Breville Bambino Plus vs De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro
Two espresso machines a price tier apart — Breville Bambino Plus (entry) and De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro (mid-range) for beginner and latte & cappuccino, compared on the specs that actually decide the buy — not review fluff.
The Breville Bambino Plus is entry-tier and the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro mid-range-tier suited to beginner and latte & cappuccino. The Breville Bambino Plus adds PID temperature control. Match the boiler type and control style to how you brew; tiers are price bands — check the current price at the retailer.
| Spec | Breville Bambino Plus | De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler | Thermoblock / thermocoil | Thermoblock / thermocoil |
| Price tier | Entry | Mid-range |
| Type | semi auto | semi auto |
| PID | Yes | — |
| Pre-infusion | Yes | Yes |
| Portafilter | 54mm | 51mm |
| Built-in grinder | — | Yes |
| Best for | Beginner, Latte & cappuccino, Small kitchen | Beginner, Latte & cappuccino, Enthusiast / dialed-in |
Which to choose
- Price tier — the headline difference. The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro sits a tier up (mid-range) from the Breville Bambino Plus (entry) — you pay more for the spec advantages below. Tiers are price bands; confirm the live price at the retailer.
- Temperature. The Breville Bambino Plus has PID temperature control (steadier shot-to-shot consistency); the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro does not.
- Portafilter — accessories don't transfer. The Breville Bambino Plus takes a 54mm portafilter and the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro a 51mm, so tampers, bottomless portafilters and baskets bought for one won't fit the other.
- Built-in grinder. The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro grinds and brews in one machine; with the Breville Bambino Plus you add a separate grinder — more counter space and another purchase, but a free choice of grinder and easier to upgrade.
- Reach. The Bambino Plus also fits small kitchen.
- Reach. The La Specialista Maestro also fits enthusiast / dialed-in.
Which one should you buy?
- Pick the Breville Bambino Plus if you would rather choose your own grinder and upgrade it later; or if you want PID temperature control for shot-to-shot consistency; or if you want the lower price band (entry rather than mid-range).
- Pick the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro if you want one machine on the counter instead of a separate grinder; or if you want the one we tag for enthusiast / dialed-in.
Check Breville Bambino Plus price on Amazon →
Check De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro price on Amazon →
Common questions
Do portafilters and baskets fit both the Breville Bambino Plus and the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro?
No. The Breville Bambino Plus takes a 54mm portafilter and the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro a 51mm one, so tampers, bottomless portafilters and baskets bought for one will not fit the other. Budget for accessories separately once you pick.
Is the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro worth the step up from the Breville Bambino Plus?
Stepping up from entry to mid-range buys you a built-in grinder. Worth it if you brew milk drinks daily or chase consistency; not if you mostly pull straight espresso. Tiers are price bands — confirm the live price at the retailer before deciding.
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