Breville Bambino Plus vs De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
Quick take: The Breville Bambino Plus costs $200 less; the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte has a built-in grinder; the Breville Bambino Plus heats up faster (3 seconds).
| Spec | Breville Bambino Plus | De'Longhi La Specialista Arte |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Auto Milk Texturing, PID Control, 3-Second Heat Up | Built-in Grinder, Manual Tamping Kit, Active Temperature Control |
| Approx. price | ~$500 | ~$700 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 64 oz | 56 oz |
| Warm-up time | 3 seconds | 40 seconds |
| Steam wand | Auto | Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Beginners | Beginners |
| Dimensions | 7.7 x 12.6 x 12.2 in | 11.2 x 14.4 x 15.9 in |
| Weight | 11 lbs | 18.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Breville Bambino Plus
- ✓Very fast heat-up
- ✓Compact footprint
- ✓Automatic milk steaming
- ✓Great starter machine
- ✗No built-in grinder
- ✗Small water tank
- ✗Auto steam offers less control than a manual wand
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
- ✓Included tamper, mat, and dosing funnel teach real technique
- ✓Three infusion temperature levels adapt to the roast
- ✓Good built-in grinder
- ✓Competitive price vs Barista Express
- ✗Thermoblock limits steam
- ✗Busy control panel
- ✗Proprietary portafilter size
- ✗Build quality not as premium as Breville
What owners say
Breville Bambino Plus
The Bambino Plus is the machine r/espresso recommends more than almost any other for beginners, and the reasoning is consistent: it heats up in about three seconds, has a real 54mm portafilter, a built-in PID for stable temperature, and an automatic milk wand that froths to a set temperature and texture without you touching it. For someone who wants cafe-style milk drinks at home without a learning curve, it's the path of least resistance. Full owner insights →
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
La Specialista Arte is De'Longhi's compact all-in-one with a built-in conical burr grinder, a 51mm portafilter, a manual tamping station, and a manual steam wand — aimed at people who want a single machine that grinds and brews with a more hands-on, 'barista' workflow than a super-auto. It positions itself as a step toward real technique while keeping everything in one unit. Full owner insights →
Breville Bambino Plus vs De'Longhi La Specialista Arte: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Breville Bambino Plus or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte?
The Breville Bambino Plus is the cheaper of the two at roughly $500, about $200 less than the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte at ~$700. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Which is better for lattes and cappuccinos, the Breville Bambino Plus or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte?
The Breville Bambino Plus steams and textures milk automatically, while the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte uses a manual steam wand you texture milk with yourself. An automatic system gets you a consistent milk drink with no practice; a manual wand takes a few weeks to learn but gives you proper microfoam and latte art once it clicks.
Does the Breville Bambino Plus or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte have a built-in grinder?
Only the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte grinds its own beans. The Breville Bambino Plus needs a separate grinder, which is worth budgeting for — a dedicated burr grinder is usually the bigger upgrade to shot quality, but it also costs extra counter space and money on top of the machine.
Which heats up faster, the Breville Bambino Plus or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte?
The Breville Bambino Plus is ready sooner — 3 seconds against 40 seconds for the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.