Breville
Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) review
Updated 2026-06-11
A compact single-boiler espresso machine that uses Breville's fast ThermoJet heating system and an automatic steam wand to froth milk hands-free.
Our opinion
7.6/10
Our beginner pick
This is the machine we steer most beginners toward, and it is not a close call. The automatic wand builds cafe-grade microfoam while you stand there doing nothing, and it is hot and ready before a kettle would be. Pair it with a real grinder, make your peace with the small tank, and you will be pulling better flat whites than your local cafe inside a week.
- In the cup 7.5
- Value 8.0
- Ease of use 9.0
- Build & longevity 6.5
- Versatility 6.0
- Type
- Single-boiler espresso machine
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
- Heating system
- ThermoJet (fast heat-up)
- Milk frothing
- Automatic steam wand
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What works
- +Very fast heat-up from cold
- +Automatic milk texturing is forgiving for beginners
- +Small footprint suits compact kitchens
The catch
- −No built-in grinder, so budget for one separately
- −Small water tank needs frequent refills
What owners say
Recurring themes from public owner discussion (r/espresso threads, owner forum discussion, video reviews), paraphrased. Checked 2026-06-11.
Comes up as praise
- +Ready to brew in seconds, so it actually gets used on work mornings
- +Auto milk frothing produces latte-art-grade microfoam without practice
- +Takes up barely more counter space than a kettle
Comes up as gripes
- −Water tank is small and awkward to refill under low cabinets
- −Portafilter and accessories feel light and plasticky for the price
- −Some owners report shot temperature dipping on back-to-back drinks
Watch
See it in action
Video: Breville. Embedded from YouTube.
Full specifications
| Model | BES500 |
|---|---|
| Type | Single-boiler espresso machine |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
| Heating system | ThermoJet (fast heat-up) |
| Milk frothing | Automatic steam wand |
| Grinder | None (pair with a separate grinder) |
| Water tank | Removable, rear-mounted |
Who it's for
The Breville Bambino Plus suits beginners, small-kitchens, milk-drinks.
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.
Where to buy
If the Breville Bambino Plus sounds like your machine, this is the listing we verified.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this site are affiliate links, and if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we would use ourselves, and our editorial picks are never sold.
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Compare with
Breville Bambino
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.
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.