Breville · Espresso Machines
Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS
By Nick Miles · Updated 2026-07-25 · 3 independent sources
The best compact espresso machine for a small kitchen. Buy it if a narrow, listing-verified footprint and hands-free milk texturing matter more than having the grinder built in.
This review synthesizes the expert consensus gathered for our buying guides — named test kitchens, lab-test outlets, and manufacturer documentation. We don’t run a testing lab.
Read the full comparison: Best Compact Espresso & Coffee Setups for Small Kitchens (2026) →
Pros
- +Listing-documented 7.7-inch width — the narrowest pick in this guide
- +Automatic milk texturing — no manual steam-wand skill required
- +ThermoJet heat-up in about 3 seconds, per the listing
- +Digital PID temperature control at a compact-machine price
- +Auto-purge keeps the next shot at the right temperature
Cons
- −No built-in grinder — budget for a separate one
- −Smaller water tank and drip tray than full-size Barista-series machines
- −Automatic wand offers less control than a manual one as your skills grow
- −No hot-water spout for Americanos like some larger machines
Key features
- 7.7-inch width — the narrowest full-featured pick in this guide
- ThermoJet heating — extraction temperature in about 3 seconds
- Automatic microfoam milk texturing (hands-free steam wand)
- Digital PID temperature control with low-pressure pre-infusion
- 54mm portafilter, 19-gram dose; auto-purge after steaming
Score breakdown
- Expert consensus9.2
- Performance8.9
- Build quality8.8
- Durability8.6
- Value8.6