214votes worldwide
#8in ranking
12options compared
Live ranking
Overview
The De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus is the most elegant compact espresso machine available. At just 19cm wide it fits on any kitchen counter without compromise, yet delivers full barista capability through its Advanced Thermoblock heating system, Active Temperature Control, Auto LatteArt milk system and 3 programmable brew temperature profiles. It is the machine for people who care about both coffee quality and kitchen aesthetics — and who want automatic milk frothing without sacrificing the authentic espresso experience.
Score Card
72/100
Espresso Quality
83/100
Advanced Thermoblock and Active Temperature Control produce consistent, well-extracted espresso across all 3 temperature profiles
Grinder
0/100
No built-in grinder — requires separate grinder for best results. Pressurised baskets accommodate pre-ground coffee
Milk Frothing
85/100
Auto LatteArt with 3 temperature and foam levels produces quality microfoam — self-cleaning wand is a practical bonus
Ease of Use
88/100
Button interface is intuitive and simple — 3 brew temperature profiles make customisation easy without complexity
Build Quality
90/100
Premium metal finish with iconic De'Longhi Dedica design — one of the best-looking machines in its category
Value for Money
84/100
Strong value for its feature set and build quality — the Auto LatteArt and Active Temperature Control justify the price
Pros
✓
Compact 19cm width — narrowest in its class
✓
Active Temperature Control for consistent extraction
✓
Auto LatteArt with 3 temperature and foam levels
✓
Self-cleaning steam wand
✓
3 programmable brew temperature profiles
✓
Premium Italian metal design
✓
1.6L removable water tank
✓
Includes milk jug, tamper and cleaning tools
Cons
✗
51mm portafilter — smaller than the 54mm standard
✗
No built-in grinder
✗
1.6L tank smaller than competitors
✗
No PID display — temperature set by profile, not precise digits
Who Is This For?
The Design-Conscious Home Barista who wants Italian aesthetics and automatic milk frothing in a compact machine
The Dedica Maestro Plus is the ideal choice for people who want their espresso machine to look as good as the coffee it produces. The slim 19cm profile, premium metal finish and Auto LatteArt combine to deliver café-quality espresso and milk drinks without cluttering the kitchen.
Not for: Serious home baristas who need a 54mm+ portafilter or want to develop manual steam technique
vs Others
Verdict
The De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus is the best compact espresso machine for people who want Italian design, automatic milk frothing and genuine espresso quality in a 19cm wide body. The Active Temperature Control and Auto LatteArt deliver results that exceed what you would expect from a machine this size. If counter space is limited and aesthetics matter as much as coffee quality, the Dedica Maestro Plus is the clear choice in this ranking.
Specs
Steam WandAuto LatteArt automatic system — 3 temperature levels, 3 foam textures, self-cleaning after each use
Water Tank1.6L removable tank — compact 190x450x325mm footprint, 6.2kg
Boiler TypeAdvanced Thermoblock — fast heat-up with 3 programmable brew temperature profiles
Portafilter Size51mm — compact size to match the machine footprint, pressurised and non-pressurised baskets
Pressure Control15-bar pump regulated to 9 bar during extraction — Active Temperature Control for stable water temperature
Temperature ControlActive Temperature Control — automatic sensor maintains stable temperature throughout extraction