Dreaming of perfectly pulled espresso shots and velvety microfoam from the comfort of your kitchen? The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Bundle with the Baratza Encore ESP Grinder promises just that, aiming to bring specialty coffee shop quality right to your countertop. We dive deep into this black beauty to see if it lives up to the hype.
Quick Facts
💰 Price: $649.95
🏷️ Brand: Breville
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- ✅ Exceptional grind precision with the Baratza Encore ESP for dialled-in espresso.
- ✅ Lightning-fast 3-second heat-up time with the ThermoJet heating system.
- ✅ Versatile grinding with 40 settings, optimized for espresso and other brew methods.
- ✅ Professional-grade 54mm portafilter for rich, full-bodied flavor.
- ✅ Effortless, barista-quality microfoam with the Auto MilQ system.
❌ Cons
- ❌ Higher price point may be a barrier for some entry-level home baristas.
- ❌ Bundled price means you’re committed to both the espresso machine and grinder.
- ❌ Learning curve for manual milk texturing might exist for complete beginners.
Detailed Review
The star of this bundle, beyond the sleek black Bambino Plus itself, is the Baratza Encore ESP grinder. Breville highlights that ‘every great cup of coffee starts with the grind,’ and this grinder delivers. Its European precision steel burrs are calibrated for espresso, offering 40 distinct grind settings. The crucial 1-20 range provides the high-resolution adjustments needed for dialing in that perfect espresso shot, while settings 21-40 cater to coarser grinds for filter coffee, French press, or cold brew. This level of precision ensures you can truly unlock the potential of your fresh beans.
The Bambino Plus complements the grinder with its innovative ThermoJet heating system, boasting an impressive 3-second heat-up time. This means less waiting and more enjoying your coffee. It also claims to use less energy than traditional Thermoblock systems. The 54mm stainless steel portafilter is designed to deliver full flavor, and the inclusion of a dosing cup makes transferring grounds mess-free. The machine’s brewing process, featuring low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9 bar extraction via a 15 bar Italian pump, is engineered to create that desirable creamy, caramel-colored espresso.
Perhaps one of the most celebrated features of the Bambino Plus is its Auto MilQ hands-free microfoam system. With three adjustable milk temperatures and texture levels, it aims to produce silky smooth microfoam with millions of micro bubbles per ml – perfect for enhancing coffee flavor and even for latte art. For those who prefer a hands-on approach, manual texturing is also an option. Adding to the user-friendliness, Breville has partnered with BILT for an interactive 3D setup guide, accessible via a free app, making the initial process smoother for those who aren’t fond of traditional instruction manuals.
Our Verdict
The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine Bundle with the Baratza Encore ESP Grinder is a formidable setup for serious home espresso enthusiasts. It offers a potent combination of precision grinding and user-friendly, high-quality espresso extraction and milk texturing capabilities. If your budget allows and you’re looking to significantly upgrade your home coffee game, this bundle is a compelling investment.