The De’Longhi Dedica Arte EC885M and Breville Bambino Plus BES500 answer different small-kitchen problems. The Dedica Arte makes the stronger case when the machine must occupy a very narrow strip of counter. The Bambino Plus makes the stronger case when lattes and cappuccinos are a regular part of your day and you want the option of automatic milk texturing. Neither includes a grinder, so neither machine’s body size describes the whole coffee station.
This comparison uses the U.S. Dedica Arte EC885M and U.S. Bambino Plus BES500, with Breville’s brushed-stainless BES500BSS1BUS1 listing as the reference for its published specifications. It does not compare the standard Dedica, Dedica Maestro Plus, or standard Bambino. Color variants and regional listings can differ; confirm the SKU and included accessories before buying.
Quick Answer
Choose the Dedica Arte EC885M if a narrow machine body is the non-negotiable constraint and you are comfortable steaming milk manually. Its U.S. listing describes a body about 5.9 inches wide and a 35 fl oz removable tank. You still need space to turn the portafilter, reach the tank, and handle a grinder or suitable pre-ground coffee.
Choose the Bambino Plus BES500 if milk drinks are frequent and automatic texturing would make your routine easier. Its U.S. manual describes adjustable milk temperature and foam settings, automatic or manual texturing, and an automatic steam-wand purge. You still need to wipe the wand, empty the drip tray, and store the included milk jug.
If you have not decided whether a semi-automatic espresso setup is right for your kitchen, start with our broader guide to compact espresso machines for small apartments. This page is for the narrower choice between these two machines.
At a Glance: What Actually Differs?
| Decision point | De’Longhi Dedica Arte EC885M | Breville Bambino Plus BES500 |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. manufacturer-listed body size | 5.9 x 13 x 12 in | 11.9 x 7.4 x 14.3 in for BES500BSS1BUS1 |
| Removable water tank | 35 fl oz | 64 fl oz |
| Heating system | Thermoblock | ThermoJet; Breville states a 3-second heat-up |
| Milk workflow | Manual My LatteArt steam wand | Automatic or manual texturing, with adjustable milk temperature and foam |
| Included coffee baskets | Two pressurized/double-wall baskets in the U.S. listing | One- and two-cup single-wall and dual-wall baskets in the U.S. listing |
| Milk jug in the U.S. listing | Not listed as included | 16 fl oz / 480 ml stainless-steel jug included |
| Electrical rating | 120 V / 60 Hz, 1300 W | 110-120 V, 1560 W |
| Warranty stated by manufacturer | One year; an additional year may apply with eligible product registration | Two-year limited warranty |
These are the manufacturers’ published figures, not measurements we took. The Breville U.S. page labels its dimension sequence as width x depth x height, while official listings for other regions show different dimensions for Bambino Plus variants. For a U.S. purchase, use the exact seller SKU and confirm the physical clearance before ordering; do not combine the regional figures into one supposedly universal size. Breville’s published weight also varies across official variant listings, so weight is deliberately left out of the decision table. The De’Longhi EC885M support page, Breville BES500 U.S. product page, and Breville BES500 U.S. instruction book are the starting points for checking the exact machine you receive.
Which One Fits the Counter You Actually Have?
The Dedica Arte’s clearest physical advantage is its narrow body. That matters when a sink, stove, or food-prep area leaves only a slim gap for a permanent appliance. But the machine is about 13 inches deep according to De’Longhi’s U.S. listing. A narrow width does not eliminate the need to pull out the rear water tank, turn the portafilter into place, and put down a cup or milk jug.
The Bambino Plus is a different compact setup. Its larger stated water tank may mean fewer trips to the sink, but the machine and its milk workflow still need room for the supplied jug, a cloth, and used coffee grounds. Its U.S. dimension listing should not be converted into a promise that it will fit beneath your upper cabinets. Measure the actual position of the outlet, backsplash, cabinet, and tank-removal route.
For either machine, test the space as a working coffee station: can you lift out and refill the tank, lock in the portafilter without hitting a wall, set down the milk jug, and leave a dry place for the grinder? The compact coffee grinder guide helps plan that second appliance if you buy whole beans.
Espresso Prep: Different Baskets, Not a Proven Taste Winner
De’Longhi’s U.S. EC885M listing describes two included pressurized, double-wall baskets and a tamper. It also states that the machine is compatible with ESE pods, but that is not the same as promising that every bundle includes a dedicated pod basket. Check the box contents for the retailer’s exact package if ESE pods matter to you.
Breville’s U.S. BES500 listing includes one- and two-cup single-wall and dual-wall baskets, a 54 mm portafilter and tamper, and a dose-trimming tool. Its manual explains that the single-wall baskets are intended for freshly ground coffee, while the dual-wall baskets accommodate pre-ground coffee. That gives a buyer more documented basket options in the standard package, but it does not prove that one machine will make better-tasting espresso in every kitchen.
Both machines require you to prepare coffee, load a portafilter, dispose of grounds, and clean the parts afterward. If you are buying whole beans, budget space and money for an espresso-capable grinder. If you already have one, check that it can grind fine enough for the basket and coffee you intend to use.
Milk Drinks: Manual Skill or Automatic Help?
The Dedica Arte’s My LatteArt wand is a hands-on milk tool. You position the jug, introduce air, and stop steaming when the milk reaches the texture you want. That can suit someone who enjoys learning a manual latte routine, but it is not an automatic frother. De’Longhi’s U.S. accessory list does not show a milk jug as included, so plan for one if you make cappuccinos or lattes.
The Bambino Plus can texture milk automatically using its temperature and foam selections, or you can use its manual mode. Breville includes a marked stainless-steel jug and says the wand automatically purges when returned to its lowered position. This changes how much attention milk preparation takes; it does not remove the need to wipe the wand after use. The BES500 instruction book also describes clearing a blocked wand tip and the regular cleaning cycle.
Choose on the routine you will repeat, not on a claim that either model has universally better milk texture. Occasional milk drinks may not justify choosing around automatic frothing. Daily milk drinks make that difference much more relevant.
Water, Power, and Cleanup in an Apartment Kitchen
The listed tanks differ substantially: 35 fl oz for the Dedica Arte and 64 fl oz for the Bambino Plus. A larger tank may reduce refill frequency, but both must be lifted out and kept clean. Under a low cabinet, tank access can matter more than capacity.
The U.S. listings rate the Dedica Arte at 1300 W and the Bambino Plus at 1560 W. Plan an accessible outlet and keep the cord away from water and the counter edge. Breville’s manual specifies conditions for an extension cord if one is used, including adequate electrical rating and a grounded three-prong connection; follow the exact manual and your building’s rules rather than assuming a convenient outlet setup is safe.
After a milk drink, both machines still leave a portafilter, filter basket, drip area, and steam wand to tend. De’Longhi’s EC885 instructions call for wiping the wand and briefly releasing steam after use. Breville’s automatic purge helps clear the wand, but its manual still requires wiping it. Both manuals include descaling and further cleaning steps. The difference is where the work falls: more manual control during milk preparation with the Dedica Arte, or more automated texturing with the Bambino Plus, not a maintenance-free choice.
Which Should You Buy?
| Your actual routine | Better fit | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Only a narrow strip of counter can hold the machine | Dedica Arte EC885M | Leave room for its 13-inch listed depth, portafilter movement, and separate coffee supplies |
| You make lattes or cappuccinos most days | Bambino Plus BES500 | Make sure the machine, jug, tank access, and grinder all have a workable home |
| You want to practice steaming milk yourself | Dedica Arte, or the Bambino Plus in manual mode | Decide whether the Bambino Plus’s automatic mode is worth having for your routine |
| You use pre-ground coffee and may later add a grinder | Either, with different included baskets | Confirm the exact baskets and accessories in the U.S. package you buy |
| You expect the smallest possible total setup | Neither wins from machine dimensions alone | Lay out the grinder, milk jug, grounds container, and cleaning tools too |
The Dedica Arte is the more focused narrow-counter choice. The Bambino Plus is the more flexible milk-drink choice. Neither answer should be stretched into a claim about long-term durability, noise, or espresso flavor without direct testing.
Before You Order
Confirm the exact EC885M or BES500 variant on the seller’s page and box. Check the current manual, included baskets and milk jug, warranty terms, voltage, and the space needed to remove the tank. Price and availability can change, so compare the current total cost of the machine, grinder, milk tools, and cleaning supplies rather than a snapshot sale price.
For a wider view of pod, drip, manual, and espresso options, see coffee makers for small apartments. If the two-machine espresso setup is too much for your counter, our simple coffee and tea corner guide can help you plan a smaller everyday station.
FAQ
Does either machine include a coffee grinder?
No. Both are espresso machines without a built-in grinder. You can use appropriate pre-ground coffee with the supplied basket intended for it, but whole beans require a separate grinder suited to espresso.
Can the Dedica Arte make a latte without a separate frother?
Yes. Its My LatteArt steam wand textures milk manually. De’Longhi’s U.S. accessory list does not show a milk jug included, so confirm the package and plan for a suitable jug.
Is Bambino Plus automatic milk texturing self-cleaning?
No. The steam wand purges automatically after milk texturing, but Breville’s manual still instructs you to wipe the wand and clean it if the tip becomes blocked.
Is the Dedica Arte smaller than the Bambino Plus?
De’Longhi describes the EC885M as a narrow, roughly 6-inch-wide machine. Breville’s U.S. BES500 listing publishes a different dimension sequence from some other regional listings. The useful conclusion is that the Dedica Arte is the narrow-body option; the exact fit of either machine must be checked against the seller’s SKU and your available working space, including tank and accessory access.
Bottom Line
For a small apartment, choose the Dedica Arte EC885M when the espresso machine itself must be especially narrow and manual milk steaming suits you. Choose the Bambino Plus BES500 when your kitchen can support the complete setup and automatic milk texturing will make frequent milk drinks easier. Measure the coffee station, not just the machine, before committing to either one.
