The Breville Bambino suits anyone who cares how the espresso tastes: PID temperature control, a three-second heater, a 54mm portafilter and stronger steam, for around $100 to $180 more than a Dedica. The De'Longhi Dedica suits anyone whose bench is the constraint, at 15cm wide, or whose budget stops under $300.
This is the most common small-machine decision in Australia, and it comes down to whether four extra centimetres of width and a little more money are worth a clearly better shot.
De'Longhi Dedica Arte and Dedica Duo
The Arte is 15cm wide with a 1.1-litre tank, a 15-bar thermoblock that heats in about 40 seconds, pressurised baskets that also take ESE pods, and a manual My LatteArt wand. Owners rate it 4.2 from more than 210 reviews at The Good Guys. Warranty is one year.
The Duo is the 2025 model in the same width: a display, a cold brew preset, baskets that take up to 16 grams and a two-year warranty, for around $80 more. Too new for a meaningful review count.
Neither has PID temperature control, and the wand on both is modest; owners of the Arte most often mention weak steam and temperature drift between shots.
What We Like:
- 15cm wide
- Cheapest route to real pump espresso
- Duo has cold brew and a two-year warranty
What We Don't Like:
- No PID; Arte has the lowest owner score here and a one-year warranty
Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus
The Bambino is 19.5cm wide with a 1.4-litre tank, the ThermoJet heater that's ready in three seconds, PID control, a 54mm portafilter with an 18-gram dose and a manual wand with more steam pressure than the Dedica. Owners rate it 4.4 from more than 200 reviews on Breville's site. One-year warranty, like the Arte.
The Bambino Plus adds automatic milk texturing, a 1.9-litre tank and a two-year warranty for around $170 more. Owners rate it 4.5 from more than 550 reviews on Breville's site.
Both ship with dual-wall baskets and neither includes a grinder.
What We Like:
- PID and three-second heat-up
- 54mm portafilter, 18g dose
- Plus has auto milk
What We Don't Like:
- 4cm wider than a Dedica
Side by side
| Dedica Arte | Dedica Duo | Bambino | Bambino Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $150–200 | $250–300 | $350–400 | $500–600 |
| Width | 15cm | 15cm | 19.5cm | 19.5cm |
| Heating | Thermoblock, ~40s | Thermoblock | ThermoJet, 3s, PID | ThermoJet, 3s, PID |
| Portafilter | 51mm, pressurised | 51mm | 54mm | 54mm |
| Milk | Manual | Manual | Manual | Automatic |
| Cold brew | No | Yes | No | No |
| Water tank | 1.1L | 1.1L | 1.4L | 1.9L |
| ESE pods | Yes | Not listed | No | No |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years |
| Owner rating | 4.2 (TGG, 213) | New | 4.4 (Breville, 210) | 4.5 (Breville, 566) |
What actually differs
Temperature. The Bambino holds brew temperature with PID; the Dedica doesn't, and owners notice the second shot running hotter or cooler than the first. This is the biggest difference in the cup.
Speed. Three seconds against 40, and the Bambino steams straight after the shot. The Dedica waits.
Dose. A 54mm basket takes 18 grams; the Dedica's 51mm pressurised basket takes less and forgives coarser grinds. Pressurised baskets suit pre-ground coffee; the Bambino wants a grinder.
Width. 15cm against 19.5cm. If the machine has to fit a specific gap, this decides it before anything else.
Milk. Only the Bambino Plus textures automatically. Of the three manual wands, the Bambino's has the most pressure.
For anyone weighing the Dedica Maestro Plus, which adds auto milk to the Dedica body, the comparison is with the Bambino Plus at about the same width and the Bambino Plus wins on heater and rating.
FAQs
Can the Dedica make coffee as good as the Bambino?
With a good grinder and single-wall baskets, close. Out of the box with pre-ground coffee, the Dedica's pressurised basket makes a more forgiving but flatter shot; the Bambino's PID and 54mm dose give it more headroom.
Which is better with pre-ground coffee?
The Dedica Arte. Its pressurised baskets and ESE pod compatibility are designed for it. The Bambino's dual-wall baskets also work with pre-ground, but it rewards fresh grinding more.
Is the Bambino's one-year warranty a concern?
It matches the Dedica Arte's. The Bambino Plus and Dedica Duo both move to two years, which is one reason to spend up in either range.
