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Breville Bambino Plus vs Bambino – One Difference with a Big Impact

Breville Espresso Machines Mar 09, 2023
Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus

Breville is at it again with an espresso machine that is stunning as it is easy to use. We’re no strangers to espresso machines by Breville. An all time favorite is the Breville Barista Express followed closely by the Breville Infuser. So let’s have a look at the Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus as well as other machines like the Infuser and Dedica.

Breville Bambino Plus vs. Bambino – Top Differences

the Bambino is a smaller version of the Bambino Plus that comes with a few less features.

The Steam Wand

What makes the Bambino Plus special is its automatic steam wand with texture and temperature selections. The Bambino has the same professional steam wand, but it does not have either selections for temperature or texture. So with the Bambino, milk texturing is fully manual.

As for the steam wands themselves, both perform similarly. Difference is, with the Bambino, you’ll need to get some practice and monitor the milk temperature to get the best results. But with the automation of Bambino Plus, the perfect milk texture and temperature is guaranteed right out of the box. Bambino Plus also allows for manual frothing.

Design

Both models are quite similar in design, with the Bambino Plus being slightly wider which is understandable. Bambino has a 47 oz water reservoir, while the Plus model comes with a 64 oz reservoir.

The machines share the same build quality with an attractive brushed steel housing. However, the Bambino Plus comes in an array of colors, 9 to be exact, all in the same brushed steel material. The Bambino is available in brushed steel only.

Controls

Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus

The control panel on both models look similar, but naturally, the Bambino Plus will have more buttons, which are for milk texture and temperature settings. On the other hand, the Bambino has a dedicated button for hot water dispenser. Does that mean that the Bambino Plus does not dispense water? No, it still do so, and to get hot water you’ll have to press the One Cup and Milk texture buttons at the same time.

Both machines dispense water through the steam wand and do not have a dedicated hot water spout.

Included Accessories

Both models comes with the same set of accessories:

  • 54mm portafilter with single and dual shot baskets.
  • Tamper (plastic for the Bambino and Steel for the Bambino Plus)
  • 16 oz stainless steel milk jug
  • Cleaning tool and discs.

The Bambino Plus includes one extra accessory:

  • The Razor Precision Dosing tool

Which Is Best? Bambino Plus or Bambino?

These are two excellent espresso machines that will give you a quality shot of espresso and a microfoam milk texture. The performance of both machines is the same, however, the automatic milk texturing and temperature settings on the Bambino Plus will make your experience much easier, especially if this is going to be your first espresso machine.

If you don’t mind practicing some barista skills, some trial and error and several tests until you get the milk texture and temperature correctly, you can go for the Bambino and save some money while getting the same quality of espresso.

Breville Bambino vs. DeLonghi Dedica

When it comes to size and footprint, the DeLonghi Dedica is quite comparable to the Breville Bambino. In fact, it’s even smaller. The Dedica Deluxe is only 6″ wide, while the Bambino is about 7.6″ or so.

So, how else are they comparable?

  • Both have a single or double shot buttons that can be programmed.
  • The steam wand on the Dedica is not as advanced as the Bambino’s. the Bambino has a single hole professional steam wand that creates better micro foam texture. With the Dedica, you can adjust the frother so it either foams or heats milk (without creating foam). But it’s quite hard to get the right texture or micro foam (which is what you need for latte art) with this kind of frother.
  • Heat up time on the Dedica Deluxe is 35 seconds vs. only 3 seconds for the Bambino.
  • Water tank capacity is 35 oz on the Dedica Deluxe and 47 oz on the Bambino.
  • Cleaning wise, the Bambino has auto purge where it purges out water to automatically clean the steam wand after each use. With the Dedica, you’ll have to manually clean your wand after use so it doesn’t clog up.

How do you choose between the Breville Bambino and Dedica Deluxe?

The biggest difference between these two machines is the steam wand. Do you want professional results? Bambino’s steam wand creates micro foam (not automatically like the Plus model), while Dedica Deluxe’s wand creates denser less professional results.

The Dedica Arte is more comparable to the Bambino as both have the same steam wand style.

Related Comparison: Dedica Arte vs Bambino and Bambino Plus

Breville Bambino BES450 vs Barista Express BES870XL

Here’s a question that you should think about: Would it be best to buy the Bambino or Bambino Plus with a separate grinder, or get the Barista Express with a built-in grinder?

This is an EXCELLENT question! Looking at a machine like the Barista Express, which is a complete espresso setup with a built-in grinder makes you wonder, which is best? Getting a machine with a built-in grinder or the Bambino Plus bundled with Smart Grinder Pro (or any other grinder you prefer)?

Let’s look at this one section at a time:

Built-In Grinder vs Separate Grinder

Getting a machine like the Barista Express means that the built-in grinder is used ONLY for espresso using the specific machine. You can’t use the grinder for other coffee brewing methods, if that’s something you are into.

A separate grinder, like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, can actually grind coffee for several brewing methods from espresso to drip coffee or french press. Which gives you a lot more for your money.

Dialing in your grind settings on the Smart Grinder Pro should be as easy as when using the Barista Express, which is designed with espresso grind settings only. But if you go for a different grinder, your experience will be different and it might take time for you to find the correct grind settings.

Cost

If we are specifically talking about Barista Express vs Bambino + Smart Grinder Pro, the cost is about the same. If you are opting for the Bambino Plus, it costs more. But you get more features for your money, too.

Is the Breville Smart Grinder Pro Good For Espresso?

With grinders, there’s always the question of ‘can it grind fine enough for espresso’? Or will a built-in grinder do a better job?

The Smart Grinder Pro is made with espresso is mind. It is able to grind enough for espresso, perhaps not as fine as grinders over $500 in budget, but nor does the Barista Express. Smart Grinder Pro will provide you with similar results to the Barista Express’s grinder, while giving you more grind settings for other brewing methods.

Features of Breville Bambino Plus

  • Commercial-like quality while being compact in size and easy to use for the home user.
  • Full brushed stainless steel body.
  • Automatic microfoam milk texturing. The steam wand automatically froths milk to the temperature and texture you want.
  • Fast heat up time: the machine is ready to work in 3 seconds.
  • 54mm portafilter with 19 gram dose for the best coffee house quality drink.
  • Pre-infusion setting saturates coffee ground with low pressure water to ensure full saturation before extraction.
  • Digital temperature control delivers water at the exact right temperature for optimal espresso extraction.
  • Auto purging ensures your machine is clean for the next use.
  • 64 oz water reservoir.

Who Is The Breville Bambino Plus Right For?

Breville Bambino Plus vs Bambino - One Difference with a Big Impact

We all know that semi-automatic espresso machines come with a learning curve. You take your time to get your milk texturing skills right, getting the temperature right and handling your machine correctly, overall. And milk texturing is where everyone usually goes wrong. That micro foam texture is the dream of every beginner’s!

Some at-home baristas though do not have the patience for all that. They want the flexibility of a semi-automatic, but do not want to spend a lot of time getting things right. That’s where a machine like the Bambino Plus comes in…

The Bambino Plus gives you room to adjust your coffee shot volume, temperature and texture and it will remember things for you. Also, there are pre-sets all ready for you to use. As for the hard part of milk texturing: the automatic steam wand does it all for you! Select your temperature and your texture (how much foam you want) and it will be done for you. Your coffee drink comes out perfectly right the first time.

How does the machine know the right milk temperature, though? It’s all thanks to the included milk jug, which contacts a sensor placed right under its place where the steam wand goes. The sensor works to measure the temperature of the milk as it heats up and will stop when it reaches your desired temperature.

Frequently Asked Question about Bambino and Bambino Plus

Do Bambino and Bambino Plus Use the Same Portafilter?

Yes, both machines have a 54mm portafilter size.

Does Bambino Plus Make Lattes?

Yes, of course! Both Bambino and Bambino Plus make lattes. The difference is with the Bambino Plus, milk steaming for the latte is automatic. With the Bambino, you have to steam the milk manually.

Does Bambino Plus and Bambino Have Cup Warmers?

Yes, the top of the machine of both models acts as a cup warmer.

Does Bambino/Plus Make Good Espresso?

Yes, it can make a professional level of espresso. However, there’s more to espresso than just the machine. You’ll want to use a good grinder and fresh beans to get the best results.

Other Comparisons

Breville Bambino Plus vs. The Infuser

The Breville Infuser is also a semi-automatic espresso machine with some programmable features. But it does not have the automatic features that the Bambino Plus has:

  • The frothing wand on the Infuser is not automatic. There’s no selection for temperature or texture like the Bambino Plus. So you’ll have to do your own tests til you get the temperature and texture you prefer.
  • The Infuser features a gauge that should make it easy for you to see where your machine at, temperature wise.
  • The Infuser has a built-in tamper and a built-in hot water dispenser. Bambino Plus has a tamper included as an accessory, but doesn’t have the hot water dispenser.
  • Although The Infuser is physically bigger than the Bambino Plus, it has a slightly smaller water reservoir with 61 oz capacity ( vs. 64 oz for the Bambino Plus).

So, there are some trade-offs between the two machines. If you’re someone who does not want things done automatically and willing to learn, then go for the Infuser. However, keep in mind that it isn’t as compact as the Bambino Plus, if space is an issue for you.

Breville Bambino vs the Infuser – the Differences

Since there’s an actual difference between the Bambino Plus version and the Infuser, there’s little difference between the Bambino and Infuser…

Other than the obvious difference in design, where the Bambino is more compact. It also uses a better heating system, the ThermoJet, which gives it a quicker startup time and better steaming power.

On the other hand, the Infuser has a pressure gauge and PID temperature control, it also features a magnetic built-in tamper and a dedicated hot water dispenser. Both machines use a 54mm portafilter size and include the same accessories. The only extra accessory the Infuser has is the Trimming tool, which is used to remove access grounds from the portafilter.

Overall, I think the Bambino is a more user-friendly machine, better suited for beginners and is more budget-friendly as a first time machine.