Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: Which Should You Buy?
Research-Based Review. We have not tested this product ourselves. This page summarizes manufacturer documents and attributes anything else to its source. Details checked on November 2, 2026; specifications and availability can change.
Some links on ReviewYard are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Policy.
The main difference is milk. The Bambino Plus textures milk automatically, and the Bambino uses a manual steam wand. Choose the Plus if you make milk drinks often and want a hands-free routine. Choose the Bambino if you drink mostly black coffee or want to learn manual steaming.
Side by side
| Detail | Bambino (BES450) | Bambino Plus (BES500) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk steaming | Manual steam wand | Automatic hands-free texturing |
| Portafilter | 54 mm | 54 mm |
| Heating | ThermoJet | ThermoJet |
| Size as listed by Breville | 11.9 x 6.1 x 13.5 in | 11.9 x 7.4 x 14.3 in |
| Water tank | 47 fl oz (1.4 L) | 64 fl oz (about 1.9 L) |
| Power | 120 V, 1560 W | 120 V, 1560 W |
| Warranty (Breville US product page) | 1-year limited | 2-year limited |
| Grinder | None | None |
What the box adds
Both machines include a milk jug, a 54 mm tamper, 1-cup and 2-cup single wall and dual wall baskets and a steam wand tip cleaning tool. The Bambino lists descaling powder. The Bambino Plus lists a Razor precision dosing tool and a cleaning disc.
Choose the Bambino if
- You mostly drink espresso or Americanos.
- You want to learn to steam milk by hand.
- You want the smaller machine. Breville lists it at 11.9 x 6.1 x 13.5 in, against 11.9 x 7.4 x 14.3 in for the Plus.
Choose the Bambino Plus if
- You make lattes or cappuccinos most days and want a simpler milk routine.
- You want the larger tank, so you refill less often.
- You want the longer warranty Breville lists on its US product page: 2 years against 1 year.
What neither machine does
Neither machine has a built-in grinder, so you must budget for one. Check current prices for both machines and for a grinder before you decide, because prices change often and we do not quote them.
About shot quality
Breville lists the same portafilter size and ThermoJet heating for both. We have not tested either machine, so we do not rank their espresso.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.