The Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus share the same compact design and super-fast heat-up time, but the core differences are automation and price. The Bambino Plus offers automatic milk frothing, a slightly more advanced pre-infusion system, and a full stainless steel build for about $150 more, while the standard Bambino provides a fully manual experience for those who want more control or have a tighter budget.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Breville espresso machine for your home cafe.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
The Breville Bambino is a powerful yet compact espresso machine designed for home users who want fantastic espresso without sacrificing counter space. It’s known for an incredible 3-second heat-up time and its straightforward, manual controls, offering an entry-level, hands-on barista experience that’s perfect for beginners.
- What it is: An ultra-compact, entry-level espresso machine focused on manual control and speed.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system with a 3-second heat-up, manual steam wand for milk texturing, simple button controls for single and double shots, 54mm portafilter.
- Price: Around $349
- Dimensions: 7.7" x 12.6" x 12.2" - perfect for small kitchens or apartments.
- Materials/Construction: A mix of durable plastic and stainless steel accents.
- Style: Minimalist and functional with a smaller, modern footprint available in several finishes.
- Pros: Extremely fast heat-up time, very compact and lightweight, more affordable price point, gives you full manual control over frothing milk, powerful enough to pull cafe-quality shots.
- Cons: Manual milk frothing has a learning curve for beginners, the mainly plastic construction feels less premium than the Plus version, lacks an automated cleaning cycle for the steam wand.
The Bambino is for the aspiring barista who wants a capable machine to learn on, enjoying the hands-on process of making espresso and frothing milk while saving money and counter space.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes450.html
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
The Breville Bambino Plus takes everything that makes the original great - the compact size and fast heat-up - and refines the experience with smart, automated features. Its key selling point is the automatic steam wand that creates perfectly textured microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos with zero guesswork, making it a dream for those who value convenience and consistency.
- What it is: A compact semi-automatic espresso machine that automates the milk frothing process.
- Key features: ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture settings, low-pressure pre-infusion for even extraction, larger water tank (64 oz vs. 47 oz).
- Price: Around $499
- Dimensions: 7.7" x 12.6" x 12.2" - identical to the standard Bambino.
- Materials/Construction: A full stainless steel body for a premium feel and superior durability.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a polished stainless steel finish that looks like a high-end appliance.
- Pros: Automatic milk frothing creates perfect results every time, pre-infusion extracts a more balanced shot, stainless steel build is durable and looks professional, auto-purge function cleans the steam wand after each use.
- Cons: A significant price jump from the standard model, less control over milk frothing for those who want to be hands-on, the drip tray is still small and needs frequent emptying.
The Bambino Plus is ideal for someone who wants consistent, cafe-quality espresso and milk drinks at the push of a button and is willing to invest in convenience and a more premium build.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Breville Bambino vs. Bambino Plus Comparison
Milk Frothing & Automation
The biggest difference lies in the steam wand. The standard Bambino features a traditional, manual steam wand that puts you in full control. This is great for learning the craft of milk frothing, but there's a definite learning curve to getting flawless, silky microfoam.
In contrast, the Bambino Plus has an automatic steam wand. You simply place the milk jug on a temperature sensor, select your desired temperature (3 settings) and foam level (3 settings), and it steams perfectly for you. After steaming, it automatically purges the wand with hot water to clean it. This feature provides incredible consistency and convenience, making perfect lattes effortless.
Espresso Quality & Extraction
Both machines use the same 54mm portafilter size and are capable of pulling excellent shots of espresso. However, the Bambino Plus includes Breville's low-pressure pre-infusion technology. This function gently soaks the coffee puck with low-pressure water before applying full pressure, allowing the grounds to expand for a more even and balanced extraction. The result is often a fuller-flavored and more forgiving shot, especially for beginners still dialing in their grind.
Materials & Construction
Here, the Plus lives up to its name with a more premium feel. Its body is constructed from solid, brushed stainless steel that feels substantial and durable. The standard Bambino uses more plastic in its casing, which helps keep the cost and weight down but doesn't feel as high-end. While both are built well, the stainless steel construction of the Bambino Plus gives it a more professional look and feel on the countertop.
Dimensions & Design
Visually and physically, these machines are nearly identical in size, sharing a compact footprint of 7.7" x 12.6" x 12.2". This makes both of them fantastic choices for anyone with limited kitchen space. The primary aesthetic difference is the finish - the Bambino Plus has a signature brushed stainless steel look, while the standard Bambino is often seen in a combination of stainless and black or other colored plastic finishes.
Price & Value
The standard Bambino costs around $349, while the Bambino Plus is typically priced at $499. The $150 difference is significant. The Bambino offers incredible value for the quality of espresso it can produce, making it one of the best true entry-level machines on the market. The Bambino Plus justifies its higher price with its automatic milk texturing, pre-infusion, and stainless steel build. The value here comes down to convenience - if getting consistent, effortless milk foam is worth the premium to you, then the Plus is the better investment.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both models are excellent, but they cater to slightly different users and priorities.
Choose the Breville Bambino if:
- You're on a tighter budget and want to keep your spending under $350.
- You are excited to learn the skill of manually texturing milk like a barista.
- You prefer having more hands-on control over the entire coffee-making process.
- You're just starting your espresso journey and need a reliable, no-frills machine.
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- Convenience is a top priority - you want perfect lattes at the push of a button.
- You love milky drinks like cappuccinos and flat-whites and want consistent results every time.
- You prefer the premium look and feel of a full stainless steel appliance on your counter.
- You're willing to pay more for automated features that simplify your morning routine and produce a better shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Bambino and Bambino Plus?
The main difference is automation. The Bambino Plus has an automatic steam wand for hands-free milk frothing and a low-pressure pre-infusion system for better espresso extraction. The standard Bambino is a fully manual machine.
Is the Bambino Plus worth the extra money?
If you primarily drink lattes, cappuccinos, or other milk-based drinks and value convenience, then yes. The automatic steam wand is exceptionally good and delivers consistent results that are hard to achieve manually without practice. If you are mainly drinking espresso or prefer a hands-on approach, the standard Bambino is a better value.
Can a beginner use the Breville Bambino?
Absolutely. The Breville Bambino is one of the best home espresso machines for beginners due to its simplicity, compact size, and forgiving nature. It provides all the necessary tools to learn the fundamentals of espresso making.
What size portafilter do the Bambino and Bambino Plus use?
Both machines use a 54mm portafilter. They come included with both pressurized (dual-wall) and non-pressurized (single-wall) baskets to accommodate pre-ground or freshly ground coffee.
How fast do they heat up?
Both models use Breville's innovative ThermoJet heating system, which gets them to the optimal extraction temperature in just 3 seconds. There's virtually no waiting time between turning the machine on and brewing your first shot.
Can you make latte art with milk from the Bambino Plus?
Yes. The automatic milk frother on the Bambino Plus is specifically designed to create silky-smooth microfoam, which is the ideal texture for pouring latte art. Many users find it produces even better results than they can achieve by hand.
Do these machines come with everything I need to start?
Almost. Both machines come with a 54mm portafilter, four filter baskets (single and double, dual and single wall), a milk jug, a tamper, and cleaning tools. The only other essential item you’ll need is a quality burr grinder for fresh beans (or pre-ground coffee).
Which one is easier to clean?
The Bambino Plus is slightly easier to clean thanks to its automatic steam wand purge feature, which clears the wand of milk residue after every use. Otherwise, the day-to-day cleaning process for the drip tray and portafilter is identical for both.
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