Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus
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| Bambino | Bambino Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Portafilter | 54 mm | 54 mm |
| Milk | Manual steam wand | Automatic texturing, temp & foam settings, auto-purge |
| Size | Smaller, smaller tank | 1.9 L tank |
| Published review note | Wirecutter: less consistent shots than the Plus | Wirecutter: former top pick, "still a solid machine" |
Choose the Bambino if you mostly drink straight espresso or are happy to learn milk steaming. Choose the Plus if you make several milk drinks a day and want them hands-off.
Breville Bambino (BES450)
Good fit for: A first machine on a tighter budget, if you're happy to steam milk by hand.
- Same 54 mm portafilter platform and ThermoJet heating family as the Bambino Plus
- Manual steam wand (no automatic milk texturing or auto-purge)
- Smaller and lighter than the Plus; Wirecutter found its shots less consistent than the Plus
Sources: Breville BES450 · Wirecutter: The Best Home Espresso Machine (updated Mar 17 2026)
Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)
Good fit for: Milk-drink lovers who want a small, fast-heating machine with hands-free milk.
- ThermoJet heating, ready in about 3 seconds (manufacturer claim); PID temperature control
- 54 mm stainless portafilter, single- and dual-wall baskets; 18 g recommended dose
- Low-pressure pre-infusion; 15 bar pump
- Automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and foam level
- 1.9 L (64 fl oz) tank; about 7.7 × 12.6 × 12.2 in
- Wirecutter calls it a former top pick and "still a solid machine", but found dialing in harder than its current picks
Sources: Breville BES500 · Breville manual (PDF) · Wirecutter: The Best Home Espresso Machine (updated Mar 17 2026)
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