Breville Bambino or Bambino Plus?

A comparison based on documents

Both are compact Breville machines for ground coffee in a portafilter. This guide compares features described in the US/Canada instruction books, not results from hands-on testing. Different regional models and seller bundles can vary, so check the exact offer and its instructions.

Milk is the practical distinction

The Bambino describes manual milk texturing: you control the wand and pitcher. The Bambino Plus offers both manual and automatic milk texturing, with temperature and foam settings; its manual says the supplied pitcher sits on a sensor for the automatic routine. Either workflow needs space to position and clean the pitcher and wand. Automatic texturing does not eliminate cleaning.

Water and repeat visits to the sink

The Bambino manual lists a removable 47 fl oz (1.4 L) tank; the Plus manual lists 64 fl oz (1.9 L). Tank capacity is not espresso yield: rinsing and steam use water too. A larger tank can mean fewer refills for the same use, but compare where each tank is accessed and how much room you have to remove it.

Plan for a grinder either way

The machines use ground coffee and neither manual describes a built-in grinder. If starting with whole beans, plan a separate espresso-capable grinder, its power cord and a place to dose. Both manuals describe a 54 mm portafilter and single- and dual-wall baskets, but check the exact seller bundle before relying on included parts.

The footprint needs confirmation

Breville’s published dimensions differ between product and bundle pages, and some axes are unclear. We have not measured either machine. Before deciding, confirm the selected model’s width, depth and height with the seller or manufacturer, then allow additional working clearance for the tank, portafilter, steam wand and grinder. The product pages document the unresolved measurements.

Electrical and budget checks

The US/Canada manuals list 120 V, 60 Hz and 1,560 W for each model. That is not a guarantee about every international or third-party offer; confirm its label and plug. Compare current prices, tax, shipping, returns and any separate grinder or accessories. Our site does not provide live prices.

Choose the workflow you will use

If you want to practice manual steaming, the Bambino’s described routine may fit; if automatic milk texturing matters, the Plus adds that option. These are workflow differences, not a claim that either machine makes better coffee. Review the manuals, check current offers, and use the space and cost tools before purchasing.

Further reading

• Breville Bambino US/Canada instruction book
• Breville Bambino Plus US/Canada instruction book
• Breville Bambino Plus and Encore ESP bundle specifications