Coffee controlStrong
Extraction format, adjustment and the amount of manual control available.
Compact semi-automatic · SES500
SageBambino Plus
The easiest route to genuinely good espresso and silky milk without giving up the ritual of a portafilter.
Best forFlat-white drinkers, small kitchens and fast weekday mornings
Think twice ifAnyone who wants a built-in grinder or fully automatic drinks
Price band£300–£500Prices change daily—see today’s price at the retailer
More retailers ↓We don’t quote prices because they change daily. The retailer always shows today’s price.
Hands-on owner review · original evidenceEspresso potential Learning curve Kitchen fit Household fit Milk workflow Real setup cost
Small footprint, serious espresso potential.
The Bambino Plus is one of the stand-out compact espresso machines at its price, but its best results still depend on fresh beans, a capable grinder and an owner willing to learn the routine.
The Sage Bambino Plus is a genuine star of the more affordable espresso-machine market. Pair it with a capable grinder and it becomes a remarkably respectable setup—one that can produce coffee far beyond what its compact size and simple appearance might suggest.
It is not completely effortless. Good espresso still asks for some patience: the grind needs dialling in, the dose and tamp need to be consistent, and fresh beans make a noticeable difference. Anyone happy to spend a little time learning those variables will get much more from the machine than someone expecting every bag of coffee to behave in exactly the same way.
The footprint is one of its biggest strengths. It is narrow enough to sit quietly on a crowded worktop, yet capable enough to become the main coffee appliance in a smaller household. The compact body also means a smaller drip tray and less room for repeated drinks, so it suits one or two regular coffee drinkers better than a busy household making several cups back to back.
The automatic steam system makes milk drinks approachable, but espresso remains the most convincing reason to buy it. With a good grinder and well-chosen beans, the Bambino Plus can deliver a genuinely serious start to the morning without demanding the space or cost of a larger prosumer machine.
“A compact espresso machine with much bigger ability than its footprint suggests. Buy it if you are prepared to add a proper grinder and learn the basic dialling-in routine; look elsewhere if you want a built-in grinder or several back-to-back drinks with minimal involvement.”
Capable of excellent results when paired with fresh beans, an espresso-capable grinder and a consistent preparation routine.
Not difficult, but not entirely automatic: grind size, dose and tamp still need attention as beans change.
The narrow body is a genuine advantage on smaller worktops and makes the machine easy to live with.
Best suited to one or two regular coffee drinkers; the small drip tray and compact workflow are less convenient for repeated drinks.
Automatic steaming broadens its appeal, although the machine’s strongest case remains compact espresso rather than high-volume milk service.
A capable separate grinder is essential and should be included in the buying budget.
Quick pros & cons
What it gets right—and what it asks of you.
Pros
✓Ready to brew in three seconds
✓Automatic milk texturing is unusually capable
✓Narrow footprint suits small counters
✓Uses a proper 54 mm portafilter
Cons
–A good grinder adds to the real cost
–Small drip tray needs frequent emptying
–Light body can move when locking in
Where to buy
Check today’s price.
Price band£300–£500
Affiliate disclosure: some retailer links may earn Home Coffee Index a commission at no extra cost to you. Official De’Longhi store links are tracked by Awin. This never changes our verdict. We don’t show prices on this page; each retailer shows today’s price, stock and delivery.
Source 01
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ArgosRetailer
Opens Argos’s listing for the exact SES500; it shows today’s price, stock and delivery.
Check price at Argos ↗Source 02
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SageManufacturer
Opens Sage’s listing for the exact SES500; it shows today’s price, stock and delivery.
Check price at Sage ↗Source 03
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CurrysRetailer
Opens Currys’s listing for the exact SES500; it shows today’s price, stock and delivery.
Check price at Currys ↗More choice
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Amazon UKExact product affiliate link
Open the verified SES500 product destination and confirm the seller, variant and delivery terms.
View exact SES500 on Amazon UK ↗Structured specifications
The numbers that affect daily use.
- Width
- 19.4 cm
- Depth
- 36.2 cm
- Height
- 30.4 cm
- Heat system
- ThermoJet
- Water tank
- 1.9 L
- Grinder
- Separate grinder needed
- Pressure
- 9-bar extraction
- Milk
- Auto steam
- Warranty
- 2 years
Evidence and provenance
What this page is based on.
Sage product information
Used for the model identity, dimensions, systems and warranty details shown above.
Open manufacturer source ↗Ben Murrell, editor
The Index score remains a desk-researched verdict. Ben’s separately labelled 4.5/5 owner rating above covers the first-hand observations stated in the review and does not turn unmeasured specifications into test results.
Read the scoring and sourcing policy →Checked 23 October 2026
Specifications and model details were checked on this date. We don’t quote prices; the retailer shows today’s price, stock, delivery and returns.
Check today’s price ↑Independent review trail
What hands-on reviewers add.
These external publications tested Sage Bambino Plus. Their conclusions remain theirs; Home Coffee Index does not copy their scores or turn them into a fabricated consensus.
The Guardian · 29 April 2025
Links checked 7 August 2026 · some publishers use subscriptions, advertising or affiliate linksSage Bambino Plus coffee machine review
Long-term home use, beginner workflow and repairability discussion
Read the independent review ↗Good FoodSage Bambino Plus espresso maker review
Independent setup, espresso, frothing and cleaning assessment
Read the independent review ↗Expert ReviewsSage Bambino Plus SES500BSS review
Exact-model manual espresso and automatic-milk review
Read the independent review ↗Daily workflow
From sleepy to first cup.
Spec sheets miss the routine. This is what owning the machine actually feels like.
- 01
Grind 18 g into the portafilter
- 02
Tamp and lock in
- 03
Press the one- or two-cup button
- 04
Set milk temperature and texture
- 05
Wipe and purge the steam wand
Own this machine?
Open Bambino Plus maintenance guide →Use the exact-model care plan.
Separate the after-use milk and coffee routine from weekly cleaning, filter changes and prompt-led descaling.
Something not working?
Troubleshoot Bambino Plus →Diagnose the symptom safely.
Work through flow, grinder, milk, warning, cleaning and leak checks written for the exact SES500 model.
Water filter and parts · sources checked 17 October 2026
Confirmed by the maker
The water filter that fits the Sage Bambino Plus
Fits the SES500: Sage ClaroSwiss Water Filter, part SES008WHT0NEU1.
Replace: Every 90 days (Sage)
Sage UK lists Bambino Plus (BES500); replace every 90 days per Sage
Source: Sage UK ↗
Care and fit parts
- Sage Tamper Coffee Assembly 54mm
SP0001516Fits the SES500. Sage UK 'Works With' lists BES500
Source: Sage UK ↗
- Sage Espresso Cleaning Tablets (8)
BEC250UKFits the SES500. Sage UK 'Works With' lists BES500
Source: Sage UK ↗
- Sage the Machine Descaler x6 (x12 = SCC102NEU0ZEU1)
SCC101NEU0ZEU1Not confirmed for the SES500. Check with Sage first. Sage UK visible 'Works With' list is truncated (shows BES876, BES920, BES985, BES882); this model is not shown on Sage before listing
Use it only as the machine’s own care programme describes. We do not sell or link to buy descalers or liquid cleaners here.
Source: Sage UK ↗
- Sage the Group Head Cleaner tablets (6)
SCC201NEU0ZEU1Fits the SES500. Sage UK lists the Bambino Plus under “Works With” for this pack. It is Sage’s current 6-sachet version of the BEC250UK tablet pack.
Source: Sage UK ↗ (checked 1 November 2026)
Amazon links are affiliate links (tag website103c-21); De’Longhi UK links go through Awin. Where we have verified the maker’s exact Amazon listing, the link opens that product directly. Otherwise it is clearly labelled as an Amazon search, whose results can include third-party compatible parts. Match both the maker and exact part number before ordering. Only parts the maker confirms for this exact model or model family get a buy link.
Complete the coffee station
Accessories for Bambino Plus →Choose accessories that fit this exact model.
Compare scales, grounds handling, preparation tools, milk accessories and care products selected for the SES500 workflow.
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