The catch
Breville Bambino Plus
Selectable brew-temperature levels are not offered by the controls reviewed.
Side by side
Breville Bambino Plus vs De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus compared: Dedica changes brew temperature to suit the beans, milk is automated on both
Quick verdict
A larger water tank and Breville’s 54 mm portafilter setup favor Bambino Plus. If changing infusion temperature for different beans matters more to you, Dedica Maestro Plus is the better fit. Milk temperature and texture are automated on both, but grinding and tamping stay with you.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Breville has 18.5% more nominal reservoir capacity
Some refill headroom comes from the larger tank when several drinks are made on the same machine.
Where this comes from
(64 - 54) / 54 × 100 = 18.5%. Water also goes to rinsing and milk steaming, so this does not predict cups per fill.
The catch
De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
Compared with Bambino's, the 54 fl oz tank holds 10 fl oz less.
Breville Bambino Plus
- Why pick it
- You would rather have the 64 fl oz tank than 54 fl oz
- Compatible Breville 54 mm accessories are already in your kit
- The catch
- Selectable brew-temperature levels are not offered by the controls reviewed.
De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
- Why pick it
- Three selectable infusion temperatures are what you want
- The supplied baskets that De'Longhi describes for doses up to 20 g are what you want
- The catch
- Compared with Bambino's, the 54 fl oz tank holds 10 fl oz less.
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What this page compares
Bambino Plus and Dedica Maestro Plus weighed on brew-temperature choices, water capacity, automatic milk settings and the grinder you still need.
A larger water tank and Breville’s 54 mm portafilter setup favor Bambino Plus. If changing infusion temperature for different beans matters more to you, Dedica Maestro Plus is the better fit. Milk temperature and texture are automated on both, but grinding and tamping stay with you.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
When I switch roasts, I want to change the brew temperature
Three infusion settings are listed for the Dedica. The user temperature controls documented for the Bambino concern milk.
- Breville Bambino Plus
- Caution
- De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
- Better fit
Compatible Breville 54 mm tools are already in my kit
Bambino has a documented starting point for those tools. Check the fit of each tool before assuming they transfer to Dedica.
- Breville Bambino Plus
- Better fit
- De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
- Depends
I want hands-free milk, texture adjustable
Three milk temperatures and three texture settings are offered on both.
- Breville Bambino Plus
- Similar
- De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
- Similar
I need a whole-bean machine and don't want a separate grinder
An integrated grinder is missing on both.
- Breville Bambino Plus
- Not suitable
- De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
- Not suitable
I'd like the bigger reservoir because I make repeated drinks
Nominal tank sizes are 64 and 54 fl oz. How often you refill in practice depends on the drinks and on rinsing.
- Breville Bambino Plus
- Better fit
- De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
Breville has 18.5% more nominal reservoir capacity
Some refill headroom comes from the larger tank when several drinks are made on the same machine.
How we worked this out
(64 - 54) / 54 × 100 = 18.5%. Water also goes to rinsing and milk steaming, so this does not predict cups per fill.
Automatic milk cannot decide this matchup
Both give you a three-by-three choice of milk temperature and texture. The clearer difference in control is brew-temperature choice.
How we worked this out
Three milk temperatures and three textures are listed by each manufacturer. Of the specifications reviewed, only Dedica's lists three user-selectable infusion temperatures.
The grinder is still a purchase decision of its own
A whole-bean espresso setup is not completed by either box. Compatible Breville 54 mm tools you already own can cut the number of accessories you replace.
How we worked this out
Neither machine includes a grinder. Breville explicitly identifies a 54 mm portafilter, so check accessory compatibility at that size instead of inferring it across brands.
Option A
Breville, BES500BSS
Bambino Plus
This compact ThermoJet machine lets you keep a portafilter workflow while it takes care of milk temperature and texture.
- Best for
- Espresso and lattes with the least fuss in a compact body
Facts we checked
- Water reservoir: 64 fl oz
- Brew-temperature adjustment: PID regulation, no user brew-temperature selection documented
- Automatic milk settings: Three temperatures and three texture levels
- Published basket guidance: 54 mm portafilter, 18 g recipe guidance
Option B
De’Longhi, EC950M
Dedica Maestro Plus
Slim thermoblock machine offering three brew temperatures, plus a steam wand that is controlled by a sensor.
- Best for
- Automatic milk from a narrow machine
Facts we checked
- Water reservoir: 54 fl oz
- Brew-temperature adjustment: Three infusion-temperature settings
- Automatic milk settings: Three temperatures and three texture levels
- Published basket guidance: Single and double-wall baskets, up to 20 g dose
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Breville Bambino Plus | De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water reservoir | 64 fl oz | 54 fl oz | Before losses to rinsing and steaming, Breville gives 10 fl oz more nominal water capacity. |
| Brew-temperature adjustment | PID regulation, no user brew-temperature selection documented | Three infusion-temperature settings | With De'Longhi, this variable can be adjusted by the user whenever the beans change. |
| Automatic milk settings | Three temperatures and three texture levels | Three temperatures and three texture levels | Both have automatic milk adjustment, so it is no exclusive reason to choose either. |
| Published basket guidance | 54 mm portafilter, 18 g recipe guidance | Single and double-wall baskets, up to 20 g dose | What these show is manufacturer recipe and basket descriptions. They are not a controlled capacity comparison. |
| Integrated grinder | None | None | With either machine, plan on a separate grinder or suitably prepared coffee. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Breville Bambino Plus
- Whole beans still call for a separate grinder.
With De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
- Breville 54 mm accessories should not be assumed to fit this machine.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Infusion temperature the user can select is a requirement
Go with De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus. Three infusion-temperature choices are documented for the Dedica.
The setup I have now includes compatible Breville 54 mm tools
Go with Breville Bambino Plus. The Bambino has that portafilter size.
The machine has to grind whole beans internally
Neither model fits. A separate grinder is needed on both.
Decision guide
How to decide
Bambino Plus brings a larger water tank and Breville’s 54 mm portafilter setup. Dedica Maestro Plus makes more sense when changing infusion temperature for different beans matters more. Grinding and tamping remain yours on both, while milk temperature and texture are automated.
Treat brew settings and milk settings apart
On both machines you can alter the milk result without holding the jug through the whole of automatic frothing. A different kind of control comes with Dedica, in the form of three infusion-temperature choices. That counts if you deliberately change brew settings with roast level, but it does not prove better temperature stability or better-tasting espresso.
Read reservoir size as headroom before a refill
Several people making drinks before anyone refills the tank is where the Bambino’s extra 10 fl oz helps. Flushing and steaming take some of the water, so dividing tank capacity by espresso volume would overstate the usable drinks. Neither capacity figure removes the need for fresh water and routine cleaning.
Put a price on the whole coffee station
Before comparing the current offers on the two machines, add the separate grinder and any dosing tools you need. The Bambino’s 54 mm specification helps most if you already own matching Breville accessories. Check De'Longhi's up-to-20 g basket description against your coffee and headspace, and do not treat it as a universal dose requirement.
What this page can’t tell you
- Nothing here claims a hands-on test of temperature stability, espresso taste or milk quality. Published basket-dose guidance is not a measured maximum.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the espresso machines we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Bambino Plus |
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| De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Breville Bambino Plus
You would rather have the 64 fl oz tank than 54 fl oz
See price & reviews on AmazonDe’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus
Three selectable infusion temperatures are what you want
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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