Breville Dual Boiler vs Bezzera BZ13
Quick take: The Bezzera BZ13 costs $1 less; the Bezzera BZ13 heats up faster (8 minutes).
| Spec | Breville Dual Boiler | Bezzera BZ13 |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Dual Boiler, PID Control, Steam Wand, Pre-Infusion, Shot Timer | PID Heat Exchanger, 58mm Portafilter, Copper Boiler, Hot Water Tap, NSF Certified, Pressure Gauge |
| Approx. price | ~$1,600 | ~$1,599 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Dual Boiler | Heat Exchanger |
| Built-in grinder | No | No |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 84 oz | 101 oz |
| Warm-up time | 10 minutes | 8 minutes |
| Steam wand | Commercial Manual | Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Unpressurized Only |
| Best for | Enthusiasts | Enthusiasts |
| Dimensions | 14.7 x 14.6 x 15.4 in | 9.75 x 17.75 x 14.75 in |
| Weight | 30 lbs | 50 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years parts and labor |
Pros & cons
Breville Dual Boiler
- ✓True dual boiler for simultaneous brew/steam
- ✓Excellent temperature stability
- ✓Adjustable pre-infusion
- ✓Great for workflow
- ✗No built-in grinder
- ✗Expensive
- ✗Complex for beginners
- ✗Large and heavy
Bezzera BZ13
- ✓Heat exchanger design steams milk while pulling shots - no waiting
- ✓PID-managed boiler heats in 8 minutes versus 30+ for classic HX machines
- ✓Built by Bezzera, the family that invented the espresso machine in 1901
- ✓3-year parts and labor warranty beats most Italian competitors
- ✗Vibration pump instead of the rotary pump some rivals offer at this price
- ✗Not plumbable - the big 3-liter tank still needs manual refilling
- ✗50-pound stainless body needs a deep, sturdy counter (17.75 in deep)
- ✗No flow control or pressure profiling for the tinkering crowd
What owners say
Breville Dual Boiler
The Breville Dual Boiler (the BDB) is a cult favorite on r/espresso and Home-Barista because it delivers true prosumer features — two independent PID-controlled boilers, adjustable pre-infusion pressure and time, and a genuinely capable steam boiler — at a price well under traditional Italian dual boilers. It lets you pull a shot and steam simultaneously, dial brew temperature to the degree, and shape extractions in ways that machines twice its price don't allow. Full owner insights →
Breville Dual Boiler vs Bezzera BZ13: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Breville Dual Boiler or the Bezzera BZ13?
The Bezzera BZ13 is the cheaper of the two at roughly $1,599, about $1 less than the Breville Dual Boiler at ~$1,600. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Which heats up faster, the Breville Dual Boiler or the Bezzera BZ13?
The Bezzera BZ13 is ready sooner — 8 minutes against 10 minutes for the Breville Dual Boiler. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.
What is the difference in boiler design between the Breville Dual Boiler and the Bezzera BZ13?
The Breville Dual Boiler uses a dual boiler and the Bezzera BZ13 uses a heat exchanger. Boiler design drives temperature stability and whether you can brew and steam at the same time, which is the main reason two otherwise similar machines behave differently once you start making milk drinks back to back.