How we chose
We considered current Australian availability and pricing, independent testing where available, exact-model Australian and New Zealand owner evidence, espresso capability, temperature and workflow control, milk performance, heating architecture, construction, maintenance, grinder requirements, footprint and value.
Worth Buying scores are research-based editorial judgements. Customer ratings are shown separately as third-party evidence. We do not claim to have physically tested all three machines.
Breville Dual Boiler BES920
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The BES920 is the strongest recommendation for someone who owns—or is prepared to buy—a capable espresso grinder. A PID-controlled espresso boiler and separate steam boiler allow extraction and milk steaming at the same time, while the 58mm stainless-steel portafilter and programmable or manual controls provide meaningful room to dial in.
The dual-boiler architecture is its defining advantage for repeated milk drinks. It is also large, heavy, expensive and more maintenance-intensive than a compact machine.
| Model | BES920 |
|---|---|
| Heating | PID-controlled espresso boiler plus separate steam boiler |
| Portafilter | 58mm stainless steel |
| Water tank | Approximately 2.5L |
| Power | Approximately 2200W |
| Dimensions | Approximately 41 W × 37.5 D × 37.5 H cm |
| Weight | Approximately 12.9kg |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Grinder | Not included; capable espresso grinder required |
| Price | $1,199 promotional price during research; $1,499 Breville manufacturer price · checked 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
The Good Guys displayed 4.8/5 from 301 reviews and a 95% recommendation rate. Owners repeatedly value coffee quality, temperature and extraction control, simultaneous steaming and brewing, and value against substantially more expensive serious machines. Several report long ownership or repeat purchase, but this does not guarantee reliability. Dialling in and maintenance still matter, and a capable grinder remains essential.
Pros
- Excellent espresso control
- Dual-boiler milk-drink workflow
- Brews and steams simultaneously
- 58mm platform
- Strong exact-model owner evidence
- Major step up from basic compact machines
- Strong value against specialist dual boilers
Cons
- Expensive
- Large and heavy
- Separate grinder essential
- More learning than integrated-grinder appliances
- More maintenance complexity
Breville Bambino BES450
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The Bambino does not technically beat the BES920. Its appeal is a very small footprint, approximately three-second ThermoJet startup and a price that leaves more of the complete setup budget available for the grinder. Its 54mm portafilter is designed around approximately 18g doses, and the manual wand supports hands-on microfoam.
The lightweight body can move while inserting or removing the portafilter. Control and back-to-back milk workflow are also more limited than the Dual Boiler, but that is reasonable at this size and price.
| Model | BES450 |
|---|---|
| Heating | ThermoJet; approximately three-second heat-up |
| Portafilter | 54mm; approximately 18g dose design |
| Milk | Manual steam wand |
| Dimensions | Approximately 19.5 W × 32 D × 31 H cm |
| Weight | Approximately 4.9kg |
| Grinder | Not included; espresso-capable grinder required |
| Price | $377 at The Good Guys during research; $399 Breville manufacturer price · checked 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
The Good Guys' current stainless BES450 listing displayed 4.4/5 from 152 reviews and an 86% recommendation rate. Praise centres on the compact footprint, rapid heating, straightforward operation, coffee quality for its size and price, quick everyday workflow and cleaning. Complaints cover the body moving during portafilter handling, limited control, mixed steam feedback and lightweight rather than premium construction.
Pros
- Very compact
- Very fast heat-up
- Straightforward controls
- Strong value
- Leaves more budget for a grinder
- 54mm espresso platform
- Useful manual steam wand
Cons
- Lightweight construction
- Can move during portafilter handling
- Less control than BES920
- Separate grinder adds to total cost
- Not intended for heavy entertaining
Gaggia Classic E24
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The Classic E24 is intentionally traditional rather than automatically superior. Its new brass boiler, upgraded lead-free brass group, professional stainless-steel filter holder and professional steam wand appeal to buyers who want to learn technique and grow with an established machine-and-grinder ecosystem.
The single boiler means brewing and steaming happen sequentially. It is slower for milk drinks than the BES920 and more technique-dependent than the Bambino, while its price looks high if judged only by feature count.
| Model | Gaggia Classic E24 |
|---|---|
| Heating | Single brass boiler |
| Group | Upgraded lead-free brass group |
| Portafilter | Professional stainless-steel filter holder; traditional commercial-style platform |
| Milk | Professional manual steam wand |
| Workflow | Sequential espresso brewing and steaming |
| Grinder | Not included; capable espresso grinder required |
| Origin | Designed and produced in Italy |
| Price | $1,149 RRP; approximately $940–$1,030 at Appliances Online depending on colour and promotion · checked 16 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
Appliances Online's E24 review pool displayed 4.7/5 from 18 reviews during research. The same pool appeared across multiple colours, so it is treated as one sample rather than separate evidence for each finish. Feedback is positive about espresso results, build, traditional workflow and enthusiast appeal, but 18 reviews is a modest current-generation Australian sample—not deep long-term E24 evidence.
Pros
- Brass boiler
- Upgraded brass group
- Traditional enthusiast platform
- Professional-style steam wand
- Manual control
- Established Gaggia Classic ecosystem
- Made in Italy
Cons
- Single-boiler workflow
- Cannot brew and steam simultaneously
- More technique-dependent
- Separate grinder essential
- Slower milk-drink workflow
- Expensive by feature count
- Current E24 review pool is modest
Budget for the machine and grinder
None of these machines includes a grinder, and espresso requires sufficiently fine, consistent and adjustable grinding. Budget for the complete setup rather than spending everything on the machine and compromising badly on the grinder.
A less expensive Bambino paired with a capable espresso grinder can make more sense than a costlier machine paired with a weak grinder. There is no universal spending ratio: choose for your coffee, workflow and upgrade plans. See our Best Coffee Grinders Australia guide for the DF54, Baratza Encore ESP and Eureka Mignon Specialità 55.
Heating systems and real workflow
ThermoJet — Bambino
Very rapid startup and compact construction suit buyers prioritising convenience and footprint. Espresso and steaming remain a sequential workflow.
Dual boiler — BES920
Independent espresso and steam systems allow simultaneous extraction and milk steaming. It is strongest here for repeated milk drinks and workflow control.
Single boiler — Gaggia E24
Brewing and steaming share one boiler, so the user switches between tasks. It suits enthusiasts comfortable with a more deliberate process.
Portafilters and accessory platforms
The Bambino uses a 54mm platform, the BES920 a 58mm stainless-steel portafilter, and the Gaggia a traditional commercial-style filter-holder platform. These differences affect puck preparation, workflow and accessory options, but portafilter diameter alone does not determine espresso quality.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the Breville Dual Boiler BES920 for the strongest overall espresso platform of these three, particularly if simultaneous brewing and steaming matters.
Choose the Breville Bambino BES450 for the smallest and least expensive route into a separate-grinder espresso setup.
Choose the Gaggia Classic E24 if you deliberately want a traditional enthusiast machine and are happy with single-boiler workflow.
Useful FAQs
Do I need a separate grinder for these espresso machines?
Yes. None includes one, and espresso requires sufficiently fine, consistent and adjustable grinding.
Is a dual-boiler espresso machine worth it?
Its practical advantages are simultaneous brewing and steaming plus greater workflow and temperature control. That matters most for frequent milk drinks or buyers who want more control.
What is the difference between this guide and Best Coffee Machines Australia?
This guide covers machines without integrated grinders. Best Coffee Machines Australia covers integrated-grinder choices including the BES876, BES870 and La Specialista Opera.
Is the Gaggia Classic E24 easier to use than the Bambino?
Generally no. The Bambino prioritises rapid startup and straightforward operation. The Gaggia suits buyers actively wanting traditional technique and workflow.