Breville Bambino Plus BES500
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One of the smallest machines that makes real espresso, with automatic milk frothing and a 3-second heat-up. It needs a separate espresso grinder to do its best.
Who it's for
Good fit if
counter space is tight, you drink a lot of milk drinks, and you are happy to buy a grinder separately.
Skip it if
you don't want a second appliance for grinding, or you want a pressure gauge and lots of manual control.
Specs
| List price | $499.95 |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic, no grinder |
| Heating | ThermoJet, ready in about 3 seconds, PID |
| Portafilter | 54 mm |
| Milk | Automatic steam wand with adjustable temperature and foam |
| Water tank | 64 oz |
| Size | 11.9 × 7.4 × 14.3 in (Breville lists this as W × D × H; reviewers who measured it found it about 7.5 in wide) |
| Weight | 10.91 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years |
From Breville US's product page and official documents, checked Nov 1, 2026. List prices change often.
What reviewers agree on
Each point is made by at least two of the independent reviews linked after it. We don't own or test the products we cover; see how we choose.
- It is easy for beginners and quick to get going. (Tom's Guide, Taste of Home, TechGearLab)
- It is very compact for a real espresso machine. (Tom's Guide, Taste of Home, TechGearLab)
- You need a separate grinder that can grind for espresso. (Tom's Guide, Taste of Home, TechGearLab)
- The drip tray is small and needs emptying often. (Tom's Guide, TechGearLab)
Worth knowing
- Backflushing and descaling are part of owning it, and the cleaning routine can confuse new owners at first. (Taste of Home, TechGearLab)
Raised by one reviewer: the steam wand is fixed and the portafilter can be stiff to lock in (Tom's Guide); there is no pressure gauge and the highest milk temperature settings can scald milk (TechGearLab); one reviewer used it daily for about three years and found it reliable (Taste of Home).
How it compares
- vs. Bambino (BES450) ($299.95): same heating and portafilter, but a manual steam wand, a 47 oz tank and a 1-year warranty.
- vs. Barista Express ($699.95): built-in grinder and pressure gauge, manual steam wand, and a much bigger footprint.
- vs. Gaggia Classic Pro E24 ($549): manual and harder to learn, but sturdier, more repairable, and uses 58 mm commercial-size accessories.
Pair it with a grinder like the Baratza Encore ESP ($199.95). Together: $699.90.