The Breville Smart Grinder Pro and the DeLonghi Dedica are two of the most popular home coffee appliances, but they fulfill entirely different roles. The Breville is a high-precision, versatile coffee grinder designed for every brew method, while the Dedica is a compact and stylish espresso machine made specifically for pulling shots. The right choice depends on whether your priority is upgrading your coffee beans' grind for any machine or getting a dedicated, user-friendly setup for making espresso at home.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand what each appliance from Breville and DeLonghi offers and which is the right investment for your coffee station.
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is a standalone conical burr grinder that has become a staple for home coffee enthusiasts. It is celebrated for its remarkable consistency, wide range of grind settings, and user-friendly digital interface. This grinder is designed to provide the perfect grind for everything from a coarse French press to an ultra-fine espresso, giving you precise control over your coffee's flavor.
- What it is: A programmable conical burr coffee grinder that offers precise, consistent grinding for a wide variety of coffee brewing methods.
- Key features: 60 precise grind settings, a digital LCD screen, programmable dose settings (Dosing IQ technology), and an 18-ounce hopper capacity.
- Price: Around $200 - $250
- Style: Modern and functional with a tech-forward look. Its brushed stainless steel finish and clear hopper fit well in contemporary kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: Features hardened stainless steel conical burrs inside a sturdy plastic and metal body, built for durability and consistent performance.
- Pros: Extremely versatile for all brew styles, highly consistent grind size, easy to program and use, sturdy build quality, minimal grind retention.
- Cons: Takes up dedicated counter space, can be loud during operation, higher price point for a standalone grinder.
This grinder is for the coffee lover who wants to improve the quality of every cup they make, regardless of the brewing method used.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/coffee-grinders/bcg820.html
DeLonghi Dedica Espresso Machine
The DeLonghi Dedica is a user-friendly semi-automatic espresso machine known for its incredibly slim profile and sleek Italian design. It's built for those who want to make quality espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos without dedicating a massive amount of counter space to a bulky machine. Its simple controls and fast heat-up time make it an excellent entry point into the world of home espresso.
- What it is: A compact manual espresso machine designed for pulling single and double shots and steaming milk.
- Key features: Ultra-slim 6" wide design, 15-bar professional pressure pump, Thermoblock heating system for quick heating, and an adjustable steam wand for frothing milk.
- Price: Around $300 - $400
- Style: Minimalist and elegant with an Italian design flair. The all-metal body and polished finish give it a premium, decorative look.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a durable, high-quality metal body that feels solid and is available in finishes like stainless steel or matte colors.
- Pros: Extremely compact and space-saving, stylish appearance, very easy for beginners to use, heats up rapidly, makes legitimate espresso.
- Cons: Does not include a grinder, smaller water reservoir requires frequent refilling, less flexible than more advanced espresso machines.
The Dedica is perfect for aspiring baristas with small kitchens who prioritize a straightforward, stylish machine for making espresso-based drinks.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/ec-885m-dedica-arte-manual-espresso-machine
Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs. DeLonghi Dedica Comparison
Functionality & Purpose
The most important distinction is that these two appliances do different jobs. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro grinds whole coffee beans into grounds. It is a critical piece of equipment that supports a coffee maker by providing fresh, consistently-sized grounds, which is the foundation of great coffee. It can be used for any brewer, from a simple drip machine to an espresso machine like the Dedica.
The DeLonghi Dedica, on the other hand, is a brewing device. It uses hot water at high pressure to extract concentrated espresso shots and has a steam wand to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. It cannot grind coffee beans on its own and requires you to use either pre-ground coffee or grounds from a separate grinder, like the Breville.
Dimensions & Footprint
The DeLonghi Dedica is the clear winner for compact spaces. At only about 6 inches wide, it has one of the slimmest profiles of any espresso machine on the market, making it perfect for small apartment kitchens or crowded countertops. It measures approximately 6" W x 13" D x 12" H.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is fairly compact for a burr grinder but still requires its own space, measuring approximately 6.9" W x 7.5" D x 13" H. If you were to own both, they would take up a significant amount of your coffee station real estate, though the Dedica’s slim design helps mitigate this.
Materials & Construction
Both products are well-built. The DeLonghi Dedica features a stylish and durable all-metal body that looks and feels premium. This construction gives it a sturdy, quality feel that contrasts with the many plastic-heavy appliances in its price range.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a combination of metal and durable plastic parts, with the most critical components - the conical burrs - made of hardened stainless steel. While its exterior isn't as uniformly polished as the Dedica, its build is robust and designed for performance and longevity.
Price & Value
The DeLonghi Dedica costs more upfront (around $300-$400) because it is a complete brewing machine. The value comes from getting a capable, stylish espresso system for a relatively low price. However, to get the best results, you will eventually want to pair it with a good grinder, adding to the total cost.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro (around $200-$250) is less expensive but only accomplishes one step in the coffee-making process. Its value lies in its versatility and its ability to drastically improve the coffee you make with any brewing device you already own. For many, a quality grinder is the most important investment for better coffee.
Style & Aesthetic
Your style preference will play a big role in your choice. The DeLonghi Dedica champions a sleek, minimalist Italian design. It is as much a kitchen decor piece as it is an appliance, intended to be seen. Its polished lines and narrow form factor complement modern and contemporary kitchens.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro has a more functional, tech-oriented aesthetic. The LCD screen and multiple dials signal that it’s a piece of precise equipment. It looks clean and modern but prioritizes utility over pure style.
Which One Should You Choose?
Because these appliances serve different functions, the right choice is about what part of your coffee setup you want to invest in first.
Choose the Breville Smart Grinder Pro if:
- You already have a brewer you like (drip machine, French press, AeroPress) and want to significantly improve your coffee's flavor.
- You drink different types of coffee and need a versatile grinder that can switch settings easily.
- You believe that a consistent grind is the most critical first step to a great cup.
- You are building your coffee station piece by piece and want to start with the single most impactful upgrade.
Choose the DeLonghi Dedica if:
- Your primary goal is to make espresso and milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
- You have very limited counter space and need a compact appliance.
- You are new to espresso and want a machine that is stylish, simple to use, and not intimidating.
- You plan to start with pre-ground coffee or will purchase a separate grinder down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Grinder and DeLonghi Machine?
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro grinds whole coffee beans into fresh grounds. The DeLonghi Dedica is an espresso machine that uses those grounds to brew espresso shots. They perform two separate, sequential jobs in the coffee-making process.
Does the DeLonghi Dedica have a built-in grinder?
No, the DeLonghi Dedica does not have a built-in grinder. You will need to use pre-ground coffee or buy a separate coffee grinder to use with it.
Can the Breville Smart Grinder Pro grind fine enough for the DeLonghi Dedica?
Yes, absolutely. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an excellent partner for the Dedica. It has multiple fine-grind settings specifically designed for espresso and can produce the consistently fine grounds the Dedica needs for good extraction.
Which is a better starting point for a home coffee setup?
If your goal is better coffee overall across all methods, start with a great grinder like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. It's the most impactful upgrade. If your specific goal is to make espresso and you're fine starting with pre-ground beans, the DeLonghi Dedica is the better first purchase.
Is the Breville Smart Grinder Pro good for other coffee types besides espresso?
Yes, that is its main strength. It features 60 grind settings, making it easy to create the perfect grind for French press, drip coffee, pour-over, cold brew, and more.
Is the DeLonghi Dedica easy for beginners to use?
Yes, the Dedica is widely considered one of the best espresso machines for beginners due to its simple three-button interface, quick heat-up time, and straightforward operation.
What else do I need to buy with the DeLonghi Dedica?
To get started, you will need coffee (whole bean or pre-ground) and water. For best results, you'll also want a decent burr grinder (like the Breville), a knock box for spent pucks, and a milk frothing pitcher if you plan to make lattes or cappuccinos.
How does the DeLonghi Dedica compare to more expensive espresso machines?
The Dedica offers excellent basic performance and style for its price. More expensive machines typically offer more powerful steam wands, greater temperature stability, built-in grinders, and more control over variables like water pressure and pre-infusion, which appeal to advanced home baristas.
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