Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

Breville

Bambino Plus BES500BSS

3.9
$500
Check Price
VS
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

Breville

Barista Touch Impress

3.8
$1200
Check Price

Our Verdict

Breville Barista Touch Impress Wins

Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

It offers an integrated grinder and assisted tamping for a complete setup, unlike the Bambino Plus. Choose the Bambino Plus if you prefer a more compact machine and already own a grinder.

Spec Comparison

10 specs compared

Specification
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Breville Barista Touch Impress
Price$500$1200
Rating3.9(2.5k)3.8(660)
Boiler Typethermoblockthermoblock
Pump Pressure Bars1515
Portafilter Size mm5454
Steam WandYesYes
Weight11 lbs24.2 lbs
Grinder IncludedNoYes
Dimensions12.5" × 12.2" × 7.6"14.09" × 16.42" × 13.62"
Heat Up Time Mins0.050.05
PID Temperature ControlYes
Water Reservoir oz67.6

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Pros & Cons

Quick overview of strengths and weaknesses

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

Breville Bambino Plus

Pros
  • Heats to brewing temp in 3 seconds for quick use.
  • PID control ensures precise brew water temperature.
  • Automatic steam wand textures milk consistently.
  • Low pressure pre-infusion improves flavor extraction.
Cons
  • Grinder not included, requires separate purchase.
  • Non-standard 54mm portafilter limits accessory choice.
  • Automatic steam wand limits manual control over milk texture
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

Breville Barista Touch

Pros
  • 3-second heat-up time
  • Assisted tamping ensures consistent pucks
  • Integrated grinder offers 30 grind settings
  • Auto steam wand calibrates for milk types
Cons
  • 24.2 lbs weight can be cumbersome to move
  • 54mm portafilter limits accessory options
  • Large footprint requires ample counter space

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this comparison

Which is better for beginners?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is better for beginners due to its integrated grinder with 30 settings and assisted tamping, simplifying the espresso-making process significantly. The Bambino Plus requires purchasing a separate grinder.

What's the main difference in brewing components?

Both machines feature a thermoblock boiler and 15-bar pump pressure, and use a 54mm portafilter. The key difference is that the Barista Touch Impress includes an integrated grinder, while the Bambino Plus does not.

Is the Barista Touch Impress's price difference worth it?

If you value convenience and an all-in-one system, the Barista Touch Impress's integrated grinder and assisted tamping can justify the cost, as it eliminates the need for a separate grinder.

Which has better milk frothing capabilities?

Both feature an automatic steam wand. The Barista Touch Impress's auto steam wand calibrates for different milk types, potentially offering more versatility, while the Bambino Plus provides consistent milk texturing.

Which machine takes up less counter space?

The Breville Bambino Plus is more compact, with dimensions of 7.6" D x 12.5" W x 12.2" H. The Barista Touch Impress is larger at 13.62" D x 14.09" W x 16.42" H, requiring more counter space.

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