PAIRING · BAMBINO PLUS WITH ENCORE ESP · $600–700 COMBINED
This is the setup we hand to a friend who says “I just want good lattes.” It is not glamorous. Neither is a seatbelt.
A Breville Bambino Plus on the machine side, a Baratza Encore ESP on the grinder side. Both use 54mm hardware, both are beginner-friendly, and together they leave you with a grinder worth keeping when you upgrade the machine. This pick is based on specs, the manuals, and price. We have not tested the pair ourselves.
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. How that works.
- For
- First home espresso setup, milk drinks, small counter, sensible budget.
- Skip it if
- You drink only straight shots and want to tinker with pressure, or you want the whole thing in one box (see the Barista Express).
- Price band
- $600–700 for both (check current price)
- Based on
- Specs, the manuals, and price. No first-hand testing.
Why these two
- Same size. The Bambino Plus uses a 54mm portafilter, and the Encore ESP ships with a 54mm dosing cup.
- Real espresso range. The Encore ESP gives settings #1–20 to espresso alone.
- Milk on autopilot. The Bambino Plus steam wand has 3 temperatures and 3 textures, so the machine handles the hard part while you learn the grinder.
- Breville agrees. Breville sells the two as a bundle on its own site.
Buy the grinder you will keep. Then buy the machine you will outgrow.
The machine
ThermoJet heating ready in 3 seconds, a 15 bar pump with low-pressure pre-infusion then 9 bar, and a 1.9 L tank. Full breakdown on the Bambino Plus page.
The grinder
40mm M2 conical burrs, 40 settings, and a quick-release burr for cleaning. Full breakdown on the Encore ESP page.
Day one starting point
- Use the single wall basket. The dual wall baskets are for pre-ground coffee, per Breville.
- Dose 18 g. That is Breville’s listed dose and Baratza’s example dose for its starting setting.
- Start the Encore ESP at setting 15, which is Baratza’s suggested espresso start for a medium roast.
- Shot running fast and sour? Go finer. Choking and bitter? Go coarser. Move one setting at a time.
This pair vs the Barista Express
| Bambino Plus + Encore ESP | Barista Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Grinder | Separate, 40 settings (#1–20 espresso) | Built-in, 16 settings |
| Portafilter | 54mm | 54mm |
| Milk | Automatic, 3 temps x 3 textures | Manual steam wand |
| Pressure gauge | No | Yes |
| Upgrade path | Keep the grinder, swap the machine | Grinder and machine go together |
| Price band | $600–700 combined | $500–700 |
The longer version of this fight is in Barista Express vs a separate grinder.
Sources