Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus: is the upgrade worth it?
The main reason to pay more for the Bambino Plus is its automatic milk texturing. The standard Bambino leaves that step in your hands. Both are compact semi-automatic machines with a 54 mm portafilter and fast ThermoJet heating; neither includes a grinder.
The practical differences
| Buying point | Bambino · BES450 | Bambino Plus · BES500 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon US offer snapshot | $299.95 new | $499.95 new |
| Milk texturing | Manual steam wand | Automatic wand; selectable temperature and foam settings |
| Heating | ThermoJet; manufacturer says ready in 3 seconds | ThermoJet; manufacturer says ready in 3 seconds |
| Portafilter / dose | 54 mm; designed around 18 g freshly ground coffee | 54 mm; designed around 18 g freshly ground coffee |
| Grinder | Separate purchase | Separate purchase |
| Best reason to choose | Lower entry price and manual practice | Less hands-on milk texturing for frequent milk drinks |
The observed Amazon prices were both sold by Amazon.com on the check date. The $200 difference is a snapshot, not a guaranteed current price or the full cost of a setup. Compare seller, delivery, tax, warranty terms, and total checkout price for the exact model before deciding.
What the Plus upgrade changes
Breville describes the BES450 Bambino as using manual hand-crafted microfoam. You control the steam wand and learn the technique. Breville describes the BES500 Bambino Plus as having hands-free automatic milk texturing, with three milk-temperature and three foam settings. Its manual also describes an automatic wand-purge function.
That convenience matters most when milk drinks are part of your normal routine. If you make lattes every morning, share the machine with someone who prefers less technique, or simply do not want milk steaming to be another skill to practice, the Plus has a clear feature advantage. Automatic texturing still means you prepare the milk and jug and clean according to the instructions; it does not turn the machine into a fully automatic coffee maker.
If milk drinks are occasional, the standard Bambino's manual wand may be enough. If you enjoy practicing, manual control may be part of the appeal. This article compares published features; we have not tested drink quality, speed in a home routine, or long-term reliability.
Both need a grinder in the budget
Neither machine has a built-in grinder. Both are designed around freshly ground coffee, so a grinder suited to espresso is a major part of the decision. The Plus's automatic wand does not solve grind adjustment, dosing, tamping, puck preparation, or dialing in a shot.
For a first setup, compare the complete spend: machine, grinder, beans, and any tools you actually need, plus tax and delivery. If paying the Plus premium would leave too little for a suitable grinder, the standard Bambino plus a better grinder may be the more balanced plan. Use our setup planner to enter your own current prices instead of treating this snapshot as a quote.
Check the exact listing before buying
During this review, the Amazon page for the standard Bambino, titled BES450BSS, contained a feature bullet describing an automatic steam wand. That conflicts with Breville's BES450 page, which identifies manual milk texturing, and with the BES500 Plus documentation. Retail listings can contain mixed or mismatched bullets, so verify the model code and use the manufacturer's page or manual when features disagree.
Amazon also displayed dimensions that differed from the manufacturer dimensions shown for the BES450. Measure from the exact manufacturer's documentation and allow for tank access and preparation space; do not rely on a retailer dimension field where sources conflict.
Both machines have 54 mm portafilters and quick-start heating according to Breville. Those shared specifications do not, by themselves, establish identical results or durability. Read the manual and current warranty information for the exact item and seller.
Who is each machine for?
The Bambino may fit you better if you want a lower machine cost, usually drink espresso or Americanos, are open to learning to steam milk, and would rather put the difference toward the grinder.
The Bambino Plus may fit you better if you make milk drinks frequently, value automatic milk texturing, and can afford the upgrade without compromising the grinder budget.
Compare another machine category if you require a built-in grinder or one-button drinks. These are semi-automatic espresso machines, and both involve hands-on preparation.
Sources, price snapshot, and disclosure
Feature comparison: Breville Bambino BES450 product page, Breville Bambino Plus BES500 product page, and the BES500 instruction manual. The Amazon US pages checked were Bambino BES450BSS, ASIN B0B1JPPG2L and Bambino Plus BES500BSS, ASIN B07JVD78TT.
On Oct 31, 2026, each Amazon page showed Amazon.com as seller and new offers of $299.95 and $499.95 respectively. Offers, seller, stock, product details, and return terms change. Follow the links for current photos and details.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Tagged links on this page may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We have not hands-on tested these machines. This comparison uses published manufacturer information and dated retailer-page snapshots; it is not a taste test or a guarantee of performance. Amazon product photos are not reproduced here because Amazon image tools are not yet enabled for this account.