The Breville Bambino vs. the Breville Bambino Plus is a common search for two machines that appear so similar, just with a couple of hundred dollar price tag difference. The Breville Bambino and the Breville Bambino Plus are two base model espresso machines Breville has to offer.
Both models have similar mechanics, and get good reviews, but vary slightly in features. With a $200 price difference, the question is, which one is the machine for you?
This is the same question I’m asking myself. My husband and I enjoy making French press coffee in our Coffee Gator French Press, but we’re ready to upgrade our at-home coffee bar. We’re looking for a machine that can make an actual latte (including espresso, microfoam, and the whole nine) for the best price.
Breville Bambino vs. Bambino Plus Pricing
The Bambino Plus is the original base model espresso machine Breville created. The Plus model currently costs around $500 (check the website for current pricing). Overall, this model includes more automation and customization compared to the base Bambino.
Breville then introduced a more stripped-down espresso machine in the base Bambino for an even cheaper price of around $300. While the base Bambino doesn’t have an automatic milk frother setting and multiple heat settings like the Plus model, this machine still offers the same steam system and capacity for making tasty espresso.
Breville Bambino vs. Bambino Plus Style and Features
These two machines are honestly pretty similar, so let’s take a closer look at the key differences.
Machine Style
In terms of style, the Plus and base Bambino have an expensive aesthetic, especially with the stainless steel color. I should note, that the Plus model comes in multiple different colors, while the base Bambino only comes in the stainless steel color.
The base Bambino is reported to have a heavier-duty drip tray compared to the more expensive Plus model. This could have something to do with the built-in heat sensor in the Plus model.
Machine Size
As for size, the Plus model is slightly wider overall, with the base Bambino coming in with a more narrow and tall frame.
- Plus dimensions: 7 3/4″ x 12 1/2″ x 12 1/4″ high.
- Base Bambino dimensions: 6 1/4″ x 13 1/2″ x 12″ high.
- Plus weight: 11 lbs.
- Base Bambino weight: 13 lbs
This also means the Plus model has a slightly larger water tank at 1.9L vs. the base Bambino at 1.4L.
Steam System: Breville Thermojet
The Bambino Plus and Bambino espresso machines both include Breville’s Thermojet system. The Thermojet system heats water and begins the steaming and brewing process at a blazing 3-second rate.
This means the system that determines the quality of espresso pull is the same for both machines. Let that sink in. You aren’t losing any speed or functionality with the base Bambino over the Plus Bambino. Understanding this can help you decide between spending the extra money or not.
Steam Wand: Who Has the Best Microfoam?
The steam wand is another key place the Plus and Bambino machines differ.
The Plus model comes with two additional buttons on the face of the machine designated for milk frothing. One is a temperature button with low, medium, and high temp settings and the other is a milk foam setting for choosing milk texture when using the automatic foaming setting.
The base Bambino, on the other hand, offers the same steam wand, just without the automatic settings and heat sensor in the drip tray. At first, the automatic milk frother may seem like the better idea. You can just set it and walk away while your milk is frothed.
However, after many milk frothing and latte art tutorials, I have found that many professional baristas say it is much better to froth your milk manually. They even suggest overriding the automatic milk frother settings for machines such as the Bambino Plus. Manual frothing is part of the art of a great latte. Not to mention, the automatic settings don’t apply well to nondairy milk.
Espresso
The million dollar question (or rather the $200 question) is which Bambino makes better espresso? The answer is, that both machines are capable of making identical espresso shots. This is because both machines are equipped with the same Thermojet system.
Each machine also comes with a single or double espresso button. These programmed settings can be adjusted and programmed to your specific taste as you understand what works best for your taste and type of coffee.
Miscellaneous Differences
The Bambino Plus does come with a slightly heavier-duty espresso coffee portafilter compared to the base Bambino. The same goes for the tamper tool. The Bambino tamper is a plastic version, while the Plus comes with a heavier-duty metal tamper. I should also note that the base Bambino doesn’t come with a milk pitcher and the Plus does.
Another difference is the Plus doesn’t have a preprogrammed hot water dispenser while the base Bambino does. Of all the reviews, I got mixed responses on this. Some touted the base model for the ability to dispense hot water for the ability to make Americanos, while others thought the feature was one of the weirdest ways to get hot water.
All in all, there seems to be a way to program the Plus model to have the same hot water dispenser capability as the base model, it just takes a little tutorial to set up.
Final Verdict: Breville Bambino Plus vs. Breville Bambino
The final verdict is in: the Breville Bambino (base model) is the best overall choice compared to the Breville Bambino Plus. Why? The price point is way better for what you get.
The capacity for espresso making with the Thermojet system is identical. So that leaves the extra $200 ish dollar going towards some automatic milk-frothing tools that most baristas say you should override and not use.
That leaves the miscellaneous equipment being slightly better with the Plus model. You can always buy better miscellaneous tools down the road, and I would argue they are definitely not going to be more than $200 worth.
