The Breville Bambino and the De'Longhi Dedica are two of the most popular entry-level espresso machines, but they cater to very different users. The Breville Bambino offers a more premium experience with a commercial-style steam wand for superior milk frothing and a heftier build, positioning it for serious home baristas. In contrast, the De'Longhi Dedica is designed for simplicity, a tight budget, and incredibly small spaces with its ultra-slim profile.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which espresso machine is the right fit for your kitchen counter and your coffee routine.
Breville Bambino
The Breville Bambino is a compact but powerful espresso machine designed to bring professional-grade features to the home user without a massive footprint. It stands out in the entry-level market due to its high-quality construction and a particularly impressive steam wand that creates silky microfoam ideal for latte art, something rarely seen at this price point.
- What it is: A premium entry-level espresso machine known for its robust performance, especially milk steaming.
- Key features: Commercial-style steam wand for optimal milk texturing, fast heat-up time, and a sturdy, professional build.
- Price: Typically $300 - $350.
- Dimensions: Approximately 7.7" x 12.6" x 12.2", making it compact yet substantial.
- Materials/Construction: Built with high-quality brushed stainless steel and durable plastic components, giving it a solid feel and ensuring longevity.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a professional, industrial aesthetic that looks high-end on a countertop.
- Pros: Excellent steam performance rivals more expensive machines. Durable and well-built. Quick to heat up and easy to operate. Delivers consistent espresso shots.
- Cons: A bit pricier than other entry-level options. Requires more counter space than the ultra-slim Dedica.
The Bambino is for the aspiring home barista who prioritizes milk-based drinks and wants a machine that will deliver cafe-quality performance for years to come.
Shop this product: breville.com
De'Longhi Dedica
The De'Longhi Dedica is celebrated for its incredibly slim and stylish design, making it a perfect fit for small kitchens, apartments, or anyone with limited counter space. It offers straightforward, user-friendly operation at a very accessible price, making it an excellent starting point for those new to making espresso at home.
- What it is: An ultra-compact and budget-friendly espresso machine designed for ease of use and small spaces.
- Key features: An extremely narrow 5.9-inch footprint, an adjustable manual frother wand, and simple three-button operation.
- Price: Usually around $200 - $250.
- Dimensions: Approximately 5.9" x 13" x 12", one of the thinnest pump espresso machines on the market.
- Materials/Construction: Features a mix of stainless steel body panels and plastic components, resulting in a lightweight but elegant build.
- Style: Minimalist, modern, and sleek with an Italian-inspired design that comes in several colors.
- Pros: Extremely space-saving design fits almost anywhere. Very affordable and great for beginners. Heats up quickly. Simple to operate.
- Cons: The manual steam wand produces thicker foam and is less capable than the Bambino's for latte art. The overall build is less heavy-duty.
The Dedica is an ideal choice for beginners who want a simple, stylish machine for daily espresso drinks without sacrificing valuable counter space.
Shop this product: delonghi.com
Breville Bambino vs. De'Longhi Dedica Comparison
Dimensions & Footprint
The most noticeable physical difference is size. The De’Longhi Dedica is the clear winner for small spaces, measuring just 5.9 inches wide. It's designed to slide into tight spots where no other espresso machine would fit. The Breville Bambino, while still considered compact, is wider at 7.7 inches and has a more substantial presence on the counter.
If your counter space is extremely limited, the Dedica is one of the best options available. If you have a bit more room to work with, the Bambino’s slightly larger size accommodates its more robust internal components.
Performance & Features
When it comes to performance, the primary differentiator is the steam wand. The Breville Bambino is equipped with a commercial-style steam wand that allows you to properly texture milk, creating the silky, fine-pored microfoam needed for high-quality lattes and cappuccinos. It gives you the control and power of machines that cost twice as much.
The De'Longhi Dedica has a more traditional manual frother, which tends to incorporate more air and creates a stiffer, bubblier foam. It will heat your milk and make a decent cappuccino, but it lacks the precision for creating true microfoam or latte art. For espresso shots, both machines perform reliably for their price points, but the Bambino's system is generally regarded as providing more consistent temperature and pressure.
Materials & Build Quality
Both machines feature stainless steel in their construction, but the Breville Bambino feels noticeably more durable and heavy-duty. Its components are sturdier, and the overall impression is that of a machine built for frequent, long-term use. From its portafilter to its steam wand, everything feels solid.
The De'Longhi Dedica is more lightweight. While its construction is perfectly adequate for daily use, it doesn't have the same tank-like feeling as the Bambino. This tradeoff is expected given its lower price and focus on a compact design.
Price & Value
Priced around $200-$250, the Dedica offers excellent value for beginners or budget-conscious shoppers. It provides all the necessary functions to make espresso-based drinks in a stylish package, making it a fantastic entry point into the hobby.
The Bambino, at $300-$350, costs about $100 more, but that extra investment brings significant value. The superior steam wand, better build quality, and more consistent performance make it a machine that you’re less likely to outgrow. For those serious about coffee, the Bambino delivers a far better return in pure performance and capability.
Who Each One Works Best For
The De'Longhi Dedica is the perfect match for individuals with seriously limited kitchen space. It’s also an excellent choice for beginners who want a straightforward, no-fuss introduction to espresso without a heavy financial commitment. Its elegant, small design works well in any modern kitchen.
The Breville Bambino is geared towards the aspiring home barista. If you dream of pouring latte art or want a machine that mimics the experience of a commercial setup on a smaller scale, this is your machine. It's for users who prioritize performance, especially milk texturing, and are willing to invest a little more for a palpable jump in quality and durability.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Bambino and Dedica are fantastic machines, but they shine for different reasons and different people.
Choose the Breville Bambino if:
- You are passionate about milk-based drinks and want to learn to pour latte art.
- Performance and build quality are more important to you than having the absolute smallest machine.
- You see your espresso machine as a long-term investment you can grow your skills with.
- You are willing to spend around $100 more for a major upgrade in steam capability.
Choose the De'Longhi Dedica if:
- You have very limited counter space in your kitchen or apartment.
- You are on a tight budget and want the best machine under $250.
- You mostly drink straight espresso or Americanos and don't need perfect microfoam.
- Simplicity, style, and a small footprint are your top priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Bambino and the Dedica?
The single biggest difference is the steam wand. The Breville Bambino has a powerful, commercial-style wand that can create silky microfoam for latte art, while the De’Longhi Dedica has a simpler manual frother that produces thicker, bubblier foam. The Bambino also has a more robust, heavy-duty build quality compared to the Dedica’s lightweight, ultra-slim design.
Which espresso machine is better for beginners?
The Dedica is often considered more beginner-friendly due to its lower price and straightforward operation. However, the Bambino is also very easy to use and provides a much better platform for beginners who want to actually learn and develop proper milk-steaming skills.
Can you make good lattes with the De'Longhi Dedica?
Yes, you can make perfectly enjoyable lattes and cappuccinos with the Dedica. However, its steam wand isn't designed to create the perfectly integrated, velvety microfoam required for latte art. The foam will be thicker and less smooth than what the Bambino can produce.
Is the Breville Bambino worth the extra money?
For anyone serious about making milk-based coffee drinks, yes. The improvement in steam performance alone is worth the price difference. Additionally, the superior build quality means the Bambino is likely to be a more durable, long-lasting machine.
Which machine heats up faster?
Both machines use heating systems (thermojet or thermoblock) designed for rapid heat-up times, typically getting to brewing temperature in under a minute. The Breville is often cited as being ready in a matter of seconds, making it one of the fastest on the market.
What grind of coffee should I use for these machines?
Both require a fine, consistent espresso grind. To get the best results, it's highly recommended to use a quality burr grinder rather than pre-ground coffee, as this allows you to dial in the perfect shot for your specific beans.
How difficult are these machines to clean?
Both are relatively easy to clean. Daily maintenance involves purging the steam wand after use, wiping down the machine, and emptying the drip tray. Both also have automated descaling cycles to guide you through deeper cleaning every few months.
Do I have to buy special-sized accessories for the Dedica's slim design?
While the machine itself is slim, it uses a standard portafilter size (around 51mm), so you can find compatible accessories like tampers and funnels easily. Similarly, the Breville Bambino uses a common size (54mm) for which many accessories are available.
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