Both are great — Barista Touch gives pro control; Bambino Plus is faster and fuss-free.

You want café-style coffee at home but can’t decide between the Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus. I faced the same dilemma. I’ve used both machines daily for weeks. In this comparison I’ll share hands-on notes, clear pros and cons, and who each machine suits, so you can pick the right Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus for your kitchen.

Is Breville Barista Touch Good?

Yes — the Breville Barista Touch is excellent for home baristas who want fine control and consistent results. It blends a built-in grinder, touch display, and adjustable settings into one machine. For me, the Barista Touch became my go-to when I wanted to experiment with grind, dose, and milk texture for different beans. It rewards attention to detail.

I remember a Sunday when I dialed in a single-origin espresso. The touch-screen presets helped me tweak grind size and shot volume quickly. Another morning, I used its automatic milk texturing to make a smooth latte for a guest. Those small wins showed why the Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus debate centers on control versus simplicity.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Integrated conical burr grinder with grind size control.
• Touch screen with programmable shot recipes and milk texturing.
• Precise temperature control (PID) for steady extraction.
• Hands-free steam wand with adjustable auto-texture levels.
• 1.4L water tank and a commercial-style portafilter.

What I Like

• Granular control lets me tune shots for different beans.
• Touchscreen saves favorite recipes — one-tap repeatability.
• Built-in grinder reduces clutter and speeds prep.
• Auto-milk modes produce silky microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.
• Feels robust and looks premium on the counter.

What Could Be Better

• More expensive than the Bambino Plus.
• Learning curve if you want full manual control.
• Larger footprint compared to compact machines.

My Recommendation

Choose the Barista Touch if you want an all-in-one machine for experimentation and repeatable cafe-level drinks. It’s worth it for serious home baristas.

Best For	Why
Home baristas who tweak recipes	Touchscreen control and adjustable grinder for fine tuning.
Users wanting an all-in-one unit	Integrated grinder and auto-milk functions reduce extra gear.
Those valuing consistency	PID temperature control and programmable shots improve repeatability.

Is Bambino Plus Good?

It depends — the Bambino Plus is superb if you want great espresso fast without fuss. The machine trims the extras and focuses on speed, compact size, and an easy auto-milk system. I used the Bambino Plus on busy mornings, and it delivered café-quality shots with minimal setup.

Once, I had friends over for brunch. The Bambino Plus heated up quickly and pumped out consistent shots while its auto steam made evenly textured milk. It handled back-to-back drinks better than I expected. For many people, the Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus choice comes down to whether you prefer instant simplicity or deeper control.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Compact footprint that fits small counters.
• Fast heat-up (about 3 seconds with ThermoJet boiler).
• Automatic steam wand with adjustable temperature and texture.
• ThermoJet heating for quick, consistent shots.
• Simple two-button operation for single/double shots.

What I Like

• Very fast start-up — great for busy mornings.
• Compact size saves counter space in my small kitchen.
• Auto-steam wand produces reliable microfoam without manual skill.
• Good espresso quality for the price.
• Easy to clean and maintain.

What Could Be Better

• No built-in grinder — you need a separate grinder for best results.
• Less control over extraction compared to Barista Touch.
• Smaller water tank requires more frequent refills.

My Recommendation

Choose the Bambino Plus if you want speed, simplicity, and a small footprint without sacrificing milk quality. It’s a great value for compact kitchens.

Best For	Why
Busy households	Fast heat-up and one-touch milk make quick drinks simple.
Small kitchens	Compact design fits tight counters easily.
Beginners	Minimal learning curve with auto steam and simple controls.

Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus: Side-by-Side Test

I ran both machines through daily use: single shots, doubles, milk drinks, back-to-back service, and cleaning. Below are focused comparisons to help you decide which Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus fits your needs.

Brewing Options: Which Offers More Control?

Here I compare shot programmability and flexibility.

Feature	Barista Touch	Bambino Plus
Shot programming	Multiple programmable recipes	Two-button single/double
Grinder	Built-in conical burr	No built-in grinder
Adjustable dose/grind	Yes	No
Pressure control	More manual tuning	Automatic preset

Rating: Barista Touch – 9/10 | Bambino Plus – 6/10

“Barista Touch wins for control: built-in grinder and programmable shots let you shape extraction.”

Steam Wand & Milk Texture: Which Steams Better?

This looks at milk quality, ease, and automation.

Feature	Barista Touch	Bambino Plus
Steam type	Auto steam with manual option	Auto steam wand
Milk texture quality	Excellent microfoam with practice	Very good auto microfoam
Ease for beginners	Good, but manual steps exist	Excellent — one-button auto
Consistency	High when set up	Consistently good out-of-box

Rating: Barista Touch – 8/10 | Bambino Plus – 8/10

“Tie: Barista Touch offers more manual control, but Bambino Plus matches milk quality automatically.”

Size & Footprint: Which Fits Your Counter?

Compare dimensions, tank size, and storage needs.

Spec	Barista Touch	Bambino Plus
Width/Depth	Larger footprint	Compact — smaller footprint
Water tank	1.4L	1.4L (slightly smaller placement)
Storage for accessories	Roomier counter presence	Minimal
Weight	Heavier	Lighter

Rating: Barista Touch – 6/10 | Bambino Plus – 9/10

“Bambino Plus wins for small kitchens — it’s compact and easy to tuck away.”

Speed & Heat-Up Time: Which Is Faster?

We’ll compare how quickly each machine is ready and how it handles multiple drinks.

Metric	Barista Touch	Bambino Plus
Initial heat-up	~60 sec (with PID)	~3 sec (ThermoJet)
Time between shots	Moderate — consistent	Quick for back-to-back shots
Best for entertaining	Good	Better for fast service
Startup hassle	Minimal	Near instant

Rating: Barista Touch – 7/10 | Bambino Plus – 10/10

“Bambino Plus is the speed champ — great for rushed mornings and guests.”

Ease of Use & Learning Curve

Which machine is simpler for new users vs experienced home baristas?

Aspect	Barista Touch	Bambino Plus
User interface	Touchscreen with learning curve	Simple buttons
Automation	Auto milk + manual options	Auto milk primarily
Maintenance	Standard cleaning	Simple cleaning
Best for beginners	Intermediate	Beginner-friendly

Rating: Barista Touch – 7/10 | Bambino Plus – 9/10

“Bambino Plus has the gentler learning curve; Barista Touch rewards effort with more control.”

Value for Money

Compare cost vs capabilities and long-term value.

Consideration	Barista Touch	Bambino Plus
Upfront cost	Higher	Lower
Included features	Grinder + touchscreen	Essential brewing + auto milk
Long-term value	High for enthusiasts	High for casual users
Need for extras	Less (grinder included)	May need grinder purchase

Rating: Barista Touch – 8/10 | Bambino Plus – 8/10

“Value depends on you: Barista Touch includes more features; Bambino Plus is a cost-effective pick for simplicity.”

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

The Breville Barista Touch is best if you want built-in grinding, recipe control, and the ability to tune every variable. It’s for people who enjoy the craft and want café-level flexibility. The Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus trade-off favors control with the Barista Touch.

The Bambino Plus is ideal if you want quick, quality espresso and hassle-free milk foam in a compact machine. It’s perfect for busy mornings and smaller kitchens. For many, the Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus decision comes down to whether you value control or convenience.

FAQs Of Breville Barista Touch vs Bambino Plus

Which machine is better for beginners?

The Bambino Plus is more beginner-friendly due to its simple controls and auto milk steaming. The Breville Barista Touch is beginner-friendly too but has more settings that take time to learn.

Do I need a separate grinder with the Bambino Plus?

Yes. The Bambino Plus lacks a built-in grinder. To get the best shots, pair it with a good burr grinder. The Breville Barista Touch includes a grinder.

Which heats up faster for morning use?

Bambino Plus heats up almost instantly thanks to ThermoJet. The Barista Touch takes longer but maintains stable extraction once warm.

Which machine makes better milk texture?

Both produce excellent milk. Barista Touch gives more manual control; Bambino Plus reliably textures milk automatically. Your choice depends on whether you want to handcraft foam or prefer automation.

Which is better value overall?

If you want an all-in-one machine and value control, the Barista Touch justifies its price. If you want fast, simple, high-quality drinks and lower cost, the Bambino Plus is a strong value.