The Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus are two compact espresso machines from Breville that pack a serious punch, but they cater to very different users. The main difference comes down to milk frothing and price: the Bambino Plus features an advanced automatic steam wand for perfectly textured milk every time, while the standard Bambino has a manual wand for a more hands-on, budget-friendly approach.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right espresso machine for your kitchen counter.
Breville Bambino
The Breville Bambino is a compact, powerful, and straightforward espresso machine designed for those just starting their home barista journey or anyone with limited counter space. It focuses on the essentials - excellent espresso extraction and manual steam control - in an affordable package. Its signature feature is the ThermoJet heating system, which gets the machine ready to pull a shot in just three seconds.
- What it is: An entry-level compact espresso machine with a manual steam wand.
- Key features: 3-second ThermoJet heat-up time, simple button controls for one or two shots, manual steam wand for texturing milk by hand, compact footprint, 54mm portafilter.
- Price: Around $300-$350.
- Dimensions: 7.7" W x 12.6" D x 12.2" H.
- Materials/Construction: Stainless steel accents and high-grade plastic housing. Sturdy and durable for its price point.
- Style: Minimalist and modern, with a black and brushed stainless steel finish that fits easily into most kitchen decor.
- Pros: Very affordable entry point into the Breville ecosystem. Extremely fast heat-up time means no waiting. Small footprint is perfect for apartments and small kitchens. Simple, intuitive operation for beginners.
- Cons: The manual steam wand has a learning curve to achieve ideal milk texture. Less powerful steam pressure compared to the Plus model. Fewer automated features.
This machine is ideal for someone who primarily drinks espresso or Americanos, wants to learn the hands-on skill of milk frothing, and needs a capable machine that doesn't break the bank or take up too much space.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes450.html
Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus takes everything that makes the original Bambino great and adds a layer of convenience and power, aimed at the home barista who wants café-quality milk drinks without the steep learning curve. Its standout feature is the automatic steam wand that lets you adjust milk temperature and texture, delivering consistently perfect microfoam with the press of a button. It also includes the same rapid 3-second heat-up time.
- What it is: A premium compact espresso machine with an automatic milk frothing steam wand.
- Key features: Automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture settings. 3-second ThermoJet heat-up, 54mm portafilter, larger water tank, and an auto-purge function that cleans the steam wand after each use.
- Price: Around $500-$700.
- Dimensions: 7.7" W x 12.6" D x 12.2" H.
- Materials/Construction: A more premium feel with predominant stainless steel construction. Feels a bit more substantial than the standard Bambino.
- Style: Sleek and professional with a fully brushed stainless steel finish that looks at home next to more expensive appliances.
- Pros: Auto-frothing steam wand delivers consistently delicious, perfectly textured milk every time. More powerful steam for better latte art potential. Simple operation a beginner can master in minutes. Auto-purge feature makes cleanup easy.
- Cons: Substantially more expensive than the base model. The auto functionality might be a turn-off for purists who want full manual control.
The Bambino Plus is perfectly suited for anyone who loves lattes and cappuccinos and wants to replicate their favorite coffee shop drinks at home with minimal effort and maximum consistency.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Breville Bambino vs. Bambino Plus Comparison
Milk Frothing & Performance
This is the most significant difference between the two machines. The standard Bambino features a traditional manual steam wand. It's perfectly capable but requires skill and practice to get the right angle, depth, and technique to create silky microfoam for latte art. It offers full control but has a steep learning curve for new users.
The Bambino Plus, however, is designed for convenience and consistency. Its automatic steam wand lets you place a jug of milk, select your desired temperature (warm, ideal, or hot) and texture level (low, medium, or high foam), and press a button. The machine does all the work and automatically stops when it's done. This makes it incredibly easy to get perfect results every single time, even for a total beginner.
Dimensions & Scale
Visually, the Bambino and Bambino Plus are nearly identical in size, sharing a width of 7.7 inches and a depth of 12.6 inches. This makes both models incredibly compact and ideal for navigating limited counter real estate. The primary physical difference is the slightly taller profile and brushed metal finish of the Plus, giving it a more premium look and feel.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are well-built, but the Bambino Plus has a clear edge in premium materials. While the standard Bambino uses a combination of brushed stainless steel and durable plastic housing to keep costs down, the Bambino Plus features a more extensive brushed stainless steel body. This lends it a heavier, more substantial feel that aligns with its higher price tag and professional aesthetic.
Price & Value
The standard Bambino, at around $350, offers incredible value. You get the core components of a high-quality espresso machine - excellent temperature control and powerful pressure - at an entry-level price. It's a fantastic investment for anyone starting out.
The Bambino Plus generally costs around $500, a significant price jump. The value here is entirely in the enhanced milk frothing system and slightly better build. If you plan on making milk-based drinks daily, the time saved and the consistency of the automatic frothing easily justify the added cost. If milk drinks aren't your priority, the standard Bambino is the better value choice.
Who Each One Works Best For
The choice is simple and depends almost entirely on your drink preference. The Breville Bambino is for the aspiring barista, the espresso purist, or the budget-conscious shopper. It gives you all the tools you need to make great coffee and provides an opportunity to learn and master the hands-on skill of texturing milk.
The Breville Bambino Plus is for the convenience-seeker and the latte lover. If your goal is to quickly and easily make a morning latte or cappuccino that tastes as good as one from your local café, the automatic steam wand is a perfect feature that eliminates guesswork and delivers repeatable, high-quality results.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville machines are excellent options, but they are built for different users and priorities.
Choose the Breville Bambino if:
- You're new to making espresso at home and want an affordable machine to start.
- You mostly drink straight espresso, long blacks, or Americanos.
- You enjoy the challenge and control of learning a hands-on skill like frothing milk.
- You're on a tighter budget but still want premium espresso quality.
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- You drink lattes, cappuccinos, or other milk-based coffee drinks daily.
- Convenience and consistency are your top priorities.
- You want perfectly frothed milk for latte art without a month of practice.
- You're willing to invest more for a better user experience and a more premium build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Bambino and Bambino Plus?
The single biggest difference is the steam wand. The Bambino Plus has an automatic steam wand that creates perfectly textured milk for you based on temperature and foam level settings. The regular Bambino has a manual steam wand that you control by hand.
Is the Bambino Plus worth the extra money?
If you regularly make milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the extra money is absolutely worth it for the ease of use, speed, and consistency of the automatic steam wand. If you primarily drink espresso or Americanos, the standard Bambino is the better value choice.
Do both machines use the same size portafilter?
Yes, both the Bambino and Bambino Plus use a 54mm portafilter, which is standard for Breville's consumer-grade espresso machines. Breville also includes both single-wall (for fresh beans) and dual-wall (for pre-ground) filter baskets in the box.
How fast do they heat up?
Both models use Breville's ThermoJet heating system and are ready to pull an espresso shot in just 3 seconds. This is a massive improvement over traditional machines that can take several minutes to warm up.
Which one is easier for beginners?
For pulling a shot of espresso, both are equally easy. For making milk drinks, the Bambino Plus is vastly easier for a beginner, as its automatic frothing system eliminates the entire learning curve of texturing milk.
Can you manually froth milk on the Bambino Plus?
Yes. While it's designed for auto-frothing, you can still operate the steam wand manually on the Bambino Plus if you want to practice your skills or have more precise control.
How compact are they on a kitchen counter?
Both machines are exceptionally compact at only 7.7 inches wide. They will comfortably fit in small apartments, dorm rooms, or kitchens where counter space is at a premium, taking up less room than a standard drip coffee machine.
What key accessories do I need to get started?
The most important accessory you'll need is a quality burr grinder. Freshly ground coffee is critical for good espresso. Other helpful accessories include a coffee scale for accurate dosing, a knock box for disposing of used pucks, and a collection of milk pitching jugs.
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