I just tested Breville’s cheapest espresso machine, and there’s no denying it — this is a 5-star product

The breville bambino / sage bambino in silver photographed against a blue background with a wooden feature wall, showing the steam wand, group head, water tank, button controls, and espresso.

The Breville Bambino is the best espresso machine for coffee lovers on a budget. At just $299, you’d be hard-pressed to find a similarly powerful machine for less. I’ve tested 30 coffee makers this year, and there’s nothing I’d recommend more than this for cost-conscious coffee lovers.

Although I adore its older sibling, the Breville Bambino Plus, the Bambino’s $299 price tag (compared to the Plus’s $499 price tag) is much more digestible for beginners. But don’t think this is a machine just for newbies — it’s stuffed with tons of premium features like a PID controller and a powerful steam wand.