Who this is for / not for
For: You’ve already landed on Bambino-class as your under-$300 pick (see beginner espresso machines under $300) and you’re deciding whether the Plus version’s extra cost is worth it.
Not for: You haven’t picked a machine yet — start with the under-$300 scorecard. This page only compares two members of one family.
60-second verdict
| If you… | Buy this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Steam milk once a day or less, or don’t mind a short learning curve | Bambino (BES450) | Same shot quality, lower cost, one more manual step |
| Make multiple milk drinks daily and want zero-attention steaming | Bambino Plus (BES500) | Auto steam wand: set a milk temperature/texture target and it stops on its own |
| Aren’t sure you’ll use the steam wand often | Bambino (BES450) | Don’t pay for automation on a step you’ll rarely run |
The one real difference: both machines share the same ThermoJet fast heat-up and 54mm portafilter, per Breville’s own product pages and instruction manuals. Plus adds an automatic milk-texturing steam wand: it purges automatically when returned to the downward position and stops at a set temperature and texture on its own. Bambino’s wand is manual, so you control position and timing yourself.
How we scored (WhichSetup v3)
We apply Product Scorecard v3. Because this is a same-family comparison rather than a category scorecard, most blocks are identical for both machines (category integrity, demand durability, listing quality, claim safety) — the score differentiator here is almost entirely “what we can honestly say” about who the extra spend is for.
Evidence honesty: Research synthesis (manufacturer specs, public consensus on the auto-steam feature). Not an in-house lab test of either unit.
Where Plus falls on price
Bambino (BES450) sits in our $250–350 tier, as on the under-$300 page. Bambino Plus costs noticeably more and lands above our top budget tier, which is why the score and tier on this page belong to the base Bambino. The price gap is the real cost of the auto-steam wand, so look at the current price on both before deciding.
What we refuse on this page
- Treating Plus as a strict upgrade — for a reader who rarely steams milk, it’s the wrong purchase, not the better one.
- A sticker price for either machine. Retail prices move; check the current price at the link instead of trusting a number we typed.
- Claims about tank size or finish options, which vary by listing.
FAQ
Is the Plus faster? No — both use the same ThermoJet heating. Shot timing is the same. The difference is entirely in the milk step.
Does Plus use a bigger portafilter? No — both use a 54mm portafilter, per Breville’s own product listings and instruction manuals.
Should a first-time buyer start with Plus? Usually no. Our under-$300 page already recommends testing the habit on the cheaper end of the family first.
Update log
| Date (ET) | Change |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-19 | Initial publish. |