Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Ready in seconds, hands-free milk texturing, compact.
- ThermoJet
- Auto milk wand
- 54 mm
Coffee gear
De’Longhi Stilosa vs Breville Bambino Plus: which should you buy?
Short version: the Breville Bambino Plus is the better machine for anyone who drinks lattes or cappuccinos, because it heats in seconds and steams milk for you. The De’Longhi Stilosa is the better buy if you mainly drink straight espresso or americanos and want the lowest cost.
The Stilosa (EC260BK) has a 15-bar pump, a stainless steel boiler and a manual steam wand. The Bambino Plus uses ThermoJet heating and an automatic steam wand with temperature and texture settings, with a 54 mm portafilter. Neither has a built-in grinder.
Based on Specialty Coffee Association · Breville · De’Longhi
Which one should you buy?
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine
15-bar pump, stainless boiler, manual wand.
- 15 bar
- Manual wand
- EC260BK
We don't list prices because they change daily; Amazon shows the current price and stock when you click. We earn a commission on purchases, which never decides a pick. How we choose.
The short answer: Bambino Plus for milk drinks and fast mornings. Stilosa to learn espresso on a tight budget. Whichever you choose, freshly ground coffee from a capable burr grinder matters more than the machine.
This is a focused guide. For the full category with every pick, read the best espresso machine for beginners.
Stilosa vs Bambino Plus: side by side
Swipe the table sideways to see both →
| Spec | Best for milk drinksBreville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine | Best on a tight budgetDe’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-up | ThermoJet, seconds | Boiler, slower |
| Milk | Automatic wand | Manual wand |
| Grinder | Not included | Not included |
| Footprint | Compact | Compact |
| Learning curve | Easy | Moderate |
| Best for | Most beginners | Tight budgets |
| Price & stock | Check price | Check price |
Why pick Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine?
Waiting for a boiler and learning to steam milk by hand are the two biggest beginner frustrations. The Bambino Plus solves both: ThermoJet heating is ready in seconds, and the automatic wand textures milk to the temperature and froth level you pick.
It has 1- and 2-cup shot buttons and fits on a small counter. Budget for an espresso-capable grinder, since it doesn’t include one.
Great if you
- Make milk drinks most days
- Have limited counter space
- Want quick mornings
Skip it if you
- Don’t want to buy a grinder
- Make many drinks back to back for a crowd
- Want manual control over everything
Key specs
- Heating
- ThermoJet
- Milk
- Automatic steam wand with temperature/texture settings
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
- Shots
- 1 and 2 cup buttons
- Grinder
- Not included
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso MachineOpens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Why pick De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine?
The Stilosa makes real espresso with fresh, finely ground coffee for far less money, which makes it a sensible way to find out whether espresso will stick as a habit.
It is slower to heat, and steaming milk with a manual wand takes practice. If you mostly drink espresso or americanos, neither matters much.
Great if you
- Want to try espresso cheaply
- Mostly drink straight espresso or americanos
- Don’t mind learning to steam milk
Skip it if you
- Want fast, hands-free milk
- Plan to upgrade quickly anyway
- Need it to work with pre-ground coffee only
Key specs
- Pump
- 15 bar
- Boiler
- Stainless steel
- Milk
- Manual steam wand
- Water tank
- Removable
- Model
- EC260BK
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso MachineOpens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon How to choose between the Stilosa and the Bambino Plus
Ask yourself how often you drink milk drinks. That single answer settles most of this choice.
Milk drinks
Daily lattes favor the Bambino Plus’s automatic wand.
Budget
The Stilosa is the lower total cost; both need a grinder or espresso-grind coffee.
Speed
ThermoJet heats in seconds; the Stilosa’s boiler takes longer.
Learning
The Stilosa asks for more hands-on technique, especially with milk.
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso MachineOpens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Stilosa vs Bambino: common questions
Is the Bambino Plus better than the Stilosa?
For milk drinks and speed, yes. For straight espresso on the smallest budget, the Stilosa is good value.
Is the De’Longhi Stilosa good for beginners?
Yes, if you are patient. It is a simple 15-bar machine with a manual steam wand.
Do I need a grinder for either machine?
Neither has one built in. Use a burr grinder that can grind for espresso, or buy espresso-grind coffee.
What is the difference between the Bambino and Bambino Plus?
The Plus adds an automatic steam wand that textures milk for you.
How we compared them
We compared De’Longhi and Breville specifications and the sources on our main espresso machine guide, as of October 2026.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- Breville: Bambino Plus and Barista Express (accessed October 23, 2026)
- De’Longhi: Stilosa EC260 (official page) (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Specialty Coffee Association (accessed October 23, 2026)