At a Glance: Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS Highlights
- ThermoJet heating system heats up in just 3 seconds
- Digital PID temperature control for precise extraction
- Automatic microfoam milk texturing for latte art and silky drinks
- Adjustable milk temperature and texture settings
- Low-pressure pre-infusion for balanced flavors
- Ultra-compact footprint: 7.6” (D) x 12.5” (W) x 12.2” (H)
- 19g capacity portafilter—full flavor with every shot
- Included accessories: milk jug, tamper, dosing tool, filters
- 2-year limited warranty and automatic heat purging
If you’ve ever wished your kitchen could double as your favorite coffeehouse, the breville bambino plus espresso machine bes500bss brings that dream to life. From my years helping readers choose the best espresso setup for their needs, this model’s blend of speedy performance, user-friendly milk frothing, and compact style stands out for anyone serious about morning rituals. This review covers what to expect, who should consider it, stand-out features, and practical feedback from users—so you can decide if it’s a perfect fit for your counter.
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Why We Chose the Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS
To make our shortlist, every espresso machine we feature must offer real value, standout capabilities, and strong community support. In our research, the breville bambino plus espresso machine bes500bss easily checked these boxes for several reasons:
- Its 3-second ThermoJet heat-up is genuinely one of the fastest, outpacing most rivals.
- Consistent praise for user-friendly automatic milk frothing—ideal for beginners and busy households.
- Compact size for small spaces without losing professional features like PID temperature control, setting it apart from much larger competitors in the same price range.
This espresso machine balances café-style results with convenience and reliability. While other semi-automatics can be daunting to master, the Bambino Plus has earned top ranks in major review sites for making barista-level drinks accessible at home.
Who Is the Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS Ideal For?
The breville bambino plus espresso machine bes500bss is a great fit for busy coffee lovers who want premium espresso at home—without the hassle or a massive machine taking over your counter. It’s designed for ease and delivers consistent results, which appeals to a wide group:
- Home espresso beginners seeking café results with minimal training
- Daily coffee drinkers who value speed (heat-up in seconds)
- Apartment dwellers or anyone with limited counter space
- Latte and cappuccino fans who want easy milk frothing
- People looking for reliable, low-maintenance machines
Not for: If you love customizing every extraction variable or hacking your setup, you may prefer a more manual or “tinker-friendly” espresso machine. Those seeking a built-in grinder will need an external burr grinder with the Bambino Plus.
Specifications & Practical Impact
| Feature | Detail & Impact |
|---|---|
| Brand | Breville—renowned for home coffee appliances |
| Model | BES500BSS (Bambino Plus) |
| Dimensions | 7.6” (D) x 12.5” (W) x 12.2” (H)—great for small kitchens |
| Weight | 11 pounds—easy to move if needed |
| Material | Brushed Stainless Steel—modern look and durability |
| Operation | Semi-automatic; simple button interface |
| Heating System | ThermoJet—ready in 3 seconds |
| Milk Frother | Automatic steam wand with adjustable temperature/texture |
| Water Pressure | Low-pressure pre-infusion for optimal extraction |
| Portafilter Size | 54mm with 19g capacity—café-level dosing |
| Warranty | 2-year limited (per manufacturer) |
| Included | Milk jug, tamper, filter, cleaning tools |
Fast ThermoJet Heating & PID Control for Flavor Consistency
One of the biggest frustrations for espresso makers is long heat-up times and temperature swings. The breville bambino plus espresso machine bes500bss solves this with its ThermoJet system, ready for brewing in only 3 seconds. Digital PID temperature control ensures the water is always at the optimal point for extraction—no guessing, no burned or weak espresso. This feature is a real time-saver for early risers, busy families, or anyone rushing out the door in the morning. The result is more cups, less waiting, and enjoyable every time.
Automatic Microfoam Milk Texturing for Easy Latte Art
If you’re hoping to craft lattes and cappuccinos that rival your local café, this machine’s automatic steam wand delivers. It provides hands-off microfoam at the touch of a button, letting you adjust temperature and texture. The result is silky milk suited for latte art, with far less practice needed compared to traditional wands. Whether treating yourself before work or hosting brunch, this feature means café-style drinks without the steep learning curve. Based on user feedback, it performs just as well as more advanced, larger Breville units.
Compact Stainless Steel Design & Easy Maintenance
Kitchen space is precious, especially for city dwellers. With a footprint under 8 inches wide, the bambino plus espresso machine keeps your counter uncluttered while still looking stylish. Stainless steel is built for years of use and wipes down quickly. The auto-purge feature ensures the system cools for the next shot, helping with consistency and cleaning. This is especially appreciated by regular users who want both performance and simplicity.
Low Pressure Pre-Infusion for Balanced Extraction
Many home espresso machines struggle with under- or over-extraction, but not the Bambino Plus. With gentle, low-pressure pre-infusion, it gradually prepares the grounds before ramping up, ensuring all the flavors are pulled evenly. The result is a well-balanced, rich cup—even with less expensive or pre-ground beans. It’s a key detail often found in higher-end models and helps explain why reviewers notice improved taste and crema compared to other options.
Pros and Cons of the Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS
Like any appliance, this espresso machine has points in its favor and some limitations to be aware of:
- Super-fast heat-up (3 seconds) for busy mornings
- Easy, adjustable milk frothing for beginners and enthusiasts alike
- Café-quality espresso with consistent temperature and extraction
- Compact and stylish—fits on almost any kitchen counter
- User-friendly controls, few learning curves to overcome
- Requires separate grinder for best results (not built-in)
- Some users cite the 2-cup shot portafilter does not always distribute evenly
- Occasional milk overflow if pitcher is overfilled or set on high
User Reviews at a Glance
The Breville Bambino Plus enjoys a strong user following, with 2,455 global reviews and an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Most praise how it streamlines home espresso routines, delivers consistently delicious shots, and removes the guesswork from milk frothing. A few critiques mention milk overflow and learning the right techniques for multi-cup extras, but the overwhelming sentiment is positive and enthusiastic—especially for those upgrading from less reliable machines.
Review Feedback Highlights
This makes it easy and quick to make excellent espresso. I was skeptical about the automatic frothing, but to be honest, it does a better job at creating creamy foamed milk than I have ever managed to do myself. I had an older, bigger Breville machine before, and learning to get decent milk, especially for lattes, took a great deal of practice. This does better from the first try, and you can manually froth the milk as well (which is much faster than with my old machine).I do have two issues to point out. Occasionally, for no reason I can determine, the milk overflows. I do fill the pitcher up to the “max” line, with the heat and foam both on high, but then I am always making it for two cups, a latte for me and a cappuccino for my wife. Usually it works fine, but twice now it went over the top. The second issue is that, when drawing 2-cup shots, I found that the supplied portafilter is uneven in distributing the coffee between the two spouts. Fortunately, I have the old portafilter from my previous Breville coffeemaker, which does a better job of evenly filling both cups. The supplied portafilter works fine for one cup.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS
- How long does the Bambino Plus take to heat up?
The ThermoJet system heats the machine to optimal temperature in about 3 seconds—much faster than traditional espresso machines. - Can you manually froth milk with the automatic wand?
Yes, the steam wand offers both auto and manual frothing options, making it easy for beginners or those who want complete control. - Does it come with a grinder or built-in grinder?
No, this model does not include a grinder. For best results, pair it with a quality burr grinder for fresh espresso. - What types of coffee can it make?
The Breville Bambino Plus can make single or double shots of espresso, along with milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos using its steam wand.
Warranty Coverage & Support Details
Buying an espresso machine is an investment, so understanding warranty coverage is important for peace of mind. The breville bambino plus espresso machine bes500bss comes with a 2-year limited product warranty from Breville. This protects against manufacturer defects in materials or workmanship within the warranty period. Coverage includes repair or replacement, but typical exclusions are damage due to misuse, accidents, or unauthorized repairs.
To claim warranty support, you’ll need proof of purchase and should contact Breville’s customer service through their website. Some retailers may offer additional warranty or return windows, so it’s worth checking their policies before buying.
Our Final Verdict on the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine BES500BSS
After thoroughly analyzing user experiences, technical specs, and real-world advantages, the breville bambino plus espresso machine bes500bss takes the lead for anyone wanting café-style drinks without a steep learning curve. It blends fast performance, easy controls, and excellent results in a sleek package. While super-customization fans may look elsewhere, most home baristas will find it a joy—perfect for quick, tasty lattes, cappuccinos, and straight shots at any time of day. For busy routines and higher standards at home, it’s a standout choice.
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