For home espresso, choose the Infuser if you want manual control and room to grow; pick the Bambino Plus if you prefer faster heat‑up and auto milk.
Breville Infuser BES840XL
Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS
Budget Route
- Use single‑wall baskets from day one.
- Pair with an entry burr grinder.
- Practice manual steaming for latte art.
Infuser BES840XL
Easy Latte Route
- Auto milk sets temp & texture.
- Near‑instant startup for quick cups.
- Compact width suits tight counters.
Bambino Plus BES500BSS
These two compact machines punch above their size for home espresso and cappuccinos. One favors hands‑on control with a pressure gauge, the other leans into speed and auto milk. You’ll get the fast verdict up front, then clear trade‑offs so you can pick with confidence.
In A Nutshell
The Infuser rewards tinkerers. It gives you a pressure gauge, volumetric shot buttons, and a manual steam wand that can grow with your skill. The Bambino Plus is the shortcut specialist. It warms in seconds and textures milk automatically, yet still lets you pull single or double shots. Pick based on how much you want the machine to automate versus how much you want to drive.
Side‑By‑Side Specs
ThermoJet’s 3‑second claim comes from Breville’s product page for the Bambino Plus; the Infuser’s live pressure gauge and programmable shot control are documented in the official manual.
Breville Infuser BES840XL — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
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✅ What We Like
- Live pressure gauge helps you see under‑ or over‑extraction as it happens.
- Manual pre‑infusion option with a press‑and‑hold start for gentler ramp‑up.
- Programmable 1‑shot/2‑shot volumes with manual override for custom yields.
- 54 mm stainless portafilter; easy upgrade path to single‑wall baskets and precision baskets.
- Classic steam wand with strong power for silky microfoam once you learn the angles.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Warm‑up takes longer; a pre‑heat flush helps stabilize the group and portafilter.
- No auto milk options for hands‑free latte foam.
- Wider body consumes more counter space than the ultra‑slim Bambino Plus.
Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
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✅ What We Like
- ThermoJet warms to brew temp in roughly 3 seconds for near‑instant shots.
- Auto milk sets temperature and texture in three levels for reliable foam.
- Compact 7.7″ width slides into tight spaces without crowding your counter.
- Volumetric 1‑shot/2‑shot buttons with manual override when you need it.
- Same 54 mm format means you can use precision baskets and accessories.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- No pressure gauge; you’ll judge by flow and timing while dialing in.
- Fast warm‑up means the portafilter and cup still benefit from preheating.
- Auto milk settings are fixed steps; expert users may want full manual nuance.
ℹ️ Want the official feature lists? See Breville’s Bambino Plus product page for ThermoJet details and auto milk, and the Infuser’s instruction manual for manual pre‑infusion, pressure gauge, and shot programming.
ℹ️ Good To Know: Pressurized (dual‑wall) baskets mask grinder flaws but cap flavor. Switch to single‑wall baskets once you have a burr grinder and a consistent grind.
Breville Infuser Or Bambino Plus: Which Fits You Better
Power & Throughput
The two machines create espresso with different heat strategies. The Infuser’s thermocoil with PID favors steady ramp‑up. It benefits from a short blank shot to warm the metalwork. The Bambino Plus runs ThermoJet, which reaches brew temperature in a few seconds and flips to steam power with minimal pause. If you make several drinks back‑to‑back, both can keep pace, but the Bambino Plus clears the wait time at the start of the session.
Noise & Comfort
Both use vibration pumps. Expect a hum during extraction and a sharper note while steaming. The Bambino Plus adds audible cues when auto milk starts and finishes. The Infuser’s pressure needle gives a visual anchor so you don’t have to guess based on sound alone.
Cleaning & Parts
Daily care is straightforward on both. Purge the wand, wipe the tip, rinse the portafilter, and empty the tray. Descale on the schedule in the manual and backflush with the included cleaning disc. Breville keeps parts like 54 mm baskets, seals, and portafilters in its parts store, which makes long‑term ownership easier.
Safety & Standards
Both units include auto‑purge behaviors and standby modes. The steam wand has a hot‑surface risk like any cafe machine, so use the included jug and purge into a cup before touching the tip. Always lock the portafilter fully and never remove it under pressure.
Warranty & Service
Coverage is handled by Breville. Keep your proof of purchase and register online. If you plan to stretch the machine over many years, the easy access to baskets, gaskets, and portafilters is a practical plus.
Milk Skills & Latte Art
With the Infuser, you’re steering steam angle, jug depth, and roll. That practice time pays off with finer control over microfoam. The Bambino Plus cuts the learning curve. Pick a temperature and texture level and let it run, then switch to manual steaming if you want to refine the texture for tulips and hearts.
Dial‑In Guidance
Beginners appreciate the Infuser’s needle. It gives instant confirmation if a grind is tight or loose. The Bambino Plus skips the gauge but keeps things simple: if the shot blondes too quickly, go finer; if it drips with no flow, go coarser or reduce dose. Timed extractions still help: target around 25–30 seconds from first drip to finish, adjusting by taste.
Footprint & Kitchen Fit
If you’re tight on space, the Bambino Plus wins on width. It keeps tamping, steaming, and shot buttons within a narrow body. The Infuser is wider and feels closer to a classic cafe console, which some buyers prefer for the tactile layout and larger drip tray.
Pricing & Packages
Tier: both sit at the $$ tier for machine‑only setups. The Bambino Plus often ships with 1‑ and 2‑cup baskets (single‑ and dual‑wall), a 54 mm tamper, a milk jug, the Razor™ dosing tool, and cleaning bits. The Infuser includes similar core accessories and a 54 mm metal portafilter. For exact inclusions, check the Bambino Plus page and the Infuser’s official manual. Billing is a one‑time purchase; the real cost driver over time is beans, filters, and any grinder upgrade.
Who They Suit
Pick the Infuser if you enjoy adjusting grind, dose, and yield with live feedback. It’s a comfortable step for hobbyists who want to build technique. Pick the Bambino Plus if you value speed and repeatable milk with minimal tweaking. It shines for households that want lattes before school or work without a long warm‑up.
Price, Value & Ownership
Both sit in the same spend tier; the Bambino Plus returns time, while the Infuser returns detailed control. Parts and accessories are easy to source for either machine.
Where Each One Wins
🏆 Dial‑In Feedback — Infuser
🏆 Milk Frothing Ease — Bambino Plus
🏆 Countertop Fit — Bambino Plus
🏆 Steam Nuance — Infuser
Decision Guide
✅ Choose Breville Infuser BES840XL If…
- You want a pressure gauge to shorten the learning curve while dialing in.
- You prefer full manual steaming for custom foam texture.
- Your kitchen has room for a wider machine with a larger drip tray.
✅ Choose Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS If…
- You want near‑instant heat‑up with minimal preheating steps.
- You love milk drinks and want reliable foam at the push of a button.
- You need a slim machine that fits a tight counter or apartment setup.
Best Fit For Most Kitchens
Most buyers who want fast lattes with minimal fuss should start with the Bambino Plus. It saves time every morning, it handles milk for you, and it still works with the same 54 mm accessories many enthusiasts use. If you’ve dreamed of steering pressure and building steam skills, the Infuser is the fun pick. Its needle and manual control reward attention to grind, dose, and puck prep. Either way, budget for a quality burr grinder and switch to single‑wall baskets when you’re ready—the biggest flavor leap starts there.
This guide compiles official Breville documentation and spec sheets with practical ownership cues. For specifics on features like ThermoJet heat‑up and included accessories, see Breville’s product pages and manuals linked above.