DeLonghi - Dedica Maestro Plus EC950M

The De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine is actually one of the better entry to mid home machines from De'Longhi. It heats up fast, the steam wand is pretty solid for the price, and the Dedica line is known for being beginner-friendly. Since you’re already a barista, you’ll probably get even more out of it than most people. The biggest upgrade you can make is pairing it with a good grinder that’s where a lot of home setups fall short.

We just replaced our machine with a De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus and it's great. There is a huge jump in prices to a boiler model machine and I doubt it's worth it for a home machine. We have bought beans from a local cafe for years. A little pricey but good quality.

The Bambino Plus was on sale for $399 for the past few weeks on Amazon, Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table and Best Buy, but the sale price went back up to $499 to catch out those late Christmas shoppers. The price will probably go back down to $399 on Amazon some time in January ~ March 2026. Breville puts this espresso machine on sale a few times a year and the discount is usually $100 off. One option would be to wait until a week after Christmas and buy a “Used Like New” Bambino Plus from Amazon. Machines in great condition are often returned for petty reasons like not liking the color, etc. Another option to consider is the DeLonghi Dedica Maestro Plus, currently $299.95 on Amazon. I have this machine and it has several options not available on the Bambino Plus: a cool-touch steam wand, 3 temperature options for extracting espresso (good for light, medium & dark-roasted coffee beans) and the milk frothing component allows you to choose among three different temps. & textures for making milk drinks. There are several YouTube videos comparing the Dedica Maestro Plus with the Bambino Plus. 1) https://youtu.be/kZNsICfhJ6E?si=8I0EAlivR7ioZPyV 2) https://youtu.be/kiwifxUR1z0?si=UN1uPzm1tiWtmoDp 3) https://youtu.be/vJK_KHgFzPk?si=h4m3aCwoUJZcfFkt The Bambino Plus is usually the favorite of the two, but, honestly the lack of a PID in the Dedica’s group head isn’t a big deal for me. Additionally, while the Dedica’s automatic milk frothing function is good for lattes, etc., I usually froth milk manually for cappuccinos. The Dedica gives very silky, smooth results just like the Bambino Plus, in my experience. With the Dedica Maestro Plus, I just let the portafilter drip into a tiny bowl for 1~2 minutes and after 3 minutes of naturally depressurizing, I can remove the portafilter to start making my next espresso. The lack of a PID on the Dedica means that I can start the pre-infusion, hit the stop button after 8~10 seconds, wait a minute or two to get the puck thoroughly wet and then hit the button again to resume the extraction for an overall sweeter-tasting espresso. After making my espresso, I’m usually frothing milk while the portafilter is depressurizing, so the lack of a PID never actually causes me inconvenience. On the topic of grinders, you may find advice for espresso beginners suggesting that you opt for the less expensive DF54 model of grinder. It’s a very nice little machine. I have both DF coffee bean grinders, and I’d suggest you go with the slightly bigger DF64. It has a stronger motor that will be perfect for when you eventually start grinding light-roasted beans (which are bigger and harder). The DF54 is perfectly adequate and it’s a cuter little machine, but its motor is not as robust for the longer term, in my opinion. Also, since the DF64 uses 64 mm flat burrs (as opposed to a conical burr grinder like a Baratza Encore ESP Pro…another grinder to consider for $300), you will have a wide variety of alternative 64 mm flat burr sets to choose from (for around $200) should you one day wish to experiment with a different flavor profile for grinding your beans. With the DF54’s 54mm flat burrs, there are almost no other burr options available for purchase at this time. However, most people who buy the DF54 are happy with their machine’s performance and the light, fluffy espresso grinds it produces. It’s capable of grinding very finely.

I recently got a Delonghi Dedica Maestro Plus. It heats before I am ready to pull the shot.

Think of workflow too. You can get a good results with something cost effective like a dedica. There is a middle ground between junk and $1500 dollar machine. I have a dedica maestro plus and have zero complaints. It tastes better than the shop I get my beans from.

My flair pro makes better shots than my dedica maestro plus by a very wide margin.

the dedica line has various trims that have different features. if you like the idea of automatic milk texture then it's the Bambino plus or dedica maestro. I prefer the dedica line steam wands over either Bambino myself, with the exception of the very basic dedica models that have panarello wands.

Second this my delonghi is amazing. Im using this hand grinder its $100 chines brand grinds exceptionally well: MHW-3BOMBER R3 Manual Coffee Grinder with CNC Stainless Steel Conical Burr and 5 Screen for French Press, Drip, Espresso, External Adjustable, Hand Coffee Bean Grinder with Magnetic Bin, G5934S-OS

Second vote for the De Longhi

In that budget,, I would get Delonghi Dedica or Breville Sage, small portfolio ones, and get a decent grinder. DF54 or 64 what have you. and add accessories. i heard AIO will break easier, especially the grinder. And if I had to do it all over again, I would just get the cheapest Delonghi sub $150, and frequently under $80 in local Sams club in the US. Reason being, its so easy to repair. But as always, better equipments will give better results. It's with these budget kitchen appliance espresso machines that need crazy dialing skills...

Go with Delonghi Dedica because I have one. 😃 less than 30 sec heat up, auto shut off, and fast steaming heat up, latte art steaming wand. I have Dedica Arte, but the new model is even better. BTW, avoid all in one's. And get a separate grinder, if you can. because grinders get damaged easily. But it's your choice.

I drink exclusively americanos and I make 1-2 on my $200 DeLonghi Dedica with my DF64 grinder every day. I also make my wife hot lattes. But yes, an espresso machine is perfect for making espressos at home. I put a little hot water in my cup (coffee shops always put way too much water in an americano for my liking) and pull the shot right into the cup of water. Beautiful crema on top. Makes a delicious americano. And now I can have fun experimenting with different beans