Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: Manual or Automatic Milk Frothing for Your First Espresso Machine?

The Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus are an entry-level pair, and they have a lot in common. Both use Breville's ThermoJet heating to be ready in about 3 seconds. Both use a 15-bar pump with low-pressure pre-infusion before 9-bar extraction. Both take a 54 mm portafilter with an 18 g dose. Neither has a built-in grinder.

So what separates them? Mostly milk. The Bambino has a manual steam wand. The Bambino Plus has an automatic steam wand that textures milk for you. There are also smaller differences in size and controls that matter in a tight kitchen. This page is based on Breville's published specifications and our buying checklists, so you can decide which one fits how you make coffee.

Manual vs automatic milk frothing

This is the main difference between the two machines.

Bambino: You get a manual steam wand. You hold the pitcher and control the texture yourself by positioning the wand and watching the milk. That takes some practice. Some people enjoy learning it, and once you have the technique you have full control. If you mostly drink espresso shots or Americanos, the manual wand may matter very little.

Bambino Plus: The automatic steam wand textures milk for you. You choose from three temperatures (Warm, Ideal, Hot) and three foam levels, and the wand runs on its own, then purges automatically afterward. Breville lists the steam temperature at 266 °F, and a 16 fl oz milk jug is included in the box. For latte drinkers moving up from pods, this removes the hardest skill to learn in home espresso.

Size

Both machines are 11.9 inches wide, so they take up the same width on your counter. The difference is depth and height:

• Bambino: 11.9 × 6.1 × 13.5 in (W × D × H)
• Bambino Plus: 11.9 × 7.4 × 14.3 in (W × D × H)

The Bambino is about 1.3 inches shallower and 0.8 inches shorter. That sounds small, but it can matter on a narrow counter or under low upper cabinets. Measure your space, and leave room above the machine for filling the water tank.

Controls

The two machines take slightly different approaches to buttons and shot control.

Bambino: One-touch buttons for 1 shot, 2 shot, steam and hot water. The hot water function is useful if you make Americanos or the occasional cup of tea.

Bambino Plus: Preset or programmable 1- and 2-cup shot volumes, so you can set the shot size you like and repeat it. Breville also lists electronic PID temperature control. The trade-off is that the Plus has no dedicated hot-water outlet. For Americanos or tea you'll need a kettle. If you need one, see our best electric kettles.

Who each suits

Think about what you drink most often:

• Mostly espresso, Americanos, or the occasional milk drink: the Bambino covers this well, and its hot water button is a real convenience.
• Mostly lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites: the Bambino Plus's automatic milk texturing is the feature you'll use every day.
• Very tight counter: the Bambino's shallower, shorter body has the edge.
• Coming from pods and want minimal learning: the Bambino Plus asks less of you.

Who should buy the Breville Bambino

• Apartment and small-kitchen espresso fans who need the smallest footprint
• People who mostly drink espresso or Americanos and want a hot water button
• Beginners who already own a grinder or plan to buy one
• Anyone who wants to learn manual milk steaming and control the texture themselves
• Anyone who wants a quick shot before work, thanks to the roughly 3-second heat-up

Skip it if: you want hands-free milk frothing. The Bambino Plus adds an automatic steam wand.

Who should buy the Breville Bambino Plus

• Pod and capsule drinkers ready to move up to real espresso
• Latte and flat white lovers who don't want to learn milk steaming
• People who want programmable shot volumes they can repeat every time
• Small kitchens with limited counter width (it's still only 11.9 in wide)

Skip it if: you want a built-in grinder, need a dedicated hot-water outlet, or want commercial-size 58 mm accessories and advanced pressure control.

FAQ

Do I need a separate grinder for either Bambino?

Yes, unless you buy pre-ground coffee. Neither machine has a built-in grinder. The dual-wall baskets included with both are more forgiving with pre-ground coffee. For the single-wall baskets, a good burr grinder is close to essential to get the most out of either machine.

Can I make an Americano with the Bambino Plus?

You can, but not from the machine itself. The Bambino Plus has no dedicated hot-water outlet, so you'll need hot water from a kettle. The standard Bambino has a one-touch hot water button.

Is the espresso itself different between the two?

According to Breville's specifications, both use ThermoJet heating with about a 3-second heat-up. Both use low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction, with a 54 mm portafilter and 18 g dose. The Bambino Plus also lists PID temperature control and programmable shot volumes. Day to day, the bigger differences are milk frothing, hot water and size.

Shopping for someone else this season? The Bambino Plus appears in our gifts for coffee lovers guide. For more options, browse our best espresso machines for home.

Prices change often — especially around Black Friday and holiday sales — so we don't show them here. Follow the store links to see the current price and availability.