Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS Brushed Stainless Steel

There's a reason this is the most recommended espresso brand, and it's pretty obvious when you use even this beginner model for the first time. I'm obviously a beginner, and this espresso maker is extraordinarily easy to use. Had decent espresso by my fourth shot, and it is extraordinarily consistent as long as you give it consistent packs in the portafilter. The machine is extremely easy to clean, and the steamer very effective. The build quality is very high, and it looks really gorgeous. About the only note is that the portafilter is extremely, extremely tight: note that you don't need to get it past, say, 7 oclock, assuming 6oclock is the portafilter handle parallel with the unit sticking straight back at you (good luck if you try for 6 oclock or 5 oclock). For a basic, beginner espresso machine, I'm not sure what more you could want other than consistency, high build quality, and easy to use/clean. I'm not sure this would be the machine for you if you're more experienced or have expectations for lots of features and customization, but if you have experience you probably already know that. The tamp and portafilter it comes with are kinda garbage, but I guess they had to save money somewhere. Nonetheless, what it comes with is certainly serviceable especially for a novice like me, though I've already upgraded the tamp and will upgrade the portafilter as soon as I learn a little more about what I want. Read more

The media could not be loaded. Well, allow me to say, this is the first machine I have had since the 1980s was it and that one Hoovered. Finally tried a unit, one of the many seemingly all variants of the same 51mm units. I had to send it back because, while very nice at the price point I feel it (and they) are probably best - and aimed at - milk coffee drinks and not actually espresso. Some, seems all similar did, have something the Bambino lacks - more metal. In feel (if there is such a thing) they, or at least mine - felt substantially more robust. It felt actually like better quality. But I couldn't adjust the water and couldn't get enough coffee in the portafilter. Maybe, some other options would fit the 51mm unit. I couldn't confirm it. This unit has a lot of plastic in it including the group head. BUT! It can adjust/learn pump-run time (adjust the water volume indirectly). The temperature is non adjustable. But I don't think water temp (as long as it is very near boiling) is really a variable most home espresso drinkers would benefit from - especially the beginners and novices. With the thermocoil design I understand it has, it heats in like 3 literal seconds. Steam is good (but I drink simple espresso so I am honestly not much help in evaluating that part). The wand has good articulation. I do like that Breville is big enough that plenty of 54mm baskets, portafilters, screens and papers are available - including bottomless. While I do like the unit's function and it has everything I wanted, it does feel cheap for the value proposition. I don't think it will hold up well for the length of time I keep appliances. It might. But, I do worry that the fact it knows how long it has been powered up/plugged in - makes me wonder if Breville embedded a count-down timer to planned obsolescence. I hope not, but the manual is clear in disclosure that it's recording usage data. I added a picture of three pucks/cakes (whatever term you like) within the first 24hours of receipt. The two dark ones were with pre-ground 6 month old (or longer) coffee and the third was with Folgers Classic drip grind. Yes, I do wish the entire Breville line was built on a standard 58mm group head (I do prefer a thinner cake per dose). And I do worry if it has an internal count-down to death timer and if the plastic will hold up. Edit: (added a bottomless portafilter and IMS basket) They -- finally -- came today. While these are aftermarket non-Breville parts, I added a video of a shot. (Replaced that because it was a little dark - new video has a little spurt - welcome to aftermarket bottomless portafilters. It happens sometimes) I don't claim to be an expert since it's been 35, idk 40ish years since I have had an espresso machine. I'm just now re-learning how to do it (or learning this machine); but, since I detest coffee snobs who discourage much more than they impress, I wanted to share. No, I'm sure it's not "perfect" but with this machine you really have potential without having to sell a kidney to pay for it (oops, I hope that doesn't violate 'community standards'. I might add some other still pictures later if anyone cares. Not a knock on the OEM portafilter & basket but I do prefer the aftermarket rimless basket because it is possible to make a larger diameter and thinner puck (ceteris paribus). The coffee in the shot was Lavazza Crema e Aroma which I guess from the "use by" was 3 months old. And, yes I prefer some blend of robusto (anywhere between 1/3rd and 2/3rds). If you would like to try your hand at espresso without variable overload and/or no room to experiment, then this machine is a pretty good starter. Edit 2: I added a picture of the IMS basket (2 pucks). Why? Well, so you could compare to the first picture where the stock Breville rimmed basket was used. Really there are only about 2 point. The stock basket has a rim (grips inside the portafilter great) and because the walls have draft - the pucks pop out easy. The downside is, that same taper that turns loose of the post brew coffee is less forgiving on volume of coffee powder. A light dose is hard to tamp and a large one won't fit or gets up into the shower head they call it. The aftermarket I chose is rimless so it tamps better. Not having a taper/draft-walled, your puck can be thinner for the same dose and there are more holes. So, you get more variables to dial in. The downside is, the pucks will eject in their entirety, you just might need an extra whack. The combo of bottomless & basket seems to be a trade-off. I seem to get more Crema and a rare spurt (see the video). So far, spurts have been rare. It's no defect, just a tamp made by a human. THE REASON I added the aftermarket parts to the review isn't to hurt Breville or over criticise them, no quite the opposite. While a little cheaply built like the plastic group head and more expensive than a 51mm manual espresso machine, being slightly larger portafilter size (I wish it was 58mm) - it heats quickly, is semi automatic and you can always add accessories later if you want. Don't have to, but you can. Read more

I love this little espresso maker; it is extremely easy to use. It heats up very quickly, which expedites the preparation of the drink. One of the best aspects of the machine is the small footprint, compared to a full-size machine. If you love espresso but want to save money and produce a higher-quality product, the Bambino will quickly pay for itself in saved money at the drive-through window. It produces a high-quality product and doesn't require a whole coffee shop's worth of accoutrements. I recently made a drink for my son, and he said, "This is way better than any Starbucks drink!" A genuine compliment from an adolescent. Things to know: There is no off switch. Once you stop using it, it will turn itself off, but to turn it on, press both of the espresso buttons at once (one cup and two cup buttons). The machine comes with four different sizes and types of filter baskets. Be aware that one of these baskets is already in the portafilter. I couldn't figure out how to fit the portafilter into the machine because it was not evident that one of the baskets was already in; that was maddening! It's extremely easy to use, and numerous videos are available online to guide you through the machine's operation. Read more

I got this item for my husband for Christmas and we both love it. Since we were both baristas and have used a Breville before, I can’t speak to its ease of use for someone who’s never used an espresso machine. That being said, I wish there was a cheat sheet that came with the machine because I had really hard time remember what combination of buttons turns it on, cleans, or sets the espressos pull time. Once calibrated properly the espresso tastes great and creates nice crème. It feels pretty sturdy and well made. It definitely cleans up nicely. You will have to hold the machine down to the table when putting the portafilter in the machine but that’s only because it is such a uniquely compact machine. It’s also important to note that there are multiple filter baskets (the metal basket that the coffee goes into) two of which are for using the cleaning setting- not pulling espresso. The steam wand also has awesome steaming capability- it definitely reminds me of using a full sized machine like La Marzocco. I’ve been able to make some cute heart shaped latte art! This is definitely the best bang for your buck for any 2-4 cup a day households! Read more