Espresso Machines · Head-to-head
Breville BES500BSS vs Ninja ES351
The short answer
Breville BES500BSS comes out ahead overall with 8.0/10 against 7.5/10 for the Ninja ES351. Breville BES500BSS is stronger on beginner-friendliness, espresso quality, milk steaming, build & reliability and health & materials. Ninja ES351 is stronger on value. At current verified prices, the Ninja ES351 costs about $49.96 less.
- Choose the Breville BES500BSS if: First-time buyers who want café-style lattes and cappuccinos with as little learning as possible, and who will add a burr grinder (about $700 total).
- Choose the Ninja ES351 if: Total beginners who don't want to buy a separate grinder or learn to dial in, and who also want drip coffee, all for $500.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Breville BES500BSS | Ninja ES351 |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner-Friendliness | 9.0About 3 s heat-up, simple buttons, pressurized baskets and hands-free auto-frothing; TechGearLab and Yahoo name it the top pick for novices. | 8.6Guided grinding and weight-based dosing remove most of the dialing in (Tom's Coffee Corner, Tom's Guide headline); small tank means frequent refills. |
| Espresso Quality | 8.0PID and pre-infusion give consistent shots with a decent grinder; no pressure gauge (Yahoo). | 7.0Tom's Coffee Corner found it balanced and full-bodied; Tom's Guide snippet says 'just OK'. |
| Milk Steaming | 9.0Automatic wand with temperature and texture settings and almost no wait after brewing; Food Network notes it can over-foam. | 7.3Strong manual wand; AutoFroth is hands-free but inconsistent (Tom's Coffee Corner) and slow (Tom's Guide snippet). |
| Build & Reliability | 6.8Stainless body and 2-year warranty, offset by auto-wand complaints (Reviewed, Home-Barista) and a 'Frequently Returned' tag on Amazon. | 6.0Plastic sides and portafilter insert, new model with no long-term data, 1-year warranty. |
| Health & Materials | 6.5Stainless body and portafilter; BPA-free tank not confirmed by Breville; little idle energy; no recall found. | 5.5No PFAS, BPA or materials disclosure found; no recall found. |
| Value | 7.0$499.95 plus about $200 for an Encore ESP, so about $700 all-in; the auto wand and ease of use justify a premium, but not a top value score. | 8.2$499.99 includes the grinder and drip mode; nothing else to buy. |
Specifications
| Spec | Breville BES500BSS | Ninja ES351 |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic with grinder (assisted) |
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes |
| Automatic milk frothing | Yes | Yes |
| Portafilter size | 54 mm | — |
| Water tank capacity | 64 oz | 44 oz |
| Heating system / boiler material | ThermoJet thermocoil | Thermoblock |
| PID / active temperature control | Yes | — |
| Pressurized (dual-wall) baskets included | Yes | — |
| Manufacturer PFAS-free claim | No | No |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Breville BES500BSS
Pros
- About 3-second heat-up
- PID temperature control and pre-infusion
- Pressurized baskets are forgiving for beginners
- Automatic, temperature-sensing milk wand
- Stainless steel body and 54mm portafilter
Cons
- Needs a separate burr grinder, about $700 all-in
- Priced right at the $500 limit
- Some owners report auto-wand problems, and Reviewed notes complaints about it
- Small drip tray and no pressure gauge
The best choice for beginners who want café-style milk drinks with little learning. Budget for a grinder, and watch the price and the auto-wand reports.
Full Breville BES500BSS review →Ninja ES351
Pros
- Built-in burr grinder with 60 settings
- Barista Assist and built-in scale for dosing
- Manual wand plus hands-free AutoFroth
- Also brews drip coffee
- No separate grinder needed
Cons
- Plastic sides and portafilter insert
- Small 1.3 L water tank
- Auto-frothing can be inconsistent
- New model with limited long-term data
- 1-year warranty
A convenient all-in-one for total beginners, with the caveat that its track record is short.
Full Ninja ES351 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Espresso Machines Under $500 for Beginners of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.