Seven Best Breville Bambino Accessories (Updated: 2025)
Introduction
The Breville Bambino is one of the go-to entry-level machines for home baristas looking to get espresso. The Bambino, with its compact footprint, and accessible price tag is capable of delivering solid espresso out of the box.
However, with the addition of a few accessories (and a quality grinder), the Breville Bambino can pull a shot of espresso that rivals most coffee shops in any city.
In this article, we are going to cover the top seven accessories for the Breville Bambino - ranging from scales and dosing funnels to distribution tools, and knock boxes.
Let's get accessorizing!
1. Quality Espresso Scale
A scale is the number one most essential tool for precision in espresso brewing. A quality espresso scale allows you to measure your dose (coffee grounds in) and yield (liquid espresso out) accurately, letting you calculate your extraction ratio, and ensuring consistency shot after shot. Many scales also come with a built-in timer that helps dial in your extraction time. Given that the Bambino does not come with a built-in show timer or gravimetric (weight-based) espresso shots, a scale is a must.
Top Pick - Timemore Black Mirror Nano
My (Espresso Setup Chris) favorite scale is the Timemore Black Mirror Nano Scale with Flow Rate. This is my daily driver for all of my machines and a scale that I have sworn by for the last 2 years. The Black Mirror Nano has an angled display for easy reading, three separate modes (including a dedicated espresso mode), an automatic timer, and even a flow-rate display. That means you can see your flow rate, in grams per second, in real-time.
Second Option - Normcore Pocket Scale
If the Black Mirror Nano is a bit overkill for your taste, the Normcore Pocket Scale is a perfect starting option that doesn't skimp on quality without an absurd price tag. With a built-in timer and 0.1g resolution, the Normcore tamper is a go-to recommendation for new baristas.
2. Solid Metal Tamper
As much value as the Bambino provides, one area it falls short is with its rinky-dink plastic tamper. A solid metal tamper not only improves the consistency of your puck but also ensures an even extraction. Upgrading the included plastic tamper to a higher-quality replacement provides better control and a more repeatable shot.
Top Pick - Normcore Spring Loaded Tamper
My go-to recommendation for a quality tamper is the Normcore Spring Loaded Tamper v4. This is a 'calibrated tamper' which means it has a 15lb (or optional 30lb) spring built into the tamper. When depressed, the tamper compresses the puck until the pressure is reached. At that time the spring compresses, signaling the right amount of pressure has been reached.
Second Option - Normcore Palm Tamper
If you're looking for something a bit more simple, Normcore also offers a solid metal Palm Tamper. This palm tamper has no fancy parts or functions - just a high-quality build to help you compress your puck.
Note: Make sure to order a 54mm tamper for Breville Products.
3. Dosing Funnel
No matter what grinder you use, transferring grounds from a dosing cup into the portafilter can quickly cause a mess. A dosing funnel sits atop the portafilter and allows you to confidently dump in your grounds. Although a dosing funnel doesn't look like much, it can easily reduce spillage, keeping your brew bar clean.
Top Pick - Normcore Magnetic Dosing Funnel
Normcore continues to show up for dosing funnels. My daily driver is the Normcore Magnetic Dosing Funnel. I've found that the magnets are more than strong enough to stick on the portafilter as I mix the grounds, without scratching or damaging the portafilter itself.
4. Knock Box
Although not specific to the Breville Bambino, a knock box is a must-have accessory to keep your workspace clean and sanitary. After pulling a shot, disposing of the used coffee puck can be messy. While you technically can dispose of the puck into the trash can, tapping your portafilter into the bin can be quite unsanitary (not to mention the hot water dripping from the portafilter as you walk from your espresso machine to the can). A knock box is a small espresso-dedicated can with a built-in portafilter knock-bar. One quick smack and your used puck will drop from your portafilter without mess.
Top Pick - Lucca Knock Box
I absolutely love my Lucca Knock Box from Clive Coffee. I've found it to be a perfect side for a small workstation and has continued to look brand new after thousands of pucks of coffee and many cleaning cycles.
Second Option - MHW-3Bomber
If you are looking for something with a different design, the rectangular MHW-3Bomber Knock Box has gotten solid reviews for an accessible price point.
5. Bottomless Filter
If you are trying to refine your espresso shots and get that influencer-like espresso pull, a bottomless portafilter is a game-changer. A bottomless portafilter does not have the dual spouts seen on the standard portafilter but rather is cut off directly under the basket. Otherwise known as a naked portafilter, a bottomless portafilter can help you deduce if your espresso shot is pulling evenly, and is significantly easier to clean than its spouted cousin.
Top Pick - Normcore 54mm Bottomless
Normcore is currently the only mainstream brand to sell a 54mm Bottomless Portafilter. With positive reviews and sentiment, this bottomless option is the go-to.
6. Puck Screen
Speaking of cleanliness and efficiency, a puck screen is a simple and affordable upgrade to improve your workflow. A puck screen sits atop the puck, between the portafilter and the grouphead. A puck screen helps add pressure if your grinder isn't quite cutting it. In addition, it can help keep your group head clean in between shots.
Top Pick - Normcore 316 Stainless Steel
There a quite a few options when it comes to shower screens. Normcore also sells a collection including different widths and different coatings. I'd recommend their standard 316 Stainless Shower Screen, or the Shower Screen 2 Pack with holder.
7. Tamping Station
With all these other accessories, it's easy for your brew bar to be efficient, yet disorganized. A Tamping station helps organize all of your accessories into a clean format and provides a solid place to put your portafilter (with a dosing funnel) as you prepare to tamp.
Top Pick - MHW-3Bomber Walnut Knock Box
Two options come to mind when looking at tamping stations. The first is the MHW-3Bomber Walnut Knock Box and Tamping Station combo. This is the Rolls Royce of tamping stations, with space to put your portafilter, your tamper, and used pucks.
Second Option - Normcore Compact Tamping Station
If you are looking for something a bit more complex, Normcore has a Corner Tamping Station that will fit on almost any countertop.
The Final Sip
The Breville Bambino is a great starting point for the majority of home baristas. But with just a few simple accessories, the Bambino can go from making good coffee to making excellent coffee shot after shot. Always make sure to pull your shots with a scale on hand, and up your workflow with these best Breville Bambino Accessories.
