Quick Verdict
If you want ThermoJet heat-up plus automatic milk texturing on a small rented counter, buy the Breville Bambino Plus (BES500BSS) new. Check the seller and current price on Amazon before you order. Skip resale offers, and make sure the listing is Breville's own machine, not a similarly named Infitek product.
If you do not need automatic milk, the regular Bambino with a manual steam wand is the better fit: Breville Bambino for Apartments.
Do not buy the Barista Express as your apartment machine just because it has a built-in grinder. If you need something different, we cover the Dedica, the budget Stilosa, the 58 mm Gaggia, and the portable Picopresso in their own guides. Pair the Plus with an espresso-capable grinder such as the TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 ESP (not the Pro).
CTA: Check the Breville Bambino Plus on Amazon
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for:
- renters who want the ThermoJet Bambino Plus with automatic milk texturing on a rented counter
- small-kitchen buyers who will refill a removable tank and will not plumb in
- beginners who will start on dual-wall baskets and still buy a grinder
- shoppers who will buy the Bambino Plus new from a seller they trust
- shoppers who want hands-free automatic steaming with the milk jug sensor more than practicing with the regular Bambino's manual wand
This guide is not for:
- people considering a resale unit or a look-alike Infitek machine
- people who want the regular Bambino's manual steam wand (see that guide)
- people who want the Dedica, the budget Stilosa, the 58 mm Gaggia, or the Picopresso (each has its own guide)
- shoppers who want an all-in-one like the Barista Express
- cafe-volume, plumbed-in, or 58 mm commercial-style shoppers (see the Gaggia guide)
- anyone skipping the grinder and expecting dual-wall pre-ground coffee plus auto milk to be "dialed in"
The Short Answer
| Decision | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ThermoJet plus automatic milk | Breville Bambino Plus | The machine this guide recommends. Buy new and check the seller and price. |
| ThermoJet with a manual steam wand | Regular Bambino | Different need. See Bambino for apartments. |
| Ultra-narrow counter | De'Longhi Dedica | Different need. See Dedica for apartments. |
| Budget pump machine | De'Longhi Stilosa | Different need. See the budget espresso machine guide. |
| 58 mm steel machine to keep | Gaggia Classic Evo Pro | Different need. See Gaggia for apartments. |
| Portable, no counter station | Wacaco Picopresso | Different need. See Picopresso for apartments. |
| All-in-one with built-in grinder | Not our apartment pick | The Barista Express is shown for contrast only. |
| Grinder for this machine | TIMEMORE C3 ESP | Espresso-capable hand grinder. Not the Pro. |
| Resale offers | Skip | Not new. Check the condition before you buy. |
If ThermoJet plus automatic milk is what you want, buy the Bambino Plus new. If you do not need automatic milk, choose the regular Bambino. Do not buy the Barista Express as your apartment machine, and do not buy a resale unit thinking it is new.
Apartment counter, ThermoJet heat-up, auto milk vs manual Bambino
Measure the counter, not the lifestyle photo. The Bambino Plus still needs depth clearance, room to pull the tank, room for the milk jug under the automatic wand, and a plan for move-out. ThermoJet and automatic milk do not shrink the footprint.
Breville US lists 11.9 × 7.4 × 14.3 in (W × D × H). Amazon often shows 7.6"D × 12.5"W × 12.2"H. Check both sets of numbers. Measure for cabinet height, pulling the tank, swinging the portafilter, and fitting the included 16 fl oz / 480 ml jug under the automatic wand.
Compared with the regular Bambino, the Plus keeps ThermoJet and adds an automatic steam wand with a milk jug sensor. Breville US lists 3 milk temperatures and 3 texture levels, with both automatic and manual milk. The regular Bambino (BES450) is the better fit if you prefer a manual wand; see Breville Bambino for Apartments.
Compared with the Dedica, Stilosa, Gaggia, and Picopresso, the Plus is the choice for ThermoJet plus automatic milk on the counter. It is not ultra-narrow, not a budget machine, not a 20 lb 58 mm machine, and not portable.
The tank is the renter feature: Breville's instructions list a removable 64 fl oz (1.9 L) tank. You refill it; you do not plumb in. Keep the machine near the sink. Retailers list it at about 10.9 lb, light enough to lift without a cart. Breville US says ThermoJet is ready in 3 seconds. Automatic milk is the Plus's main advantage; wipe the wand afterward. Dual-wall baskets can get a weekday shot started, but they do not grind beans.
Renter test: can you box an 11 lb machine with a tank at move-out? Yes. Before you order, make sure the listing is the Breville Bambino Plus itself, new, and not a resale unit or a look-alike. If you do not need automatic milk, choose the regular Bambino.
Add an espresso grinder before you buy
The machine is not the whole setup. The Bambino Plus does not grind, and neither does its automatic milk system. Dual-wall baskets let you start with pre-ground coffee, but they will not let you dial in a real single-wall shot. A blade mill or a drip burr grinder will choke the shot or let it gush.
The grinder we suggest is the TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 ESP (not the Pro). It is espresso-capable, has no motor, and fits in a drawer, leaving the Plus as the one appliance on the counter. See our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino. Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC528S8D?tag=next-1-20
You still need a scale, because dose and yield have to be weighed. See our beginner espresso setup guide and how to split a beginner budget. Buy the grinder and scale before a standalone frother. Breville US says the Plus already does both automatic and manual milk texturing.
Breville Bambino Plus: why we recommend it
Good for: renters who want ThermoJet speed plus automatic milk texturing from a tank-fed machine on the counter
Why we chose it:
The Bambino Plus (BES500BSS) is the machine this guide recommends. It is not the regular Bambino and not the Barista Express. Per Breville US, it has 3-second ThermoJet heat-up, automatic milk texturing with a milk jug sensor, a 54 mm stainless portafilter, and a removable 1.9 L / 64 fl oz tank. It needs no plumbing and has no built-in grinder. Buy it new, and check the current price and seller on Amazon before you order. Skip resale offers and look-alike Infitek listings.
Good fit if:
- ThermoJet plus automatic milk is what you want, and you have checked both sets of dimensions against your space
- you will refill a 1.9 L / 64 fl oz tank and will not plumb in
- you will buy the Plus new and add a grinder such as the C3 ESP
- you can lift about 11 lb at move-out and want 54 mm parts later
- you want hands-free automatic steaming more than practicing with the regular Bambino's manual wand
Skip it if:
- you do not need automatic milk; choose the regular Bambino for apartments
- you need the Dedica, the budget Stilosa, the 58 mm Gaggia, or the Picopresso
- you were about to buy the Barista Express, a resale unit, or an Infitek look-alike instead
- you refuse to buy a grinder
Small-space notes:
Check both sets of dimensions: Breville US gives 11.9 × 7.4 × 14.3 in (W × D × H), and Amazon shows 7.6"D × 12.5"W × 12.2"H. Measure cabinet height plus cup clearance, and leave room for the 480 ml jug under the automatic wand. Keep it near the sink and wipe the wand after each use of automatic milk. Descaling is part of owning it.
Tradeoff:
You get ThermoJet heat-up plus automatic milk in a compact machine. You give up the regular Bambino's simpler manual steaming (if you do not need automatic milk). You also give up the Dedica's narrow body, the Stilosa's budget price, the Gaggia's 58 mm portafilter, the Picopresso's portability, and the Barista Express's built-in grinder. This guide covers the Bambino Plus, not every Breville on Amazon.
Before you buy on Amazon:
Check that the listing is the Breville Bambino Plus (BES500BSS) in Brushed Stainless Steel. Also check that it is new, the US-voltage version, and includes the portafilter, baskets, Razor tool, and milk jug, and check the seller, returns, and current price. Skip resale offers and Infitek look-alikes. Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JVD78TT?tag=next-1-20
The regular Bambino if you do not need auto milk
Good for: shoppers who want compact ThermoJet speed without automatic milk texturing
The regular Bambino (BES450BSS) is covered in Breville Bambino for Apartments. It makes the same ThermoJet weekday case, but with a manual steam wand instead of the Plus's hands-free automatic milk texturing.
If what you need is fast heat-up and you will steam milk by hand, choose the regular Bambino. If you want fast heat-up plus automatic milk temperatures and texture levels using the jug sensor, choose the Plus and buy it new.
Other machines we cover
The De'Longhi Dedica is covered in De'Longhi Dedica for Apartments, for ultra-narrow counters. The De'Longhi Stilosa is covered in our budget espresso machine guide. The 58 mm steel Gaggia is covered in Gaggia Classic Evo Pro for Apartments. The portable Picopresso is covered in Wacaco Picopresso for Apartments. The regular Bambino with a manual steam wand is covered in Breville Bambino for Apartments. For broader lists, see Espresso Machines for Apartments and Compact Espresso Machines for Small Kitchens. To plan a beginner budget, see the beginner espresso setup guide and how to split a beginner budget. For a grinder, see our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino. This guide focuses on the Bambino Plus alone.
The CASABREWS 3700 Essential is a budget compact machine. It has no ThermoJet and no automatic milk, and we do not recommend it as an alternative here. If you are about to buy the CASABREWS only because it looked cheaper next to the Plus, you have given up on ThermoJet plus automatic milk. Either stay with the Plus, or choose the budget Stilosa on purpose. The CASABREWS is not a cheaper Plus.
Common mistakes
Buying a resale unit or an Infitek look-alike thinking it is a new Bambino Plus. Check the seller and condition before you order.
Expecting this guide to cover the regular Bambino. If you do not need automatic milk, read the regular Bambino guide.
Choosing the Barista Express for an apartment because it has a built-in grinder. It is a different kind of machine and is not what we recommend here.
Expecting this guide to cover the Dedica, Gaggia, Stilosa, or Picopresso. Each has its own guide.
Skipping the grinder because automatic milk made the machine feel complete. Dual-wall baskets are a start, not a dial-in. Get an espresso-capable grinder such as the C3 ESP (not the Pro).
Trusting an old price or an "only X left" message. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon when you buy.
Buying the CASABREWS, an Infitek, or a resale unit as a stand-in for the Plus.
Assuming 51 mm Dedica or 58 mm Gaggia parts fit the Plus. Check that a basket is 54 mm before you buy it.
Planning to plumb it in. It uses a removable 1.9 L / 64 fl oz tank, and a rental does not give you a drain line.
Buying extra gear before the basics. Get the machine, grinder, and scale first.
FAQ
Is Breville Bambino Plus good for apartments?
Yes, if you want compact ThermoJet weekday speed, automatic milk texturing, a removable tank, and a machine you can move at move-out. Buy it new from a seller you trust.
Bambino Plus vs regular Bambino for apartments?
The Plus adds hands-free automatic milk texturing to ThermoJet. It has an automatic steam wand with a milk jug sensor, and Breville US lists 3 temperatures and 3 texture levels. The regular Bambino (BES450), covered in Bambino for apartments, keeps ThermoJet but uses a manual steam wand. If you do not need automatic milk, choose the regular Bambino. If you do, choose the Plus and buy it new.
Does Bambino Plus need a grinder for apartment espresso?
Yes, if you want espresso beyond dual-wall pre-ground coffee. Automatic milk does not grind. A good match is the TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 ESP (not the Pro). See our grinder guide for the Breville Bambino.
How does Bambino Plus automatic milk texturing work?
According to Breville US and the instructions, it has a hands-free automatic steam wand with a milk jug temperature sensor. It offers both automatic and manual milk, 3 adjustable milk temperatures, and 3 texture levels. Breville US cites 266°F steam, and the machine comes with a 16 fl oz / 480 ml stainless milk jug. Wipe the wand after each use. Check the current listing details before you buy.
Can I plumb in Bambino Plus on a rented counter?
No. Breville's instructions list a removable 64 fl oz (1.9 L) tank. Fill the tank; do not drill the counter.
How big is Bambino Plus for a rented counter?
Breville US lists 11.9 × 7.4 × 14.3 in (W × D × H). Amazon often shows 7.6"D × 12.5"W × 12.2"H. Retailers list it at about 10.9 lb, and US manuals and retailers give about 1560 W at 120 V. Check both sets of dimensions and measure your space.
Should I buy Barista Express instead for apartments?
Not as your apartment machine, in our view. The Barista Express is an all-in-one with a built-in grinder, which is a different kind of machine. If you want ThermoJet plus automatic milk, buy the Bambino Plus and pair it with a C3 ESP.
Final Recommendation
Buy the Breville Bambino Plus new if you want ThermoJet plus automatic milk texturing on a small rented counter. Check the seller and current price on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JVD78TT?tag=next-1-20. Prices and availability change, so check on the day you order. Skip resale offers and Infitek look-alikes.
If you do not need automatic milk, choose the regular Bambino instead: Breville Bambino for Apartments.
Do not buy the Barista Express as your apartment machine. The Dedica, Stilosa, Gaggia, and Picopresso each have their own guides. Get an espresso-capable grinder such as the TIMEMORE Chestnut C3 ESP (not the Pro): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC528S8D?tag=next-1-20.
Before buying, recheck the seller, exact model, color, voltage, condition, returns, price, and availability on amazon.com.