using a separate grinder and you're looking to free up counter space, this may be a pretty good option. I believe that this heats up faster with the ThermoJet? vs the Thermocoils. It also has the automatic frother.

The only thing to keep in mind, is that traditionally, the Bambino comes with the dual walled (pressurized filter baskets). Not sure if the Plus comes with the non pressurized baskets (the description would indicate that it does not).

Err, only Vertuo has the centrifuge. Original line is normal pressure akin to normal espresso.

In fact, original line is probably a more consistent espresso experience than most people can get with home equipment without spending thousands of dollars.

cocreg wrote: ↑ Ok will write Best Buy. Lol

I got regular Bambino cyber monday at the Bay for 230 - 10% code and 7% Rakuten. Supposed to arrive Monday.

Woah where can I get this kinda deal!!

Pursuit2013 wrote: ↑ Woah where can I get this kinda deal!!

Was Cyber Monday. Were OOS before 11am

dietsprite wrote: ↑ How does this compare to the quality of espresso that is mde by Nespresso machines?

It's like comparing a Honda to a Lexus.

cocreg wrote: ↑ Ok will write Best Buy. Lol

I got regular Bambino cyber monday at the Bay for 230 - 10% code and 7% Rakuten. Supposed to arrive Monday.

Great deal.

Thanks for sharing two weeks later.

Does this make hot espresso? Can you make other coffees like latte or macchiato?