Breville Bambino Plus Review: Is It Worth Buying?
Yes—the Breville Bambino Plus is worth buying for beginners, latte drinkers, and small-kitchen owners who want fast espresso and automatic milk texturing. It is not a complete setup by itself, however. You still need a capable espresso grinder, and the regular Bambino is the better value when you are comfortable steaming milk manually.
Quick verdict
The Bambino Plus is one of the easiest compact semi-automatic espresso machines to recommend. It heats in about three seconds, uses a 54mm stainless-steel portafilter sized for an 18-gram dose, applies low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9-bar extraction, and can texture milk automatically with three temperature settings and three foam levels.
Its defining feature is the hands-free steam wand. Place the milk jug on the sensor, select temperature and texture, and the machine stops when the target is reached. You can also steam manually as your technique improves.
Buy it when: you make frequent lattes or cappuccinos, want a compact machine, and prefer choosing a separate grinder. Choose the regular Bambino instead when value and manual milk control matter more than automation.
Breville Bambino Plus review summary
| Category | Our assessment | What it means for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Overall recommendation | Highly recommended for the right buyer | Excellent compact machine for espresso and milk drinks, provided you also buy a suitable grinder. |
| Espresso quality | Very good with proper grinding and preparation | The machine is capable; beans, grinder quality, dose, and puck preparation determine the final result. |
| Milk system | Excellent for beginners | Automatic temperature and texture controls remove much of the learning curve. |
| Heat-up speed | Excellent | ThermoJet heating makes the machine ready in about three seconds. |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly, not one-touch | Milk is simplified, but grinding, dosing, tamping, and extraction still require user input. |
| Counter space | Compact machine body | Remember to include the separate grinder when measuring the complete setup. |
| Best for | Beginners and milk-drink households | A strong fit for lattes, cappuccinos, and quick morning espresso. |
Breville Bambino Plus
Model reviewed: BES500BSS
The Bambino Plus is a compact semi-automatic espresso machine built around speed and milk convenience. It does not include a grinder, pressure gauge, or hot-water button. Instead, it focuses on fast brewing, a simple control panel, and automatic milk texturing.
Breville’s current specifications list a ThermoJet heating system, PID temperature control, a 54mm stainless-steel portafilter, single- and dual-wall baskets, low-pressure pre-infusion, 9-bar extraction, and a steam wand that supports both automatic and manual texturing.
Check Price on AmazonWhat we like
- Automatic milk temperature and texture control
- Very fast three-second heat-up
- Compact machine footprint
- Capable espresso platform with 54mm portafilter
- Can switch from automatic to manual steaming
- Separate grinder provides upgrade flexibility
What to know
- Espresso grinder is sold separately
- No dedicated hot-water outlet
- Light machine body can move when locking in the portafilter
- Small drip tray needs frequent emptying
- Automatic steaming still requires correct milk volume and jug placement
- Regular Bambino offers similar espresso performance for less
Espresso quality
The Bambino Plus has the core brewing hardware needed for strong home espresso. The 54mm portafilter is designed around an 18-gram dose, while low-pressure pre-infusion helps wet the puck before the machine increases pressure for extraction.
PID-controlled heating supports consistent water temperature, but the machine cannot compensate for stale beans, an unsuitable grinder, uneven distribution, or an incorrect dose. The Bambino Plus should therefore be viewed as half of an espresso setup rather than a complete appliance.
Beginners can start with the included dual-wall baskets, which are more forgiving of pre-ground coffee and less precise grinders. Single-wall baskets provide better long-term potential once you have a grinder that can make small espresso adjustments.
Automatic milk texturing is the main reason to buy it
The Bambino Plus offers three milk-temperature settings and three texture levels. The temperature sensor sits beneath the milk jug on the drip tray. Once steaming begins, the machine introduces air, heats the milk, and stops automatically at the selected target.
This system is especially useful for beginners because milk steaming combines several skills: positioning the wand, adding the correct amount of air, creating a whirlpool, monitoring temperature, and stopping before the milk overheats. The Bambino Plus handles most of those decisions.
The result is best when the correct jug and milk quantity are used. Automatic does not mean completely foolproof: the sensor must remain clean, the jug must sit flat, and the steam wand should be purged and wiped immediately after use.
More experienced users can steam manually. That makes the machine useful beyond the beginner stage and allows greater control over texture for latte art.
Speed and daily workflow
The ThermoJet system is one of the Bambino Plus’s strongest practical advantages. The machine reaches brewing temperature in about three seconds, eliminating the long preheating ritual associated with many traditional espresso machines.
A typical workflow is straightforward: grind into the portafilter, distribute and tamp, lock it into the machine, brew, then place the milk jug on the sensor and start automatic steaming. The machine also performs an automatic steam-wand purge after the jug is removed, so the drip tray fills more quickly than some buyers expect.
The fast startup does not mean the entire drink takes three seconds. Grinding, puck preparation, extraction, milk steaming, and cleaning still take time. What it removes is the idle wait before you can begin.
You need a good grinder
The Bambino Plus does not include a grinder, and this should influence both your budget and counter-space planning. Espresso requires much finer and more precise adjustment than ordinary drip coffee.
A separate grinder is also a long-term advantage. You can upgrade the grinder without replacing the Bambino Plus, switch between beans more easily, or keep the grinder if you later move to a more advanced espresso machine.
Buyers who strongly prefer one appliance may be happier with a Barista Express, Barista Pro, or another integrated-grinder machine. Those systems simplify the initial purchase but provide less independent upgrade flexibility.
Size, design, and usability
The Bambino Plus is narrow enough for many apartments and small kitchens, but the complete setup is not necessarily tiny. A grinder, knock box, tamper, milk jug, bean container, and preparation area all require space.
The simple button interface keeps the machine approachable. Controls cover one shot, two shots, steam, milk temperature, and milk texture. There is no screen or pressure gauge, which reduces visual clutter but also provides less extraction feedback.
Because the machine is compact and relatively light, buyers may need to steady it while inserting or removing the portafilter. This is a common trade-off with small espresso machines rather than a brewing defect.
Cleaning and maintenance
Daily maintenance includes knocking out the used puck, rinsing the basket and portafilter, wiping and purging the steam wand, and emptying the drip tray. The automatic purge helps keep the steam wand clear but increases the amount of water collected in the tray.
The milk-temperature sensor must remain clean because residue can interfere with accurate readings. Periodic maintenance includes backflushing with a cleaning tablet when prompted, descaling according to water hardness, replacing the water filter, and checking the steam-wand tip for blockages.
The routine is manageable, but the Bambino Plus is not maintenance-free. Buyers wanting minimal daily work should consider a pod machine, while fully automatic espresso machines reduce preparation but introduce their own milk-system and internal-cleaning requirements.
Who should buy the Bambino Plus?
Buy it for frequent milk drinks
The automatic steam wand is the main upgrade and is especially useful for lattes and cappuccinos.
Buy it for a compact brewer
The machine body is narrow and fast, making it easier to fit into small coffee stations.
Buy it for grinder flexibility
A separate grinder can be selected and upgraded independently from the espresso machine.
Skip it if you drink mostly straight espresso
The automatic milk system adds less value when milk drinks are uncommon.
Skip it if you already steam milk confidently
The regular Bambino offers similar core espresso capability with manual steaming.
Skip it if you want one-touch coffee
You still need to grind, dose, tamp, lock in the portafilter, and clean after brewing.
Bambino Plus vs the main alternatives
| Alternative | Choose it when... | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Breville Bambino | You want the best value and are comfortable steaming manually | Similar core espresso platform, manual steam wand, and a dedicated hot-water function |
| Barista Express | You want a grinder and machine in one body | Integrated grinder and traditional controls, but slower heating and manual milk steaming |
| Barista Pro | You want a faster premium all-in-one workflow | Integrated grinder, digital feedback, and quick ThermoJet heating |
| Super-automatic machine | You prioritize one-touch convenience | Grinding, brewing, and often milk preparation are automated |
Is the Bambino Plus worth the upgrade over the Bambino?
Yes for milk-drink buyers; usually no for straight-espresso drinkers. The automatic milk system is the meaningful upgrade. Both machines use fast ThermoJet heating, a 54mm portafilter, PID control, and the same general espresso approach.
The regular Bambino is narrower, costs less, and includes a hot-water function. The Plus adds automatic milk temperature and texture adjustment, a larger water tank, and a hands-free workflow. Our complete Bambino vs Bambino Plus comparison explains the choice in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Breville Bambino Plus good for beginners?
Yes. Fast heating, volumetric shot buttons, forgiving dual-wall baskets, and automatic milk texturing make it one of the easiest semi-automatic machines for beginners.
Does the Bambino Plus include a grinder?
No. You need a separate espresso-capable grinder. This increases the total setup cost but provides better long-term upgrade flexibility.
Does the Bambino Plus make good espresso?
Yes, when used with fresh beans, an appropriate grinder, a consistent dose, and careful puck preparation. The machine provides suitable temperature and pressure control, but it cannot correct poor grinding or preparation.
Can you steam milk manually?
Yes. The steam wand supports both automatic and manual texturing, so users can take more control as their skills improve.
Does the Bambino Plus dispense hot water?
It does not have the same dedicated hot-water button as the regular Bambino. Buyers who make frequent Americanos should consider that difference before choosing.
Is the Bambino Plus better than the Barista Express?
It is faster, more compact, and easier for milk texturing. The Barista Express includes a grinder and provides a more traditional all-in-one workflow. The better choice depends on whether you prefer grinder flexibility or a single appliance.
Final verdict
The Breville Bambino Plus is worth buying for beginners and milk-drink households that want a compact, fast espresso machine. Its automatic steam wand removes one of the hardest early skills, while the 54mm portafilter, PID control, and manual mode provide room to improve.
The purchase only makes sense as part of a complete setup. Budget for a capable grinder and enough counter space for both appliances. Choose the regular Bambino when you prefer manual steaming and stronger value; choose the Bambino Plus when automatic milk texture is the feature that will make you use the machine more often.
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