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The Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus look almost identical, pull an identical shot, and sit on the same shelf in most beginners’ shortlists — including in our best espresso machines under $500 guide. So the only real question is whether the Plus’s extra features are worth the higher price. Here’s the honest answer.
Short answer: Get the Bambino Plus if you drink lattes or cappuccinos and want the machine to steam your milk automatically. Get the standard Bambino if you mostly drink straight espresso or americanos, want to learn to steam milk by hand, or simply want to save money and counter space. The espresso itself is the same on both.
Bambino vs. Bambino Plus at a glance
Breville Bambino Breville Bambino Plus
Best for Espresso-forward drinkers; learning by hand; small spaces Latte/cappuccino drinkers who want ease
Milk steaming Manual steam wand (you control it) Automatic — set temperature & froth level, hands-free
Heat-up ~3 sec (ThermoJet) ~3 sec (ThermoJet)
Shot quality Identical Identical
Size Slightly smaller / lighter Slightly larger / heavier
Accessories Fewer baskets included More included baskets + dosing tools
Price Lower — Check on Amazon Higher — Check on Amazon
What’s actually the same
Don’t let reviews overcomplicate this — the core machine is shared. Both use Breville’s ThermoJet heating system that takes them from cold to ready in about three seconds, both pull espresso at a proper pressure, and both take the same 54mm portafilter. Pull the exact same beans through both and you’ll get the same shot. If espresso quality is all you care about, you are not getting a “better” coffee by paying more for the Plus.
Where the Bambino Plus wins
The single reason to buy the Plus: automatic milk steaming. You pour milk in the pitcher, choose one of three temperatures and three froth levels, drop the wand in, and it textures the milk and shuts off on its own. For a beginner who finds steaming intimidating — and most do — this removes the hardest part of making a café-style latte. The Plus also includes a few more accessories (extra baskets and dosing tools) and has a marginally larger drip tray and tank.
If your daily drink is a latte, flat white, or cappuccino and you want it to be effortless, the Plus earns its premium.
Where the standard Bambino wins
The Bambino’s case is just as strong for the right person. It’s cheaper, slightly smaller, and its manual steam wand gives you full control once you learn it — which is exactly what people who want to develop the skill (and eventually latte art) prefer. If you mostly drink espresso, americanos, or only occasionally do milk drinks, the auto-frothing on the Plus is a feature you’d rarely use.
Buying the Bambino and putting the savings toward a better grinder is, honestly, the smarter move for a lot of beginners — because grind quality affects your shot far more than auto-frothing does.
The verdict for your situation
Buy the Bambino Plus if: milk drinks are your main thing and you want hands-free, foolproof steaming. 👉 Check price on Amazon
Buy the standard Bambino if: you drink mostly espresso, want to learn manual steaming, or want to save money/space (ideally to spend on a grinder). 👉 Check price on Amazon
Either way you’re getting the same excellent shot — you’re really just choosing how you want your milk handled.
FAQ
Is the espresso better on the Bambino Plus?
No. The shot is identical. The Plus only adds automatic milk steaming and a few accessories.
Can the standard Bambino make lattes?
Yes — it has a real steam wand, you just texture the milk manually. It takes a little practice, but many people prefer the control.
Do I still need a grinder for either one?
Yes. Neither has a built-in grinder, and fresh, espresso-fine grind matters more than any feature difference between these two. Budget roughly $100–$200 for a burr grinder. (See our guide on whether you really need a separate grinder.)
Is the price difference worth it?
Only if you’ll actually use the auto-frothing. If you drink milk-based coffee daily, yes. If you drink espresso straight, put the difference toward a grinder instead.
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