In this Breville Bambino Plus review, the short answer is that it is one of the best espresso machines for beginners who drink milk-based coffee. It is small, heats in about 3 seconds, and its automatic steam wand makes good microfoam with no skill required. It has no built-in grinder, so you need to budget for one, and its small size means a smaller water tank and drip tray. It usually sells for around $400–$500.
Breville Bambino Plus at a glance
| Model | BES500 (Sage Bambino Plus in the UK and Europe) |
|---|---|
| Price range | Around $400–$500, often on sale |
| Heating | ThermoJet, about 3 seconds to extraction temperature |
| Pump | 15-bar pump with low-pressure pre-infusion and 9-bar extraction |
| Portafilter | 54 mm stainless steel, designed for an 18 g dose |
| Milk | Automatic steam wand with 3 temperature and 3 texture settings, plus manual mode |
| Grinder | None |
| Size | About 19 cm (7.5 in) wide |
| Included | 480 ml (16 oz) stainless milk jug, single and dual wall baskets, tamper |
Specs from Breville’s product page.
Pros
- Ready to brew in seconds
- Automatic milk texturing is consistent and easy
- Very compact; fits small kitchens
- Pre-infusion and 9-bar extraction for balanced shots
- Simple three-button control
- Good value for the shot and milk quality
Cons
- No grinder included
- Small drip tray needs frequent emptying
- No pressure gauge or adjustable temperature
- Light machine can move when locking in the portafilter
- 54 mm basket limits some third-party accessories
Design and size
The Bambino Plus is one of the smallest espresso machines with a proper steam wand. At about 19 cm wide, it takes up roughly half the counter space of the Barista Express. The water tank slides out of the back, and the drip tray at the front is shallow, so you will empty it often if you make several drinks in a row.
Controls are simple: buttons for single shot, double shot and steam, plus buttons to set milk temperature and texture. There is no screen.
Heat-up and workflow
The ThermoJet heating system is the Bambino Plus’s biggest everyday advantage. It reaches brewing temperature in about 3 seconds, so you can go from cold machine to latte in a few minutes. It also switches from brewing to steaming quickly, which many single-boiler machines cannot do.
For the best shots, still run a blank shot of water through the portafilter first to warm it up.
Espresso quality
The Bambino Plus uses low-pressure pre-infusion to gently soak the puck before ramping up to about 9 bar. With a capable grinder and fresh beans, it makes balanced, sweet shots. Temperature is fixed, so you cannot adjust for very light or very dark roasts, but it handles medium roasts well.
Start with 18 g of coffee in the double basket and aim for about 36 g of espresso in 25–30 seconds. Our step-by-step dialing-in guide explains how to adjust.
Automatic milk frothing
This is where the Bambino Plus stands out at its price. Put the included jug under the wand, choose a temperature and foam level, and press steam. A sensor under the drip tray reads the jug’s temperature and stops the steam automatically, then purges the wand. The microfoam is good enough for latte art.
You can also steam manually by moving the jug yourself. That flexibility makes it a good learning machine: start automatic, then try manual once you understand the texture you want. Our guide on how to steam milk for latte art covers manual technique.
Pre-infusion and shot consistency
Low-pressure pre-infusion wets the coffee gently for a few seconds before full pressure starts. This helps the puck absorb water evenly, which reduces channeling and makes the machine more forgiving of small puck prep mistakes. It is a feature usually found on more expensive machines and one reason the Bambino Plus punches above its price.
The trade-off is limited control. You cannot change pre-infusion length, temperature or pressure. If you want to experiment with those, consider a machine with adjustable PID and pressure profiling, at a higher price. For most people making milk drinks, the fixed settings are a benefit, not a limitation, because there is less to get wrong.
Which grinder should you pair with it?
The grinder matters as much as the machine. The Bambino Plus comes with dual-wall (pressurized) baskets that work with pre-ground coffee, but for real control you need single-wall baskets and an espresso-capable burr grinder.
- Budget: an entry-level espresso grinder or a good hand grinder.
- Mid-range: a dedicated espresso grinder with fine stepless or micro-step adjustment.
See our guides to the best budget espresso grinders under $200 and the best espresso grinders for home baristas.
A typical morning with the Bambino Plus
- Turn it on. It is ready almost immediately.
- Run a short blank shot through the empty portafilter to warm it.
- Grind 18 g of coffee into the portafilter, distribute and tamp.
- Press the double shot button. It runs a set volume, or you can stop it manually when your scale reads about 36 g.
- Fill the jug to the line with cold milk, place it under the wand, choose temperature and texture, and press steam.
- While the milk steams, knock out the puck and rinse the portafilter.
- Swirl the milk and pour.
A latte takes about 3–4 minutes from start to finish once you are dialed in. Making two drinks in a row works well, though you will need to empty the drip tray more often.
Tips for better results
- Switch to single-wall baskets once you have a proper grinder. The dual-wall baskets are forgiving but limit flavor.
- Weigh your shots. The buttons run by volume, so a scale under the cup gives more consistent results. See our guide to espresso scales; check that it fits the low clearance.
- Hold the machine with one hand when locking in the portafilter, since the machine is light.
- Use fresh, medium-roast beans because the brew temperature is fixed.
- Add a WDT tool and a better tamper. The included plastic tamper is basic, and better puck prep reduces channeling.
- Use cold milk and a cold jug for the automatic steam program; it relies on the temperature sensor.
Upgrades worth considering
Many owners add a bottomless 54 mm portafilter to see their extraction, a puck screen, and precision baskets. None are required, and most owners are happy with the stock setup for years. The single most effective upgrade is a better grinder, followed by a scale.
Cleaning and maintenance
- The wand purges automatically after steaming; wipe it with a damp cloth.
- Empty the drip tray and knock out pucks daily.
- Run a cleaning cycle with a cleaning tablet about once a month.
- Descale when the machine prompts you, usually every 2–3 months depending on water hardness. Our guide on how to descale an espresso machine explains why it matters.
Bambino Plus vs Bambino vs Barista Express
| Bambino Plus | Bambino | Barista Express | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | Automatic or manual | Manual only | Manual only |
| Grinder | No | No | Built in |
| Heat-up | About 3 seconds | About 3 seconds | About a minute or two (thermocoil) |
| Pressure gauge | No | No | Yes |
| Typical price | Around $400–$500 | Around $250–$350 | Around $550–$700 |
The basic Bambino saves money if you are happy to steam milk by hand. The Barista Express includes a grinder but is larger and slower to heat. For a detailed head-to-head, read our Bambino Plus vs Barista Express comparison.
Is the Bambino Plus still worth it in 2026?
Yes, for its target buyer. Newer machines add touchscreens, built-in grinders and assisted tamping, but they cost more, take more space, and add more parts to clean and maintain over the years. The Bambino Plus remains one of the simplest ways to get fast heat-up and automatic microfoam at this price.
Breville Bambino Plus review verdict: who should buy it?
- Buy it if you mostly drink lattes and cappuccinos, have limited counter space, and want fast mornings.
- Skip it if you want a built-in grinder, need to adjust brew temperature for light roasts, or make many drinks back to back for a household.
For other options, see our guides to the best espresso machines under $500 and the best espresso machines for beginners.
FAQ
Is the Breville Bambino Plus good for beginners?
Yes. It is simple to use, heats fast and has automatic milk texturing. Pair it with a good grinder and a scale for the best results.
Does the Bambino Plus have a grinder?
No. You need a separate espresso grinder, or you can use pre-ground coffee with the included dual-wall baskets.
Can the Bambino Plus make latte art?
Yes. Both the automatic and manual steaming modes can produce microfoam suitable for latte art.
What size is the Bambino Plus portafilter?
54 mm, the same size used by most current Breville home machines.
How long does the Bambino Plus take to heat up?
About 3 seconds to brewing temperature, according to Breville, thanks to the ThermoJet heating system.
Can you adjust the temperature on the Bambino Plus?
You can adjust milk temperature, but brew temperature is fixed. That is fine for most medium roasts.
