Serious Eats' September update still names the Bambino Plus its best home espresso machine, and Tom's Guide rates the Bambino a top buy. Most of the machine is shared: both heat up in about three seconds, both control temperature precisely, and both use the same 54 mm portafilter. The real difference is milk.
The Plus adds hands-free milk with a four-hole steam tip, a bigger water tank, a dose-trimming tool and a two-year warranty instead of one. Set the jug on the drip tray, pick one of three temperatures and three foam levels, and press the button. A sensor under the jug stops the steam at your setting, and the wand purges itself afterwards. Wirecutter calls its automatic frothing similarly impressive to Breville's pricier machines.
The Bambino is a little slimmer, has its own hot-water button for Americanos, and steams by hand. You hold the jug and control the foam yourself, the way baristas learn. Tom's Guide was skeptical of its single-hole tip, but it still made velvety, smooth milk in their testing. It just takes practice and a little attention every morning.
The honest catch, for both: neither has a grinder, so for the best shots, plan on a burr grinder. The included dual-wall baskets are more forgiving with pre-ground coffee while you learn. Wirecutter found the Plus harder to dial in than its top picks and says the preset shot buttons usually need reprogramming, and it found the Bambino's shots a bit less consistent, with a lighter portafilter and tamper. Want a grinder built in? Look at the Barista Express Impress. Want espresso, drip and cold brew in one? Look at the Ninja Luxe Café.
Get the Plus if your daily drink is a latte or cappuccino, if more than one person will use it, or if it's a gift for someone new to espresso. Get the Bambino if you mostly drink espresso or Americanos, want to learn real milk technique, or counter space is tight.
Our verdict: for most people, and especially as a gift, get the Bambino Plus. Hands-free milk is the feature you'll use every day.
