When it comes to choosing between the Breville Bambino Plus vs Infuser, both priced similarly in the mid-range of the Breville lineup, I would pick the Breville Infuser to be the winner.
The Breville Infuser emerges as the winner in this showdown. Yes, it may come with a slightly higher price tag, but it’s packed with features that justify the investment. It has a dedicated hot water spout. Plus, the two programmable buttons for single and double shots, along with PID temperature control, the pressure gauge give me more control over my brew and ensure consistently delicious drinks. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned barista, the Infuser has something to offer.
That being said, the Bambino Plus holds its own as a solid Breville espresso machine. It’s a fantastic option for beginners seeking a reliable coffee maker with an incredibly user-friendly milk frother. I’m particularly impressed by how quickly it heats up in just a matter of seconds
Breville Bambino Plus vs Infuser: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Bambino Plus vs Infuser: Differences
The Breville Infuser pulls ahead with a score of 2-1 against the Bambino Plus. Keep reading for more insights!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
The Winner: Breville Infuser
Heating System & Temperature Control
The Bambino Plus uses a ThermoJet heating system. In just 3 seconds flat, my machine goes from sleepy to ready-to-brew mode. It sounds almost too good to be true, but let me assure you, it’s the real deal.
Meanwhile, the Infuser uses the thermocoil heating system. Sure, it might take a minute or two longer to warm up compared to the Bambino Plus, but every second counts in the morning rush. Once it’s up and running, though, it’s smooth sailing. Thanks to its PID control, the Infuser keeps things steady, ensuring that my espresso is brewed at just the right temperature for a perfect, aromatic cup.
Ah, speaking of PID control, both machines have it. But only the Infuser has the ability to adjust the temperature. The adjustments are as precise as +/- 4 degrees in 2-degree increments. Having control over the espresso’s temperature can truly elevate our coffee experience. For example, I sometimes found my shots tasting a tad too sour, so I would increase the temperature.
Filter Basket & Portafilter
| Breville Bambino Plus | Breville Infuser | |
|---|---|---|
| Portafilter Diameter | 54 mm | 54 mm |
| Portafilter Materials | Stainless Steel | Stainless steel |
| Filter Basket Type | Pressurized“Sometimes included* Non-pressurized | Pressurized and Non-pressurized |
When it comes to brewing that perfect shot of espresso, the type of portafilter you use can make all the difference. And the Breville Bambino Plus and the Infuser come with different portafilter options.
The Infuser comes equipped with both pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets right out of the box.
If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of home espresso-making, you’ll appreciate the forgiving nature of pressurized baskets. They add a little extra oomph to your shot, making it easier to achieve that coveted crema, even if your grind size, tamping aren’t quite dialed in yet.
But more interesting, the Infuser also includes the non-pressurized filter baskets as well. They, also known as single-wall filters, are my ideal type. Any other baristas prefer these filter baskets. Trust me, the difference in taste and quality is unmistakable.
About the Bambino Plus, depending on your area, this sleek machine may come with just pressurized filter baskets, or you might luck out and get both pressurized and non-pressurized filters, similar to the Infuser. But fear not, my fellow espresso enthusiasts – even if you find yourself with only pressurized baskets, you can purchase additional filter baskets and portafilters separately to level up your espresso game.
Shot & Volumetric Control
Both machines offer convenient preset volumes for single and double shots of espresso, making my morning routine a breeze.
With the default volume set to 60 milliliters for a double shot and 30 milliliters for a single shot on both machines, I can count on consistent results every time I brew. But here’s where it gets interesting – I have the flexibility to adjust the extraction process on the fly to suit my preferences.
On the Infuser, all it takes is a quick press of the “Program” button and then select between a single shot or a double shot.
With the Bambino Plus, just simply press and hold the shot button for about 3 seconds until it flashes, indicating that it’s ready to brew. Then, I let the extraction process run its course until I’ve reached my desired espresso volume. A quick tap of the button stops the extraction, and voila!
Design & Convenience
The Winner: Breville Infuser
Dimensions & Build Quality
| Breville Bambino Plus | Breville Infuser | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 19.5 x 32 x 31 cm | 25.7 x 31.2 x 33.4 cm |
With the Infuser, I have to say, Breville knocked it out of the park with its design. I mean, that brushed stainless steel finish? It’s pure eye candy. Every time I glance at it sitting on my countertop, I can’t help but admire the sleek and modern aesthetic.
While the Bambino Plus is undeniably stylish, I can’t help but wish for a slightly heavier metal alloy, like the one used in the Infuser. Don’t get me wrong, the Bambino Plus is not lightweight, but there are moments when I wish it had a bit more heft to it. Especially when I’m wrestling with the portafilter and the machine decides to do a little dance on my countertop – not exactly what I had in mind for my morning routine!
About their dimensions, the Bambino Plus is smaller in width compared to the Infuser. While the Bambino Plus fits snugly on your countertop, just make sure you’ve got enough overhead space to easily access and refill the water tank without any cabinet-related acrobatics.
The Infuser is a tad larger than the Bambino Plus, but don’t worry – it’s not like you’re trying to fit a small car into your kitchen. It’s still compact and manageable, with just enough presence to make a statement on your countertop. Plus, its size doesn’t compromise on performance, which is a win-win in my book.
User Interface
I have to say that both the Breville Bambino Plus and the Infuser’s user interfaces are straightforward and user-friendly.
Starting with the Bambino Plus, its interface is minimalistic yet functional. It features buttons for single and double shots, along with a dedicated button for activating the steam wand. Additionally, there are two buttons with scale indicators for adjusting milk temperature and milk texture.
The Breville Infuse’s interface also follows a similar layout with power, program, and single/double shot buttons neatly arranged. What sets it apart is the inclusion of a pressure gauge, which I find particularly helpful. This gauge gives me a visual indication of the brewing pressure, allowing me to adjust the parameters to achieve the perfect espresso shot without over-extraction or under-extraction.
Moreover, the Infuser also features steam and cleaning indicator lights right below the pressure gauge, keeping me informed about the machine’s status.
In terms of usability, both machines offer a seamless experience with their intuitive interfaces. However, the pressure gauge on the Infuser adds an extra layer of functionality, providing valuable feedback during the brewing process.
Hot Water Spout
The Infuser comes equipped with a dedicated hot water spout, which is particularly handy for making Americanos or preparing other hot beverages like tea or hot chocolate. I find it incredibly convenient to have hot water readily available without the need to wait for a kettle to heat up.
On the other hand, the Bambino Plus doesn’t have a built-in hot water spout like the Infuser.
Milk System
The Winner: Breville Bambino Plus
When it comes to milk systems, the Breville Bambino Plus offers some notable advantages. One significant perk is its built-in heating system, which I mentioned earlier, and it really does make a difference in milk frothing performance.
The Bambino Plus excels in steaming milk quickly, taking just 40 seconds to reach 60 degrees Celsius, compared to the 58-60 seconds it takes for the Infuser. This quicker steaming time means I can enjoy my favorite milk-based drinks without having to wait too long.
But perhaps the most impressive feature of the Bambino Plus is its automatic milk texturing and temperature control. With just a few button presses, I can achieve perfectly textured and heated milk every time. All I need to do is place the milk pitcher on the tray, insert the wand, select the preset I want, and let the machine do the rest. It’s incredibly convenient, especially on busy mornings when I need my latte fix without any fuss or hassle.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention another fantastic feature of the Bambino Plus—the built-in temperature sensor on the base.
As it froths, the temperature sensor in the base detects when the milk has reached your desired temperature, automatically stopping the frothing process. It’s impressively accurate and takes the guesswork out of achieving that ideal milk temperature for your drinks.
However, there were a couple of drawbacks I encountered with the wand of the Bambino Plus.
Firstly, it’s not as effective with non-dairy milk. I prefer using oat milk, which has lower protein and fat content. Achieving the perfect foam consistency with oat milk requires a bit more skill, and unfortunately, the Bambino Plus doesn’t quite deliver in this aspect.
Another issue is that the wand doesn’t rotate, making it challenging to manually froth milk. Although it’s possible to froth manually in one fixed position, the inability to rotate the wand makes the process less intuitive and efficient.
In contrast, the Infuser is equipped with a more traditional steam wand. Unlike the automated milk frothing of the Bambino Plus, texturing and heating on the Infuser require complete manual control.
From my experience, I’ve noticed that the steam wand on this machine takes approximately 15 seconds to reach full power and about 60-90 seconds to steam milk. Although it’s slower than average, the upside is that it provides more time to aerate the milk, which can be advantageous for novice baristas.
As someone with experience, I particularly appreciate the commercial-style steam wand on the Infuser. Manual control is a preference for seasoned baristas like myself because it grants us complete authority over the texture and temperature of the milk. Admittedly, mastering the manual steam wand does require some practice and patience. However, once you’ve honed your skills, you’ll be able to create beautifully textured microfoam and enhance your latte art abilities right in the comfort of your own home.
So, which steam wand reigns supreme?
Undoubtedly, the automatic frothing feature on the Bambino Plus simplifies life. But I am not sure if it edges out as the better choice overall. Its temperature and texture control prove handy, especially for those who prefer to avoid making milk steaming a daily ritual.
If you’re not entirely confident in your milk frothing abilities, the Bambino Plus emerges as the stronger contender. It delivers barista-quality milk performance without requiring you to start from scratch.
However, with the Breville Infuser’s manual steam wand, you have the opportunity to craft stunning latte art, albeit with some practice required. The Infuser also offers more flexibility with its full rotation capability, allowing for more precise texture adjustments.
It’s a tough call. But considering the convenience and speed without compromising too much on quality, in this comparison, I’d give the win to the Breville Bambino Plus.
Quick Rundown of Breville Infuser
- Earn up to $200 cashback with a Beanz coffee subscription when you purchase a selected Breville espresso machine. Visit earn-cashback.breville.com purchase to claim. Valid Aug 1, 2023 until Dec 31, 2023
- The Breville Infuser delivers optimal flavor in every cup creating third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula, ensuring the right dose of beans, optimal water pressure, precise temperature control and microfoam milk for latte art
- VOLUMETRIC AND SHOT CONTROL: Control the volume of each pour at the touch of a button and choose 1 shot, 2 shot or manually control over how much espresso ends up in your cup for the perfect dose every time
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Maximize flavor potential with low pressure pre-infusion, digital PID temperature control, adjustable in 4 ?F increments complete with pressure gauge that guides you to the right extraction every time
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of Breville Bambino Plus
- Item Package Dimension: 17.64L x 16.99W x 10.24H inches
- Item Package Weight - 15.74 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - COFFEE MAKER
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Breville Bambino Plus from Breville https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
- Breville Infuser from Breville https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes840.html
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.