- Type
- Single-boiler espresso machine
- Model
- BES450
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
Breville
Breville Bambino review
Updated 2026-07-27
The BES450, and the cheapest machine Breville sells. It runs the same ThermoJet heating and the same 54 mm brew path as the Bambino Plus for $200 less, with a manual steam wand in place of the automatic one.
Our opinion
7.4/10
Same shot, less money
The Bambino pulls the same espresso as the Bambino Plus for two hundred dollars less, and that is the whole argument. What you give up is the automatic milk wand, so you steam by hand and it takes about twice as long while you are learning. Put that $200 into a grinder and you will drink better coffee than someone who bought the Plus and filled it with supermarket pre-ground. If milk drinks are the main reason you want an espresso machine, pay the extra and get the Plus.
- In the cup 7.5
- Value 8.5
- Ease of use 7.5
- Build & longevity 6.5
- Versatility 5.5
- Type
- Single-boiler espresso machine
- Model
- BES450
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
- Heating system
- ThermoJet, 3 second heat-up
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What works
- +Same brew path as the Bambino Plus for $200 less
- +Hot and ready in about 3 seconds
- +54 mm portafilter and an 18 g dose, so proper baskets fit
- +Takes up barely more counter space than a kettle
The catch
- −Manual steam wand takes roughly twice as long as the automatic one on the Plus
- −47 oz tank is small and awkward to refill under a low cabinet
- −No grinder, so budget for one on top
- −No three-way solenoid, so the puck stays wet and the group drips after a shot
What owners say
Recurring themes from public owner discussion (Recurring themes across r/espresso threads and owner discussion aggregators, Published long-term and video reviews of the BES450), paraphrased. Checked 2026-07-27.
Comes up as praise
- +The 3 second heat-up is what owners mention first, and it is the reason the machine gets used on weekday mornings rather than at weekends only.
- +Paired with a decent grinder it is widely described as punching well above the price.
- +The footprint gets praised repeatedly. It takes up little more room than a kettle.
- +Several owners report multi-year daily use with nothing more than regular descaling, and the absence of a solenoid valve means there is no backflushing to do.
Comes up as gripes
- −Shot consistency divides owners, though most who complain trace it back to their grinder rather than the machine.
- −There is no three-way solenoid valve, so the puck stays soupy and the group head drips after the shot.
- −Temperature stability comes up as the ceiling for anyone chasing lighter roasts.
- −The manual wand is a real step down from the Plus for households that mostly drink milk: one steam hole against four, and roughly double the time.
- −Build longevity draws doubts, with some owners questioning whether it will still be running in a decade.
Watch
See it in action
Video: Seattle Coffee Gear. Embedded from YouTube.
Full specifications
| Type | Single-boiler espresso machine |
|---|---|
| Model | BES450 |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
| Heating system | ThermoJet, 3 second heat-up |
| Pump | 15 bar Italian, 9 bar extraction |
| Pre-infusion | Low pressure |
| Dose | 18 g |
| Water tank | 47 oz, removable |
| Milk frothing | Manual steam wand |
| Grinder | None (pair with a separate grinder) |
| Dimensions | 11.9 x 6.1 x 13.5 in |
Who it's for
The Breville Bambino suits beginners, budget, small-kitchens.
About Breville
Breville (sold as Sage in the UK and Europe) is an Australian consumer-appliance maker widely known for prosumer-style home espresso machines that pack built-in grinders and PID temperature control into approachable packages.
Compare with
Breville Bambino Plus
A compact single-boiler espresso machine that uses Breville's fast ThermoJet heating system and an automatic steam wand to froth milk hands-free.
De'Longhi Stilosa
An entry-level manual pump espresso machine aimed at people trying real espresso for the first time on a tight budget.
Breville Barista Pro
The BES878, and the step up from the Barista Express: the same all-in-one grind-and-brew format with a faster ThermoJet heating system, 30 grind settings and an LCD interface in place of analogue dials.