The Breville Cafe Roma and DeLonghi Dedica are two popular semi-automatic espresso machines that serve very different coffee drinkers. The Cafe Roma from Breville is a larger, more robust machine built with premium materials for the budding home barista, while the Dedica from DeLonghi is a slim, budget-friendly option designed for beginners and kitchens with limited space.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which of these machines is right for your home coffee setup.
Breville Cafe Roma
The Breville Cafe Roma is a premium home espresso machine positioned for coffee enthusiasts who want more control and quality. Built with stainless steel and professional-style components, it's designed for durability and consistent performance, letting you fine-tune your espresso shots and practice frothing milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
- What it is: A durable, semi-automatic espresso machine with a focus on high-quality construction and user control.
- Key features: High-quality stainless steel housing, thermoblock heating system, dual-wall filters for consistent pressure, and a powerful steam wand for milk frothing.
- Price: Typically around $600 to $700.
- Dimensions: Approximately 12" x 12" x 14", requiring a good amount of counter space.
- Materials/Construction: Primarily made of brushed stainless steel with some durable plastic components, giving it a heavy, substantial feel.
- Style: A sleek, modern appliance with a professional aesthetic that looks great in contemporary or industrial-style kitchens.
- Pros: Excellent build quality and durability. Powerful steam wand produces quality microfoam. User-friendly for those learning manual espresso. Highly consistent temperature and pressure control.
- Cons: A significant investment compared to entry-level machines. Large footprint is not suitable for small kitchens. Taller mugs may not fit under the portafilter spout.
The Cafe Roma is ideal for the coffee lover ready to invest in a machine that offers greater control, durability, and a more professional brewing experience.
Shop this product: amazon.com/Breville-ESP8XL-Cafe-Roma-Stainless/dp/B0002VAFWA
DeLonghi Dedica
The DeLonghi Dedica has earned its popularity by offering reliable espresso performance in an ultracompact and affordable package. Its incredibly slim profile and simple controls make it a go-to choice for beginners, apartment dwellers, or anyone who wants a straightforward way to make espresso drinks without a huge commitment of money or counter space.
- What it is: A slim, entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine that's easy to use and fits in tight spaces.
- Key features: Thermoblock heating system for quick heat-up, simple three-button operation, slim 6-inch width, included Pannarello-style steam wand for frothing.
- Price: Ranges from $150 to $300.
- Dimensions: Approximately 5.9" x 13" x 12", one of the narrowest machines on the market.
- Materials/Construction: A mix of plastic and metal components creates a lightweight build focused on a compact design.
- Style: Minimalist and modern, its slim profile and color options (red, black, silver) allow it to blend into various kitchen styles without being intrusive.
- Pros: Extremely affordable and a great value. Exceptionally slim design saves tons of counter space. Heats up in about 40 seconds. Very easy for beginners to learn and use.
- Cons: Lighter build quality with more plastic parts. The steam wand is less powerful than more expensive models. It can be a tight fit to get the portafilter on and off.
This machine is the perfect starting point for someone who wants to dip their toes into home espresso or needs a reliable coffee solution for a small living space.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/p/EC885M
Breville Cafe Roma vs. DeLonghi Dedica Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most dramatic difference between these two machines is their size. The Breville Cafe Roma has a substantial, almost square footprint at 12" x 12". It demands a dedicated spot on your counter and has a visible weight that says "serious appliance."
Conversely, the DeLonghi Dedica is famously narrow, measuring just under 6 inches wide. It's designed specifically to slip into tight spaces between other appliances or sit discreetly in a corner, making it the clear winner for apartments, small kitchens, or dorm rooms. Where the Roma claims its territory, the Dedica borrows its space.
Materials & Construction
Breville is known for its build quality, and the Cafe Roma reflects this with its heavy-duty stainless steel body. This not only contributes to its premium look but also adds to its stability and long-term durability. It feels solid and well-made from top to bottom.
The DeLonghi Dedica is built to a budget and size constraint. While it has some metal accents, the construction involves more plastic. This makes it much lighter but can feel less durable than the Breville. It's a completely functional and well-designed machine, but it lacks the hefty, built-to-last feel of the Cafe Roma.
Performance & Features
The Breville Cafe Roma focuses on providing the tools for quality espresso. Its commercial-style steam wand is more powerful and offers greater control for creating the microfoam needed for latte art. The internal components are engineered for stable brewing temperature and pressure, crucial for pulling a great shot.
The DeLonghi Dedica prioritizes speed and simplicity. Its thermoblock heating system ensures it's ready to brew in under a minute, which is fantastic for a quick morning coffee. The steam wand is capable of making froth for lattes and cappuccinos, but it's a more basic design that can't produce the same fine texture as the Breville. Its operation is simplified to just a few buttons, making it less intimidating for beginners.
Price & Value
With a price often double or triple that of the Dedica, the Breville Cafe Roma is an investment in coffee as a hobby. You're paying for superior build quality, better components, and a machine that will endure years of daily use. It offers great value for someone who plans to use it frequently and wants to grow their barista skills.
The DeLonghi Dedica offers outstanding value for anyone who wants good espresso without the high cost. For under $300, you get a capable, stylish, and incredibly compact machine that makes a better cup than any pod-based system. It’s hard to beat its performance at this price point, making it a perfect entry-level choice.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville Cafe Roma is made for the aspiring home barista. It’s for someone who enjoys the ritual of making coffee, wants to learn about tamping pressure and shot timing, and isn't afraid to practice their milk frothing skills. If you see home espresso as a hobby and have the budget and space, this machine will serve you well for years.
The DeLonghi Dedica is for the convenient coffee seeker. It’s perfect for the person who simply wants a quick, easy way to make a latte in the morning before work. It’s for students in dorm rooms, city dwellers in small apartments, or anyone curious about espresso who isn't ready to commit to a more expensive, complex machine.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are excellent choices, but they are designed for completely different homes and users.
Choose the Breville Cafe Roma if:
- You view making coffee as an enjoyable hobby, not just a morning necessity.
- You want to practice detailed techniques like latte art and custom shot pulling.
- Build quality and long-term durability are your highest priorities.
- You have dedicated counter space and a budget of over $500.
Choose the DeLonghi Dedica if:
- You have very limited counter space in your kitchen or apartment.
- You are an espresso beginner and want a machine that's simple to operate.
- Your budget is firmly under $300.
- Speed and ease of use are more important to you than professional-level features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Cafe Roma and Dedica?
The biggest differences are size, price, and target user. The Breville Cafe Roma is a large, premium-built machine for coffee enthusiasts, priced around $600-$700. The DeLonghi Dedica is a very slim, budget-friendly machine for beginners, typically costing under $300.
Which one is better for a beginner?
The DeLonghi Dedica is the clear winner for beginners. Its simple three-button operation, fast heat-up time, and forgiving nature make it much less intimidating to learn on. The lower price also makes it a smaller commitment.
How does the build quality compare?
The Breville Cafe Roma has superior build quality, with a heavy-duty stainless steel housing that feels solid and durable. The DeLonghi Dedica uses more plastic in its construction to keep it lightweight and affordable, so it doesn't feel as substantial.
Which machine takes up less counter space?
The DeLonghi Dedica takes up significantly less counter space. At just under 6 inches wide, it is half the width of the Breville and can fit into spaces where most other espresso machines can't.
Can I make lattes and cappuccinos with both?
Yes, both machines are equipped with steam wands for frothing milk. However, the Breville's more powerful, commercial-style wand gives you better control and can create a finer "microfoam" texture ideal for latte art, while the Dedica's wand is more basic.
Is the Breville Cafe Roma worth the extra money?
For a coffee hobbyist, yes. The investment buys you better durability, more consistency, and a higher potential for cafe-quality drinks. For a casual user who just wants a decent espresso fast, the extra cost is likely not justifiable.
Do I need a separate coffee grinder?
Yes, for the best results with either machine, a separate burr grinder is highly recommended. Using freshly ground coffee beans will dramatically improve the flavor of your espresso compared to pre-ground coffee.
How do you clean these machines?
Both require regular maintenance. This includes running cleaning cycles with a descaling solution every few months to remove mineral buildup, wiping down the steam wand after every use, and regularly cleaning the portafilter and filter baskets.
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