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
Last update on 2023-03-03 / 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
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
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
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
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
- 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
- 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 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Breville Bambino BES450
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I am a passionate coffee drinker. Since I left my job as a barista a few years back in 2012, I’ve been sharing my expertise on coffee and buying the best coffee equipment online. That’s how Wild Boar Coffee came to life.
I write about everything coffee-related under the sun. Where to buy the freshest coffee beans from? How to test coffee beans based on texture, aroma, and acidity?
I know all this from scratch – all thanks to my years and years of experience as a barista. So I’ve gotten real up-close-and-personal with coffee beans and different brewing techniques.