Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

Del United States

It's a great starter machine (edited: w/bottomless portafilter & IMS 18-22)

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.

Goose United States

Makes great espresso!

To say that I was researching what espresso machine, would be the biggest understatement. I have zero experience making espresso's and I was stuck between considering an automatic one, vs one with manual controls, and I decided to purchase this product, and I am so glad I did! I started with a pre ground high quality espresso bean, and from the first cup, to my most recent cup, were perfect each and every time! This machine is great for those that want good espresso's and for the beginners like myself. This machine is so easy to use as in my case, the less is more thought process, yielded dividends! I keep the pre ground espresso in a seal tight vessel to keep freshness, and has been working wonderfully! The machine yielded great creama and the espresso quality was right where it needs to be. When tamping the portafilter, just ensure you get 30 pounds of pressure when using the tamper to ensure you get proper extraction. For the price one can pay for an espresso machine, this machine is built with quality in mind, and does not take up too much counterspace vs the other machines out there. With less going on, there are less issues. This product comes with everything you need including 4 total filters, portafilter, milk frother pitcher and very clear instructions. To clean this product is very easy and if you get stuck with something, there are plenty of videos online that you can refer to as this product gets a lot of positive reviews from other espresso critics. One of the biggest perks is that this product heats very quickly and the volume of espresso can be adjusted per the instructions, which is a big perk. The only, albeit small, downside, is that the frother wand does take time to get the milk up to temperature. The instructions state to froth until the frother pitcher is hot to the touch, but I could not keep my hands on it and when tested the milk was only 136 degrees, so depending on your tolerance of hot to the touch, just test out the milk temperature as you continue using it until you find the amount of time it takes for you to get the milk where you want it to be. The handle does not get hot so you can hold from there until you get to the temperature you want. Very happy with the investment I made choosing this product, and I know other beginners like myself will be very happy with it as well.

Kevin C. Canada

Great small and cheap espresso maker.

I'm very happy with this machine. It isn't the best espresso maker but it is quite small and a very reasonable price. It will make you a decent cup of coffee, heats up fast and is easy to use. My only complaints are true nitpicks: 1. You can't use the steam wand and make espresso at the same time. This is quite an annoying limitation on many Breville products but it is fairly justified on this small device with a tiny boiler. It would be nice but it isn't a deal breaker by any means. 2. The steam pressure is a little low. Again, it would be nice to have a bit more juice available here but it is understandable, and by no means insufficient to make great steamed milk. 3. The water tank is at the back. This is again something that is likely the best compromise for such a small machine. This tank-at-the back arrangement ensures that it uses up very little counter space, however it does have downsides. The biggest downside is that it is difficult to see the current water level. I generally need to pull it out a bit to check or lean in and push whatever is beside it on the counter out of the way. This is probably not much of an issue if you will have nothing next to it on one side as you can see the tank from both sides, but if you have it next to a wall and a grinder like I do it is a little annoying. The tank at the back makes filling it a little less convenient, you will typically have to pull it quite far out to fill the tank if you have a cupboard above it. However this also isn't a major issue as you don't need to fill it very often. Overall I am super impressed. At this budget and size it is a great set of tradeoffs. I doubt any of these minor downsides would be a significant problem for most users.

Celia Martinez United States

Practical for a busy home

What started as convenience has turned into a bit of a daily ritual. With just the press of a button, I can have a perfectly brewed cup in seconds, and it honestly feels a so good. The consistency is what gets me ,the temperature is always just right, and the flavor never disappoints. I also love how practical it is for a busy home. The water tank is generously sized, so I’m not constantly refilling it, which makes it even easier to keep using throughout the day. And once I started using the milk steamer, it was over for me I found myself making cappuccinos just because I could. It gives the milk such a smooth, creamy texture that feels almost café-quality at home. It’s one of those appliances that slowly becomes part of your routine until you realize you’re using it more and more Aesthetically, it adds a refined, elegant touch to the kitchen something that doesn’t just sit on the counter but actually elevates the overall look of the space. The material quality feels appropriate for its price point, giving it a solid, well-made impression without feeling overly delicate or cheap. The only drawback I have noticed lies in the portafilter adjustment mechanism. It takes a bit more effort than expected to adjust, and this can occasionally cause the entire machine to move slightly. It is a minor inconvenience, yet one that becomes noticeable in daily use—especially when you are aiming for a quick and effortless operation. Still, overall, it balances design and function well, with just that one ergonomic flaw standing out against an otherwise satisfying experience.