Choosing the right espresso machine can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. If you’re considering a Breville espresso machine, you’re already on the right track. Breville is renowned for producing high-quality, user-friendly espresso machines that cater to various needs and budgets. To help you navigate their extensive lineup, we’ve put together a comprehensive comparison of several popular Breville espresso machines, focusing on key features, functionality, and who they’re best suited for.
Breville Bambino Plus: Automatic Milk Steaming for Beginners
The Breville Bambino Plus stands out with its innovative milk steaming technology. This machine simplifies the milk frothing process with three texture settings – latte, cappuccino, and flat white – and automatic steaming. Simply place your milk pitcher under the steam wand, select your desired texture, and press start. The Bambino Plus takes care of the rest, consistently delivering microfoam that rivals that of fully automatic machines, perfect for latte art beginners. While automatic milk steaming is common in fully automatic espresso makers, Breville has refined it to deliver consistently excellent results in a compact, semi-automatic machine.
However, the Bambino Plus prioritizes ease of use over customization. For espresso purists seeking granular control, it lacks features like a pressure gauge and adjustable brewing temperature. This means you rely on the machine’s preset parameters for brewing. Despite these limitations, the Breville Bambino Plus is an excellent entry-level espresso machine. Its user-friendly interface and consistent performance, especially with milk frothing, make it ideal for beginners looking for convenience and quality in a smaller package.
Breville Bambino: Simplicity and Essential Espresso Features
As the precursor to the Bambino Plus, the Breville Bambino offers a more traditional espresso experience at a lower price point. It retains the core espresso-making capabilities of the Plus model but forgoes the automatic milk texturing. The original Bambino features a manual steam wand, requiring you to control the milk frothing process yourself. This offers more hands-on control for those who enjoy the art of milk steaming and want to develop their technique. Interestingly, the Bambino steam wand also doubles as a hot water dispenser, a feature absent in the Bambino Plus, making it versatile for Americanos or tea.
Priced significantly less than the Bambino Plus, the Breville Bambino is a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers and those who prefer manual milk frothing. It’s another excellent beginner machine, particularly appealing to those who don’t always require frothed milk with their coffee and appreciate the added hot water function.
Breville Infuser: Stepping Up with Pressure Gauge Feedback
The Breville Infuser marks a step up in control and feedback for the home barista. While an older model and no longer listed on Breville’s US site, it remains available through retailers like Amazon and in Breville’s Canadian and Australian stores. It’s a reliable workhorse, comparable to the “Corolla” of the Breville lineup – dependable and functional. The Infuser delivers quality espresso and textures milk effectively, albeit at a slower pace than newer, more automated models.
A key feature of the Infuser is its pressure gauge, providing real-time feedback on your brewing. This is crucial for dialing in your grind size and tamping technique, allowing you to optimize your espresso extraction. The steam wand is operated by a dial, offering a tactile experience preferred by some over button operation. The same dial also controls the hot water dispenser. For customization, the Infuser allows for adjustable brew times and temperature, though adjustments are made through button combinations rather than a digital interface. The Breville Infuser is the most affordable Breville machine with a pressure gauge, making it a great choice for those wanting more control over their espresso without breaking the bank.
Breville Barista Express: All-in-One Convenience with Integrated Grinder
The Breville Barista Express combines the features of the Infuser with a built-in grinder, creating a convenient all-in-one espresso solution. It shares the same brewing interface, milk steaming operation, and pressure gauge as the Infuser. As Breville’s most affordable integrated machine, it simplifies the espresso-making process by grinding beans directly into the portafilter.
However, the integrated grinder on the Barista Express has limitations. With only 16 grind settings, it offers less precision compared to dedicated espresso grinders. For instance, entry-level grinders like the Baratza Encore ESP offer significantly more grind settings specifically for espresso. The Barista Express also uses a knob to adjust grind amount, lacking unit markings, which can make dialing in the grind more challenging and require more trial and error compared to newer Breville models with automatic grind adjustment. To achieve consistent results, particularly for beginners, using the included dual-wall filter baskets is recommended, as they are more forgiving and help ensure proper brewing pressure.
Breville Barista Pro: Enhanced Grinding and Digital Interface
The Breville Barista Pro represents an upgrade from the Barista Express, offering enhanced features and a more refined user experience. It boasts improved Baratza burrs in the grinder with a wider range of 30 grind settings, allowing for finer adjustments and more precise espresso extraction. This upgrade in grinder quality is significant, as it directly impacts the taste and quality of your espresso shots.
Unlike the analog interfaces of the Infuser and Barista Express, the Barista Pro features an LCD screen. This digital interface provides clear information on grind size and grind time and allows for customization of pre-infusion time and water temperature. These additional customizable settings provide greater control over the brewing process. The Barista Pro retains the same steam wand and hot water dispenser setup found in the Infuser and Barista Express. The enhanced grinder and digital interface of the Barista Pro make it a worthwhile step up for those seeking more control and higher quality espresso from an all-in-one machine.
Breville Barista Express Impress: Smart Grinding and Tamping Technology
The Breville Barista Express Impress takes automation further with Breville’s “Impress” Puck System, incorporating smart grinding and tamping technology. This machine aims to minimize user error while still providing a hands-on espresso-making experience. The integrated grinder is calibrated to dispense 18 grams of coffee at its midpoint setting, ensuring consistent dosing. The smart tamper lever applies a consistent 22 pounds of pressure, eliminating guesswork in tamping.
The “Impress” system also includes a light-up indicator that guides you to the correct dose and tamping pressure. If the machine detects insufficient coffee in the portafilter after tamping, it will automatically top it off with the correct amount on subsequent grind cycles. This smart technology makes the Barista Express Impress incredibly user-friendly, especially for those new to home espresso, while still offering a degree of engagement in the brewing process. It’s the first and still most affordable Breville machine to feature this smart grinding and tamping system.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Ideal Breville Espresso Machine
Breville offers a diverse range of espresso machines, each with its own strengths. The Bambino Plus is perfect for beginners prioritizing ease of use and automatic milk frothing. The Bambino offers a more budget-friendly entry point with manual milk frothing. The Infuser steps up with a pressure gauge for more control over espresso extraction. The Barista Express provides all-in-one convenience with an integrated grinder, while the Barista Pro enhances the grinder and adds a digital interface for improved precision. Finally, the Barista Express Impress introduces smart grinding and tamping for the ultimate in user-friendly automation. By understanding your priorities and budget, you can confidently choose the Breville espresso machine that best fits your needs and brewing style.
