ConsFirst / Espresso machines / Compare
Breville Bambino Plus vs Breville Bambino
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
Breville Bambino Plus ranks higher (#3 vs #10 of 11) and scores better on milk frothing, ease of use, cleaning & upkeep.
The biggest complaint about the Breville Bambino Plus is stops working within months; for the Breville Bambino it's shots and steaming a step below the plus. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Good for: Beginners who want lattes with hands-free milk
Its catch: stops working within months
Check price on AmazonGood for: Small kitchens
Its catch: shots and steaming a step below the Plus
Check price on AmazonPaid links. We don't list prices — they change daily. Neither one feels right?
Side by side
| Breville Bambino Plus | Breville Bambino | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in espresso machines | #3 | #10 |
| Price tier | $$ | $ |
| Type | Espresso machine (no grinder) | Espresso machine (no grinder) |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 19% | — |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.4 |
| Espresso quality | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Milk frothing | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Cleaning & upkeep | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Durability | 2.5 | — |
Price tiers: $ under $300 · $$ $300–800 · $$$ over $800. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Breville Bambino Plus
- Stops working within months
Durability is a negative aspect in Amazon's review summary, with multiple owners saying it broke after about 5 months. Reliability gets mixed feedback, with some saying it stopped working after a month.
- Forced cleaning cycles; frother can over-foam
Amazon owners give maintenance mixed marks and say they are forced through cleaning cycles. Food Network found the frother can over-foam and the portafilter prone to dripping.
- Light body, limited wand reach, pricey for entry level
Walmart reviewers say it is so light you have to hold the machine down to remove the portafilter. Tom's Guide lists the limited steam wand movement and an entry-level price that is still high as its cons.
Breville Bambino
- Shots and steaming a step below the Plus
Wirecutter says it made decent espresso, but the shots weren't quite as flavorful or consistent as the Bambino Plus's, and the steam wand is slightly less powerful. Wirecutter thinks the Plus or the Gaggia is better value.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - No auto-froth or auto-purge
Tom's Guide's one con is that for $100 more you could get automated steaming. Wirecutter notes it lacks the Plus's auto-froth and auto-purge.
- Lighter parts; no grinder
Wirecutter says it has a smaller tank and comes with a lighter portafilter and tamper than the Plus. Tom's Guide notes you'll need pre-ground coffee or your own grinder.
Who should pick which
Pick the Breville Bambino Plus if
Beginners who want lattes with hands-free milk
Small kitchens (about 7 inches wide)
Pairing with a separate grinder
Skip it if: You want a built-in grinder; You want a machine with a strong long-term reliability record; You want to tinker with every shot variable
Pick the Breville Bambino if
Small kitchens
Learning to steam milk by hand
Pairing with a separate grinder
Skip it if: You want hands-free milk (get the Bambino Plus); You want a built-in grinder; You want to buy on Amazon US
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.
Neither one feels right?
If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.
Tom's Guide's best espresso machine overall: a compact all-in-one whose Bean Adapt guidance, smart tamper and touchscreen make good shots easy, with manual or automatic milk. Hand-steaming is fiddly around the temperature probe, tamping is guided rather than built in, and Amazon's sample is still small.
Its catch: fiddly hand-steamingA third option · #5Rancilio SilviaA tank-like classic that pulls great espresso and has a powerful steam wand. Without PID you have to manage the temperature yourself, and testers say a beginner is better served elsewhere at this price.
Its catch: no PID: temperature surfing requiredAll 11 comparedSee every espresso machine, rankedEach one's biggest complaint at a glance, with the full ranking.
Browse espresso machines →More head-to-heads
- De'Longhi La Specialista Touch vs Breville Barista Touch
- De'Longhi La Specialista Touch vs Breville Bambino Plus
- De'Longhi La Specialista Touch vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro (E24)
- Breville Barista Touch vs Breville Bambino Plus
- Breville Barista Touch vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro (E24)
- Breville Bambino Plus vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro (E24)