Review · Espresso machines
Breville Bijou review: a budget espresso machine that's now hard to find (VCF149)
The Breville Bijou VCF149 is a small, manual espresso machine with a proper steam wand. It's getting hard to buy new in the UK, so here's what it offers and what to get instead.
This Breville Bijou espresso machine review covers the VCF149, a small, manual espresso machine with a 15-bar pump and a proper steam wand. It’s been a popular budget pick, but when we checked UK retailers on 3 Oct 2026 we couldn’t find one in stock at a price we could confirm, so there’s no price on this page. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Breville’s published specs and quick start guide, UK retailer listings checked 3 Oct 2026, and two published reviews from Trusted Reviews and Tech Advisor, linked below. Read how we compare.
One more thing before we start: the Breville you’ll find in UK shops isn’t the same business as the Australian Breville that makes Sage machines. Breville UK’s website is run by Newell Brands UK, so don’t expect a Bijou to share parts or design with a Sage Bambino. Sage Bambino SES450: See it at Sage for Sage Bambino SES450 (opens in a new tab)
Breville Bijou espresso machine review: the short answer
Buy the Bijou if you find one new from a retailer you trust, you want to learn espresso by hand, and your kitchen is short on space. It’s a basic machine with a dial for brewing and steaming, a 1.5-litre tank and double-wall baskets that are forgiving of a less-than-perfect grind.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to press a button and walk away. There are no preset shot volumes, so you stop each shot yourself.
Choose the Breville Pixl Espresso if you’d like a current Breville model that’s easy to buy. It’s £159.99 at Breville UK (checked 3 Oct 2026), and Breville lists preset single and double shots, pre-infusion, a steam wand and a 350ml steel milk jug in the box. Breville Pixl Espresso VCF193: Check price at Amazon for Breville Pixl Espresso VCF193 (opens in a new tab)
Who it isn’t for: anyone after the cheapest way into espresso. The Stilosa below costs much less.
Choose the De’Longhi Stilosa if budget matters most. It’s £89.00 at Currys (in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026), and like the Bijou it’s a simple dial-controlled machine with a manual milk frother.
Who it isn’t for: anyone wanting a sturdier, slimmer machine. For that, the De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK is £149.00 at Currys (in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026). De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685: See it at Currys for De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685 (opens in a new tab)
What it costs right now
We couldn’t confirm a current UK price for the Bijou on 3 Oct 2026. Here’s what we found:
- Breville UK: we couldn’t find the Bijou on Breville’s UK website, which now lists the Pixl Espresso and Prima Latte models in its espresso range.
- Currys: no Bijou listing came up in Currys’ search.
- B&Q: the VCF149 listing was marked as sold out, with no price shown.
- Argos and John Lewis: we couldn’t load their pages, so we can’t tell you their stock or prices.
If you do find one, check the model number is VCF149 and that you’re buying new from a UK retailer. For the alternatives:
- Breville Pixl Espresso VCF193: £159.99 at Breville UK, checked 3 Oct 2026. See it at Breville UK
- De’Longhi Stilosa EC260BK: £89.00 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. See it at Currys
- De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK: £149.00 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. See it at Currys
Specs and what’s in the box
- Pump: 15 bar
- Water tank: 1.5 litres, removable and see-through
- Baskets: single and double double-wall baskets, which add back pressure to help a beginner get crema
- Portafilter size: 52mm, according to Trusted Reviews
- Controls: power, brew and steam buttons, plus one dial with brew, standby and steam or hot water positions (Breville quick start guide)
- Extras: pre-infusion, a manual shot function and auto shut-off after 25 minutes (B&Q listing)
- Size: about 21cm wide, 30cm high and 27cm deep on the B&Q listing; Tech Advisor measured it at just over 29cm high, 20cm wide and 28cm deep
- In the box: the machine, a portafilter, two baskets, a combined scoop and tamper, and the manual
There’s no milk jug in the box, so budget for one. A small stainless steel jug with a good spout is enough to start.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to fine-tune shots. The double-wall baskets make life easier for beginners, but they limit how much control you have over the shot.
What published reviews found
Two published reviews are worth reading before you buy. We’ve summarised them in our own words.
Trusted Reviews liked the compact size and found the steam wand easy to control, with good milk texture possible. On the other hand, it found that shots poured too quickly and came out hotter than it wanted, and there’s no temperature control to adjust that. It also noted the light machine tends to shift when you lock in or remove the handle, the scoop and tamper feel flimsy, and there’s room only for cups up to 110mm tall.
Tech Advisor was more positive about the coffee once it had worked out the dosing, calling the Bijou good value for someone who wants a first espresso machine to tinker with. It flagged a steep learning curve, a stiff portafilter at first, a heat-up of about six minutes from cold and no preset volumes. It also pointed out that the steam wand sits too low for a large jug of milk.
Both reviews agree on one practical point: after steaming, the machine is too hot to brew straight away. You either wait or vent steam through the wand to cool it down, which slows things down if you’re making several milky drinks.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who’ll be put off by trial and error. Both reviewers needed practice to get good results.
Bijou vs Stilosa vs Dedica
All three are small, manual machines with a milk frother, so the choice comes down to price, size and what you can actually buy.
- De’Longhi Stilosa EC260BK (£89.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026): the cheapest of the three, with a 1-litre tank and cups up to 110mm, according to De’Longhi UK. It’s the closest match to the Bijou’s simple dial layout. Our Dedica vs Stilosa comparison covers it in detail.
- De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK (£149.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026): only 15cm wide, according to De’Longhi UK, with Thermoblock heating and buttons rather than a dial. See our De’Longhi Dedica EC685 review.
- Breville Pixl Espresso (£159.99 at Breville UK, checked 3 Oct 2026): Breville’s own compact model, with preset shots and automatic temperature control listed.
For more options at this level, see our guide to the best espresso machine under £200.
Who it isn’t for: if you’d rather skip learning to steam milk altogether, none of these machines does milk at one touch.
Downsides
- Availability. We couldn’t find it new and in stock at a confirmed UK price on 3 Oct 2026.
- Small cup clearance. Trusted Reviews measured room for cups up to 110mm, so tall latte glasses won’t fit.
- Slow switch from steam to brew. You have to cool it down after steaming before pulling another shot.
- Basic accessories. The plastic scoop and tamper are flimsy, and there’s no milk jug.
- No descaling indicator. Trusted Reviews notes you’ll need to remember to descale it yourself.
FAQ
Is the Breville Bijou the same as a Sage machine? No. In the UK, Breville and Sage are separate brands. Breville UK’s website is run by Newell Brands UK.
Can the Bijou make lattes and cappuccinos? Yes, with practice. It has a steam wand for frothing milk by hand. You’ll need your own milk jug.
Can it use pre-ground coffee? Yes. It’s designed for ground coffee and has no built-in grinder.
What’s the tallest cup that fits? Trusted Reviews measured room for cups up to 110mm tall.
What’s the best alternative if you can’t find a Bijou? The De’Longhi Stilosa EC260BK is the cheapest close match at £89.00 at Currys, and Breville’s Pixl Espresso is £159.99 at Breville UK (both checked 3 Oct 2026).
Verdict
Breville Bijou Espresso Machine VCF149
A compact, manual starter espresso machine with a real steam wand, but it's hard to find new in the UK right now. If you can't find one from a retailer you trust, the alternatives below are easier to buy.
Pros
- Pro: Very compact
- Pro: Proper steam wand for milk
- Pro: Large 1.5-litre tank for its size
- Pro: Pre-infusion and a manual shot option
Cons
- Con: Hard to find in stock in the UK
- Con: Small 110mm cup clearance
- Con: Slow to cool down after steaming
- Con: Basic plastic scoop and tamper
- Best for
- Beginners who want to learn espresso and milk steaming on a small budget and in a small kitchen
- Who it isn't for
- Anyone who wants one-touch drinks, tall latte glasses or several milky drinks in a row
Sources
- See it at Breville UK (breville.co.uk)
- See it at Currys (currys.co.uk)
- See it at Currys (currys.co.uk)
- Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)
- Tech Advisor (techadvisor.com)