De’Longhi EC9155MB La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine Vs Breville | Buyer’s Guide Picks

Both machines deliver café-style shots; the Arte adds a built-in grinder while the Bambino Plus nails rapid heat-up and auto milk control.

The real question isn’t brand pride. It’s which layout fits your counter, routine, and taste goals. Here’s a clear side-by-side of the compact La Specialista Arte EC9155MB and Breville’s Bambino Plus so you can pick a setup that matches how you brew.

Arte EC9155MB Vs Bambino Plus: Quick Differences That Matter

At a glance, the De’Longhi unit aims to be an all-in-one station with a conical burr grinder and a tidy barista kit (official features). Breville’s Bambino Plus skips the grinder to stay tiny and gets you from cold to shot in seconds with ThermoJet heating and PID; its wand also offers preset milk temperature and foam levels (how milk presets work).

Model	What Stands Out	Best For
La Specialista Arte EC9155MB	Built-in grinder (8 settings), 3 infusion temps, 51 mm baskets, MyLatteArt wand	One-box simplicity and tidy workflow
Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)	ThermoJet heat-up, auto milk temp/foam presets, 54 mm portafilter	Small spaces, fast mornings

On paper, the Arte reads like the “complete” package, while the Bambino Plus shines on speed and milk consistency. Price often ends up similar once you add a capable grinder to Breville. If you’re curious about caffeine in a shot, basket size and yield matter more than badge names.

Build, Footprint, And Daily Workflow

The Arte keeps beans and tools in one footprint and includes a heavy 51 mm portafilter with single-wall baskets, a dosing funnel, and a tamping mat. The Bambino Plus uses a 54 mm portafilter and stays one of the smallest machines that still steams milk convincingly. If counter depth is tight, Breville’s slim body is a win; if you prefer fewer loose accessories, De’Longhi’s integrated approach feels calmer.

Prep flow differs. With the Arte, you dial the burrs, dose, distribute, and tamp using the included kit. With the Bambino Plus, you’ll need a stand-alone grinder; many pair it with a conical burr model that offers fine micro-steps. Either way, aim for 14–20 g in the double basket and adjust grind until a 1:2 ratio lands in about 25–35 seconds.

Bambino’s auto milk deserves a callout. Three foam levels and three temperature targets take the edge off latte practice. If you enjoy hands-on steaming and microfoam art, the Arte’s wand offers satisfying control. Breville’s preset “Ideal” milk temperature is handy when you want repeatable texture every morning.

Temperature, Pressure, And Taste

Both machines use thermoblock-style heating and ramp pressure gently into the puck. That style forgives small grind slips and helps with fresh supermarket beans. With lighter roasts, the Arte’s pre-infusion temperature choices help you push extraction a touch hotter. The Bambino Plus leans on stable PID control and near-instant warm-up so a second shot isn’t a wait.

Switching between milk drinks and straight espresso? Timing matters. The Bambino Plus can steam to a set target and stop on its own, which keeps shots and milk close together. The Arte’s manual wand hits dense microfoam once you find the angle and depth; latte art fans will enjoy the feel.

Ease Of Use And Cleaning

Both designs are friendly once you learn your grind. The Arte’s on-board grinder means fewer cords and a smaller total footprint. The Bambino Plus keeps surfaces cleaner thanks to automatic milk texturing. Water tanks lift out for refills, drip trays have floating indicators, and both brands offer clear maintenance prompts.

Descaling and backflushing are straightforward. Breville’s reminders help you keep routines on track, and its ThermoJet gets the group back to temperature fast. De’Longhi’s active temperature management keeps shots stable, and the tidy barista kit keeps tools in one place.

Grinding And Baskets

Portafilter diameters differ: 51 mm on the Arte and 54 mm on the Bambino Plus. Size alone doesn’t decide flavor; puck prep does. Single-wall baskets on both models encourage you to tune grind and dose instead of relying on dual-wall baskets. Expect the Arte’s eight grind steps to feel broad compared with stand-alone grinders that offer dozens of micro-steps, yet the cup quality holds up nicely with medium roasts.

Milk Systems Compared

Breville’s automatic texturing hits repeatable foam for cappuccino and latte goals with minimal training. Pick Warm/Ideal/Hot and Low/Medium/High foam; the wand stops itself—handy when making two back-to-back drinks. The Arte’s wand is classic: purge, stretch near the surface, drop the tip to roll, and pour while the sheen peaks. Plant-based milks can still get glossy microfoam once you find the steam angle.

Pricing, Warranty, And Value

Street pricing moves with seasons and bundles. In many markets, the Arte sits near a Bambino Plus plus an entry-to-mid burr grinder. If your budget already includes a grinder, Breville often wins on total cost. If not, De’Longhi’s bundle keeps cash and clutter down. Both brands offer broad retail support and accessible parts.

Extraction Tips That Work On Both

Dial Grind Before Dose

Small grind changes drive the biggest shifts. Start mid-range. Go finer when shots run fast and taste sharp; go coarser when shots crawl and taste harsh. When switching beans, reset grind first, then tweak dose by 0.5–1 g if needed.

Keep Water Fresh And Filtered

Clean water brightens taste and protects internals from scale. If your tap water is hard, use a filter cartridge or a jug filter and refresh on schedule to protect flavor and hardware.

Milk Steaming Pointers

Use cold milk in a chilled jug. Purge, stretch just under the surface, then bury the tip to roll the whirlpool. Stop near 60–65 °C for dairy. The Bambino Plus can hit preset targets; the Arte rewards timing and feel with silky results.

Specification Snapshot (Deep Cut)

Here are the specs shoppers ask about most. Always check the exact variant name in your region.

Spec	Arte EC9155MB	Bambino Plus
Heating	Thermoblock with pre-infusion temp options	ThermoJet rapid warm-up
Portafilter	51 mm single-wall baskets	54 mm
Grinder	Built-in conical burr (8 steps)	External grinder required
Milk	MyLatteArt manual wand	Auto milk temp & foam presets
Water Tank	~1.2 L (region varies)	~1.9 L
Footprint	All-in-one station	Ultra-compact body

Accessories And Upgrades

Either path benefits from a 0.1 g-accurate scale, a puck screen, and a distribution tool. If you go Breville, set aside budget for a quality conical or flat burr grinder; grind quality is the biggest flavor lever you own. With De’Longhi, adding a bottomless portafilter helps you spot channeling and polish puck prep.

Which One Should You Buy?

Want barista rituals with fewer boxes and on-board grind control? The Arte is easy to live with. Want a tiny body that heats in seconds and steams by itself? The Bambino Plus is a stress-free pick. Both can pull chocolatey espresso with medium roasts and handle milk drinks daily.

One more angle: upgrade paths. With Breville you can bolt on a better grinder later and squeeze more clarity from lighter roasts. With De’Longhi you save space now and keep workflow tidy. Either path lands tasty cappuccinos with practice. If you’d like a gentle primer on strength myths, dip into is espresso stronger than coffee.