The Breville Bambino and the DeLonghi Dedica are two top contenders for compact home espresso machines, but they differ significantly in construction, performance, and price. The Bambino offers a more premium, feature-rich experience with superior build quality and heating technology, targeting the aspiring home barista. In contrast, the Dedica focuses on affordability and a super-slim footprint, making it ideal for beginners or those with very limited counter space.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which espresso machine from Breville or DeLonghi is right for your kitchen.
Breville Bambino
The Breville Bambino is engineered to pack cafe-quality performance into a compact, user-friendly package. It features advanced technology like a thermocoil heating system and precise temperature control, making it a favorite among coffee enthusiasts who want excellent espresso without a bulky, commercial-style machine.
- What it is: A compact, high-performance home espresso machine known for its rapid heat-up time and consistent shot quality.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system (3-second heat-up), PID digital temperature control for stable brewing, 54mm portafilter, high-pressure steam for microfoam milk texturing, low-pressure pre-infusion.
- Price: Around $300 - $350
- Dimensions: 7.7" W x 12.5" D x 12.2" H
- Materials/Construction: Features a high-quality brushed stainless steel body with some durable plastic components. The build feels solid and stable on the countertop.
- Style: Sleek and modern. Its minimalist design and stainless steel finish fit well in contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Aims for professional-level performance in a small footprint. Heats up incredibly fast (3 seconds). Precise temperature control leads to more consistent and flavorful espresso. Powerful steam wand produces excellent microfoam for latte art. Solid overall build quality.
- Cons: Higher price point compared to the Dedica. Slightly larger than ultra-slim models. Some users may prefer a full stainless steel construction over its plastic parts.
The Bambino is for the home barista who values performance and consistency and is willing to invest a little more for a superior espresso and milk-frothing experience.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes450.html
DeLonghi Dedica
The DeLonghi Dedica is designed with one key feature in mind: saving space. As one of the narrowest espresso machines on the market, it's perfect for small apartments, dorms, and cluttered countertops. It offers straightforward, simple operation for brewing good espresso without any complicated settings.
- What it is: An ultra-slim manual espresso machine designed for beginners and small spaces, offering basic but reliable functionality.
- Key features: Thermoblock heating system, adjustable steam wand (can be switched between cappuccino froth or hot milk), flow stop feature to customize coffee length, compatible with both ground coffee and ESE pods.
- Price: Around $200 - $250
- Dimensions: 6" W x 12" D x 12" H
- Materials/Construction: Constructed primarily of a lightweight plastic body with stainless steel accents. It's well-built for its price but feels noticeably less heavy-duty than the Bambino.
- Style: Sleek and classic Italian design. Its incredibly slim profile and variety of color options make it a stylish and practical choice.
- Pros: Extremely compact design (only 6 inches wide) fits almost anywhere. Very affordable and great value for an entry-level machine. Simple, intuitive controls are perfect for beginners. The ability to use ESE pods adds convenience.
- Cons: Lighter build quality feels less premium. The thermoblock heater is less precise than the Bambino's thermocoil, which can lead to minor temperature inconsistencies. The steam wand is less powerful and harder to produce true microfoam with. It is very light and can move a bit when attaching the portafilter.
The Dedica is the clear choice for anyone prioritizing kitchen space and budget over advanced brewing features and build quality.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/ec680m-dedica-manual-espresso-machine-metal
Breville Bambino vs. DeLonghi Dedica Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The size difference is one of the most significant factors here. The DeLonghi Dedica is exceptionally narrow at just 6 inches wide, making it a true space-saver that can be tucked into almost any corner of a kitchen. If counter real estate is your primary concern, the Dedica is unbeatable.
The Breville Bambino, while still considered compact, is wider at 7.7 inches. That extra width accommodates a more robust internal system and provides a slightly more stable base. It fits well on most countertops but doesn't have the "disappearing" quality of the Dedica.
Materials & Construction
Breville puts a strong emphasis on build quality, even in its entry-level models. The Bambino features a brushed stainless steel case that feels solid and premium. Its thermocoil heating system with PID temperature control is a significant upgrade, providing consistent water temperature essential for balanced espresso extraction. The portafilter is also a sturdier 54mm size, common across Breville's prosumer line.
The DeLonghi Dedica has a plastic body accented with stainless steel. While stylish, it's much lighter and feels less substantial. Its traditional thermoblock boiler heats up fast but lacks the active temperature regulation of the Bambino, which can sometimes result in small variations from shot to shot. Overall, the Bambino’s construction is a clear step up in durability and performance.
Price & Value
The Dedica generally costs around $100 less than the Bambino, making it a very appealing option for budget-conscious shoppers. For its price, it offers fantastic value, delivering genuine espresso in an attractive, small machine.
The extra investment for the Bambino gets you significant improvements in performance. Better temperature stability, a much faster heat-up time, and a more powerful steam wand all contribute to a superior final cup. If you aspire to make cafe-quality drinks at home, the Bambino delivers better long-term value for a relatively modest price increase.
Style & Versatility
Both machines are stylish, but they appeal to different aesthetics. The DeLonghi Dedica sports a classic, slim Italian look and is often available in multiple colors like black, white, and red, allowing it to match various kitchen decors. Its clean, narrow profile is visually striking.
Unsurprisingly from Breville, the Bambino boasts a modern, minimalist design with its brushed stainless steel finish. It looks like a miniature version of a professional cafe machine and fits perfectly into contemporary spaces. Aesthetically, it looks more serious and high-end but doesn't offer the color flexibility of the Dedica.
Who Each One Works Best For
This decision truly comes down to priorities. The DeLonghi Dedica is tailor-made for beginners, apartment dwellers, or anyone who wants a simple, no-fuss way to make espresso without sacrificing precious counter space or breaking the bank. It's a fantastic starting point for an espresso journey.
The Breville Bambino is for the discerning coffee drinker who wants to take their home brewing more seriously. If you're passionate about achieving the perfect shot, want to practice latte art, and value precision and build quality, the Bambino is a worthy step-up that will grow with your skills.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Bambino and Dedica are excellent machines, but they serve different home baristas.
Choose the Breville Bambino if:
- You prioritize shot consistency and flavor quality above all else.
- You want to make cafe-quality lattes and cappuccinos with rich microfoam.
- You appreciate a premium build quality and modern, high-end aesthetics.
- You have a little more room on your counter and in your budget.
Choose the DeLonghi Dedica if:
- Your kitchen counter space is extremely limited.
- You are on a tighter budget and want the best value under $250.
- You are new to espresso and want a machine that is simple and easy to operate.
- You want the convenience of occasionally using ESE pods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Bambino and Dedica?
The main difference lies in performance and build quality. The Breville Bambino has a more advanced thermocoil heating system for better temperature stability and a more powerful steam wand, wrapped in a sturdier stainless steel body. The DeLonghi Dedica prioritizes a compact, slim design and affordability, using a standard thermoblock heater and a lighter-weight build.
Which espresso machine is better for a beginner?
The DeLonghi Dedica is often considered more beginner-friendly due to its simpler operation, lower price, and forgiving nature. However, the Breville Bambino is also very easy to use and provides more room for your skills to grow over time.
Is the Breville Bambino worth the extra money?
For most coffee enthusiasts, yes. The extra cost translates directly into better-tasting, more consistent espresso and far superior milk frothing capabilities. If you plan to make milk-based drinks regularly or are particular about your coffee's flavor, the Bambino's performance upgrade is worth it.
How wide is the DeLonghi Dedica?
The Dedica is incredibly slim at approximately 6 inches wide, making it one of the narrowest pump espresso machines available and perfect for tight spaces.
Which one has a better steam wand for frothing milk?
The Breville Bambino has a significantly better and more powerful steam wand. It's capable of producing high-quality microfoam suitable for latte art, whereas the Dedica's Panarello-style wand is designed more for creating 'cappuccino-style' froth and offers less control.
Can you use ESE pods in these machines?
The DeLonghi Dedica is designed to be compatible with both ground coffee and Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pods, adding a layer of convenience. The Breville Bambino is designed exclusively for use with fresh ground coffee.
Do these machines come with a good tamper?
Both machines typically include a basic plastic tamper. For best results with either machine, it is highly recommended to purchase a separate, properly fitting metal tamper (51mm for the Dedica, 54mm for the Bambino) to achieve a more level and consistent tamp.
How quickly do they heat up and become ready to use?
Both are very fast. The Breville Bambino is among the fastest, ready to brew in just 3 seconds thanks to its ThermoJet system. The DeLonghi Dedica is also quick, usually ready in under 40 seconds due to its thermoblock heater.
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