breville bambino vs bambino plus

The Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus are two of the most popular entry-level espresso machines on the market, and they look nearly identical. Both use the same ThermoJet heating system, the same 54mm portafilter, and the same 9-bar extraction process. So what is the difference, and is the Plus worth the extra $150–$200? Here is a direct, no-fluff comparison to help you decide.

What They Share

Before getting into the differences, it is important to understand that these machines share the same core espresso engine. Everything that makes the espresso itself is identical:

The ThermoJet heating system reaches brewing temperature in approximately 3 seconds. Both machines use a 54mm stainless steel portafilter with 18 grams of coffee for full flavor. Both deliver low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction — the same pressure profile used in commercial machines. Both include a pressurized basket (beginner-friendly) and a non-pressurized basket (for use with a proper burr grinder). Both have a compact footprint that fits easily in small kitchens.

The espresso you pull from a Bambino and a Bambino Plus — using the same beans, same grind, same dose — will taste the same. The differences are all about the milk system and a few convenience features.

The Key Differences

Steam Wand: Manual vs. Automatic

This is the biggest difference and the main reason the Plus costs more.

The Bambino has a manual steam wand. You control the wand position, milk pitcher angle, and timing yourself. This gives you full control over milk texture — you can make silky microfoam for latte art or thicker froth for cappuccinos. The tradeoff is a learning curve. It takes practice to get consistent results, and your first few attempts will probably be more bubbly than silky. But once you learn, the manual wand gives you better control than any automatic system.

The Bambino Plus has an automatic steam wand. You set your desired milk temperature and texture level, press the steam button, and the machine handles the rest. It produces consistent, good-quality microfoam every time with no technique required. The Plus also lets you adjust the temperature for different types of milk (dairy, oat, almond, etc.), which is a genuine advantage since alternative milks froth differently at different temperatures.

Bottom line: If you want to learn milk steaming technique and eventually do latte art, the manual wand on the standard Bambino is actually the better choice. If you want consistent, no-effort milk foam every time, the automatic wand on the Plus is worth the premium.

Auto-Purge

The Bambino Plus automatically purges the heating system after steaming to bring the temperature back down to the correct brewing range. This means you can steam milk and then immediately pull another shot without waiting or manually flushing.

The standard Bambino does not have auto-purge. After steaming, you need to run a brief water flush to cool the thermoblock before your next espresso shot. This adds about 10–15 seconds to your workflow. Not a big deal for most people, but something to be aware of if you are making multiple drinks back to back.

Milk Temperature and Texture Control

The Bambino Plus lets you adjust milk temperature to three levels and texture to three levels, giving you 9 combinations. This is particularly useful for alternative milks — oat milk, for example, tends to scorch at the temperatures used for dairy, so being able to dial down the temperature is a real advantage.

The standard Bambino gives you full manual control, which technically means infinite adjustment, but requires you to develop the feel for it yourself.

Warranty

The Bambino comes with a 1-year warranty. The Bambino Plus comes with a 2-year warranty. If longevity and peace of mind matter to you, the extra year of coverage on the Plus is a nice bonus.

Price Comparison

The Breville Bambino (BES450) retails for $300 and is frequently on sale for $250 or less. The Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) retails for $500 and is sometimes found for $400. The price gap is roughly $150–$200 depending on sales.

Which One Should You Buy?

Get the Bambino if: You want to learn espresso skills and milk steaming technique. You are on a tighter budget and would rather put the savings toward a better grinder or better beans. You mainly drink straight espresso or Americanos and do not make many milk drinks. You want the satisfaction of learning latte art.

Get the Bambino Plus if: You want consistent, no-effort milk foam every time without learning manual steaming. You drink a lot of milk-based drinks like flat whites, lattes, or cappuccinos. You frequently use alternative milks (oat, almond, soy) that benefit from adjustable temperature. You make multiple drinks back to back and want auto-purge for faster workflow. You prefer the longer 2-year warranty.

One Important Note: You Still Need a Grinder

Neither the Bambino nor the Bambino Plus includes a built-in grinder. Both ship with pressurized baskets that work with pre-ground coffee, which is fine for getting started. But to get the best espresso from either machine, you will need a separate burr grinder capable of an espresso-fine grind.

This is actually worth factoring into your budget. If you are choosing between a $500 Bambino Plus with no grinder and a $250 Bambino plus a $200 grinder, the Bambino + grinder combo will produce better espresso. The grinder matters more than the steam wand for shot quality.

For grinder recommendations, check out our guide to the best coffee grinder under $100 and our complete coffee grinder guide.

Care and Maintenance

Both machines require the same maintenance: regular backflushing with the included cleaning disc, wiping the steam wand after every use, and periodic descaling. Our Breville Bambino descaling guide covers the process step by step. Using filtered water will reduce how often you need to descale and keep your espresso tasting its best.

Conclusion

Both machines pull identical espresso. The entire price difference comes down to the automatic steam wand, auto-purge, adjustable milk settings, and an extra year of warranty on the Plus.

For most beginners, we recommend the standard Bambino and putting the $150–$200 savings toward a quality grinder. The grinder will have a bigger impact on your espresso quality than an automatic steam wand. But if milk drinks are your primary focus and you value convenience over learning technique, the Bambino Plus is a worthwhile upgrade.

Either way, you are getting one of the best entry-level espresso machines available. For more options across different budgets, see our guides to the best espresso machines and the best espresso machines under $200.