Breville Bambino Plus vs De'Longhi Stilosa EC230
A capable compact machine versus a bare-bones budget one. The Bambino Plus at $500 has 9-bar extraction, ThermoJet heating, and automatic milk. The De'Longhi Stilosa at $150 is a sub-$150 starter with a manual steam wand and pressurized baskets. Choose the Bambino for genuinely good espresso and easy milk; choose the Stilosa to spend the least while still getting a real espresso footprint.
Spec face-off
Bars scaled to the higher value. Coloured = wins that spec.
Full specifications
Strengths & weaknesses
Full comparison
The Bambino Plus is a polished entry machine: true 9-bar extraction with pre-infusion, a 3-second ThermoJet heater, and an automatic steam wand, on a 54mm portafilter. The Stilosa is a genuine budget starter: a 15-bar thermoblock with a metal pannarello wand and a standard 51mm portafilter, notable for offering a real steam wand and an upgrade path (aftermarket non-pressurized baskets) at its price.
Quality and milk strongly favor the Bambino. Its 9-bar extraction and automatic microfoam make better, more consistent drinks with less effort; the Stilosa ships with pressurized baskets only that cap quality and its single boiler needs a cool-down between brewing and steaming. The Bambino is simply a better machine.
Price is the Stilosa's case. At about a third of the Bambino's cost, it gets a beginner into real espresso with manual milk and a sensible upgrade path, ideal for a dorm or first kitchen on a tight budget. Both need a separate grinder.
Buy the Bambino Plus ($500) for genuinely good espresso and automatic milk. Buy the De'Longhi Stilosa ($150) to start espresso for the least money, accepting pressurized baskets and a manual wand.