The Breville Bambino and the Bambino Plus are both compact powerhouses, but they cater to different users based on one key feature: milk frothing. The Bambino comes with a manual steam wand for hands-on control, while the Bambino Plus offers a fully automatic steam wand for perfectly textured milk every time, making it the superior choice for latte and cappuccino lovers who prioritize convenience.
Here's everything you need to know about these popular Breville espresso machines to choose the right one for your morning coffee ritual.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
The Breville Bambino is a straightforward, entry-level espresso machine designed for quality, speed, and simplicity. It packs professional-grade features like a 15-bar pump into a tiny footprint, making it ideal for those who want excellent espresso without a complicated process or a machine that takes over their counter.
- What it is: A compact, user-friendly espresso machine with a manual steam wand for control over milk texturing.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system with a 3-second heat-up time, pre-infusion for even extraction, 15-bar Italian pump, and a powerful manual steam wand.
- Price: Around $500
- Dimensions: 7.7" W x 12.6" D x 12.2" H
- Style: Minimalist and modern with a brushed stainless steel finish that fits easily into any kitchen design.
- Pros: Incredibly fast 3-second heat-up time. Extremely compact - perfect for small kitchens. Simple one-touch operation for beginners. Manual steam wand offers full control for those who want to practice latte art.
- Cons: Manual milk frothing has a notable learning curve compared to the Plus. No dedicated hot water spout for Americanos. Fewer user control options than the Plus.
The Bambino is for the espresso enthusiast who values speed and a compact design, primarily drinks straight espresso, or enjoys the hands-on craft of manually steaming milk.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes450.html
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
The Breville Bambino Plus builds on the original's success by adding key automation features that create a more streamlined, café-quality experience at home. Its standout feature is the automatic steam wand that froths milk to your desired temperature and texture, delivering perfect microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos with the single press of a button.
- What it is: A semi-automatic compact espresso machine that adds automated milk frothing and greater user control for consistent, effortless coffee drinks.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system (3-second heat-up), automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture levels, and a dedicated hot water outlet.
- Price: Around $700
- Dimensions: 7.7" W x 12.6" D x 12.2" H
- Style: Sleek brushed stainless steel design, virtually identical in appearance to the standard Bambino but with more advanced controls.
- Pros: Automatic steam wand produces perfect microfoam consistently and effortlessly. Very easy to use for high-quality milk-based drinks. Dedicated hot water spout is great for making Americanos or tea. The workflow is faster and more convenient.
- Cons: Significantly higher price point. The automation may be less appealing for purists who want full manual control over the frothing process. Takes up the same compact counter space, which is a key selling point for both models.
The Bambino Plus is perfectly suited for coffee lovers who frequently make milk drinks and are willing to pay a premium for convenience, consistency, and a more automated workflow.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Breville Bambino vs. Bambino Plus Comparison
Steam Wand & Usability
This is the most significant difference between the two machines. The standard Bambino features a manual steam wand that functions like a commercial machine, giving you total control but also requiring significant practice to achieve proper microfoam for latte art. You control the angle, depth, and duration of the steaming process.
The Bambino Plus removes all guesswork with its automatic wand. You simply place the milk pitcher on the temperature sensor, select your preferred temperature and texture level, and press a button. The machine does all the work, consistently producing silky, paint-like foam that's perfect for lattes. Advantageously, it also self-purges after steaming, clearing hot water and milk residue from the nozzle automatically.
Features & Controls
Beyond the steam wand, the Bambino Plus includes a dedicated hot water outlet, which the base Bambino lacks. This is a small but meaningful convenience for those who often make Americanos or tea. The control panel on the Plus is also slightly more advanced, offering buttons to choose your desired milk temperature (three settings) and foam level (three settings), whereas the Bambino has a simpler one-touch interface.
Materials & Performance
At their core, both machines are built to perform identically when it comes to pulling espresso shots. They share the same stainless steel construction, 15-bar Italian pump, and innovative ThermoJet heating system that gets them ready to brew in just three seconds. You can expect the same high-quality, flavorful espresso from either machine assuming you use the same coffee beans and grind settings.
Price & Value
The Breville Bambino retails for about $200 less than the Bambino Plus. If you strictly drink espresso or are on a tighter budget, the standard Bambino offers incredible value by delivering the same excellent shot quality. However, if milk-based drinks are a daily habit, the premium for the Bambino Plus is easily justified by the sheer convenience and consistency of its automatic frother, which saves time and eliminates a steep learning curve.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Bambino and Bambino Plus are excellent machines that produce fantastic espresso, but they serve different home baristas.
Choose the Breville Bambino if:
- You primarily drink espresso, Americanos, or other non-milk coffee drinks.
- You want to learn the hands-on skill of manually frothing milk like a barista.
- Budget is your top priority, and you want great espresso without extra features.
- You're a beginner looking for a simple, no-fuss entry into home espresso.
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus if:
- You frequently make lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites at home.
- You value convenience and want consistent, high-quality results without a learning curve.
- You want hassle-free features like the self-purging steam wand and a hot water outlet.
- You're willing to invest more for a faster, more automated morning coffee routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Bambino and Bambino Plus?
The biggest difference is the steam wand. The standard Bambino has a manual wand requiring user skill for frothing, while the Bambino Plus has a fully automatic wand that creates perfect microfoam at the touch of a button. The Plus also includes a hot water outlet and has a slightly larger drip tray.
Is the Bambino Plus worth the extra money?
If you regularly drink lattes or cappuccinos, the expert-level consistency and complete convenience of the automatic steam wand on the Bambino Plus absolutely justify the higher cost. If you mainly drink espresso, the standard Bambino is the better value.
How long do they take to heat up?
Both models feature Breville's ThermoJet heating system and are ready to pull a shot in an impressive 3 seconds.
Can I make good lattes with the regular Bambino?
Yes, but it takes time and practice. The manual steam wand is powerful and fully capable of producing latte-art-quality microfoam, but there is a definite learning curve. The Bambino Plus achieves this instantly with no skill required.
Are both machines easy for beginners to use?
Both are designed to be beginner-friendly. For pulling espresso shots, the process is nearly identical and very simple. The Bambino Plus is easier overall for a total novice because of its foolproof automatic milk frothing.
Which machine takes up less counter space?
They are virtually identical in size. Both have a 7.7-inch wide footprint, making them two of the most compact semi-automatic espresso machines available.
Do these machines come with a grinder?
No, neither the Bambino nor the Bambino Plus includes a built-in grinder. You will need to purchase a separate, high-quality burr grinder to get the best results from either machine.
Are the portafilters on these machines the standard 58mm commercial size?
No, both the Bambino and Bambino Plus use a 54mm portafilter. They come with both single-wall (for fresh beans) and dual-wall (for pre-ground coffee) filter baskets.
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