Breville Infuser vs Breville Bambino
Quick take: The Breville Bambino costs $200 less; the Breville Bambino heats up faster (3 seconds).
| Spec | Breville Infuser | Breville Bambino |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Volumetric Control | — |
| Approx. price | ~$500 | ~$300 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | No |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 61 oz | 47 oz |
| Warm-up time | 30 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Steam wand | Manual | Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Enthusiasts | Beginners |
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 12.5 x 13.2 in | 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 in |
| Weight | 16 lbs | 10 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Breville Infuser
- ✓Pre-infusion for better extraction
- ✓PID temperature control
- ✓Good build quality
- ✓Reasonable price
- ✗No built-in grinder
- ✗Single boiler
- ✗Basic steam wand
- ✗Discontinued - remaining stock only
Breville Bambino
- ✓Cheapest entry into real espresso
- ✓Tiny footprint
- ✓Manual wand great for learning latte art
- ✓Heats up almost instantly
- ✗No grinder
- ✗Plastic build
- ✗Small drip tray fills fast
- ✗Steam pressure weaker than Bambino Plus
What owners say
Breville Infuser
The Breville Infuser is the older single-boiler, brew-only machine that sits just above the Bambino line in capability but below the all-in-one Barista models. It offers a 54mm portafilter, PID temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a manual steam wand. For years it was the value pick for someone who wanted Breville's pre-infusion and a manual workflow without a built-in grinder. Full owner insights →
Breville Bambino
The standard Bambino is the smaller, cheaper sibling of the Bambino Plus — a compact brew-only machine with a real 54mm portafilter, PID temperature control, fast ThermoJet heat-up (about 3 seconds), and a manual steam wand (rather than the Plus's automatic one). It's one of the best value entry points into legitimate espresso, especially for people comfortable steaming milk by hand. Full owner insights →
Breville Infuser vs Breville Bambino: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Breville Infuser or the Breville Bambino?
The Breville Bambino is the cheaper of the two at roughly $300, about $200 less than the Breville Infuser at ~$500. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Which heats up faster, the Breville Infuser or the Breville Bambino?
The Breville Bambino is ready sooner — 3 seconds against 30 seconds for the Breville Infuser. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.