Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: Is Auto Milk Worth 200 Dollars?
The espresso these two produce is the same, because the thermojet heater, the pump and the group are shared. The Plus adds an automatic steam wand that texturises milk to a set temperature and foam level and stops on its own. If you want to learn to steam milk, the cheaper machine teaches you. If you want a flat white without thinking, the Plus does it every time.
At a glance
| Breville Bambino espresso machine | Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Brew group and pump | Shared | Shared |
| Heat up time | About 3 seconds | About 3 seconds |
| Steam wand | Manual, you control it | Automatic with temperature and texture settings |
| Milk skill required | Yes, it is learnable | None |
| Manual steam possible | Yes | Yes, the automatic mode can be bypassed |
| Footprint | Very small | Very small |
Choose the Breville Bambino espresso machine if…
Choose the Bambino if you want to learn milk texturing or you drink your espresso black. Steaming milk well is a skill worth having and the manual wand on this machine has enough power to teach it. The money saved here is most of a grinder, and a better grinder changes the coffee far more than an automatic wand does. That is the trade in one sentence.
Check Breville Bambino espresso machine on Amazon
Choose the Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine if…
Choose the Bambino Plus if you make milk drinks daily and want them consistent without practice, or if several people in the house make coffee and only one of them wants to learn. Automatic texturing genuinely works, it hits a set temperature reliably, and it removes the most frustrating part of espresso for a beginner. You can still steam manually when you want to.
Check Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine on Amazon
We also have full reviews of each: Breville Bambino review and Breville Bambino Plus review.
Related
- Semi automatic vs super automatic
- Espresso machine buying guide
- Grinder against machine budget calculator
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which matters more, the machine or the grinder?
The grinder, and it is not close at this level. An espresso machine of this quality with a poor grinder produces sour or bitter shots you cannot correct, because a grinder that cannot adjust finely enough leaves you between two settings, one too fast and one too slow. If your total budget is fixed, weight it towards the grinder. The budget calculator on this site works out the split.
Do these machines have a pressure gauge?
Neither does, which is worth knowing if you like to diagnose by reading pressure. Both have a preinfusion routine and a built in pressure regulator that keeps extraction pressure sensible even when the grind is slightly off. In practice you dial in by weighing the output and timing the shot, which is more reliable than a gauge anyway.
Can you use them with a bottomless portafilter?
Yes, and a bottomless portafilter is one of the more useful cheap upgrades because it shows you channelling immediately. If the shot sprays or splits into jets, the puck is unevenly packed. The included portafilters are 54 mm rather than the commercial 58 mm standard, so buy accessories in the right size.
How long do they take to warm up?
The thermojet heater reaches brew temperature in about three seconds, which is the standout feature of both machines. It does not mean the group and the portafilter are hot, so run a blank shot through the portafilter before pulling a real one. Cold metal pulls the temperature down and the first shot of the day will taste sour without it.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, verified owner reviews and published barista guidance. We do not test gear in person. Espresso machines run mains electricity, pressurised water and steam above boiling point, so follow your manufacturer's manual and leave electrical or boiler work to a qualified technician. Everything here is researched guidance, not professional advice.
