Is the Breville Bambino Plus Worth It?
Based on tests by Tom's Guide (Dec 2025) and TechRadar (Oct 2021). How we score
Save $150Depends. Breville Bambino for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
Why
Tom's Guide's reviewer, an ex-barista who owns one, rated the Bambino Plus 4.5 out of 5: "the Bambino Plus makes perfect espresso that tastes utterly divine," and its automatic frothing does the milk for you. Her biggest complaint is the "janky group head." TechRadar also gave it 4.5 stars: "you can simply select what you want and let the machine do the rest." Both outlets also reviewed the cheaper Bambino, which has the same ThermoJet heater and 54 mm portafilter but a manual one-hole steam wand. Tom's Guide gave the Bambino 5 stars and calls it "much better value"; TechRadar gave it 4. The Plus earns its price only if you want hands-free milk frothing; save if you'll steam milk yourself.
Breville Bambino Plus warranty: 2-year limited
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Breville Bambino Plus
Bambino Espresso Machine
Average of 2 testers: Tom's Guide 10 · TechRadar 9
From 1 tester: Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide gave it 5 out of 5 and listed no cons: "Every espresso I made had a rich, thick crema and deep, intense flavor with no bitterness and no sourness." There's no automatic frothing, and its one-hole wand is "not quite as powerful as the Bambino Plus's four-hole steam wand," but the reviewer still steamed latte-art milk from oat milk. TechRadar rated it 4 out of 5, half a star below the Plus: "smooth, intense coffee," but it "Lacks a razor tool bundled with other Sage coffee machines." The warranty is 1 year, versus 2 for the Plus.
Sources: Tom's Guide: Breville Bambino review (Dec. 17, 2025), Tom's Guide: Breville Bambino Plus review (May 8, 2025), TechRadar: Sage (Breville) Bambino review (Oct. 21, 2021), TechRadar: Breville Bambino Plus review (June 24, 2021)
Common questions
Breville Bambino or Bambino Plus?
Tom's Guide and TechRadar reviewed both. They share the ThermoJet heater and 54 mm portafilter, so the espresso side is the same. The Plus adds automatic milk frothing, a stronger four-hole steam wand and a 2-year warranty; the Bambino steams by hand with a one-hole wand, has a 1-year warranty and costs less. Tom's Guide gave the Bambino 5 stars and the Plus 4.5; TechRadar gave the Plus 4.5 and the Bambino 4.
Do the Bambino and Bambino Plus need a separate grinder?
Yes, neither has one built in. Both include dual-wall baskets for pre-ground coffee, but Tom's Guide found a budget grinder couldn't grind fine enough for the Plus and got its best shots with better grinders. If you'd rather not buy a grinder, the Breville Barista Express has one built in.
Sources: Tom's Guide: Breville Bambino Plus review (May 8, 2025), TechRadar: Breville Bambino Plus review (June 24, 2021), Tom's Guide: Breville Bambino review (Dec. 17, 2025), America's Test Kitchen: The Best Espresso Machines (updated July 2, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
