The Best
Espresso Machine
Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS
About $499
Best for: Beginners who want cafe-quality espresso and lattes without the complexity of fully manual machinesWhy This One
This machine consistently earns top recommendations from Serious Eats, Seattle Coffee Gear, and Wirecutter for delivering cafe-quality espresso in a compact design. It offers the perfect balance of automatic milk frothing convenience with manual espresso control, making it ideal for beginners who want room to grow their skills.
Pros
- +Fastest heat-up time in its class
- +Professional-quality milk frothing system
- +Compact footprint fits most counters
Cons
- −Small water tank requires frequent refilling
- −Limited to single and double shot baskets only
Key Specs
- Stainless steel construction
- 54mm portafilter
- 3-second heat-up time
- Automatic milk steaming with 4 texture settings
Sources Referenced
Our recommendation is based on expert reviews and testing from:
James HoffmannWhole Latte LoveSeattle Coffee GearWirecutter
Last verified: January 2026