Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: Which Should You Buy?

In the Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus matchup, the espresso side is essentially the same and the milk side is where they split. The Bambino has a manual single-hole steam wand and a 47 oz water tank, while the Bambino Plus adds an automatic four-hole steam wand, a larger 64 oz tank, a metal tamper and a dose trimming tool.

This comparison is based on manufacturer specifications, published features and common owner feedback, not on hands-on testing. The gap between the two shifts with sales, so check the current price on Amazon before you decide what the Plus’s extras are worth to you.

Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: Specs Side by Side

Both machines are roughly a foot tall and a little over a foot deep. Published dimensions vary from source to source depending on whether the drip tray and portafilter are counted, so measure your own space and treat the widths above as a guide.

What Is the Same on Both Machines?

Almost everything that touches the coffee. Both are single-heater, semi-automatic machines built around Breville’s ThermoJet heating system with PID temperature control. Both use a 15 bar Italian pump that starts each shot with low-pressure pre-infusion, and both lock in the same 54 mm stainless steel portafilter.

Both have programmable 1 cup and 2 cup buttons that stop the shot at a set volume. Both come with a stainless steel milk jug and filter baskets, and both can steam milk manually. With the same beans, grinder and recipe, you should expect very similar espresso from either one.

Heating System and Heat-Up Time: Is There Any Difference?

No. Both the Bambino and the Bambino Plus use the ThermoJet heater, and Breville states that it reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds on both.

One honest caveat applies to both. The water is hot in seconds, but the portafilter and group head start out cold, and cold metal pulls heat out of a shot. Owners widely recommend locking in the empty portafilter and running a blank shot of hot water through it before your first espresso.

Steam Wand: Manual vs Automatic Milk Texturing

This is the real decision.

Bambino: manual single-hole wand

The Bambino’s wand has a single-hole tip, and you do all the work: positioning the tip, stretching the milk and stopping at the right temperature. Reviewers commonly report around a minute to steam milk for one latte. The wand has a wide range of movement that makes it easier to find a good angle in the jug.

Bambino Plus: automatic four-hole wand

On the Bambino Plus you set the milk jug on the drip tray, where a temperature sensor sits under the jug, choose one of 3 milk temperatures and 3 texture levels, and press the steam button. The machine heats and textures the milk, stops by itself, and purges the wand when you lower it. The four-hole tip also moves more steam, so published reviews commonly put a latte’s worth of milk at about half the time of the Bambino.

You can still steam manually on the Plus if you want to practice. The drawbacks owners mention are that the automatic mode gives less consistent foam with some plant-based milks, that the wand has a more limited range of movement than the Bambino’s, and that the automatic purge can splash the drip tray.

Size: How Much Counter Space Does Each Need?

Both are among the smallest serious espresso machines you can buy. The Bambino is about 6.3 inches wide and the Bambino Plus about 7.6 inches wide, so the Plus needs a little over an inch more counter. Height and depth are close enough that they should not decide it.

Small and light has one side effect that owners of both models mention: the machine can slide when you lock in the portafilter. Steady it with your free hand on top.

Water Tank: 47 oz vs 64 oz

The Bambino holds 47 oz (1.4 L) and the Bambino Plus holds 64 oz (1.9 L). Both tanks are removable and sit at the back of the machine.

In a household making several milk drinks every morning, the Plus needs refilling less often, especially since steaming and purging use water too.

Included Accessories: What Comes in Each Box?

Both machines ship with a 54 mm portafilter, filter baskets, a stainless steel milk jug and a steam wand tip cleaning tool. The differences are small but real:

• Tamper. The Bambino comes with a lightweight plastic tamper that many owners replace. The Bambino Plus comes with a metal 54 mm tamper.
• Razor dosing tool. The Bambino Plus includes Breville’s Razor tool for trimming the coffee bed to a consistent level. The Bambino does not.
• Baskets. Breville lists both single wall and dual wall baskets for both machines. Single wall baskets are the ones to use with freshly ground beans, so confirm what is in the box on the listing you buy from.

If you choose the Bambino, a calibrated 54 mm tamper is the first upgrade worth making.

What Grinder Do You Need to Add?

Neither the Bambino nor the Bambino Plus has a grinder, and this is the part of the budget people forget. Espresso needs a fine, consistent grind that you can adjust in small steps. A blade grinder cannot do that, and most basic drip coffee grinders do not go fine enough.

You have three sensible routes:

• An electric burr grinder made for espresso. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro has 60 grind settings and is a common pairing with both Bambino models. The Baratza Encore ESP is another popular choice designed with espresso in mind.
• A hand grinder. A good manual espresso hand grinder can match much pricier electric grinders on grind quality and takes almost no counter space.
• Pre-ground coffee with the dual wall basket. This works as a stopgap. You give up most of the flavor and control that make a machine like this worth owning.

Our roundup of the best burr grinders covers more options. If you would rather have the grinder built into the machine, see our Breville Barista Express vs Barista Pro comparison, which covers the two all-in-one models from the same brand.

Breville Bambino: Strengths and Drawbacks

The Breville Bambino BES450BSS is the entry point to Breville’s espresso range.

What the Bambino does well

• Same espresso hardware for less. ThermoJet heater, PID control, pre-infusion and a 54 mm portafilter, in the lower price tier.
• Dedicated hot water button. Handy for americanos and for warming cups.
• Narrowest footprint. About 6.3 inches wide.
• A good wand to learn on. Slower steam and free wand movement suit anyone who wants to build real milk skills.

Where the Bambino falls short

• No automatic milk. Every latte depends on your technique.
• Slower steaming. The single-hole tip takes roughly twice as long as the Plus.
• Plastic tamper and no Razor tool. Budget for a better tamper.

Breville Bambino Plus: Strengths and Drawbacks

The Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS takes the same espresso platform and automates the milk.

What the Bambino Plus does well

• Hands-free milk. 3 temperatures and 3 texture levels, with automatic stop and automatic purge.
• Faster steam. The four-hole tip cuts the wait between shot and finished drink.
• Better accessories. Metal tamper and Razor dosing tool in the box.

Where the Bambino Plus falls short

• Higher price tier. You are paying mainly for the milk system. If you drink straight espresso, that money buys you very little.
• No dedicated hot water button. Americano drinkers will want a kettle nearby.
• Automatic foam is less reliable with some plant-based milks. Barista-style oat and soy milks tend to do better than standard cartons.

Who Should Buy the Bambino and Who Should Buy the Bambino Plus?

Choose the Bambino if:

• You mostly drink espresso, americanos or the occasional milk drink.
• You want to learn manual milk steaming and latte art.
• You would rather put the price difference toward a better grinder, which improves espresso more than any feature on the Plus.
• Your counter space is very tight.

Choose the Bambino Plus if:

• Most of your drinks are lattes, cappuccinos or flat whites.
• You want consistent milk without learning the technique, or other people in the house will use the machine.
• You make several drinks in a row and value faster steam and a bigger tank.

If neither feels right, our guide to the best home espresso machines compares them with other brands.

Marcus’s Pro Tips

• Spend on the grinder first. A Bambino with a capable espresso grinder will beat a Bambino Plus with a weak one every time.
• Preheat the metal. Lock in the empty portafilter and run a blank shot before the first espresso of the day, and rinse your cup with the hot water while you are at it.
• Weigh your shots. Neither machine has a timer, so use a small espresso scale with a timer. Start at 18 g in, 36 g out in 25 to 30 seconds, then follow our guide on how to dial in espresso.
• Use the single wall basket with fresh beans. Keep the dual wall basket for pre-ground or older coffee.
• Use cold milk and the right fill level on the Plus. The automatic wand relies on the sensor under the jug, so start with cold milk, fill between the jug’s markings and seat the jug flat on the tray.

Useful Add-Ons for Either Machine

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Breville Bambino and the Bambino Plus?

The Bambino Plus adds an automatic four-hole steam wand with 3 milk temperatures and 3 texture levels, automatic wand purging, a larger 64 oz water tank, a metal tamper and a Razor dosing tool. The Bambino has a manual single-hole wand, a 47 oz tank and a dedicated hot water button. The heater, pump and 54 mm portafilter are the same.

Does the Bambino Plus make better espresso than the Bambino?

No. Both use the same ThermoJet heating system, PID temperature control, pre-infusion and 54 mm portafilter, so shot quality comes down to your beans, grinder and technique. The Plus is better at milk, not at espresso.

Is the Breville Bambino Plus worth the extra money?

It is worth it if you make milk drinks most days and want them hands-free, because the automatic wand and faster steam save effort on every cup. If you drink mostly espresso or want to steam by hand, the Bambino gives you the same shot in a lower price tier.

Do the Bambino and Bambino Plus come with a grinder?

No, neither one has a built-in grinder. You need a separate burr grinder that can grind fine enough for espresso, or you can use pre-ground coffee with the dual wall basket as a short-term option.

How long do the Bambino and Bambino Plus take to heat up?

Breville states that the ThermoJet heating system in both machines reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds. The portafilter still starts cold, so running a blank shot first gives you a hotter, more consistent espresso.

Can you steam milk manually on the Bambino Plus?

Yes. The Plus has both automatic and manual steaming, so you can let the machine do it on busy mornings and practice by hand when you have time. Its wand has less range of movement than the Bambino’s.

The Verdict: Bambino or Bambino Plus?

For latte and cappuccino drinkers, the Breville Bambino Plus is the better buy: hands-free milk texturing, faster steam, a 64 oz tank and better accessories make the daily routine shorter and more consistent. For espresso and americano drinkers, or anyone who wants to learn to steam by hand, the Breville Bambino delivers the same shot from a smaller, lower-priced machine and leaves more budget for the grinder.

Whichever you pick, pair it with a proper grinder from our best burr grinders guide, and check the current price of both machines on Amazon before you decide.

Marcus Webb

Home Coffee Writer & Founder

Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.