Breville Infuser vs Bambino Review: What Is The Right Choice?

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The Breville, all in all, offers some incredible features that fit the needs and expectations of every espresso lover. Between the Breville Infuser vs Bambino, you have to pick based on size, programmability, and overall convenience.

The Breville Infuser and Bambino follow the same coffee brewing functionality. They also offer the same steam wands, the looks of both of them are exactly the same with the special finger hook. They also share the same buttons and a stainless steel build.

What’s different, however, is that the Infuser offers manual control only. While the Bambino you can use easily for automatic and manual programmability.

If you want a more hands-on experience, go for the Infuser as it is a fast and precise choice. But for simpler yet precise control, the Bambino is a reliable brewer for daily use.

Breville Infuser vs Bambino: Comparison Chart

Image
The Winner (#1)
Breville Infuser Espresso Machine,61 ounces, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES840XL
The Runner-up (#2)
Model
Breville Infuser BES840XL
Breville Bambino BES450
Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.5 x 13.7 x 13.25 Inches
12.5 x 7.6 x 12.2 Inches
Weight
17 Pounds
12 Pounds
Color
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Power / Voltage
1650W / 110-120V
1560W / 110-120V
Material
Brushed Stainless Steel
Brushed Stainless Steel
Water Tank Capacity
61 Ounces
47 Ounces
Auto Shut-Off
Auto-Purge
Separate Hot Water Dispenser
Programmability
Manual
Manual + Automated
Bar Pump System
15 Bar
9 Bar
Interface
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Warranty
1 Year
1 Year
Heating System
Thermocoil
ThermoJet
Automatic Milk Texturing
What I Like
Price
$479.96
$299.95
The Winner (#1)
Image
Breville Infuser Espresso Machine,61 ounces, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES840XL
Model
Breville Infuser BES840XL
Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.5 x 13.7 x 13.25 Inches
Weight
17 Pounds
Color
Stainless Steel
Power / Voltage
1650W / 110-120V
Material
Brushed Stainless Steel
Water Tank Capacity
61 Ounces
Auto Shut-Off
Auto-Purge
Separate Hot Water Dispenser
Programmability
Manual
Bar Pump System
15 Bar
Interface
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Warranty
1 Year
Heating System
Thermocoil
Automatic Milk Texturing
What I Like
Price
$479.96
More Info
The Runner-up (#2)
Image
Model
Breville Bambino BES450
Dimensions (LxWxH)
12.5 x 7.6 x 12.2 Inches
Weight
12 Pounds
Color
Stainless Steel
Power / Voltage
1560W / 110-120V
Material
Brushed Stainless Steel
Water Tank Capacity
47 Ounces
Auto Shut-Off
Auto-Purge
Separate Hot Water Dispenser
Programmability
Manual + Automated
Bar Pump System
9 Bar
Interface
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Warranty
1 Year
Heating System
ThermoJet
Automatic Milk Texturing
What I Like
Price
$299.95

Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Breville Infuser vs Bambino: Differences

While the espresso taste on both the Breville Infuser and Bambino is almost the same, with regards to convenience and ease of use, the Breville Infuser is better than the Bambino – 4 – 1 on account of Infuser’s excellent build quality, higher water capacity, precise pre-infusion functionality!

1. Programmability

The Winner: Breville Bambino

Breville Bambino Programmability
Breville Bambino Programmability

The most glaring difference between the Infuser and Bambino is their automated features. With the Breville Infuser, you can manually override the settings with single and double shot control. The espresso buttons on the control panel make it easier. While the program button helps you navigate the controls easily.

You control the volume of the single or double espresso shot by also controlling the time of the shot. You can also adjust the temperature at which the machine brews using its 4-degree increments.

The same temperature control settings also apply to controlling the steam pressure for creating light and creamy lattes/cappuccinos at home! While this demands a bit of a learning curve, you can truly learn how to master espresso at home, with less equipment.

The Bambino works in two ways: first, its automatic controls will decide the timing of the single or double shot with a press of a button. And the ThermoJet heating system will get the brewing/steaming to the optimal temperature every time. Leaving the guesswork out the window.

The only “programmability” you have is to decide the shot – single or double. But if you want more, you can manually override the timing by pressing down on the espresso button for 3-4 seconds. Then, it’ll remember your settings for the future.

2. Power Button

The Winner: Breville Infuser

Breville Infuser Power Button
Breville Infuser Power Button

The Breville Infuser comes with a power button and the Bambino does not. This makes the Infuser more reliable and energy-efficient to use. You can adjust the settings of the temperature, shot volume also very comfortably by pressing down on the Power button.

It’s an excellent feature for a home espresso machine that I thought I didn’t need until using it on the Infuser.

In the Bambino, there is no Power button, you simply have to press the single or double espresso shot button for the machine to start brewing immediately.

3. Automatic Purge

The Winner: Breville Infuser

Breville Infuser Automatic Purge
Breville Infuser Automatic Purge

The automatic purge feature lets you clean up quickly and efficiently. In the Breville Infuser, the auto-purge system purges the heating system before steaming. This gets the machine right up to the optimal temperature for steaming. So that there are no inconsistencies in temperature for the next use.

The Breville Bambino does not include auto-purge features. This limits its precise temperature controls in comparison to the Breville Infuser. But it’s not inadequate nor is it lacking in faster heat-up time which Bambino’s ThermoJet heating system specializes in.

4. Water Reservoir Capacity

The Winner: Breville Infuser

Breville Infuser Water Reservoir Capacity
Breville Infuser Water Reservoir Capacity

The Breville Infuser features a larger water tank capacity of 61 ounces. It features a convenient design with a water filter and holder and cleaning tools. The water tank is made of plastic but it’s sturdy and BPA-free. Assembling the water tank is easier than you think. Since it shows the water level so clearly, you can access it immediately to never run out of water to brew espresso!

The Breville Bambino comes with a much smaller water tank at 47 ounces. This means you will need to refill the tank more often. But that is, on its own, a breeze because the water tank is placed at the back of the brewer and is convenient to access. You can clearly see how much water is left which makes it easier to refill.

5. Tamper

The Winner: Breville Infuser

The tamper quality of the Infuser is contrastingly better than the Bambino because it’s made up of stainless steel. Bambino offers a plastic tamper which works though it feels flimsy and light.

In fact, the Infuser features a magnetic tamper which is great and designed to tamp the grounds to perfection consistently.

You can’t say the same for the Bambino because you have to tamp the grounds by hand, which may lead to inconsistent results.

Breville Infuser vs Bambino: Similarities

1. No Built-In Grinder

Both the Breville Infuser and Bambino do not have a grinder. You either need to buy a separate high-quality grinder if you like using fresh coffee beans. Or you can purchase ground coffee and add the right dose directly into the portafilter (18 to 22g) for the perfect espresso shot!

The portafilter on both machines is 54mm which is the professional standard.

2. Shot Control

You can easily brew a single and double shot of espresso in both espresso makers. You can also re-program the shot volume in the Infuser and Bambino which allows better control and precision.

The pre-set buttons on both machines look and feel sturdy. And you only need to press one of them based on what drink you want to get a rich and delicious shot of single/double espresso.

3. Steam Wand Controls

Unlike the Bambino Plus, you have to manually control the steam in the Breville Infuser and the Bambino. By ‘manually control’ I mean to alter the thickness of the froth in both machines.

This makes the Infuser and the Bambino slightly slower and more hands-on – up to 60 seconds. It takes 45 to 60 seconds for both machines to reach the optimal steaming temperature. You can start and stop the steaming by pressing the power button on the Infuser and the steam button on the Bambino.

Quick Rundown Of Breville Infuser BES840XL

Sale
Breville Infuser Espresso Machine,61 ounces, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES840XL
  • Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted.Tamping : Manual removable magnetic tamper. Portafilter : High quality 54mm portafilter.
  • 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 ⁰F increments complete with pressure gauge that guides you to the right extraction every time

Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Rich espresso flavor with a rich crema.
  • The metal magnetic tamper works great.
  • Pre-infusion makes the coffee taste better.
  • You can control the shot volume with a single button.
Cons
  • No automatic controls.
  • Cleaning/descaling the machine takes time.
  • The steam wand is slow.

Quick Rundown Of Breville Bambino BES450

Pros
  • Fast and efficient ThermoJet heating system.
  • Barista-quality 54mm portafilter with 18-22g dose.
  • Sturdy and durable drip tray.
  • Hot water dispenser included.
  • Heavy-duty stainless steel build.
Cons
  • Smaller water tank capacity.
  • No automatic milk texturing.
  • No auto-purge settings for faster heating.

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