Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: Which Is Better? (October 2026)

On this page (13 sections)

1. Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: what they share
2. The steam wand is the biggest difference
3. The auto purge after steaming
4. Hot water: only the standard Bambino has a button
5. What comes in the box
6. Size and footprint
7. Every difference in one table
8. Warranty and what it covers
9. A quick checklist for choosing
10. What to buy with either Bambino
11. Which Breville Bambino should you pick?
12. Both Bambino models need a separate grinder
13. Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: the short answer

The Breville Bambino and the Bambino Plus share the same espresso core: a 54 mm portafilter, a 19 gram dose, a heat-up of about 3 seconds and digital temperature control. The Plus adds an automatic steam wand, an auto purge after steaming and a longer warranty.

This comparison looks at what each machine gives you, so you can decide whether the extras matter in your kitchen. We compared the two on their specs, features and included parts.

Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: what they share

Both use a 54 mm portafilter with a 19 gram dose, so the baskets and the tamper are the same size on either one. Both heat up in about 3 seconds and use PID temperature control with low pressure pre-infusion.

Both run on 110 to 120 volts at 1560 watts, and both offer 1 cup and 2 cup buttons. Both take ground coffee only, so the grinder you pair with them matters more than which model you pick.

The steam wand is the biggest difference

The standard Bambino has a manual steam wand, so you texture the milk by hand. The Bambino Plus has an automatic wand that lets you adjust the milk temperature and texture, then does the steaming for you.

That one change decides the pick for most people.

If you want to learn microfoam, the manual wand teaches you. If you want the same milk every morning with less practice, the Plus is built for that.

Bambino vs Bambino Plus milk routine day to day

On the Bambino, you purge the wand, find the depth, watch the jug and stop at the right heat. It's a few minutes of attention, and it gets quicker with practice.

On the Plus, you pick the temperature and texture level, then place the jug. The named settings also make it easy to repeat a drink you liked the day before.

The auto purge after steaming

The Bambino Plus automatically purges its heating system after you steam milk, so the next shot comes out at the right temperature. Breville presents it as the step that gets the machine ready for an espresso straight after milk.

Breville doesn't name an auto purge for the standard Bambino, so the cool-down before the next shot is a step you handle yourself. That's a small point if you pull one drink a day, but it matters if you make a latte and then a shot.

Hot water: only the standard Bambino has a button

The standard Bambino has a hot water button next to the steam button. That's useful for an Americano, for tea or for warming a cup.

The Bambino Plus has a steam button but no hot water button. If you pour hot water often, that favors the standard model.

What comes in the box

The Bambino comes with 1 cup and 2 cup single wall and dual wall baskets, a milk jug, a portafilter, a tamper, a steam wand tip cleaning tool and descaling powder. You can start brewing once you add a grinder.

The Bambino Plus comes with a 16 fl oz (480 ml) stainless steel milk jug, a 54 mm tamper, a cleaning tool and disc, a filter and the Razor precision dosing tool. That jug is a good size for a large latte, with room for the foam.

Size and footprint

The Bambino measures 6.3 inches wide, 13.7 inches deep and 12 inches tall. Breville gives the Bambino Plus's width as 7.7 inches, so the Plus takes about an inch and a half more counter.

Measure the depth too, and leave room in front for the portafilter to lock in and come out. A counter that fits one will almost always fit the other.

Every difference in one table

This table lists each item where the two machines differ, plus the shared basics.

Warranty and what it covers

The Bambino comes with a 1 year limited warranty, and the Bambino Plus comes with a 2 year limited warranty. The longer cover is one of the clearest differences between the two.

Keep the receipt with the box, and read the terms for what each warranty covers before you need one. The length matters most if the machine will see daily use for years.

A quick checklist for choosing

Answer these four questions, and the choice usually settles itself.

• Do you steam milk most days? If yes, the Plus saves attention on every drink.
• Do you want to learn microfoam by hand? If yes, the standard Bambino's manual wand is the better teacher.
• Do you pour hot water for tea or an Americano? If yes, the standard Bambino has the button for it.
• Will the machine see daily use for years? If yes, the Plus's second warranty year is worth weighing.

What to buy with either Bambino

Both machines need a grinder, and a scale makes the 19 gram dose easy to repeat. Breville's own tablets cover the cleaning.

Which Breville Bambino should you pick?

Pick the Bambino if you want the espresso core and the fast heat-up without the extras. It's the simpler choice for a first machine, and it leaves room in the budget for a good grinder.

Pick the Bambino Plus if you steam milk most days and want it done the same way each time. The automatic wand, the auto purge and the second warranty year are what you pay extra for.

Our scores reflect that trade. The Bambino scores 8.6 because it gives the same espresso for less, and the Plus scores 8.2 because its extras help mainly on the milk side.

Both Bambino models need a separate grinder

Neither machine has a built-in grinder, so you'll need a burr grinder that sets a fine, even grind. Our espresso machine grinder guide explains the choice in more detail.

The Breville Bambino review covers the standard model on its own. If you want a grinder built in, read the Breville Barista Express review, or see how to set up and use the Barista Express.

Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: the short answer

Pick the Bambino to learn the wand and keep the cost down. Pick the Bambino Plus if automatic milk and a longer warranty matter more to you.

If you want a guided machine with a grinder and automatic milk, see the Barista Express vs Ninja Luxe Café comparison. The home espresso machine guide covers the wider choice of first machines.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Breville Bambino and the Bambino Plus?

The Bambino Plus has an automatic steam wand that adjusts milk temperature and texture, an auto purge after steaming, a 16 fl oz milk jug and a 2 year warranty. The standard Bambino has a manual wand, a hot water button and a 1 year warranty.

Does the Bambino Plus make better espresso than the Bambino?

The espresso core is the same on both, with a 54 mm portafilter, a 19 gram dose, PID control and a heat-up of about 3 seconds. Shot quality depends mostly on your grind, dose and routine, and the Plus mainly improves the milk side.

Do I need a separate grinder for the Bambino or the Bambino Plus?

Yes, both take ground coffee and have no built-in grinder. A fine, consistent burr grinder makes the biggest difference to the shot, so plan to buy one alongside either machine.

Which Bambino has the longer warranty?

The Bambino Plus has a 2 year limited warranty, while the Bambino has a 1 year limited warranty. Keep the receipt and the model number with the box, and read the warranty terms for what they cover.