Breville Bambino Plus Review: The Milk Is the Point
Buy it if you want cafe-textured milk without learning to steam, and you are pairing it with a grinder you have already chosen. Skip it if you want to learn manual milk technique or you need a machine that keeps up with a queue, because the small tank and single thermocoil are built for one or two drinks at a time.
Three second heat up and a steam wand that texturises milk without you.
Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Under $1,000
A compact 54mm machine with ThermoJet heating, PID temperature control and an automatic steam wand that sets milk temperature and foam level for you.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Group size | 54mm portafilter, 19 gram dose |
|---|---|
| Heating | ThermoJet, extraction temperature in 3 seconds |
| Temperature control | Digital PID regulation |
| Milk | Automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture level |
| Pre-infusion | Low pressure pre-infusion that ramps at the start of the shot |
| Width | 7.7 inches |
| Power | 1560 watts |
| Voltage | 110 to 120 volts |
| Warranty | 2 year limited |
Specifications above come from Breville's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Three second heat up genuinely changes how often you use it. There is no reason to plan ahead.
- The automatic wand produces consistent microfoam with no technique at all, and it stops on its own.
- PID temperature control at this price point, which the Gaggia at the same money does not have from the factory.
- 7.7 inches wide, so it fits where a Barista Express will not.
- Auto purge after steaming means the next shot is not scalded.
Where it falls short
- The automatic wand is a floor and a ceiling at once. It will always make decent milk and it will not let you steam the way you want to, which frustrates anyone trying to learn latte art properly.
- One thermocoil, so there is a short cycle between brewing and steaming. Fine for two drinks, tiring for five.
- No grinder, and the machine is only as good as what feeds it. Budget $200 upward separately.
- The water tank is small enough that a session of milk drinks means a refill.
- The body is largely plastic. It works and it does not feel like the money in the way a steel Gaggia does.
What owners report
Owners are near unanimous that the ThermoJet heat up and the automatic milk are what make the machine, and that they use it far more often than a machine with a warm up ritual. The most common criticism is the steam wand's lack of manual control, raised by people who wanted to learn rather than be served. Reports of the milk sensor needing the jug wiped clean and of the wand needing purging appear often enough to treat as normal maintenance rather than a defect.
The two decisions people actually face here are Plus against plain Bambino, and Bambino Plus against Barista Express. We have both: Bambino vs Bambino Plus and Bambino Plus vs Barista Express. Before you commit, check the machine and grinder together against your counter with the counter space planner.
Who it suits
- People who want milk drinks and have no interest in learning to steam.
- Small kitchens where a 7.7 inch footprint is the deciding factor.
- Anyone already owning or buying a grinder in the $200 to $500 range.
- Households where the machine gets used once or twice a day rather than in rounds.
Who should skip it
- Aspiring home baristas who want manual steam control, better served by the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro.
- Anyone making four drinks at a time, who wants a dual boiler.
- Buyers with no grinder budget left, who should take the Barista Express instead.
Alternatives worth considering
Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso Machine
Under $500
The same ThermoJet heating and PID for less. You steam the milk yourself, which is a saving if you were going to learn anyway.
Check price on AmazonGaggia Classic Evo Pro Espresso Machine
Under $1,000
Steel body, 58mm commercial portafilter and full manual steam control at the same price. Harder to learn, more to grow into.
Check price on AmazonBreville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
Under $1,000
Includes the grinder, so it is the cheaper complete setup if you have not bought one yet.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Bambino vs Bambino Plus
- Gaggia Classic Evo Pro vs Bambino Plus
- Counter space planner
- Best espresso machines under $1,000
- Breville Bambino review
- Gaggia Classic Evo Pro review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Bambino Plus vs Bambino: is the automatic steam wand worth $200?
It is worth it if you want good milk immediately and have no interest in learning to steam. If you are willing to spend a few weeks practising, the plain Bambino makes the same espresso for less and gives you a manual wand to learn on. That $200 also buys a meaningful grinder upgrade.
Does the Bambino Plus come with a grinder?
No. It is a machine only, and pre-ground supermarket coffee will not do it justice. Plan for a grinder at under $250 upward, or buy a Barista Express instead if you want a single purchase.
How long does the Bambino Plus take to heat up?
Breville states the ThermoJet system reaches extraction temperature in three seconds. In practice that means you can switch it on and start grinding rather than waiting for it.
Can the Bambino Plus keep up with several drinks?
Two comfortably, more with pauses. It has one heating system and a small tank, so a round of four milk drinks means waiting on cycles and a refill. If that describes your household, look at a dual boiler.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, verified owner reviews and published barista guidance. We do not test gear in person. Espresso machines run mains electricity, pressurised water and steam above boiling point, so follow your manufacturer's manual and leave electrical or boiler work to a qualified technician. Everything here is researched guidance, not professional advice.
