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 Dual Boiler — the BDB, as everyone calls it — is the machine that made prosumer features affordable, and a decade on it is still the value benchmark in home espresso. Two genuinely independent PID-controlled boilers let you brew and steam at the same time and set brew temperature to the degree; pre-infusion pressure and duration are both programmable, or you can shape the ramp by hand with the manual button; and it takes standard 58mm baskets, tampers and portafilters. The practical details are what long-time owners rave about most: retractable wheels underneath, a water tank you fill from the front, and a shot timer on a machine capable enough to reward experimenting. It has been rumoured discontinued for years, but what actually happened was a quiet refresh with revised internals and new colourways — Breville's own stock comes and goes, while retailers keep carrying it. 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.