The short answer
Most people who drink milk coffee should get the
Breville Bambino Plus. Its
automatic steam wand makes good latte milk without any practice. If you
mostly drink straight espresso or Americanos, the
Breville Bambino pulls the same
shots for less money and takes up less counter space.
How we compared them
We compared Breville’s published specs for both machines, then checked them
against detailed expert reviews and long-term owner feedback. We did not
test the machines ourselves, so every difference below comes from the
manufacturer or from reviewers who used both.
Where they differ
Milk system
This is the main reason the two machines exist side by side. The Bambino
Plus has an automatic steam wand with three milk temperature settings and
three texture levels. You fill the jug, set it on the drip tray, press a
button and it stops when the milk is ready. You can also switch it to
manual. The Bambino has a manual wand only, so you hold the jug and
control the foam yourself. That takes practice, but it gives you full
control once you learn it, and many people enjoy learning latte art on it.
Steam tip and steaming speed
The Plus uses a four hole steam tip, while the Bambino has a single hole
tip on a ball joint that swings freely. In side by side tests by Coffee Kev,
the Plus steamed the same amount of milk noticeably faster. The Bambino’s
ball joint makes it easier to angle the wand into the jug.
Size and water tank
The Bambino is about 6 inches wide and the Plus is about 7.5 inches wide,
according to Breville. Height and depth are close. The Plus has the larger
water tank, at roughly 64 fl oz against about 47 fl oz on the Bambino, so
you refill it less often if you make several drinks a day.
Hot water and controls
Both have one-touch buttons for one or two shots and a steam button. The
Bambino also has a dedicated hot water function, which makes Americanos
and long blacks simpler. The Plus adds guided cleaning cycles for
backflushing and descaling.
Complexity
The Plus has extra parts for its automatic milk system, including a milk
temperature sensor. That is what makes it easier to use, but it also means
more that could need service over the years. The Bambino is the simpler
machine.
What they share
Both use Breville’s ThermoJet heating and are ready to brew in about 3
seconds. Both have a 15 bar pump that extracts at 9 bar after low pressure
pre-infusion, digital temperature control and a 54mm portafilter sized for
an 18 gram dose. Each ships with single wall and dual wall baskets, so you
can start with pre-ground coffee and move to fresh grounds from a proper
grinder later. Neither has a built-in grinder.
Which one should you buy
Get the Bambino Plus if you drink lattes, cappuccinos or flat whites most
days, if more than one person in the house makes milk drinks, or if you
want good milk without learning to steam.
Get the Bambino if you drink espresso, Americanos or long blacks, if you
only add a splash of milk, or if you want to learn manual steaming and save
money for a better grinder.
If neither fits, see all our
espresso machine picks for boiler and
built-in grinder options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bambino Plus worth it over the Bambino?
Yes, if you mainly drink milk coffee. The automatic wand and larger tank
save time every morning. If you drink espresso black, the Bambino makes
the same shots and the extra features go unused.
Can the Bambino make lattes?
Yes. Its manual steam wand makes microfoam good enough for latte art. You
need to learn to position the jug and stretch the milk yourself, which
usually takes a few weeks of practice.
Do the Bambino and Bambino Plus make the same espresso?
Essentially, yes. They share the same heating system, pump, pre-infusion,
temperature control and 54mm portafilter. Shot quality depends far more on
your grinder and beans than on which Bambino you choose.
