What We Love About the Breville Bambino Plus

There’s a reason this iconic machine took top honors in our quest for the best small espresso machine — it’s that good. Breville’s petite but powerful Bambino Plus machine is completely intuitive, even for the espresso-curious beginners among us, with just five front-facing control buttons that allow you to narrow in on the size of your desired shot, as well as the temperature and texture of your frothed milk. The generous 64-ounce water tank means fewer trips to the sink during the week, but it doesn’t add visual bulk to the slim, streamlined machine. 

During our testing, we were impressed by the low level of knowledge needed to use this machine. You power up the device and, within three minutes, you’re ready to pull a pro-worthy espresso shot that tastes straight out of your favorite Italian cafe. The key to the rich flavor and foamy texture lies in the machine’s fast-heating ThermoJet technology, a 54-mm stainless steel portafilter, and a unique combination of low-pressure pre-infusion followed by 9 bar extraction — basically, fancy coffee speak for a brewing process that results in creamy, caramel-colored espresso with all of the flavor and none of the burnt aftertaste. The Breville Bambino Plus comes in a slew of stylish shades, from sleek black and rich navy to trendy olive, allowing you to lean into aesthetics without forgoing functionality. 

Dimensions: 7.6 x 12.5 x 12.2 inches | Weight: 10.91 lbs | Type: Automatic (plus automatic or manual milk frothing) | Coffee source: Grounds | Milk frother: Yes | Extraction pressure: 9 bars

What We Love About the De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus

While De’Longhi’s Dedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine wasn’t launched in time for our initial small espresso machine test, we did put the device through the same rigorous trials once we got our hands on one. When we tested the De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus, we were impressed by both the quality of the machine and the espresso it produced. Though it has a slightly larger footprint (and a smaller water tank) than the Breville Bambino Plus, De’Longhi’s new entrant keeps pace in all other categories, pulling a smooth and rich espresso shot every time. 

The machine offers ultimate versatility, allowing you to toggle between manual and automatic modes to froth your milk to your preferred consistency and temperature. A 15-bar pressure system extracts maximum flavor from your chosen grinds, and we loved the addition of the espresso lift, which raises petite espresso cups a level while brewing for fewer splatters or drips. It was also easy to clean, with a removable drip tray and many parts that can be machine-washed in the dishwasher. If you are starting your espresso journey from scratch, De’Longhi’s Dedica machine has everything you’ll need, from a portafilter and filter baskets to a tamp and perfectly-portioned scoop. 

Dimensions: 8.15 x 13.62 x 12.9 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Type: Semi-automatic and manual modes | Coffee source: Grounds | Milk frother: Yes | Extraction pressure: 15 bars

How We’ve Tested Small Espresso Machines

To identify small espresso machines that suit novice and pro brewers alike, we took a holistic approach during our tests. We considered their worthiness from all angles, including aesthetics, performance, cleanup, and value. While the size of small espresso machines varied, they had one thing in common: They could easily fit inside a standard kitchen cabinet.

From there, we evaluated each machine daily, paying close attention to key metrics like setup, ease of use, consistency, noise, cleanup, and milk frothing. We considered whether the machines came with any extras, like a range of stainless steel portafilters or a large, easy-to-fill water reservoir. 

Breville vs. De’Longhi: Who Makes the Better Small Espresso Machine?

You can’t go wrong with either of these options. Both machines are top of their class, producing a quality espresso shot, latte, or cappuccino. When we considered our testing data and put the two pieces of gear head to head, we felt the Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine won out by a slim margin. Not only is the machine itself smaller (while still having a water tank with a larger capacity), but it’s slightly simpler to use, too.

Coffee fans shopping for a mid-range espresso machine are after a quality cup — not a ton of decisions to make — and we feel like Breville’s machine gives users just enough opportunities to tweak their brew without overwhelming with endless customizations. The Breville Bambino Plus is practically foolproof. No matter how hard you try, you can’t pull a bad shot with this machine. Function aside, we also loved that Breville’s machine offered a few different color options beyond the traditional stainless steel. This is a feature that helps it stand out on your countertop. 

The Verdict: Is Breville or De’Longhi the Better Brand?

Both these brands are top-of-class in the coffee category for a reason, and much of your decision between the two comes down to personal preference and what user experience you like better. Both Breville and De’Longhi are considered high-end brands with a rich heritage, and they offer a wide array of espresso machines geared toward a variety of price points and user levels, from entry-level brewers with few customizations to manual machines that grind beans fresh and come with advanced settings.

Serious espresso connoisseurs will want to shop Breville’s Oracle, which offers the most bespoke brewing experience on the market; sippers who consider themselves more “middle of the road” with their espresso habits will love De’Longhi’s Dinamica machine, which automates the brewing process through an intuitive touch-screen for a smooth, creamy sip. 

Our Expertise

• Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist with a background in food, interior, and lifestyle content. She has over a decade of experience in the digital and magazine industry creating unique and innovative content for storied brands such as Food and Wine, House Beautiful, HGTV, The Knot, Domino, Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, Food52, Good Housekeeping, and more.
• For this piece, she collected testing feedback from Food & Wine editors and relied on her years of experience hunting for the perfect espresso machine alongside her husband, a very passionate coffee fan.