I spent 15 years burning through a series of $150 -$300 dollar espresso makers, a nice used Saeco, a couple DeLonghis) and recently a Delonghi that had a pump failure after three weeks. I was so upset about the DeLonghi failing that I impulsively bought this machine, which with accessories alwas about twice what I wanted to pay after reading reviews that made it clear that in this price range, for the best quality non-automatic machines, it's between this and a Gaggia Classic Pro. I went with the Breville as the reviews indicated it may not be easily hacked, but it works consistently and very well out of the box.
Well, now I am kicking myself for not having bought this machine a decade earlier. It produces amazing shots reliably, every time. I use the stock basket, about 19 grams of espresso.grounds, tamp it with moderate pressure, and let the pour run about 14-15 seconds. I use top quality beans from a local roaster and grind to the second most fine setting on my Capresso Infinity grinder.
The shots are superb without going down the obsessive espresso geek path of modifying the heater, the pump etc. I can't say anything more about that. It heats quickly (5 seconds) and has an auto shutoff, though it's smart to warm the portafilter by running a shot of just water through it, and it's easy enough to shut off with a simultaneous press of the single shot and the milk frother buttons.
There are a few key accessories that make it more convenient. A cheap knock box helps unload the portafilter quicker and make it more convenient to pull multiple shots -imoortant if this high quality coffee accidentally turns your spouse and kid into espresso junkies. A magnetic portafilter funnel helps make it easy to get the grounds in, evenly distributed and tamped. A nice little stainless putcher for steaming milk helps with making A+ lattes and cappuccinos. And an open faced basket produces some interesting flavor variations though I have not mastered it well enough to produce consistent excellent taste.
You will need to get really good quality beans and should have at least a decent low speed burr grinder to get best results, though foreground beans do alright if they are fresh enough - the Illy brand grounds produce a very nice flavorful shot and the Lavazza beans produce a great, traditional strong Italian type shot but fresh local beans may give a much nicer flavor.
I've had it for about two months so far and have pulled at least four or five shots daily between Americanos for my wife and double shots for myself. The taste is great, the shots have a lovely smooth crema, and I am incredibly happy with it. This machine gets criticized as it's not a soulful Italian machine with endless hacking and customization opportunities, it is just a turnkey appliance that makes great espresso with no muss, no fuss. Look, I've owned an MGB and an old Plymouth muscle car, and fussy Italian espresso makers. I loved them and I loved tinkering. But I have a Toyota 4 Runner now that "lacks soul" but it is as reliable as a stone axe, I never worry about it starting when I get in, it's good in all conditions. It doesn't lose its lights in the rain (MGB) and it doesn't have weird features like reverse threaded lug nuts and this oddball relay that fails at weird times leaving me stranded unless I can install the spare (Plymouth). It just works right every dang time. You might be able to find a better machine that takes your espresso shots from a 99 grade to 100 but I doubt it. Once in a while my local roaster - which has won national competitions - pulls off a 100 shot. But usually they are 99's. Using the same beans this Breville is always a 99, no hassles.
The only downside is we are drinking more coffee because this machine makes such tasty shots. It has eliminated coffee stops on the way to work and maybe in the long run pays for itself. But the real reason to buy is that life is too short to drink bad coffee. You are going to drink coffee anyhow; you might as well drink coffee that astounds you and puts a smile on your face every morning. Buy once, cry once.
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The Bambino Plus: Delivers third wave specialty coffeeBreville USA
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$399.95 with 20 percent savings
List Price: $499.95 
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From the manufacturer
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Simple Interface with Volumetric Shot Control
Convenient one-touch 1 & 2 shot volumetric control and steam
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Hands-Free Milk Texturing
Silky microfoam with up to one million micro bubbles per ml, ready for latte art
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Stainless Steel Dual and Single Wall Filters
Rich, full-bodied coffee achieved using 18g of freshly ground beans, delivered by a 54mm portafilter
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Ready in Seconds
The ThermoJet heating system with PID temperature control achieves optimum extraction temperature
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Full Bodied Coffee With Rich & Complex Flavors
Low pressure pre-infusion followed by a high pressure 9 bar extraction for an opulent espresso
Bambino Plus
Choose your machine
Touchscreen | ||
| | Barista-Style | |
| | Auto MilQ | |
Built-In Grinder | ||
Manual | Tamping | Manual |
ThermoJet | Heating System | ThermoJet |
Cold Brew |
Touchscreen | ||
| | Barista-Style | |
| | Auto MilQ | |
Built-In Grinder | | |
Manual | Tamping | Manual |
ThermoJet | Heating System | Thermocoil |
Cold Brew |
Touchscreen | ||
| | Barista-Style | |
| | Auto MilQ | |
Built-In Grinder | | |
Manual | Tamping | Assisted |
ThermoJet | Heating System | Thermocoil |
Cold Brew |
Touchscreen | ||
| | Barista-Style | |
| | Auto MilQ | |
Built-In Grinder | | |
Manual | Tamping | Manual |
ThermoJet | Heating System | ThermoJet |
Cold Brew |
Product Videos
Product information
| Brand | Breville |
|---|---|
| Color | Brushed Stainless Steel |
| Product Dimensions | 7.6"D x 12.5"W x 12.2"H |
| Special Feature | Milk Frother |
| Coffee Maker Type | Espresso Machine |
| Style | Modern |
| Specific Uses For Product | Espresso |
| Exterior Finish | Stainless Steel |
| Included Components | 16 fl.oz / 480ml Stainless Steel Milk Jug, 54mm Tamper, Cleaning Tool and Cleaning Disc, Filter, the Razor Precision Dosing Tool |
| Operation Mode | Semi-Automatic |
| Voltage | 120.0 |
| Model Name | the Bambino ™ Plus |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Human Interface Input | Buttons |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00021614800145 |
| Coffee Input Type | ground coffee |
| Manufacturer | Breville |
| UPC | 021614800145 |
| Item Weight | 11 pounds |
| ASIN | B07JVD78TT |
| Item model number | BES500BSS1BUS1 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank |
|
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | October 5, 2018 |
Warranty & Support
Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here. [PDF ]
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Loving My Bambino Plus
After a couple of months of obsessive research, I decided the Bambino Plus in Black Truffle was the espresso maker for me. My local stores often have the more expensive and advanced models of Breville Espresso machines that also have built in grinders for the same price as the normal price of this model at every retailer. That made paying full price for this model not an option to me, I just couldn't bring myself to buy "less" for more. That led to to taking a chance and purchasing a "like new" Bambino Plus from Amazon. The one I received must have just been open box only with the machine itself never having been removed from the box and other wrapping materials, as it was wrapped exactly as they are from the factory (I verified by watching multiple unboxing videos on YouTube, prior to unboxing mine). Keep in mind I have only owned it for 6 days so far but I have ran a lot of shots, probably around 30 at a minimum, trying to learn as much as possible and it has worked flawlessly. I learned pretty quickly to make extra sure, that the temperature sensor is dry and that the milk pitcher is placed far back on the drip tray and well on the sensor prior to auto steaming or you will likely end up with milk all over, regardless of how little you may have had in the pitcher, don't make that mistake. The black truffle looks great next to my turquoise Moccamaster and black DF54 grinder. Negatives: -Small drip tray BUT you really need to empty and clean it well after every time you steam milk anyway, as it purges into the drip tray--so is it truly a negative? -It could be made to weigh a little more, so there isn't a need to hold onto it while locking the portafilter in. Positives/Reasons I purchased it: -It's small, hardly takes up any room, easy to take in my horse trailer on camping trips. -No built in subpar grinder to deal with like most other Breville models. The grinder is the most important part of espresso, a great quality grinder will make better espresso that a high end commercial espresso maker and low quality grinder. -Auto milk frothing works great, I can start cleaning up and doing other stuff in the kitchen while my milk steams. I can get great at dialing in espresso before I get around to learning the art of steaming milk. -3 way solenoid, prevents soupy pucks, allows backflushing of the group head. -PID -Heats up in 3 seconds! I will update my review in the future.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2025Color: Brushed Stainless SteelVerified Purchase
I love this espresso machine. It's not only beautiful, has a small footprint and doesnt take up too much counter space. Functionality wise it completely changes the coffee game, when upgrading from a cheap machine (like I did). You really can taste the difference in quality, when paired with a quality coffee bean.
I'm not a huge fan of the portafilter, I wish it didn't have a plastic piece inside it. The plastic doesnt come out and I have to assume it gets dirty underneath, so I bought a bottomless one. It comes with everything you need to get you started, but I would recommend getting a tamping station that comes with the WDT tool and coffee distributor tool.
It doesnt indicate when the water gets low, so you turn it on to find the espresso buttons don't light up, only the temperature indicators do. I thought it was malfunctioning until I noticed the low water reservoir. I even read the manual and it didn't mention this in troubleshooting.
I don't use the milk steamer so I don't often clean the water tray underneath. It still somehow gets filled with water, so I think it drips out from the internal parts of the machine. I assume this is just how it's meant to function, as many others claim the machine leaks. I haven't had any leaking onto the counter until I tried to brew without the water tray underneath.
Overall it's a spendy machine, but it works wonderfully and brews a really nice espresso. Be prepared to spend a lot more on other accessories on your journey to the perfect espresso shot. I have since bought a tamping station, puck bucket, puck screens, 3 grinders, crema mat, espresso shot glasses and latte glasses, a kitchen scale, aftermarket portafilter, and a monthly subscription to Atlas Coffee Club. Worth every penny.
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Top reviews from other countries
- 4evernReviewed in Canada on March 5, 2025
Love it! Great espresso and foam
Color: Black TruffleVerified Purchase -
Pavel LunaReviewed in Mexico on September 6, 2022
Excelente cafetera.
Color: Brushed Stainless SteelVerified Purchase
Desde hacía meses estaba buscando una cafetera nueva para sustituir una Krups Gusto. Vi de todos tipos, desde las Oster de gama baja hasta las DeLongi superautomáticas. Ninguna me convencía porque no quería gastarme un dineral pero también quería una cafetera que diera una buena experiencia del café.Pavel LunaExcelente cafetera.
Reviewed in Mexico on September 6, 2022
La Bambino Plus cumple por mucho con su propósito. Entrega una taza bastante correcta, mejor que muchas cafeterías que no son de especialidad. La extracción es buena y la crema es consistente y duradera. La espuma de la leche es bastante buena y sedosa; ahora mismo estoy tratando de aprender arte latte.
La cafetera es sencilla de usar. Seleccionas carga sencilla o doble de expreso y la máquina hace el resto. El espumador se puede usar de forma manual pero la función automática trabaja bastante bien y puedes escoger la temperatura y textura de la leche.
Hay que jugar con la Bambino Plus los primeros días. Tienes que probar distintos tipos de molido hasta obtener el que buscas. Si es muy grueso, la extracción será pobre, aguada y sin crema. Si es demasiado fino entonces el agua no pasará porque la canastilla estará tapada. Con la leche es lo mismo: es importante probar con distintos tipos hasta encontrar la textura que buscas -la recomendación es que sea lo más entera posible y de preferencia esté fría-. Eso sí, la barita espumadora es bastante sensible. Si no la limpias al momento, la leche se seca muy rápido y tapa los orificios, que son realmente pequeños. Cuando notas que ya no espuma bien es momento de limpiarla a profundidad.
La caja incluye varios accesorios de muy buena calidad, desde un portafiltros robusto con cuatro canastillas distintas hasta el tamper y una herramienta para asegurarse que la dosis de café es la correcta. También viene con pastillas de limpieza y descalcificador.
Hasta ahora, el único punto negativo que encuentro es el precio. Aunque yo la encontré con descuento, se trata de cualquier forma de un gasto mayor. Ciertamente hay cafeteras que cuestan cuatro o cinco veces más y esta se encuentra en un rango intermedio de precios. Dependerá de la durabilidad del producto para saber si valió la pena.
Images in this review
- Laurie B.Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2020
Great Machine
Color: Brushed Stainless SteelVerified Purchase -
Andrés A.Reviewed in Mexico on August 28, 2025
Gran producto.
Color: Brushed Stainless SteelVerified Purchase - Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on October 21, 2024
Magic every morning
Color: Black TruffleVerified Purchase
