Sage the Bambino Plus Espresso Machine, Coffee Machine with Milk Frother, SES500BTR - Black Truffle

Product Information

The Breville Bambino Plus includes a dosing tool that the Breville Bambino espresso machine doesn’t. Other than that, both include a decent milk jug, a solid plastic tamper, and a 58 mm portafilter with a plastic handle. There’s been a dearth of good manual espresso machines, with the focus shifting to either pod machines or bean-to-cup models. It’s refreshing to see the Sage The Bambino Plus, then, which is a compact espresso machine with some neat professional features. The water reservoir is easy to remove, though the tamper is a little stiff with the group holder at first The portafilter capacity and design, combined with Breville’s espresso extraction technology, deliver pretty good espresso. Bear in mind that producing a beautiful, delicious shot depends more on the coffee beans, water, and grinder than on the espresso machine. More experienced at-home baristas, however, will also have plenty to play with, from the professional grade single walled baskets not usually found in machines at this price point to the customizable pre-infusion settings.

The Bambino Plus is a handsome little machine. It stands 310mm tall and, since it’s only 195mm wide and 320mm deep, doesn’t take up much room on the kitchen worktop. Stainless steel curves attractively all around the sides and the ridged surface on top doesn’t just look natty, it gently heats up to keep your coffee cups warm. If you like cappuccinos and lattes, then this is the machine for you. The Bambino Plus’ thermojet-powered steam wand produces one off the silkiest and creamiest micro froths in cappuccino land, and you can set both the temperature of the froth mixture and its consistency from low to high.The symmetry of both machines’ control panels is notable– with single and double shot options on the left side and steam or water buttons on the right side of their respective control panels. The Breville Bambino Plus steam wand is better than the Breville Bambino’s because it replicates the control and accuracy of prosumer and commercial machines. The Breville Bambino offers a basic performance with some milk-frothing capabilities that are good enough for convenience-oriented home baristas.

The ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature, 93, in 3 seconds. PID temperature control with the Bambino Plus maintains the water temperature within +/- 1 , allowing the profile of coffee to be showcased. Digital Temperature Control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction

Want barista-style coffee? Breville has the perfect solution

Although the steam wand purges automatically, you can remove the tip and wash this in the sink. Sage also provides a handy tool to unclog the spout should it become crusted with milk. Final thoughts

The Breville Bambino Plus has the upper hand with a manufacturer’s 2-year limited warranty in terms of durability and reliability. Considering the versatility, style, and warranty offered for the Breville Bambino Plus, it’s slightly better than the Breville Bambino.The Bambino Plus heats up in three seconds, and you then press the appropriate button to choose between a one-cup or two-cup brew. Milk frothing is also designed to be super-easy with this coffee maker: all you need to do is select from a choice of three milk temperatures, as well as three different milk textures. The metal steam arm is another nice touch, as many espresso machines come with plastic steam wands.