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If you are shopping for a compact espresso machine, you will end up comparing these two: the Breville Bambino ($299.95) and the De'Longhi Dedica ($149.95). They are the two best-selling small espresso machines in America – one Australian, one Italian – and they take completely different approaches to the same problem: great espresso in a small footprint. We put them through the same analysis: heat-up, temperature control, portafilter, steam power, build and owner satisfaction across 37,000+ verified reviews.
| Product | Key Benefit | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville the Bambino BES450 | Best Overall | $299.95 | Check Price |
| De'Longhi Dedica (Stainless Steel) | Best Value | $149.95 | Check Price |
| Breville the Bambino Plus BES500 | Best for Milk Drinks | $499.95 | Check Price |
| Breville Barista Express BES870XL | Best All-In-One Upgrade | $699.95 | Check Price |
Breville Bambino vs De'Longhi Dedica: The Machines
Breville the Bambino BES450
Best Overall
- Price
- $299.95
★ 4.0/5 from 2,613 verified Amazon reviews. The Bambino is the compact machine that made great home espresso small. Its ThermoJet heating system reaches brew temperature in 3 seconds, and a PID controller keeps that temperature stable shot after shot – the same temperature precision you normally only get from machines twice the price. An over-pressure valve caps extraction at ~9 bar, which is what pulls sweet, balanced shots instead of bitter ones. The steam wand is a real, articulated wand – not a plastic frother – and the 54mm portafilter gives you room to grow. It costs roughly twice the Dedica, but it delivers noticeably better espresso and better milk texture.
- Pros
- 3-second heat-up
- PID temperature stability
- True 9 bar extraction
- Real steam wand for latte art
- Cons
- No built-in grinder
- 54mm portafilter (not 58mm)
- Costs ~2x the Dedica
De'Longhi Dedica (Stainless Steel)
Best Value
- Price
- $149.95
★ 4.0/5 from 4,847 verified Amazon reviews. The Dedica is the best-selling slim espresso machine for a reason: it is only 6 inches wide, costs $150, and pulls genuinely drinkable espresso. It runs on a Thermoblock with a 15-bar pump and a 51mm portafilter, and it ships with a Pannarello frother that makes milk steaming easy for total beginners. With 4,800+ verified reviews at 4.0 stars, it is the most proven budget espresso machine on Amazon. The trade-offs: temperature is less stable than the Bambino's PID system, the 51mm portafilter limits accessories, and the steam wand is convenient but not made for latte art. If budget or counter space is the priority, this is the honest pick.
- Pros
- Half the price of the Bambino
- Ultra-slim: only ~6 in wide
- 4,800+ reviews at 4.0 stars
- Beginner-friendly frother included
- Cons
- Less temperature stability
- 51mm portafilter
- Steam wand not for latte art
Breville the Bambino Plus BES500
Best for Milk Drinks
- Price
- $499.95
★ 4.1/5 from 2,410 verified Amazon reviews. The Bambino Plus takes everything that makes the Bambino great and automates the hard part: milk. Its steam wand senses milk temperature and textures microfoam automatically – one button, cafè-quality latte every time – while still offering manual mode once you want control. You keep the 3-second ThermoJet heat-up and PID temperature stability. It is $200 more than the standard Bambino, so it only makes sense if you drink milk-based drinks daily. If you mostly drink straight espresso, save the money and get the regular Bambino.
- Pros
- Automatic microfoam milk texturing
- Manual steam mode included
- Same 3-sec heat-up and PID
- Best for daily lattes and cappuccinos
- Cons
- $200 more than the Bambino
- No built-in grinder
- Overkill for straight espresso
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
Best All-In-One Upgrade
- Price
- $699.95
★ 4.4/5 from 27,838 verified Amazon reviews. If you are comparing the Bambino and Dedica because you want to start making espresso, consider the machine most people upgrade to: the Barista Express. It builds a conical burr grinder directly into the machine, so beans go in and espresso comes out – no separate grinder purchase, no extra counter footprint. With 27,800+ verified reviews at 4.4 stars, it is the most popular serious espresso machine in America. It costs more than the Bambino and Dedica combined, but it is the natural next step once you know espresso is a daily habit for you.
- Pros
- Built-in conical burr grinder
- Most popular serious machine in the US
- 27,800+ reviews at 4.4 stars
- One footprint, beans to espresso
- Cons
- Expensive vs Bambino/Dedica
- Built-in grinder is decent, not great
- 54mm portafilter
Bambino vs Dedica: Head to Head
Espresso quality: Bambino wins on temperature
The Bambino uses a PID controller to keep brew temperature stable within a degree – the same technology in machines costing three times as much – plus an over-pressure valve that caps extraction at ~9 bar. That combination pulls sweet, balanced shots. The Dedica's Thermoblock heats fast but lets temperature drift more, and its 15-bar pump runs unregulated, which can push bitter flavors. At $150 the Dedica is remarkable; on pure espresso quality the Bambino is a clear step ahead.
Heat-up time: both fast, Bambino faster
The Bambino's ThermoJet reaches brew temperature in 3 seconds – genuinely instant. The Dedica's Thermoblock needs roughly 30–40 seconds to warm up. Both beat traditional boiler machines (5–10 minutes), but for a rushed morning the Bambino wins.
Portafilter: 54mm vs 51mm
The Bambino uses a 54mm portafilter, the Dedica a 51mm. Neither is the 58mm commercial standard, but 54mm has a larger aftermarket (baskets, tampers, funnels) than 51mm. If you plan to upgrade accessories over time, the Bambino is the better platform.
Steam and milk: Bambino Plus is the milk king
The Dedica's Pannarello frother is beginner-friendly – one button, decent foam, zero skill required – but it cannot produce the fine microfoam that latte art needs. The Bambino's articulated wand takes a little practice and then makes proper microfoam. The Bambino Plus automates it completely: its wand senses temperature and textures milk automatically, which is why it is the pick for daily latte drinkers.
Footprint and price: Dedica wins on both
The Dedica is roughly 6 inches wide – the slimmest espresso machine with a real pump on the market – and costs $149.95, half the Bambino's $299.95. If your counter has 8 inches to spare or your budget is firm at $200, the Dedica is the honest choice.
Owner satisfaction: both proven
The Dedica has 4,847 verified reviews at 4.0 stars; the Bambino has 2,613 at 4.0 stars. The Dedica's higher count reflects years more on the market and a lower price – not higher quality. Both are among the most reliable machines in their class, with the usual caveat that descaling matters more than brand choice.
FAQ
Which is better: Breville Bambino or De'Longhi Dedica?
For espresso quality, the Breville Bambino wins: PID temperature control and true ~9 bar extraction pull sweeter, more consistent shots, and its steam wand makes better milk. For budget and counter space, the De'Longhi Dedica wins: it costs half as much ($150 vs $300) and is only 6 inches wide. Both are excellent for their price – it depends whether espresso quality or price/size matters more to you.
Is the De'Longhi Dedica good for espresso?
Yes, for $150 it is one of the best-value espresso machines you can buy. It pulls drinkable, cafè-style espresso with its 15-bar pump and Thermoblock heater, and 4,800+ owners rate it 4.0 stars. It is not as temperature-stable as the Breville Bambino, and its 51mm portafilter limits upgrades, but as a first machine it is a very honest pick.
Does the Breville Bambino have a built-in grinder?
No. The Bambino and Bambino Plus are grinder-free machines – you need a separate burr grinder. Only the Barista Express (and other all-in-one models) build the grinder into the machine. Plan ~$100–200 for a decent entry burr grinder if you choose the Bambino or Dedica.
Can you make lattes and cappuccinos with the Dedica?
Yes. The Dedica includes a Pannarello frother that heats and froths milk with one button – easy for beginners. The Bambino's articulated steam wand gives you more control and better microfoam for latte art, and the Bambino Plus automates the whole milk-texturing process.
Bottom Line
Buy the Breville Bambino if you want the best espresso a compact machine can make – PID temperature control, true 9 bar extraction and a real steam wand make it the quality winner at $299.95. Buy the De'Longhi Dedica if $150 and 6 inches of counter space matter more than that last 20% of shot quality – it is the best-value compact espresso machine you can buy. Choose the Bambino Plus for automatic microfoam if you drink lattes daily, and the Barista Express when you are ready for an all-in-one with a built-in grinder. Whichever you pick: buy a proper burr grinder – it matters more than the machine.
