The Breville BES450 and BES500 are compact espresso machines from Breville that pack serious performance into a small footprint, but they cater to different users. The main differences are in their control interfaces, brewing features, and price. The BES450 is a more straightforward, budget-friendly machine with simple push-button controls, while the BES500 offers a digital display, programmable shots, and enhanced steam capabilities for a higher price.
Here’s a detailed guide to help you decide which espresso machine is the right fit for your home coffee bar.
Breville Bambino (BES450)
The Breville BES450, often marketed as the "Bambino," is designed for simplicity and speed. It offers the core functionality needed to pull a great shot of espresso and steam milk without overwhelming beginners with complex settings. Its ultra-compact size makes it a perfect fit for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or anyone who values counter space.
- What it is: A compact, entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine focused on ease of use.
- Key features: Push-button controls for single and double shots, manual steam wand, and a quick heat-up time.
- Price: Typically around $200 – $250.
- Dimensions: Approximately 12.2" H x 7.7" W x 12.6" D.
- Controls: Minimalist interface with buttons for one shot, two shots, hot water, and steam control.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a small footprint, available in black or stainless steel finishes.
- Materials/Construction: A mix of durable plastic and stainless steel components suitable for daily use.
- Pros: Very affordable entry point into home espresso. Incredibly compact and lightweight. Simple, intuitive controls great for beginners. Fast heat-up time lets you brew quickly.
- Cons: Lacks shot volume programming. The basic manual steam wand is less capable of producing fine microfoam. Build quality is good for the price but less robust than higher-end models.
The BES450 is an excellent choice for beginners, those with limited counter space, or anyone wanting a straightforward machine for reliably good espresso without a steep learning curve.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes450.html
Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)
The Breville BES500, commonly known as the "Bambino Plus," is a significant step up from the base model. While it keeps the compact design, it adds advanced features like automatic milk frothing, programmable shot timing, and pre-infusion technology. These additions give home baristas more control and consistency, helping them create café-quality drinks with ease.
- What it is: A compact semi-automatic espresso machine with advanced features for enhanced control and convenience.
- Key features: 3-second heat-up time, automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture settings, programmable shot volumes, and low-pressure pre-infusion.
- Price: Generally priced between $300 – $400.
- Dimensions: Approximately 12.2" H x 7.7" W x 12.6" D, same footprint as the BES450 but slightly heavier.
- Controls: Digital button interface with programmable options for single and double shots, plus three milk temperature and three foam level settings.
- Style: Refined version of the Bambino's compact design, with more brushed stainless steel accents that give it a premium look.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality plastic and brushed stainless steel with a solid, premium feel.
- Pros: Automatic steam wand produces excellent microfoam consistently. Programmable pre-infusion and shot volumes for greater control. Extremely fast heat-up time. Superior build quality and finish.
- Cons: A noticeable price jump compared to the entry-level BES450. The added automatic features can feel limiting for experts who prefer full manual control over frothing.
The BES500 is ideal for coffee lovers who want consistent, high-quality results and the convenience of automatic milk texturing without needing a large, complex machine.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes500.html
Breville BES450 vs. BES500 Comparison
Features & Control Interface
This is where the two models diverge the most. The Breville BES450 uses simple, one-touch buttons for single and double shots. You press a button to start, and you press it again to stop, it's entirely manual. This simplicity is great for beginners but offers little room for consistency unless you use a separate scale and timer.
In contrast, the Breville BES500 features a more advanced control panel. Its shot buttons are programmable, so you can set your desired volume for single and double shots, which the machine then delivers automatically. The BES500 also includes low-pressure pre-infusion, a feature found on much more expensive machines that gently soaks the coffee grounds before extraction for a more even and flavorful shot.
Brewing Performance & Steam Wand
While both machines use Breville's rapid ThermoJet heating system, the brewing process differs. The pre-infusion on the BES500 leads to more balanced and consistent shots. The BES450 can still pull a fantastic shot, but it requires more user skill to get right every time.
The steam wand is another major differentiator. The BES450 has a traditional manual steam wand that gives you full control but requires practice to master the art of milk frothing. The BES500 features an automatic steam wand. You simply place the milk jug on a sensor, choose your desired milk temperature and foam texture (from three presets for each), and it does the work for you, creating perfectly textured microfoam that’s ideal for latte art.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are built to last and look great on a counter. They share the same compact dimensions, making them perfect for small spaces. However, the BES500 Bambino Plus feels more premium, with more brushed stainless steel used in its construction. The BES450 uses more high-quality plastic, which keeps its cost down without feeling cheap.
Price & Value
Your budget will likely be the deciding factor. The BES450 offers incredible value, providing the core of a quality espresso experience for under $250. It’s one of the best entry points into the hobby. The BES500 typically costs $100-$150 more, but its additional features provide significant value. If you plan to make milk-based drinks regularly, the automatic steam wand alone can be worth the upgrade, as it removes the learning curve and delivers consistent results.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville BES450 is best for aspiring home baristas on a strict budget, those who enjoy a hands-on manual process, or people who primarily drink straight espresso or Americanos. Its simplicity and compact size make it a no-fuss choice for getting started.
The Breville BES500 is for those who value convenience and consistency. If you want reliably great lattes and cappuccinos without a steep learning curve, the automatic steam wand and programmable shots are huge advantages. It's the perfect machine for the busy coffee lover who wants café-quality drinks at home with minimal effort.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville machines offer fantastic performance in a wonderfully compact package, but they are built for different users.
Choose the Breville BES450 if:
- You're on a tighter budget and want the best performance for around $250.
- You are new to espresso and want a simple machine without complex settings.
- You mostly drink straight espresso and don't need advanced milk-frothing capabilities.
- You enjoy the hands-on process of manually timing your shots and frothing your milk.
Choose the Breville BES500 if:
- You want the convenience of automatic, perfectly textured milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
- You value consistency and want programmable shot volumes and pre-infusion.
- You're willing to pay more for enhanced features and a more premium build.
- You are a busy person who loves great coffee but wants to minimize the effort and learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville BES450 and BES500?
The main differences are in the steam wand and brewing control. The BES500 Bambino Plus has an automatic steam wand with adjustable temperature and texture settings, plus programmable shot volumes and pre-infusion. The BES450 Bambino uses a fully manual steam wand and basic button controls for shot extraction.
Which Breville espresso machine is better for beginners?
The Breville BES450 is arguably simpler to start with due to its minimalist controls. However, the Breville BES500's automatic features make it easier for a beginner to achieve consistently good milk-based drinks right away.
Is the Breville BES500 worth the extra money?
For most people who enjoy milk drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, yes. The automatic steam wand is remarkably effective and removes one of the most difficult skills for new baristas to learn. The programmable shots and pre-infusion also provide a more consistent espresso foundation.
Can the BES450 make good lattes?
Yes, but it requires practice. Its manual steam wand is powerful enough to texture milk, but you will need to learn the proper technique to create the fine microfoam needed for latte art. The BES500 does this for you automatically.
Do these machines come with a grinder?
No, neither the BES450 nor the BES500 includes a built-in grinder. You will need to purchase a separate burr grinder capable of producing a fine, consistent grind suitable for espresso to get the best results from these machines.
How hard are these machines to clean?
Both are very easy to maintain. They have removable drip trays and water reservoirs. The BES500's automatic steam wand even purges itself after each use to keep it clean. Both machines also have automated cleaning and descaling cycles that guide you through the process.
What is pre-infusion and why does it matter?
Pre-infusion, a feature on the BES500, is a process where the machine applies a gentle, low-pressure stream of water to the coffee puck before full extraction. This helps settle the grounds and saturate them evenly, which can prevent channeling and lead to a more balanced, flavorful shot of espresso.
What size portafilter do the Bambino models use?
Both the BES450 and BES500 use a 54mm portafilter. This is common across most Breville consumer machines and means there are plenty of compatible accessories on the market, such as tampers, distributors, and bottomless portafilters.
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