Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines
72

Breville

Bambino Plus BES500BSS

3.9
$485
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VS
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines
58

Breville

Barista Touch Impress

3.8
$1399
Check Price on Amazon

Our Verdict

Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS Wins

Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines

While both share crucial core specs like thermoblock heating, 15-bar pump pressure, and 54mm portafilters, the Barista Touch Impress justifies its higher price of $1398.92 with an integrated grinder featuring 30 settings and assisted tamping for superior consistency, along with a larger 67.6 oz water reservoir. The Breville Bambino Plus, priced at $485.0, is the better pick for budget-conscious users prioritizing a compact footprint (12.5" width vs 14.09") and who don't mind purchasing a separate grinder.

Bottom Line: Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS is the better choice. While both share crucial core specs like thermoblock heating, 15-bar pump pressure, and 54mm portafilters, the Barista Touch Impress justifies its higher price of $1398.

In-Depth Analysis

How they compare in practice

The Breville Bambino Plus and Barista Touch Impress represent two distinct approaches within the Breville espresso machine lineup, catering to different user priorities and budgets. Both machines excel in core espresso extraction, featuring rapid 3-second (0.05 minute) thermoblock heating systems and 15-bar pumps, paired with standard 54mm portafilters. They both benefit from low-pressure pre-infusion, ensuring optimal flavor extraction from coffee grounds. However, their real-world user experience diverges significantly due to their feature sets and the substantial price gap: $485.0 for the Bambino Plus versus $1398.92 for the Barista Touch Impress. The most prominent difference lies in the grinding mechanism. The Barista Touch Impress offers an integrated conical burr grinder with 30 precise settings and an innovative "Impress Puck System" that includes assisted tamping, guiding users to achieve a consistent dose and level puck every time. This translates to a seamless, mess-free, and highly repeatable workflow directly from bean to brew. In contrast, the Bambino Plus, while still a potent brewer with PID temperature control, requires users to purchase a separate grinder and manage their own dosing and tamping, adding an extra step and cost to the setup. This distinction profoundly impacts daily routine and the initial investment required for a complete espresso station. Beyond the grinder, the Barista Touch Impress elevates the convenience factor further with its intuitive touch screen interface, which simplifies navigation and offers various pre-programmed drink settings. Its larger 67.6 oz water reservoir also means fewer refills, a small but significant quality-of-life improvement for frequent users. Physically, the Bambino Plus is a champion of compactness, boasting dimensions of 7.6" depth and 12.5" width, weighing a mere 11.0 lbs, making it ideal for smaller kitchens. The Barista Touch Impress, at 13.62" depth and 14.09" width and a hefty 24.2 lbs, demands considerably more counter real estate. Ultimately, the choice hinges on budget, space, and desired automation. The Bambino Plus offers incredible value, delivering high-quality espresso and automatic milk texturing at an accessible price point, perfect for those who enjoy a more hands-on approach or already have a grinder. The Barista Touch Impress, while a premium investment, provides an unparalleled integrated experience, reducing variables and simplifying the entire espresso-making process from grind to milk for the ultimate in convenience and consistency.

Key Differences

The most significant spec differences at a glance

Grinder Included

100% less
11

Weight

55% less
24.2

Advantages

Where each product wins

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines

Breville

  • Weight: 55% lower (11.0 vs 24.2)
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines

Breville

  • Grinder Included: 100% higher (False vs True)

Which to Pick for Your Situation

Concrete scenarios with a clear recommendation

For a beginner seeking an all-in-one solution

Breville

The Barista Touch Impress includes an integrated grinder with 30 settings and assisted tamping, simplifying the entire espresso process for new users.

For a budget-conscious buyer with limited counter space

Breville

The Bambino Plus is significantly more affordable at $485.0 and offers a compact 12.5" width, fitting easily into smaller kitchens.

For someone who already owns a high-quality grinder

Breville

Since the Bambino Plus lacks an integrated grinder, it's a perfect match for those with an existing grinder, preventing redundant purchases and saving money.

For users prioritizing quick, consistent milk-based drinks

Breville

While both have auto steam wands, the Barista Touch Impress offers automatic milk calibration, providing consistent texture across various milk types with minimal effort.

Who Should Buy Which?

Find the right product for your needs

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines

Buy Breville if...

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso

The Breville Bambino Plus is the ideal choice for the aspiring home barista who prioritizes excellent espresso and milk steaming capabilities without breaking the bank or sacrificing too much counter space. This buyer likely has a budget around the $500 mark and is either content with using pre-ground coffee, already owns a quality separate grinder, or plans to invest in one down the line. They appreciate a more hands-on approach to their coffee ritual, enjoying the process of grinding, dosing, and tamping themselves, despite the Bambino Plus's low pressure pre-infusion and PID temperature control handling the core brewing mechanics. This user values the machine's compact footprint, with its 12.5-inch width and modest 11.0 lbs weight, making it perfect for smaller kitchens or apartments where every inch of counter real estate counts. They'll appreciate the rapid 3-second heat-up time for quick morning coffees and the automatic steam wand that delivers consistent milk texture with minimal effort. While they forgo the integrated grinder and advanced touch screen of its pricier sibling, they gain a high-performing, reliable espresso maker that provides superb value. They are looking for a foundational machine that delivers quality shots and steamed milk, offering an excellent entry point into the world of home espresso without unnecessary frills they either don't need or prefer to manage manually.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines

Buy Breville if...

Breville Barista Touch Impress

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is perfectly suited for the discerning coffee enthusiast who desires an uncompromising, all-in-one espresso experience, valuing convenience, consistency, and a guided workflow above all else. This buyer is ready to invest a premium, around $1400, for a machine that handles much of the complexity, simplifying the journey from whole beans to a perfectly extracted espresso or milk-based drink. They prioritize consistency in their daily coffee, making features like the integrated grinder with 30 settings and the Impress Puck System with assisted tamping incredibly appealing, as these ensure optimal dosing and puck preparation every single time. This user appreciates the intuitive touch screen interface, which streamlines the brewing process, guiding them through various coffee preparations and eliminating guesswork. They might be busy professionals, parents, or simply individuals who want café-quality coffee at home with minimal fuss and maximum reliability. The machine's larger 67.6 oz water reservoir reduces the frequency of refills, catering to households with multiple coffee drinkers or those who enjoy several beverages throughout the day. While acknowledging its larger footprint (14.09" width, 24.2 lbs), they see it as a worthwhile trade-off for the integrated system and advanced automation, including the auto steam wand with calibrated milk frothing. They are seeking a luxury appliance that delivers consistent, high-quality results with exceptional user-friendliness, rather than a more manual, minimalist setup.

Spec Comparison

10 specs compared

Specification
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso
Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel - Home Espresso Machines
Breville Barista Touch Impress
Price$485$1399
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

Do either of these Breville machines include an integrated coffee grinder?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress includes a built-in grinder with 30 settings and assisted tamping. The Breville Bambino Plus does not include a grinder, requiring a separate purchase.

How quickly can I brew an espresso shot with these machines?

Both the Bambino Plus and Barista Touch Impress feature a rapid thermoblock heating system, allowing them to reach optimal brewing temperature in just 3 seconds (0.05 minutes).

What portafilter size do both Breville espresso machines use?

Both the Breville Bambino Plus and the Barista Touch Impress utilize a 54mm portafilter. This size is non-standard compared to commercial 58mm but common for Breville machines.

Which machine is better suited for kitchens with limited counter space?

The Breville Bambino Plus is significantly more compact, measuring 12.5 inches wide and 11.0 lbs, making it ideal for smaller kitchens where counter space is at a premium.

What is the main difference in the milk frothing capabilities?

Both feature automatic steam wands. The Barista Touch Impress offers advanced auto calibration for different milk types, providing more precise, consistent milk texture than the Bambino Plus's auto wand.

Is the large price difference between these two machines justified?

The Barista Touch Impress's higher price of $1398.92 reflects its integrated grinder, assisted tamping, touch screen, and larger 67.6 oz reservoir, offering an all-in-one, highly automated experience. The Bambino Plus at $485.0 focuses on core brewing.

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