Espresso makers are invaluable kitchen appliances. And if you are actively looking for an affordable entry-level coffee machine, why not choose between the Breville Bambino Plus vs Nespresso Creatista?
Straight up, I can tell you that both deliver great espresso, but Nespresso Creatista is the winner for taking things further with its extra functions.
Nespresso Creatista features a power-save mode, 19 bars pressure pump, BPA-free material, and quick heat-up. Considering its price and quality, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase it, even though it is slightly more expensive than the Bambino Plus.
Breville Bambino Plus comes very close to Creatista, thanks to its many features like quick heat-up time, generous water tank capacity, and is extremely lightweight. Despite not having as many convenient features as Creatista, I still think this is a worthy option.
Breville Bambino Plus vs Nespresso Creatista : Comparison Chart
Last update on 2025-07-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Bambino Plus vs Nespresso Creatista: Differences
Nespresso Creatista wins 4 – 3 against Bambino Plus thanks to its efficient features and quick programmability. As for espresso flavor, I would say that you should go for the Bambino Plus. Also, that Bambino Plus uses ground coffee, not Nespresso pods.
1. Espresso Flavor
The Winner: Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus is the most standard yet functional espresso machine. It works just like a barista espresso maker would. With a single and double shot functional and a steam wand.
That is why espresso people like to think of the Bambino Plus as the miniature version of an authentic espresso machine. It has all the right features. The portafilter with the right dose control setting, a drip tray, and a steam wand.
The Nespresso, however, works completely differently. For starters, it is a single-serve coffee machine. So it features certain pre-programmed features that make brewing espresso at home fully automated and customized. This includes the 8 pre-programmed drinks that the Nespresso offers.
The Nespresso Creatistia is a barista-grade espresso maker but I think it is more beginner-friendly. You can only put Nespresso capsules in the machine, not real ground coffee. And instead of dose control, Creatista features 3 brewing sizes: 0.5, 1.35, and 5 ounces. It does not work with ground coffee because you have to buy the Nespresso pods. So the extraction of each pod is different.
But considering that both machines use ThermoJet heating, you will notice a difference n taste and not the texture or the temperature of the coffee in either machine.
2. Dose Control
The Winner: It’s A Tie!
The Bambino is quick, consistent, and foolproof. The level of customization in the Bambino Plus refers to the dose control grinding. The portafilter measures 54mm which features a 19-grams capacity. This is enough to offer rich and full-bodied espresso drinks. Be it for black coffee or creamy lattes.
The Creatista offers dose control for their espresso extraction. You can pick your preferred size of espresso which also controls the volume per shot.
For example, in a latte, you get a double espresso shot with foamed milk on top. Instead of pulling 2 single espresso shots one after the other, you can select the ‘Latte’ icon via the beautiful display. And select the volume option to increase/decrease how much espresso you want in your cup.
And it doesn’t end there, you can also control the temperature of the coffee based on Creatista’s pre-programmed temp controls.
3. Milk System
The Winner: It’s A Tie!
There is also sufficient customization in the milk steam wand. If you ask me, the steam wand is the selling point of the Breville Bambino Plus. You can control the water pressure and temperature of heating and texturing the milk. Combined with a 3-second heat-up, it’s a delight to use again and again.
You can control all of this via buttons that feel solid and offer no delay in functionality at all.
The Nespresso Creatista, on the other hand, features an adjustable milk frother with 11 customized texture options. These are temperature settings from 55 to 76-degrees C that allow you to make any latte or cappuccino extra hot and smooth. It’s your choice!
The temperature adjustment on the Bambino Plus is not as varied as on the Nespresso Creatista. But you can trust the PID (on the Bambino Plus) to set the perfect steaming temperature for latte art and other delightful milk textures.
In a way, both espresso machines offer a pleasant, authentic, and barista-quality milk system.
4. Cleaning
The Winner: Nespresso Creatista
The Nespresso Creatista has an auto-purge and self-cleaning functionality. And it works beautifully. After brewing coffee, the display menu will show you a purging and self-cleaning option, select that and watch the machine take care of itself properly and effectively. You won’t have to take care of the cleaning too much like with other coffee machines.
The Breville Bambino Plus has a sliding base that lets you clean it thoroughly. The drip tray is deep which means I don’t need to keep emptying it after every use. And it’s a sturdy platform, the drip tray, so there are hardly any spills unless I don’t place the cup properly under the spout.
The tip of the steamer has an auto-purge function which means it self-cleans fast. It dislodges any residue milk on the steam wand. So all I have to do is wipe the steam wand with a dry cloth after using it.
In the long run, it’s a lot easier to keep the Nespresso Creatista clean than the Bambino Plus. Because lots of users have complained about unscrewing the head plate on the Bambino Plus to get it to start brewing again. There is a small screw on the head plate that allows you to remove and clean the main unit effectively. So it does take some time off your clock but the machine will start brewing as good as new again!
Automatic Shut-Off
It still surprises me to this day that many coffee machines don’t have the automatic shut-off feature, I mean, even cheap electric kettles have it. And if you have the same thought like me, you should pick the Nespresso Creatista. This is one of the few coffee makers that include a power save mode, which shuts off the machine if users haven’t touched it for a while after finishing brewing.
Needless to say, our Earth can benefit from small things like this.
5. Utilities
The Winner: Nespresso Creatista
Adjustable Cup Height
Another great thing about the Nespresso Creatista is that it has an extra, pull-out cup tray for small espresso servings. This means fewer splatters and you can push the tray back into the machine so it won’t get in the way when using bigger cups.
The tray is sturdy and is easy to slide in and out without disrupting the rest of the unit. It’s quick and convenient in that it makes making a variety of espresso drink mess-free. You don’t have to transfer the espresso into a bigger or smaller cup.
Breville Bambino Plus vs Nespresso Creatista: Similarities
The Bambino Plus and Nespresso Creatista don’t have a lot in common. But they do share the same heating system – ThermoJet. Thermojet is fast, efficient, and durable. And it’s of the ideal weight and size to fit into a compact espresso machine.
So it complements small spaces and it offers quick brewing functions without losing temperature for either espresso or steaming. Coupled with temperature controls, both machines offer a unique blend and taste of espresso in lesser time. Taking all the manual work out of your hands.
Moving on, both espresso machines also share the same cleaning functions. Such as the auto-purge steam wand and convenient drip tray. The stainless steel finish cleans in a single swipe and you don’t even have to do this every time you brew a cup. So it’s straightforward and quick to maintain.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Nespresso Creatista BNE600
- ESPRESSO MACHINE: Enjoy a full range of espresso coffee with Nespresso! Includes an integrated milk frother, 3 seconds heat up and energy saving automatic shut off.
- COFFEE SELECTIONS: Brew better coffee at home with three programmable coffee selections to create the perfect ristretto, expresso or lungo.
- SINGLE SERVE COFFEE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE: The Nespresso Creatista Plus offers freshly brewed coffee as well as delicious authentic espresso. The Creatista plus can turn into your personal latte maker with the attached milk frother allowing you to create top quality latte art in your kitchen. Pour over ice to create your favorite iced coffee drinks.
- INCLUDES: One Nespresso espresso maker with a sleek, stainless steel design that fits perfectly in any modern kitchen.
- COMPLIMENTARY GIFT: Each machine includes a complimentary starter set of Nespresso capsules (capsule assortment may vary from picture)
Last update on 2025-07-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Breville Bambino Plus BES500
- The Breville Bambino Plus delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Bambino Series that offers the faster way to professional results at home in a compact footprint: serious espresso, serious value
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Achieve a consistent and balanced espresso using the right amount of ground coffee; The 54mm porta-filter with 19 grams is the key for full flavor and cafe quality coffee
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- FASTER HEAT UP TIME: Innovative ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
Last update on 2025-07-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
References
Breville Bambino Plus BES500 from Breville https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Breville Nespresso Creatista BNE600 from Breville https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/nespresso/bne600.html
See Also: Breville Barista Express Vs Bambino Plus: Best Review
I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.