Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus
The Bambino and Bambino Plus share the same 54mm portafilter, ThermoJet heating system, and extraction profile. On the spec sheet they look nearly identical. In practice, the $200 difference between them buys exactly one thing: whether milk frothing is automatic or manual.
This comparison breaks down what that difference means across different household usage patterns, what each machine's real limitations are, and which one earns its price point.
Side-by-Side Specs
| Spec | Bambino | Bambino Plus Best Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | $299 | $499 |
| HBL Score | 8.6 | 9.2 |
| Steam wand | Manual 4-hole | Automatic — 3 temp settings · auto-purge |
| Heating system | ThermoJet — ~3 sec | ThermoJet — ~3 sec |
| Pre-infusion | Yes | Yes |
| Portafilter | 54mm | 54mm |
| Extraction pressure | 9 bar | 9 bar |
| Water tank | 47.3 oz (1.4L) | 64 oz (1.9L) |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs | 10.8 lbs |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 7.7×12.6×12.2 in | 7.7×12.6×12.2 in |
Breville Bambino — Budget Pick
The Bambino delivers extraction that tracks the Bambino Plus precisely — the same ThermoJet heating, 54mm portafilter, and 9-bar pressure profile. Owner-reported shots show consistent output across standard brew ratios. The divergence is the steam wand: a manual 4-hole configuration that requires hands-on positioning and timing to texture milk properly.
For espresso-forward households, or buyers who want to learn and control the steaming process themselves, the Bambino is a capable machine at a meaningful discount. For households where latte or cappuccino quality matters daily, the manual wand introduces a friction point that the Bambino Plus eliminates entirely.
Strengths
- Extraction identical to Bambino Plus
- $200 below Bambino Plus
- ThermoJet — ready in ~3 seconds
- Compact and lightweight at 8.6 lbs
- 54mm portafilter — wide third-party basket compatibility
Limitations
- Manual steam wand — technique required
- Smaller water tank (47.3 oz vs 64 oz)
- No auto-purge after steaming
- Milk consistency is operator-dependent
Breville Bambino Plus — Best Pick
The Bambino Plus earns the Best Pick because the $200 premium buys the single most impactful upgrade for a milk-drinking household: automatic steam. The wand textures milk at one of three temperature settings with no manual positioning required, then auto-purges after each use. Owner-reported microfoam quality is consistent and sufficient for basic latte art at the entry tier.
The larger 64 oz water tank is a secondary but practical gain — at two or more milk drinks per day, the Bambino's smaller tank requires noticeably more frequent refills. Extraction output is the same on both machines. The Bambino Plus premium is a quality-of-life investment for milk-based drinks, not an extraction upgrade.
Strengths
- Automatic milk texturing — no technique required
- Three temperature settings for milk preference
- Auto-purge after every steam cycle
- Larger water tank (64 oz)
- Extraction output identical to Bambino
Limitations
- $200 more than the Bambino
- Auto-steam removes manual control for those who want it
- Slightly heavier (10.8 vs 8.6 lbs)
- No built-in grinder — requires separate purchase
One Thing Neither Machine Includes
Neither the Bambino nor the Bambino Plus ships with a grinder. Both machines require a separate grinder, and grinder quality has a documented impact on extraction consistency at this tier. Owner reports consistently show improved shot repeatability after switching from pre-ground or blade-ground coffee to a burr grinder — even an entry-level one.
Budget for a grinder alongside either machine. The Baratza Encore ESP is a common pairing in the $169–$199 range and doses cleanly into the 54mm portafilter both Bambinos use. For ranked picks across entry and mid-tier options, see our burr grinder guide.