Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus – Which Espresso Machine Wins?
Breville’s Bambino and Bambino Plus promise café-style coffee in a compact design, but each offers a different experience. The Bambino focuses on simplicity and affordability, making it ideal for those who want a straightforward espresso routine.
The Bambino Plus adds more advanced steaming features, perfect for milk-based drink lovers who value silky microfoam. Both machines heat up in just seconds and deliver rich, aromatic shots that rival your favorite coffee shop.
While their designs look similar, their performance and features tell two different stories. Knowing the strengths of each model helps you choose the one that matches your brewing style and taste preferences.
This comparison dives into their design, performance, milk frothing, and overall value to help you find the right fit for your coffee habit. Whether you crave pure espresso shots or creamy lattes, one of these Breville machines could be your daily brewing companion.
Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus
Breville is known for making compact espresso machines that still deliver great coffee. Two popular models are the Breville Bambino and the Bambino Plus.
At first glance, they look similar. Both are small, heat up fast, and promise barista-quality drinks at home. But there are differences in features, warranty, and milk steaming performance.
This guide will break down each model in detail. Then, we will compare them side by side so you can see which one fits your needs better.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
Product Details
The Breville Bambino is designed for coffee lovers who want speed and quality in a small machine. It uses a 54mm portafilter that holds 19 grams of coffee. This helps get a strong, full flavor.
The automatic steam wand makes milk foam without needing much skill. You can adjust milk temperature and texture easily. The thermojet heating system warms the machine in just 3 seconds. Low-pressure pre-infusion makes sure flavors are extracted evenly.
Digital temperature control (PID) keeps water at the right heat for perfect espresso shots. It comes with a 1-year warranty, uses 1560 watts, and works with 110–120 volts.
Features
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54mm portafilter with 19g capacity
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Automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture
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3-second heat-up time
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Low-pressure pre-infusion for balanced flavor
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Digital temperature control for precision
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Buttons for 1 or 2 cups and steam
What is the good?
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Very quick heat-up
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Easy milk texturing for beginners
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Even coffee extraction for better taste
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Compact size for small kitchens
What is the bad?
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Shorter warranty (1 year)
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Less advanced steaming compared to the Plus
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No automatic purge after steaming
Overall Opinion
The Breville Bambino is great for someone who wants fast, simple espresso at home. It is easy to use and makes good coffee with little waiting time. While it lacks some advanced features, it offers strong value for its size and price.
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Product Details
The Breville Bambino Plus builds on the Bambino’s design with extra features. It also uses a 54mm portafilter with 19 grams of coffee for rich flavor. The automatic steam wand works like the Bambino’s but is more powerful for milk texturing.
It also includes an auto-purge function, which cleans the steam system after use. This ensures your next espresso is brewed at the right temperature.
The Plus keeps the same 3-second heat-up, low-pressure pre-infusion, and precise temperature control. It is slightly wider at 7.7 inches but still compact. It comes with a 2-year warranty, uses 1560 watts, and works with 110–120 volts.
Features
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54mm portafilter with 19g capacity
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Automatic steam wand with enhanced power
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Auto-purge after steaming
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3-second heat-up time
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Low-pressure pre-infusion for balanced flavor
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Digital temperature control
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Compact design at 7.7 inches wide
What is the good?
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Stronger milk steaming performance
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Auto-purge for consistent brewing temperature
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Longer warranty (2 years)
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Still very compact
What is the bad?
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Slightly higher price than Bambino
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Slightly bigger footprint
Overall Opinion
The Breville Bambino Plus is ideal for those who value milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. It offers better milk frothing and a longer warranty. The auto-purge function is also a nice touch for consistent coffee results.
Detailed Comparison for Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus
Both machines share core features: a 54mm portafilter with 19 grams, digital temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a 3-second heat-up.
Both make high-quality espresso and are easy to use in small kitchens. The main differences are in steaming performance, warranty, and convenience.
The Bambino Plus has stronger milk frothing, an auto-purge system, and a 2-year warranty. The regular Bambino still makes good milk foam but lacks auto-purge and has a shorter 1-year warranty.
If you mostly drink espresso, the Bambino is enough. If you love milk-based drinks and want extra ease, the Plus is worth the upgrade.
FAQs
Which one makes better espresso?
Both make espresso of the same quality. The difference is in milk steaming and features.
Is the Bambino Plus worth the extra cost?
Yes, if you drink a lot of milk-based coffee or want a longer warranty.
Do both machines heat up in 3 seconds?
Yes, both use the ThermoJet heating system.
Does the Bambino have auto-purge?
No, only the Bambino Plus has this feature.
Which one is better for beginners?
Both are beginner-friendly, but the Plus gives more steaming support.
Conclusion
The Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus are both fast, compact, and capable espresso machines. They share the same brewing technology, so both make great espresso.
The Bambino is better for espresso-only drinkers or those on a budget. The Bambino Plus is better for milk drink lovers who want more steaming power, auto-purge, and a longer warranty.