Bambino vs Bambino Plus - Which Breville Mini-Espresso Wins for Home Use?

I spent time with Breville’s entry-level Bambino and the upgraded Bambino Plus to see whether the extra features on the Plus justify a $200 premium. The conclusion was straightforward: if espresso shots are your priority, both machines deliver class-leading results; if milk drinks and latte art matter, the Bambino Plus is worth the upgrade.

At the heart of both machines are the same critical engineering choices that drive shot quality: PID temperature control and a pre-infusion stage. Those shared features produced consistent, well-balanced extractions across multiple beans and roasts, which is why espresso performance was excellent from both machines in this class. For buyers looking for compact, reliable espresso without frills, the $299 Bambino represents exceptional value.

Design and footprint separated the models. The Bambino kept the smallest profile and felt built to disappear on a crowded counter. The Bambino Plus was larger, with noticeable changes to water-tank placement and drip-tray design that suit heavier daily use. During testing, those differences translated into fewer refills and easier handling when making multiple drinks back-to-back.

Where the machines diverged dramatically was milk performance. The Bambino Plus uses a 4-hole steam wand at higher pressure and adds an auto-milk function that steams to temperature and texture automatically. That combination produced silkier microfoam and more consistent latte art, making the Plus the better choice for cappuccinos, lattes, and any routine that depends on textured milk. The standard Bambino steamer still produced acceptable milk for casual milk-based drinks, but it required more technique and yielded less consistent microfoam.

Accessories and practical setup were similar in scope, keeping both models approachable for beginners and convenient for regular users. The review included photo examples of shots and milk textures to illustrate how the two machines compare visually, highlighting the Plus’s advantage in milk sheen and pour definition versus the Bambino’s compact espresso shots.

For community readers balancing space, budget, and drink preferences: choose the Bambino if you want a tiny, affordable machine that makes excellent espresso; choose the Bambino Plus if you prioritize milk steaming, latte art, and a more automated workflow. Both are solid options and closely matched on shot quality, so the decision comes down to how much you value milk capability relative to price and counter real estate.