Comparison · Prices checked
Breville Bambino Plus vs. Gaggia Classic Pro E24
By Iris Calder · Updated · What changed
These two cost about the same and both fit a small counter, but they are built for different people. The Bambino Plus heats in seconds and steams milk automatically. The Gaggia Classic Pro is a simple, full-size 58 mm machine with a manual wand and one of the deepest upgrade communities in home espresso.
Semi-automatic
Breville Bambino Plus
$500
The easiest way into real milk drinks: it heats in seconds and the automatic wand textures milk for you. Pair it with a capable grinder and it punches well above its price.
Choose it if
- You mostly drink lattes and cappuccinos
- You want good milk without learning to steam
- Fast mornings matter: it is ready almost instantly
Semi-automatic
Gaggia Classic Pro E24
$499sale · list $549
A long-running classic with a full-size 58 mm group. It rewards a little technique and has one of the deepest upgrade communities of any home machine.
Choose it if
- You mostly drink straight espresso
- You like learning technique and may want to mod later
- You want standard 58 mm baskets and accessories
Prices as of Oct 27, 2026; they may have changed, so check the retailer. Links may become affiliate links; as of launch none are. Disclosure.
Specs side by side.
| Spec | Bambino Plus | Classic Pro E24 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 | $499 · sale, list $549 |
| Heating | ThermoJet heater | Single boiler |
| Temperature control | Electronic (PID) | Manual |
| Warm-up | About 16 s · per Seattle Coffee Gear | Moderate (no published figure) |
| Pump | Vibration pump | Vibration pump |
| Steaming | Strong, automatic milk | Good, manual wand |
| Portafilter | 54 mm | 58 mm |
| Footprint | Small | Small |
| Skill level | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Retailers listed | 3 | 1 |
| Spec sources | A few specs unconfirmed | A few specs unconfirmed |
| Good for milk drinks | Yes | Yes |
| Fits a small counter | Yes | Yes |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes | No |
| Room to upgrade | No | Yes |
Specs come from manufacturer pages, checked against retailer listings on Oct 27, 2026. They may contain errors, so confirm with the manufacturer before you buy. How we source specs.
Verdict
Which should you buy?
For milk drinks with the least friction, the Bambino Plus. For straight shots and a machine you can grow with, the Gaggia Classic Pro. Either one needs a capable grinder; budget about $200–450 for it.
Grinders we would pair
-
With either machine
Turin DF64 Gen 2 ($354) or Option-O LAGOM mini 2 ($379)
Sources
Specs from the manufacturers' pages; prices from the retailer listings below, read on Oct 27, 2026. We compiled these; we have not used both machines side by side.
- Breville Bambino Plus: manufacturer page (specs)
- Breville Bambino Plus: Seattle Coffee Gear listing (price, checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Breville Bambino Plus: Whole Latte Love listing (price, checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Gaggia Classic Pro E24: manufacturer page (specs)
- Gaggia Classic Pro E24: Whole Latte Love listing (price, checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Turin DF64 Gen 2: manufacturer page (specs)
- Option-O LAGOM mini 2: manufacturer page (specs)