Breville Bambino Plus vs Breville Barista Pro
Quick take: The Breville Bambino Plus costs $350 less; the Breville Barista Pro has a built-in grinder.
| Spec | Breville Bambino Plus | Breville Barista Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Auto Milk Texturing, 3-Second Heat Up | Built-in Grinder, ThermoJet, LCD Display |
| Approx. price | ~$500 | ~$850 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 64 oz | 67 oz |
| Warm-up time | 3 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Steam wand | Auto | Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Beginners | Enthusiasts |
| Dimensions | 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 in | 13.3 x 12.5 x 15.5 in |
| Weight | 11 lbs | 22 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Breville Bambino Plus
- ✓Very fast heat-up
- ✓Compact footprint
- ✓Automatic milk steaming
- ✓Great starter machine
- ✗No built-in grinder
- ✗Small water tank
- ✗Auto steam offers less control than a manual wand
Breville Barista Pro
- ✓Instant heat-up with ThermoJet
- ✓Built-in grinder
- ✓Better grind adjustment than Express
- ✓Good LCD interface
- ✗Thermoblock limits steam power
- ✗Grinder good but not great
- ✗Large footprint
- ✗Step up from Express is marginal for some
What owners say
Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus is the machine r/espresso recommends more than almost any other for beginners, and the reasoning is consistent: it heats up in about three seconds, has a real 54mm portafilter, a built-in PID for stable temperature, and an automatic milk wand that froths to a set temperature and texture without you touching it. For someone who wants cafe-style milk drinks at home without a learning curve, it's the path of least resistance. Full owner insights →
Breville Barista Pro
The Barista Pro is Breville's mid all-in-one: integrated conical burr grinder, 54mm portafilter, a fast ThermoJet heating system (ready in about 3 seconds), a 4-hole steam wand many find easier for milk, and a simple LCD. It's the upgrade path from the original Barista Express for people who want one machine that grinds and brews with quicker heat-up and nicer steaming. Full owner insights →
Breville Bambino Plus vs Breville Barista Pro: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Pro?
The Breville Bambino Plus is the cheaper of the two at roughly $500, about $350 less than the Breville Barista Pro at ~$850. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Which is better for lattes and cappuccinos, the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Pro?
The Breville Bambino Plus steams and textures milk automatically, while the Breville Barista Pro uses a manual steam wand you texture milk with yourself. An automatic system gets you a consistent milk drink with no practice; a manual wand takes a few weeks to learn but gives you proper microfoam and latte art once it clicks.
Does the Breville Bambino Plus or the Breville Barista Pro have a built-in grinder?
Only the Breville Barista Pro grinds its own beans. The Breville Bambino Plus needs a separate grinder, which is worth budgeting for — a dedicated burr grinder is usually the bigger upgrade to shot quality, but it also costs extra counter space and money on top of the machine.