Guide · By The Lab · October 8, 2026
Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buy through our links and we get a small cut — at no extra cost to you. We spend it on beans and therapy. Full disclosure.
Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: the espresso side is identical — the same 54mm portafilter, the same PID-controlled ThermoJet that heats in about 3 seconds, the same 9 bars of pressure. The Plus costs more because it steams and textures your milk automatically; the regular Bambino makes you do that by hand.
So the question is not "which makes better espresso?" — it's a tie, because the brew hardware is the same. The question is whether automatic milk is worth a couple hundred dollars to you. If you drink lattes daily, usually yes. If you drink straight shots, or want to learn to steam properly, no. Side-by-side first, opinions after.
01.The two machines, side by side
Everything that touches the coffee is shared. Our Bambino Plus review covers that common hardware in detail — it's why this tiny machine pulls shots that embarrass much bigger ones. The differences live almost entirely on the milk side.
| Spec | Bambino | Bambino Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso hardware | 54mm portafilter, PID, 9 bar with low-pressure pre-infusion | Same |
| Heat-up | About 3 seconds (ThermoJet) | Same |
| Steam wand | Manual — you angle it, time it, and stop it | Automatic texturing: pick a temperature and foam level, walk away (manual mode still exists) |
| Milk skill needed | Practice — expect a few weeks to get silky | Almost none |
| Drip tray | Smaller | Slightly larger |
| Price | Lower — typically a couple hundred dollars less | Higher |
| Grinder included | No | No |
02.What the extra money actually buys
Automatic milk texturing. You put the jug under the wand, choose a temperature and a foam level, and the machine steams the milk and stops itself. It produces genuine microfoam — good enough for latte art once your pouring catches up — and it frees your hands to grind the next dose or pull the shot at the same time.
The Plus is a robot barista for exactly one task, and it's better at that task than most humans in their first month. The drip tray is a bonus: slightly bigger, so fewer trips to the sink.
03.When the regular Bambino is the smarter buy
If you mostly drink straight espresso or Americanos, the Plus's headline feature does nothing for you — save the money. If you want to learn real milk steaming, the manual wand is the better teacher, because that skill transfers to every machine you'll ever own.
And the savings have somewhere better to go: a burr grinder matters more than either machine, and neither includes one. Our accessories guide covers what to buy first.
04.The call
Buy the Bambino Plus if you make milk drinks most days, share the machine with people who don't want a steaming apprenticeship, or just value mornings that go smoothly. Buy the Bambino if you drink espresso straight, enjoy learning technique, or would rather spend the difference on a grinder.
Don't buy the Plus "to grow into" — nobody grows out of automation they never turn off. Buy it because you'll use it every day, or don't.
FAQ
- What's the difference between the Bambino and the Bambino Plus?
- Automatic milk texturing, mainly. The Plus steams and froths milk for you at a temperature and foam level you choose; the regular Bambino has a manual wand. The Plus also has a slightly larger drip tray. The espresso hardware is the same on both.
- Does the Bambino Plus make better espresso than the Bambino?
- No. Both use the same 54mm portafilter, PID temperature control, 9-bar pump, and low-pressure pre-infusion, so shot quality is the same. Your grinder and your beans decide the result on either one.
- Is the Bambino Plus worth the extra money?
- If you steam milk most days, yes — automatic texturing is the feature you'll use every morning. If you drink straight espresso or want to learn manual steaming, the regular Bambino is the better value.
- Can you still steam milk manually on the Bambino Plus?
- Yes. The Plus keeps a manual mode alongside the automatic one, so you can practice real technique whenever you like.
- Do either of them include a grinder?
- No. Both need a separate burr grinder, and pre-ground coffee will waste what either machine does well. See our Bambino Plus review for grinder advice.