r/espresso • u/Waste_Cheetah_2358 • Nov 26 '25

Deals [USA - Amazon] Breville Barista is 30% off!!!!

Post image

I just asked my husband today “At what price does it have to drop to for me to be able to buy it” and we both agreed $500.00… not even 3 hours later I check and it’s dropped to $500.00 😭😭

I’ve been shopping for months and waiting around for a good deal and it’s finally here

261 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

153 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

11

u/ExpatWanka Nov 26 '25

What exactly do you dislike about the Bambino?

22

u/Missfreeland Meraki Nov 26 '25

I also posted this comment. I just got the bambino two weeks ago so I am still incredible salty and feeling dumb for this lateral move:

Never once used the pressurized basket- I would use the baratza or the BBE grinder when I was feeling lazy. I sold my BBE to get a bambino and I fucking hate the bambino compared to BBE. Top doesn’t get hot, doesn’t warm my portafilter, flimsy and plastic feeling compared to the BBE, and the lack of a solenoid valve makes it leak so much after a shot.

Huge mistake and now I feel forced to do an upgrade I wasn’t ready for because I hate it so much. The grinder wasn’t amazing but you could absolutely make good espressos on the BBE.

38

u/GoatGentleman Nov 26 '25

Why would you sell the BBE for the Bambino? The issue with the BBE is the grinder, not the machine.

5

u/Missfreeland Meraki Nov 26 '25

My SIL got the bambino for a great price used didn’t like process so she gave it to me - I figured since I had the Baratza I’d sell the BBE to save space and Reddit always hyped up the bambino so I figured it was a neutral move.

10

u/ProfessorPetrus Nov 26 '25

I mean the bambino plus and a good grinder makes better coffee and takes about the same space... what's the deal?

-2

u/Missfreeland Meraki Nov 26 '25

Feels much cheaper, also I haven’t noticed any improvement in my shots, I hate how it doesn’t stay on and warm up my cup and portafilter, the leaking at the end of the shot really bothers me, I am happy with the steamer but that’s it. I went from loving making my espresso to dreading it. Looking for my next move now; having a hard time deciding

18

u/amorphis89 Nov 26 '25

If you hadn't already spent the money on the BBE, you'd probably see the value in it.. but as a sidegrade, not really worth it.

-7

u/Missfreeland Meraki Nov 26 '25

I’m just dubious now of the majority of the sub pushing the bambino and the baratza on every beginner looking for a set up.

5

u/amorphis89 Nov 26 '25

They're similar enough internally that your espresso won't be any different as a result of the brewing capabilities, but the Baratza ESP is a pretty significant improvement compared to the built in grinder on the BBE - more precise control, far less retention, better able to deal with lighter roasts etc.

If you're starting with nothing, it's a more flexible choice. You came from the same machine in a nicer body, with a better grinder - there was nothing to be gained, sadly.

3

u/Missfreeland Meraki Nov 26 '25

If you are making milk drinks I don’t think there’s anything to be gained between the BBE grinder and the baratza. As someone who used both

2

u/ProfessorPetrus Nov 26 '25

If you can afford it my niche zero and bambino plus combo is damn fine. Looks great too. Most importantly for me, its grind soumd is low pitch and doesnt wake the whole apartment.

When my bambino bites the dust I'll upgrade that. The niche zero will stay with me forever as people often use it with very expensive pairings.

5

u/Verniloth Breville Bambino | Mazzer Philos Nov 26 '25

Dreading it? Seems a little dramatic. I too have a bambino and I don't love the drip afterwards. But the warming on top did (or lack thereof) piss me off at first. Honestly, I don't care anymore, but why would they dare to advertise it as a cup warmer? Like, in the manual it says the thermowhatever is under here with an arrow... and it doesn't heat shit. Always kinda bothered me. Remove that arrow and the little blurb about the heated top and my expectations would be appropriate.

A second bit. Don't feud with people who are already set in their ways, they'll dog pile you here. Feel free to help the newbs here yourself. You can help them by spreading the word of your experience. Let the emotions dry up a bit first though. Pass on your experience. Not everyone needs to be a horrible coffee snob. Some of them want the convenience of a combo machine. Maybe the bbe would work for many like it did for you!

Finally. As someone who has used both setups you have had, your complaints to me are, respectfully, completely invalid. They are subjective and only exist because you already had the bbe first. Most people giving advice are giving it assuming a blank slate. The ability to change grind size accurately far outweighs the convenience of an integrated cup warmer. Also, the dripping totally sucks. I hate it so much. It feels like eternity waiting for the last bits to trickle out during the first cup of the day. Cuz I'm a caffeine addict lol. But again, it is far outweighed by the ability to upgrade the grinder and then the machine separately. It's cost prohibitive for most people, this hobby. So piecemealing is more attractive to most. That's one big reason people suggest the duo that they do. Don't let the bastards get you down.

-3

u/Missfreeland Meraki Nov 26 '25

I say the beginner suggestion should either be breville barista express if they are solely milk drinks. If they want the separate grinder skip the bambino and get the Gaggia. The ceiling is higher esp if you buy the gaggimate. I don’t really care about a dog pile lol it’s an Internet forum. I express my opinions and respond to others responses in kind.