The short answer
Choose the Bambino Plus for easy lattes and cappuccinos - it textures milk automatically and heats in three seconds. Choose the Gaggia Classic Pro (the Classic Evo Pro) for 58 mm accessories, a 3-way solenoid and a manual wand you can learn on. Neither has a grinder.
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Quick picks
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1. Choose this for easy milk drinks
Breville Bambino Plus
Entry tier · The Bambino with automatic milk texturing added.
Automatic milk texturing and a three-second heat-up.
The Bambino Plus textures milk automatically in its 480 ml jug, which gets usable microfoam without practice.
ThermoJet heating is ready in 3 seconds, so switching from brewing to steaming does not mean a long wait.
It uses a 54 mm portafilter with an 18 g dose, a 15 bar pump and 9 bar extraction.
You pay for the milk automation rather than better espresso, and auto-steam removes the control an enthusiast eventually wants.
Specification
- Portafilter
- 54 mm stainless, 18 g dose
- Heating
- ThermoJet, ready in 3 seconds
- Pump
- 15 bar Italian pump, 9 bar extraction
- Milk
- Automatic texturing, 16 fl oz / 480 ml jug
- Footprint
- 11.9 x 7.4 x 14.3 in
What it does well
- Automatic milk texturing gets a usable microfoam without practice
- Same three-second heat-up as the standard Bambino
- Fits a narrow counter with a grinder beside it
Where it gives ground
- You are paying for the milk automation, not better espresso
- Still no grinder
- Auto-steam removes the control an enthusiast eventually wants
Skip it if
Skip it if you want full control of the milk. The Gaggia's manual wand gives you that.
2. Choose this for 58 mm and a manual wand
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
Mid tier · A 58 mm single-boiler machine with commercial parts and a large modification community.
A 58 mm single boiler with a 3-way solenoid and a two-hole wand.
The Classic Evo Pro uses a 58 mm portafilter, so every basket, tamper and bottomless portafilter made for the commercial standard fits.
Its 3-way solenoid gives a dry puck, and its two-hole professional steam wand is fully manual.
It has a 140 ml boiler (105 ml operating) and a 2.1 L tank, and no PID as shipped - brew temperature drifts with the thermostat.
Recovery between brewing and steaming is long, which slows a run of milk drinks.
Specification
- Portafilter
- 58 mm
- Power
- 1425 W total; 1375 W to the boiler
- Boiler
- 140 ml max capacity, 105 ml operating
- Water tank
- 2.1 L / 72 fl oz
- Steam
- Two-hole professional wand
- Valve
- 3-way solenoid
What it does well
- 58 mm from the start - every basket, tamper and portafilter fits
- The 3-way solenoid gives a dry puck, which cheap machines do not
- Serviceable and heavily documented; parts are everywhere
Where it gives ground
- No PID as shipped; brew temperature drifts with the thermostat
- Long recovery between brewing and steaming
- The modification path is a hobby, not a feature
Skip it if
Skip it if you want milk drinks fast and easy. The Bambino Plus does both.
Milk decides it
If most of your drinks have milk and you want them without practice, the Bambino Plus's automatic texturing is the feature that matters. If you drink straight espresso, or want to learn to steam and pour yourself, the Gaggia's 58 mm basket and manual wand give you more room to grow.