$299.95
9/ 10
Why we love it
The Bambino is the Bambino Plus's younger sibling. You get the same ThermoJet heating system (3-second heat-up), the same 54mm portafilter, the same PID temperature control, and the same compact footprint. The difference? The steam wand is manual instead of automatic. That means you'll need to learn to froth milk yourself — but a lot of people actually prefer this, because you get more control over texture and temperature. It also comes with both pressurized and non-pressurized baskets, so you can start easy and level up your technique over time. At $300, it's $185 less than the Plus and arguably the best value in beginner espresso machines.
Pros
- Same 3-second ThermoJet heat-up as the Bambino Plus
- PID temperature control for consistent shots
- Includes both pressurized and non-pressurized baskets
- Manual steam wand gives more control over milk texture
- $185 less than the Bambino Plus
Cons
- Manual steam wand requires practice to master
- No built-in grinder — separate purchase needed
- 54mm portafilter is smaller than the 58mm standard
