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These two machines end up on the same shortlist again and again. Both are small, both cost a few hundred dollars, and both have a manual steam wand that can make real milk texture. Which one is better depends on one question first: how much counter space do you have?
Side by Side
| Breville Bambino (BES450) | De’Longhi Dedica Arte (EC885M) | |
|---|---|---|
| Portafilter | 54mm | 51mm |
| Heating | ThermoJet with fixed PID, ready in about 3 seconds | Thermoblock, ready in about 30 to 40 seconds |
| Baskets | Single-wall and dual-wall, one- and two-cup | Pressurized one- and two-cup, plus a pod filter |
| Steam wand | Manual, single hole | Manual “My LatteArt” wand |
| Water tank | About 1.4 liters | About 1.1 liters |
| Width | About 6 to 7.7 inches, depending on how it’s measured | About 6 inches |
| In the box | Tamper, milk jug | Metal tamper, milk pitcher |
In the UK and Europe the Bambino is sold as the Sage Bambino.
Where the Bambino Pulls Ahead
Temperature. The Breville Bambino uses a PID controller, so brew temperature is held steady without you thinking about it. You can’t adjust it, but it’s consistent, and it’s ready almost as soon as you switch it on.
The basket. 54mm takes a slightly bigger, flatter puck than 51mm, and Breville’s size has far more aftermarket support: precision baskets, bottomless handles and good tampers. It also ships with single-wall baskets, so you can pull a real, tunable shot on day one.
Steam. The Bambino’s wand is generally the stronger of the two, which makes texturing milk a little quicker.
Where the Dedica Arte Pulls Ahead
Width. The Dedica Arte is about six inches wide and fits gaps nothing else does. In a narrow galley kitchen, that settles it.
What’s in the box. A metal tamper and a pitcher, so you’re set up from the start. The Arte’s wand was a big step up from older Dedicas with their foam-making Panarello sleeves. The stock baskets are pressurized, which forgives pre-ground coffee but limits how good shots can get. Our Dedica lineup guide covers the upgrade path.
What Neither Has
Neither has a three-way solenoid valve, so pucks come out wetter and you can’t backflush. See our cleaning guide for what to do instead. Neither has a grinder. Budget for one: the Baratza Encore ESP is the usual match at this price, or a hand grinder if you’re making one shot a day.
Which to Buy
If the space is there, buy the Bambino. Steadier temperature, better basket ecosystem, stronger steam. If the space isn’t there, buy the Dedica Arte and plan to add a non-pressurized basket later. And if you’d rather not learn to steam at all, the Bambino Plus textures milk for you.
Measure the gap on your counter before you read any more reviews.