Compact Home Espresso Machine · Australia · Free Shipping over $200
Breville Bambino Plus — Australia's Most Popular Compact Espresso Machine
A complete guide covering every key feature, honest pros and cons, full specs, grinder pairing advice, and Di Pacci's expert verdict.
⚡ 3-Second ThermoJet
🥛 Auto Milk Texturing
📐 Compact 195mm
🛡️ 12-Month Warranty
🚚 Free Shipping over $200
Di Pacci Expert Score
Based on 15+ years of selling, servicing, and using the Bambino Plus
9.2 / 10
Value for Money10 / 10
Ease of Use9.5 / 10
Espresso Quality8.5 / 10
Milk Frothing9.5 / 10
Build Quality9.0 / 10
Design9.5 / 10
Quick Verdict
Should You Buy the Breville Bambino Plus?
Yes — for the right buyer. The Breville Bambino Plus is Australia's most popular compact home espresso machine, and Di Pacci has sold hundreds of these to first-time home baristas, apartment dwellers, and busy professionals who want real espresso without the wait or the learning curve.
At $619 with a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up, automatic microfoam milk texturing, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a 195mm-wide stainless steel body, it delivers more than its price suggests. Best for: first-time espresso buyers, small kitchens, and households making 2–4 drinks per day.
Not for you if: you make 6+ coffees daily, want simultaneous brewing & steaming, or want to develop manual milk-steaming technique. In those cases, look at the full Breville range or step up to a heat exchanger.
Fast, Compact, and Automatic — Espresso Made Properly Every Time
The Breville Bambino Plus (model BES500BSS / BES500BTR) is designed around one central idea: make it impossible to produce a bad coffee, regardless of your skill level. Three core engineering decisions deliver on that promise.
First, the ThermoJet heating system eliminates the wait time that makes most entry-level machines frustrating — three seconds from power-on to brew-ready is the fastest in its class. Second, the automatic steam wand removes the single biggest barrier for new home baristas — milk frothing — by handling temperature and texture automatically while delivering genuinely silky microfoam. Third, the 54mm portafilter with low-pressure pre-infusion makes the machine forgiving of grind inconsistency, producing a balanced shot even when your dial-in isn't perfect.
What it isn't: a grinder, a dual boiler, or a machine you can brew and steam on simultaneously. These are real limitations worth understanding before you buy. But for the target buyer — someone making 2–4 espresso drinks per day in a household where coffee matters but isn't an obsession — the Bambino Plus is one of the best-value home espresso machines available in Australia at any price under $1,000.
Six Features That Make the Bambino Plus Different
The Bambino Plus isn't a spec sheet machine — its design decisions are deliberate and practical. Here's what actually matters in daily use.
⚡
3-Second ThermoJet Heat-Up
Reaches optimal brew temperature in 3 seconds — the fastest heat-up in the compact home espresso category. No warm-up ritual, no wasted time.
🥛
Automatic Microfoam Milk Texturing
Set your milk temperature, insert the steam wand, and the machine produces consistent velvety microfoam automatically. Works with dairy and barista plant milks.
☕
Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion
Gradually builds pressure at the start of extraction, wetting the puck evenly. Reduces channelling and produces a more balanced shot — even with imperfect grind.
📐
195mm Compact Footprint
One of the slimmest automatic espresso machines on the market. Fits comfortably on most kitchen benches without sacrificing counter real estate.
🌡️
Auto Purge After Steaming
After steaming milk, the machine automatically purges the heating system to return to brew temperature — preventing overheated water on your next shot.
🎛️
Adjustable Brew & Milk Settings
Three brew temperatures (low/medium/high) plus adjustable milk temperature and texture. Not as granular as a PID, but more flexibility than most at this price.
Bambino Plus Complete Specifications
| Model |
BES500BSS (Stainless Steel) / BES500BTR (Black Truffle) |
| Dimensions |
195mm (W) × 305mm (D) × 312mm (H) |
| Weight |
4.8 kg |
| Water Reservoir |
1.9L removable tank with alert indicator |
| Pump Pressure |
15 bar Italian pump |
| Portafilter Size |
54mm (single & double wall baskets included) |
| Dose Capacity |
19g (double shot basket) |
| Heat-Up Time |
3 seconds (ThermoJet heating system) |
| Boiler Type |
Single thermocoil boiler |
| Pre-Infusion |
Low-pressure pre-infusion (fixed) |
| Milk System |
Automatic microfoam milk texturing wand |
| Wait Between Brew & Steam |
Approx. 5–10 seconds (auto temperature switch) |
| Temperature Settings |
3 levels (Low / Medium / High) |
| Power |
1600W · 10 Amp standard Australian outlet |
| Colours Available |
Stainless Steel · Black Truffle |
| Warranty |
12 months — full Australian warranty via Di Pacci |
📌 Note: A milk jug is not included — Di Pacci recommends a 480ml stainless steel jug. A separate burr grinder is also required for best results — see our grinder pairing recommendations below.
Honest Assessment — Pros & Cons
✓ What We Love
- 3-second heat-up — fastest in class, every morning
- Automatic milk frothing produces consistent professional microfoam without technique
- Compact 195mm width fits where other machines don't
- Low-pressure pre-infusion makes for a forgiving, balanced extraction
- Auto purge function protects your next shot after steaming
- Premium stainless steel build that looks & feels high-quality
- 10 Amp plug — works on any standard Australian outlet
- Excellent value at $619 for the feature set
- Two finishes available (Stainless Steel, Black Truffle)
- Three brew temperatures give dial-in flexibility without overwhelming complexity
✗ Limitations to Know
- No built-in grinder — separate burr grinder required, adding to setup cost
- Single boiler means a brief wait (5–10 sec) between shot & steam
- 1.9L water tank requires more refilling in 3–4 person households
- 54mm portafilter has a narrower accessory range than 58mm commercial
- Auto steam wand cannot switch to fully manual mode
- Milk jug not included in the box
- No programmable shot volume on the standard model
Di Pacci Verdict: The limitations are real, but they're not dealbreakers for the target buyer. If you want simultaneous brewing & steaming, a manual steam wand, or a bigger water tank, you need to step up to a heat exchanger machine at $1,200+ — like the Lelit range or Profitec. For the majority of home baristas making 2–4 drinks a day, the Bambino Plus does everything it promises.
Who the Bambino Plus is Built For
Three buyer profiles where the Bambino Plus genuinely excels — and one where you should consider an alternative.
01
First-Time Espresso Machine Buyers
The Bambino Plus removes the two hardest parts of learning home espresso — waiting for the machine to heat up and learning to steam milk. If you've been put off by the complexity of other machines or frustrated by inconsistent results, this machine is the most direct path from zero experience to consistently good espresso at home. Pair it with a Smart Grinder Pro and you're set up properly from day one.
Best Entry Point
02
Small Kitchen & Apartment Dwellers
At 195mm wide, the Bambino Plus is one of the smallest full-featured automatic espresso machines available in Australia. If counter space is a genuine constraint — apartment bench, shared kitchen, caravan, office kitchenette — this machine gives you real espresso capability without the footprint of larger machines. It performs, looks premium, and doesn't crowd your bench.
Space-Conscious Pick
03
Busy Professionals Who Value Speed
If your morning routine involves getting out the door quickly and coffee is non-negotiable, the 3-second heat-up combined with the automatic milk system means you can have a finished latte in under 3 minutes from cold start. No warm-up wait, no steaming technique required. If time is the variable that matters most, the Bambino Plus is hard to beat at any price.
Speed Priority
Not the right machine if: You make 6+ coffees daily for a large household, you want to develop manual milk steaming technique, or you already own a quality standalone grinder and want a 58mm portafilter with broader accessory compatibility. In those cases, contact Di Pacci's team — we'll point you to a better fit.
Bambino Plus vs Other Breville Espresso Machines
How does the Bambino Plus compare to the rest of the Breville espresso lineup?
| Feature |
Bambino Plus |
Bambino (Standard) |
Barista Express |
Barista Express Impress |
| Price (AUD) |
$619 |
$499 |
$519.71 |
$1,099 |
| Heat-Up Time |
3 seconds |
3 seconds |
~30 seconds |
~30 seconds |
| Milk System |
Automatic |
Manual wand |
Manual wand |
Manual wand |
| Built-in Grinder |
No |
No |
Yes (conical) |
Yes (conical) |
| Auto Tamping |
No |
No |
No |
Yes (Impress) |
| Portafilter |
54mm |
54mm |
54mm |
54mm |
| Width |
195mm |
195mm |
330mm |
330mm |
| Best For |
Easy milk drinks, speed |
Manual learners, budget |
All-in-one beginners |
Guided all-in-one |
Prices are indicative and may vary. View current pricing on the full Breville range at Di Pacci or contact our team for availability.
Pairing the Bambino Plus with a Grinder
The Bambino Plus doesn't include a built-in grinder, so a separate burr grinder is required. Di Pacci's most popular pairing is the Breville Smart Grinder Pro for matched aesthetics and easy setup. For a meaningful step up in cup quality, the Eureka Mignon Specialità delivers café-grade grind. On a tighter budget, the Baratza Encore ESP is purpose-built for espresso. For serious home baristas, the Niche Zero is the no-compromise upgrade. Browse the full home coffee grinder range at Di Pacci — Australia's largest selection.
Bambino Plus Maintenance Schedule
The Bambino Plus is a low-maintenance machine, but a few minutes of care daily and weekly will significantly extend its life.
📅
Daily
- Backflush grouphead with water after last shot
- Wipe steam wand immediately after each use
- Empty & rinse drip tray
- Rinse portafilter, knock out used puck
📆
Weekly
- Backflush with grouphead cleaning powder
- Soak baskets in espresso detergent
- Remove & scrub the shower screen
- Rinse & inspect water reservoir
📋
Monthly
- Descale (frequency depends on water hardness)
- Replace water filter cartridge if fitted
- Inspect grouphead gasket for wear
- Deep clean steam wand tip
Pro tip: Use filtered or softened water. Sydney and Melbourne tap water is moderately hard — a Breville water filter or inline filter significantly reduces scale build-up and extends boiler life. Browse water filtration systems and cleaning products at Di Pacci. This single habit will add years to your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions — Breville Bambino Plus
Does the Breville Bambino Plus come with a grinder?
No — the Bambino Plus does not include a built-in grinder. A separate burr grinder is required for best results. Di Pacci recommends pairing it with the Breville Smart Grinder Pro for a budget-conscious setup, or the Eureka Mignon Specialità for a meaningful step up. Pre-ground coffee will work in the included pressurised basket, but freshly ground beans produce noticeably better espresso.
What is the difference between the Bambino and the Bambino Plus?
The key difference is the milk system. The standard Bambino (BES480) has a traditional manual steam wand — you control the wand by hand. The Bambino Plus (BES500) replaces this with an automatic milk texturing system: you set the milk temperature, insert the wand, and the machine handles the rest. The Plus also includes an auto-purge function after steaming. The Plus costs approximately $120 more but removes the steaming learning curve entirely, making it the better choice for first-time buyers or anyone primarily drinking lattes and flat whites.
Can the Bambino Plus use pre-ground coffee?
Yes. The machine includes a pressurised basket (dual wall filter) specifically designed to work with pre-ground coffee and produce reasonable crema even without a precise espresso grind. However, freshly ground beans in the non-pressurised single wall basket will always produce superior espresso — better crema, more nuanced flavour, and more control over extraction. Browse Di Pacci specialty coffee blends for fresh whole beans.
Does the automatic milk wand work with plant-based milks?
Yes. The automatic steam wand produces good results with oat, almond, soy, and macadamia milks — particularly barista-grade varieties formulated specifically for steaming. Full-fat dairy milk still produces the most consistent, stable microfoam, but barista oat milk (Oatly Barista, Minor Figures, etc.) comes very close. Standard supermarket plant milks without a "barista" formulation may produce less stable foam.
How long does it take to make a full latte from cold start?
Approximately 2–3 minutes from cold start to finished drink. The ThermoJet system is ready to brew in 3 seconds. A double shot extraction takes 25–30 seconds. Switching to milk mode and completing automatic texturing adds 60–90 seconds depending on temperature setting and milk volume. Compared to most other compact espresso machines (which require 30–60 seconds warm-up before brewing), the Bambino Plus is genuinely fast in the morning routine.
Is the Bambino Plus good for a two-person household?
Yes — this is the ideal use case. One or two people making 2–4 drinks per day is well within the machine's capability and the 1.9L water tank is more than adequate at that volume. Where it starts to feel limited is a household of 3–4 people all wanting coffees in quick succession — the single boiler means you brew one shot, switch to steam, steam the milk, then start again. For households making 6+ drinks daily, Di Pacci recommends stepping up to the Breville Dual Boiler or a Profitec entry-level machine.
How do I buy the Bambino Plus from Di Pacci?
Order the Bambino Plus directly through the Di Pacci website and we'll ship it Australia-wide within 1–3 business days. Free shipping on orders over $200. Alternatively, visit one of our five showrooms across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Port Macquarie, or Queensland to see the machine in person. Finance is available through Afterpay, Zip, and longer-term commercial options. GST is included in all listed prices and we absorb all transaction fees.
See the Bambino Plus In Person — Di Pacci Showrooms Across Australia
🏪
Port Macquarie
Unit 8/19 Central Rd,
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
(02) 9758 0760
🏪
Queensland
Unit 4/70 Johnston St,
Southport QLD 4215
0450 441 447
In Stock · Australia-Wide · Finance Available
Ready to Buy the Breville Bambino Plus?
Order online with expert setup advice, full 12-month Australian warranty support, and fast nationwide delivery from our Sydney warehouse. Finance available through Afterpay, Zip, and long-term options — no extra fees. Free shipping on orders over $200.
