Are you in search of the perfect espresso machine for your home? If so, you’ve likely come across the names Breville Bambino and De’Longhi Dedica.
These two renowned brands are well-known for their commitment to delivering exceptional coffee experiences, but deciding between them can be a challenging task.
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the similarities and differences between the Breville Bambino and the De’Longhi Dedica.
We’ll explore their key features, design elements, performance capabilities, and more, enabling you to make an informed decision when it comes to investing in your next espresso machine.
Whether you’re an avid coffee enthusiast or a budding barista, understanding the distinctions between these two popular models will help you choose the one that best suits your brewing needs and preferences.
So, let’s dive into the world of Breville Bambino and De’Longhi Dedica to discover which one deserves a spot on your kitchen countertop.
Breville Bambino vs Delonghi Dedica: Build Quality
When comparing the build quality of the Breville Bambino and Delonghi Dedica, it becomes apparent that both machines offer a solid construction that ensures long-lasting performance.
However, there are some notable differences in their design and choice of materials.
The Bambino boasts a stainless steel body, which not only adds to its durability but also gives it a sleek and professional appearance.
The stainless steel construction provides a sense of sturdiness and reliability, giving users confidence in its build quality.
In contrast, the Dedica features a plastic body, which is not as robust as stainless steel but still offers decent durability and functionality.
It’s worth noting that the Dedica compensates for its plastic body by being available in a variety of attractive colors, allowing users to choose a style that suits their preferences and kitchen decor.
In terms of specific components, users have noted that the Bambino excels in certain areas.
Its drip tray, portafilter, and water tank are often praised for their solid and robust construction, instilling confidence in the machine’s overall build quality.
On the other hand, the Dedica has also been recognized for its reliable performance and longevity, indicating that despite its plastic body, it can still withstand regular use over an extended period.
When it comes to size, both the Breville Bambino and Delonghi Dedica have nearly identical footprints.
They measure approximately 13 inches in depth, 12 inches in height, and 6 inches in width, making them compact and space-saving options for your kitchen countertop.
However, there is a slight difference in weight between the two machines. The Bambino weighs in at 11 pounds, while the Dedica is slightly lighter at 9 pounds.
This variation in weight is minimal and should not significantly impact the overall portability and usability of either machine.
Ultimately, the choice between the Breville Bambino and Delonghi Dedica in terms of build quality will depend on personal preferences and priorities.
If a sturdy stainless steel body and components are essential, the Bambino may be the preferred option.
However, if a wider range of color options and a reputation for reliable performance are more important, the Dedica could be the better choice.
Whichever machine is chosen, both the Breville Bambino and Delonghi Dedica offer solid build quality and are built to withstand the demands of home espresso brewing.
Breville Bambino vs Delonghi Dedica: Ease Of Use
When it comes to ease of use, both the Breville Bambino and Delonghi Dedica offer a user-friendly experience, making it relatively straightforward to brew a cup of espresso.
However, being semi-automatic machines, there are certain aspects that users need to familiarize themselves with to enhance their espresso-making skills.
The Bambino by Breville provides convenient controls for temperature and foam, allowing you to easily achieve your desired cup of espresso.
Its user interface is intuitive, featuring programmable single and double shot buttons, as well as a dedicated button for heating up to steaming temperature.
One notable aspect of the Bambino is its immediate steam functionality, which starts right away.
However, it lacks the ability to easily stop and start the steam as desired, as it either runs continuously or attempts to cool down.
On the other hand, the Delonghi Dedica offers a frother that allows you to choose between hot milk or more foam, adding versatility to your espresso preparations.
The Dedica’s user interface is also user-friendly, featuring programmable single and double shot buttons.
Notably, the Dedica has a dedicated power button, providing a more intuitive experience and enabling the option to program it to turn on automatically using external devices like smart switches or timers.
In terms of warm-up time, the Bambino excels with its impressively fast warm-up of just 3 seconds, allowing you to start brewing your espresso almost instantly.
On the other hand, the Dedica takes a respectable 40 seconds to reach the desired brewing temperature.
Overall, both machines offer convenient controls and user-friendly interfaces.
The Bambino provides precise temperature control and quick warm-up time, while the Dedica offers versatility with its frother and a dedicated power button.
Your personal preferences and specific brewing requirements will ultimately determine which machine’s ease of use aligns better with your needs.
Breville Bambino vs Delonghi Dedica: Espresso Quality
When it comes to espresso quality, both the Breville Bambino and Delonghi Dedica offer satisfying results with their respective features and capabilities.
The Bambino, equipped with a 54mm portafilter and a 19-gram dose capacity, allows for a full dose of flavor, resulting in consistent and high-quality shot extraction.
Notably, the Bambino includes a pre-infusion function, gradually increasing water pressure to expand the coffee grounds and ensure an even extraction.
It offers the flexibility to choose between single and double shots, with additional controls for steaming, milk temperature, and texture level.
Comparatively, when using pressurized filter baskets and pre-ground coffee, both machines yield similar results in terms of espresso quality.
Pressurized baskets, with their single pinhole design, enable the use of pre-ground coffee or less expensive grinders while still achieving decent outcomes.
This approach is commonly adopted by many users at this level of espresso brewing.
One advantage of the Dedica over the Bambino is the ability to adjust the brewing temperature.
This feature proves valuable for adjusting the extraction process according to the roast profile, catering to both lighter and darker roasts.
During testing, it was observed that both machines had a tendency to overheat slightly. To mitigate this, setting the Dedica to middle or low-temperature mode proved effective.
Regardless, it is recommended to perform a quick purge of the grouphead before initiating the shot on both machines.
For those looking to enhance espresso quality in the future by investing in a dedicated espresso burr grinder, both the Bambino and Dedica offer the option to upgrade to non-pressurized traditional filter baskets, and even bottomless portafilters.
However, the Bambino holds a significant advantage in this scenario.
Its wider 54mm baskets and more traditional 9 bar brew pressure are better suited for non-pressurized use, resulting in more consistent shots.
Furthermore, the Bambino benefits from a wider range of aftermarket accessories designed for 54mm machines compared to the less common 51mm size of the Dedica.
These accessories prove useful when experimenting with less forgiving non-pressurized extractions.
Another notable advantage of the Bambino is its manual shot mode, which allows users to initiate a low-pressure pre-infusion and decide when to ramp up to full pressure, granting greater control over the shot extraction process.
In summary, the Dedica holds a slight advantage when using pre-ground coffee and pressurized baskets exclusively, while the Bambino takes the lead when combined with an espresso burr grinder and non-pressurized baskets.
The Bambino’s wider basket size, 9 bar brew pressure, and compatibility with a broader range of accessories contribute to its superior performance in non-pressurized extractions.
Breville Bambino vs Delonghi Dedica: Steam Wand
The Breville Bambino and Delonghi Dedica showcase different approaches to steaming performance and steam wand design.
The Bambino features a single-hole steam arm, while the Dedica incorporates a Panarello steam wand.
These design choices cater to different end-users and offer distinct advantages.
The Bambino’s single-hole steam arm initiates steam immediately, providing a quick start to the steaming process.
On the other hand, with the Dedica, you need to adjust the boiler temperature and utilize the side switch to start and stop the steam flow.
Both steam wands have their merits, depending on individual preferences and needs.
The Dedica’s Panarello steam wand offers the convenience of automatically drawing air into the milk while heating, creating foam without requiring constant attention.
This is useful if you prefer a hands-off approach to steaming.
However, a drawback of the Panarello wand is the limited control over the final texture of the milk, as the amount of air introduced is predetermined.
In contrast, the Bambino’s manual steam arm provides more flexibility and control over the steaming process.
It allows you to create a variety of textures, ranging from coarse cappuccino foam to fine latte foam.
While it may require some practice to master, the manual steam arm on the Bambino offers greater versatility for those who want to experiment with different milk textures.
If you prefer more control over the steam wand on the Dedica, a workaround is to remove the outer cover of the Panarello.
By doing so, you can prevent the automatic introduction of air and gain greater control over the milk texture.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Dedica Arte model offers a manual steam arm for those who prioritize full control during the steaming process.
Regarding steaming speed, the Bambino transitions between brewing and steaming approximately 5 seconds faster than the Dedica.
However, once both machines reach their steaming temperature, they take a similar amount of time to heat the milk to a standard temperature of 60 degrees Celsius.
Ultimately, the choice between the Bambino and Dedica in terms of steam wand design depends on your preferences for control, convenience, and the desired milk texture.
Breville Bambino vs Delonghi Dedica: Water Reservoir
The size of the water reservoir is an essential consideration when choosing an espresso machine, as it directly impacts the number of cups you can brew before refilling.
In this aspect, the Delonghi Dedica offers a 34 oz water tank, which is sufficient for these compact machines.
With this capacity, you can make approximately 4.4 cups of coffee before the need to refill the reservoir arises.
In contrast, the Breville Bambino boasts a noticeably larger water tank relative to its size, with a capacity of 47 oz.
This extended capacity provides the advantage of fewer refills and the convenience of brewing more cups of coffee before attending to the water supply.
However, it’s important to note that this additional capacity comes at the cost of increased bulkiness compared to the Dedica.
The larger water tank of the Breville Bambino addresses the needs of users who desire extended brewing sessions or have a higher demand for coffee.
It minimizes interruptions in the brewing process, allowing for a more seamless coffee-making experience.
However, for those prioritizing a compact and space-saving design, the Dedica’s 34 oz water reservoir provides a sufficient capacity without compromising on size.
Breville Bambino vs Bambino Plus
When comparing the Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus espresso machines, there are notable differences in features and functionality.
Here’s a breakdown of the main distinctions between the two:
Size and Water Tank Capacity
The Bambino Plus is slightly larger and boasts a 1.9L water tank, providing ample capacity for longer usage.
In contrast, the Bambino is more compact, with a 1.4L water tank suitable for smaller spaces or shorter coffee sessions.
Milk Steaming
For milk steaming, the Bambino Plus takes the lead with its automatic milk steaming wand.
It offers three adjustable temperature and texture settings, ensuring you can achieve the desired milk consistency effortlessly.
On the other hand, the Bambino features a manual milk wand, providing more control but with fewer automatic functions.
Steam Wand
In terms of steam wand design, the Bambino Plus boasts a larger wand with four holes.
This allows for quicker milk steaming, typically taking around 30 seconds to achieve the desired results.
In contrast, the Bambino’s steam wand has a single hole, requiring approximately 60 seconds for milk steaming.
Cleaning and Maintenance
When it comes to cleaning and maintenance features, the Bambino Plus takes the lead.
It offers a dedicated cleaning program, a descaling program for effective maintenance, and a convenient steam wand auto-purge feature.
On the other hand, the Bambino has a single descaling/cleaning program and lacks the automatic steam wand purging function.
Color Options and Warranty
If aesthetics and warranty are important considerations, the Bambino Plus offers a wider range of color options to match your style.
Additionally, it comes with a generous two-year warranty, providing peace of mind.
The Bambino, however, offers fewer color choices and comes with a one-year warranty.
To Sum It Up
In summary, the Breville Bambino Plus is equipped with more advanced features and added convenience, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a higher level of automation.
On the other hand, the Bambino offers a more compact and budget-friendly option, providing greater manual control over the coffee-making process.
Which Should You Choose?
Who Should Buy the Breville Bambino?
The Breville Bambino is an ideal choice for coffee enthusiasts who are willing to invest time and effort into mastering the art of espresso and value the ability to customize their brewing experience.
Here are the key considerations for those who should buy the Breville Bambino:
Enthusiastic Coffee Connoisseurs
If you have a passion for exploring different coffee beans, grinding your own coffee, and experimenting with various extraction techniques, the Bambino will be a great fit.
Its manual shot mode and wider 54mm portafilter provide more control over the brewing process, allowing you to fine-tune your espresso shots to your preferred taste.
Desire for Espresso Excellence
The Bambino, when paired with a good quality espresso grinder and using non-pressurized baskets, has the potential to deliver exceptional espresso quality.
If you’re committed to extracting the full potential from your coffee beans and seeking top-notch espresso flavors, the Bambino offers the tools and flexibility to achieve your goals.
Milk Texturing Options
The Bambino’s manual steam arm gives you the freedom to create a variety of milk textures, ranging from coarse cappuccino foam to fine latte foam.
If you enjoy experimenting with different milk-based drinks and appreciate the ability to control the milk texture according to your preferences, the manual steam arm will be a valuable feature for you.
Who Should Buy the Delonghi Dedica?
The Delonghi Dedica is an excellent choice for those who prioritize convenience, space-saving design, and ease of use.
Here are the key considerations for those who should buy the Delonghi Dedica:
Beginners and Casual Coffee Drinkers
If you’re new to the world of espresso or prefer a simple and hassle-free brewing experience, the Dedica is a suitable option.
Its pressurized filter baskets and compatibility with pre-ground coffee ensure consistent and decent espresso results without the need for extensive manual adjustments or investing in a separate grinder.
Limited Space
The Dedica’s sleek and slim profile is perfect for small kitchens or limited counter space.
If you’re looking for an espresso machine that doesn’t occupy much space yet delivers satisfactory performance, the Dedica’s compact design will be a practical choice.
Convenient Milk Steaming
The Panarello steam wand automatically introduces air while heating the milk, making it easier to achieve a frothy texture.
If you prioritize convenience over precise control of milk texture and enjoy the simplicity of automatically frothed milk, the Dedica’s Panarello steam wand will be more suited to you.
Choosing the Right Machine for You
Ultimately, the decision between the Breville Bambino and the Delonghi Dedica depends on your specific needs, preferences, and brewing style.
Consider factors such as your level of coffee expertise, interest in manual control, available space, and the importance you place on milk texturing options.
Carefully weigh these considerations to determine which machine aligns best with your requirements and will bring you the most enjoyment from your espresso journey.
FAQ’s
Can DeLonghi Dedica make good espresso?
The DeLonghi Dedica espresso machine is a capable option for producing good espresso, especially considering its compact design and affordable price range.
With its 15 bar pressure and thermoblock technology, it ensures brewing within the ideal temperature range, resulting in smooth and intense espresso with a satisfying crema.
While it may not rival the brewing capabilities of professional-grade machines or higher-end espresso makers, it still delivers respectable performance.
For optimal results, it is advisable to pair the Dedica with a quality burr grinder and utilize finely ground coffee beans.
In summary, the DeLonghi Dedica is a suitable choice for home use, particularly appealing to those who prioritize a compact form factor and are willing to make some adjustments to achieve the best possible espresso quality.
What is the difference between DeLonghi Magnifica and Dedica?
The DeLonghi Magnifica and Dedica are distinct espresso machines catering to different preferences.
The Magnifica is a super-automatic “bean-to-cup” machine, offering convenience with its automated grinding, tamping, and brewing capabilities.
Despite its utilitarian interface and plastic housing, the Magnifica S is renowned for its remarkable features and ability to deliver memorable espresso.
In contrast, the DeLonghi Dedica is a compact, semi-automatic espresso machine tailored for beginners or casual users.
It provides an easy-to-use experience and produces satisfying espresso and foamed milk at an affordable price point.
The Dedica series includes models like the EC680 (or EC685) and the EC885 Dedica Arte espresso machines.
To summarize, the key distinction lies in the DeLonghi Magnifica’s super-automatic functionality and advanced features, while the Dedica caters to those seeking a compact, semi-automatic machine suitable for beginners or casual users.
