Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450

Breville Bambino Espresso Machine BES450

By Breville · Espresso Machines · Kitchen & Cooking

  • Heat-up: about 3 seconds (Thermojet heating system)
  • Pump: 9 bar with low-pressure pre-infusion
  • Portafilter: 54 mm
  • Water tank: 1.38 L (47 oz)

Lowest price seen
$249.95
from $249.95 at Kitchen Clique · Checked Oct 6, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Problems, parts and running costs

Summary

A compact semi-automatic espresso machine with a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up, 54 mm portafilter and manual steam wand, built for beginners and small kitchens. Check two things before you buy: the included plastic tamper and the proprietary portafilter geometry, both common upgrade targets, plus whether you already own a capable burr grinder.

Strengths

  • 3-second ThermoJet heat-up means no waiting between pulling a shot and steaming milk.
  • The 54 mm portafilter with both single-wall and dual-wall baskets suits beginners and experienced users.
  • PID temperature control keeps extraction consistent shot after shot.
  • The manual steam wand rotates 180 degrees and TechGearLab called it “amongst the best on the market.”
  • Compact footprint fits small kitchens at 6.3 inches wide.
  • One-touch volumetric controls make shot timing repeatable.

Weaknesses

  • The included plastic tamper is inadequate; multiple reviewers recommend replacing it.
  • Portafilter ear geometry is proprietary, so aftermarket bottomless portafilters may not fit.
  • The manual steam wand has a learning curve and takes about 10 seconds to wind down after being turned off.
  • No pressure gauge, which limits dialing in shots by eye.
  • Descaling is required after approximately 250 cycles and takes about 10 minutes.
  • A capable espresso grinder is a major extra cost if you want to move beyond pre-ground coffee.

Verified specifications

ModelBES450; the US stainless variant is BES450BSS1BUS1.
Region/electricalUS 120 V, 60 Hz, 1,560 W.
Operationsemi-automatic, ground coffee; no built-in grinder.
Pump15 bar Italian pump; 9 bar extraction pressure with low-pressure pre-infusion.
HeatingThermoJet heating system; reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds.
Temperature controlelectronic PID.
Water tank1.4 L (47 oz), removable.
Pressure gaugeno.
Steam wandmanual; hot water is also delivered through the wand.
Brew hardware54 mm portafilter; includes 1-cup and 2-cup single-wall plus 1-cup and 2-cup dual-wall baskets; the manual suggests 8–11 g for one cup and 16–19 g for two.
Buttons/programmingone-touch 1 & 2 shot volumetric control, steam and hot water; shot volumes can be overridden or reprogrammed.
Standbythe machine enters standby after 10 minutes without interaction.
Descalingdescaling powder included; the descale cycle triggers after approximately 250 cycles.
Dimensions6.3 × 13.7 × 12 in (WxDxH); the manufacturer lists 6.25 × 13.5 × 12 in.
Weight10.42 lbs.
Constructionstainless steel.
Warrantyone year in the US and Canada, non-transferable, per Breville; CHOICE lists one year in Australia.
In the boxsingle-wall and dual-wall filter baskets, milk jug, portafilter, tamper, steam wand tip cleaning tool, descaling powder.
Full research notes and sources

Heat-up and daily use

The ThermoJet system reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds, so you can go from off to pulling a shot almost immediately. CNET’s tester pulled double shots in about 22 seconds at factory settings. The 1.4 L water tank is compact but sufficient for multiple drinks; TechGearLab measured 47 oz capacity. The machine drops into standby after 10 minutes without input, so it is not left hot all day.

Milk steaming

The manual steam wand rotates 180 degrees and offers enough control for microfoam. TechGearLab’s barista-experienced testers preferred it over the Bambino Plus’s automatic wand. The wand takes about 10 seconds to wind down after being turned off, which can spray milk if you remove the pitcher immediately.

Maintenance and upkeep

Descaling is required after approximately 250 cycles, indicated by a flashing 2 Cup button, and takes about 10 minutes. The machine has a safety thermal cut-out that activates if the pump overheats. Breville sells replacement parts through its website, but specific BES450 parts availability was not verified. The machine is manufactured in China. Long-term reliability data and failure rates are not available.

Is it worth it?

Breville, Best Buy, Target and Crate & Barrel list the BES450 around $299.95–$299.99 (October 2026), and Williams Sonoma has run it at $249.95. At the lower figure it is a strong beginner value; at the higher one it stays competitive but faces stronger alternatives. Above $350, buyers should consider the Bambino Plus BES500 for automatic milk frothing or the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro for repairability. One longtime espresso owner on Reddit called it “a steal” at $240, bought at Bed Bath & Beyond with a 20% coupon.

Which model this is

This page covers the Breville Bambino BES450, launched in 2020 as Breville’s entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine. In the UK and some markets the same machine is sold under the Sage brand as SES450. Do not confuse it with the Bambino Plus BES500, which adds an automatic steam wand.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Manuals:

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