Overall Review⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Diletta Bello+ Review: This handcrafted Italian espresso machine turns your kitchen into a personal café. With premium build quality, advanced controls, and simultaneous brew-and-steam capability, it’s built for coffee lovers who treat making espresso as an experience—not just a routine.
Quick Verdict (TL;DR)
Score: 4.5/5. The Diletta Bello+ is a prosumer-grade, heat-exchanger espresso machine for people who enjoy the craft of making coffee. It delivers café-level steaming and consistent shots once warmed up and dialed in. If you want one-touch convenience, look elsewhere; if you want barista control and longevity, this is a fantastic buy.
Buy it if you want
- Powerful, café-style steam and the ability to brew + steam simultaneously
- Classic E61 feel with PID control, shot timer, and programmable pre-infusion
- A hand-built, stainless machine designed to last and be serviced
Skip it if you want
- One-touch milk drinks (get a super-automatic like Jura/De’Longhi)
- Instant warm-up and tiny footprint (consider a compact single-boiler)
- Minimal learning curve or “push-button” espresso
What you’ll love
- Milk drinks shine—fast, dry steam for microfoam and latte art
- Repeatable extractions once heat-soaked (PID + shot timer help)
- Serviceable build with standard 58 mm parts and accessories
Trade-offs
- ~10–15 min warm-up; hot surfaces after heating
- Vibe pump noise (tame it with a counter mat)
- Requires decent grinder & technique to show its best
Starter recipe
18 g in → 36–40 g out in 28–30 s, 5 s pre-infusion, boiler PID ~248–252°F (93–94°C brew target). Short 2–4 s cooling flush after long idle.
Good alternatives
- Want easier? Super-automatic (e.g., Jura E4)
- Smaller budget/footprint? Breville Bambino Plus
- Max control & temperature stability? Dual-boiler upgrade down the line
Bottom line: If you value ritual, texture milk often, and want a machine that rewards skill with café-quality results, the Bello+ is a long-term, joy-to-use choice.
Pros
✅ PID Temperature Control with shot timer and programmable pre-infusion — delivers precision and control over extraction.
✅ Simultaneous Brewing & Steaming — thanks to the E61 heat-exchanger boiler, ideal for lattes and layered drinks.
✅ Solid Italian Build — stainless steel frame, mechanical switches, and retro design that’s a kitchen statement piece.
✅ Hands-On Experience — manual controls and responsive feedback reward grind & tamp precision; perfect for enthusiasts.
Cons
❌ Steep Learning Curve — this machine demands precision. A slightly off grind or tamp, and shots suffer.
❌ Long Heat-Up & Hot Surface — takes around 13–14 minutes to fully warm up, and parts can become surprisingly hot.
❌ Premium Price + Size — large and pricey, it takes up real counter space and may not suit every kitchen or budget.
Heating System & Temperature Stability
As a heat-exchanger (HX) machine, the Bello+ keeps the steam boiler hot for powerful steaming while a separate HX tube supplies brew water on demand. The PID doesn’t control brew water directly; instead it regulates boiler temp, which indirectly controls brew temp. Practically, once fully heat-soaked, the Bello+ is stable and repeatable.
What to expect
- Warm-up: ~10–15 minutes for the boiler; add a few minutes for the E61 group to reach equilibrium.
- Cooling flush: After long idle, a short 2–4 second flush sets the group right at your target.
- PID setpoint: Start around 248–252°F boiler temp for classic 93–94°C shots; adjust to taste.
Controls, Feedback & Workflow
This is a hands-on machine. You’ll rely on grind size, dose, tamp, and pre-infusion to dial in. The PID display doubles as a shot timer, and the switch layout is purposely simple: brew lever, steam knob, hot-water tap.
Why baristas like it
- Programmable pre-infusion wets the puck and reduces channeling.
- Shot timer gives live feedback for consistent ratios.
- Fast steam availability means you can brew and texture milk with no waiting.
Steaming Performance
If you drink milk drinks, this is where the Bello+ shines. The HX system delivers dry, powerful steam on demand.
Practical results
- 5–6 oz cappuccino milk in ~15–20 seconds
- Smooth microfoam for latte art with the two-hole tip
- Tip swaps available if you prefer slower, gentler steam for learning
Technique tip: Purge the wand briefly, keep the tip just at the surface to introduce air, then bury it slightly to roll the whirlpool. Finish with a quick wipe and purge.
Ease of Use & Learning Curve
The Bello+ is easy to operate and rewarding to master. Total beginners can pull good shots after a couple of tries; enthusiasts can chase café-level extractions.
Beginner path
- Use a medium-light roast with a forgiving recipe: 18 g in → 36–40 g out in ~27–32 s
- Keep pre-infusion around 4–6 seconds
- Make small grind adjustments; change only one variable at a time
Enthusiast headroom
- Precise temp tuning via PID
- Longer/shorter pre-infusion to shape body and clarity
- Different baskets (IMS/VST), puck screens, and distribution tools
Noise, Size & Power
Pump noise is the typical vibe of a vibration pump—present but not harsh. On a silicone mat, resonance drops noticeably. The footprint is larger than entry-level single-boilers, so measure your counter and upper cabinets; allow space for cup-warming and top-loading the reservoir.
Specs to keep in mind
- 120 V, ~1400 W (US model)
- Reservoir-fed; top access required
- Allow rear/side clearance for ventilation and maintenance
Water Quality & Taste
Water is half your espresso. Use filtered/soft water (40–70 ppm hardness as CaCO₃, alkalinity ~40–50 ppm) to prevent scale and preserve flavor clarity. Avoid distilled or pure RO without remineralization; it can confuse level sensors and taste flat.
Maintenance Schedule (Realistic)
- Daily: Backflush with water; wipe and purge steam wand; empty drip tray.
- Weekly: Detergent backflush; clean shower screen and portafilter; soak baskets.
- Monthly: Inspect group gasket and screen; clean reservoir; check for scale spots.
- As needed: Replace group gasket (6–12 months typical), shower screen, and steam-wand o-rings.
Only descale if your water warrants it; with good filtration, you may go many months (or more) between descaling.
Dial-In Quick Start (Repeatable Recipe)
- Dose 18 g in a 58 mm basket; level and tamp firmly.
- Pre-infuse 5 s, then brew to 36–40 g out in 28–30 s total.
- Adjust grind to control shot time; adjust ratio to tune body vs clarity.
- Nudge PID 1–2°F equivalent if you consistently want brighter/darker cups.
Who It’s For
- Home baristas who value hands-on control and café-level steaming.
- Latte/cappuccino lovers who want simultaneous brew/steam for back-to-back drinks.
- Design-minded buyers who want an appliance that feels like a small professional machine.
Who should skip: Anyone who wants one-touch milk drinks, instant warm-up, or a tiny footprint. Consider a super-automatic or a compact single-boiler if convenience trumps craft.
Smart Accessories to Add
- 58 mm tamper and distribution tool (WDT or leveler)
- Precision basket (IMS/VST) and a puck screen
- Milk pitcher (12–15 oz) and a microfiber cloth
- Silicone drip-tray mat and machine mat for noise
- TDS meter or simple water test kit for dialing in water
Common Pitfalls & Easy Fixes
- Bitter/astringent shots: Too hot or over-extracted—shorter ratio, coarser grind, brief cooling flush.
- Sour/under-extracted: Finer grind, slightly higher boiler setpoint, longer ratio.
- Sputtering steam: Purge condensation first; ensure tip holes are clean.
- Channeling: Improve puck prep—WDT, even tamp, adjust pre-infusion.
Value & Longevity
The Bello+ sits at the prosumer sweet spot: better steaming and temperature control than entry machines, at a price far below dual-boiler flagships. With routine care and good water, it’s a 10-year appliance. The payoff is consistency, repairability, and a daily ritual that genuinely feels premium.
Editor Verdict
The Diletta Bello+ is a finely tuned piece of espresso craftsmanship. It rewards those who love to control their coffee-making process. Ideal for enthusiasts who enjoy the art of brewing and aren’t afraid to learn. It may not fit every kitchen or routine, but for those who value ritual and quality, it’s a luxurious, long-term upgrade.
Whether you’re chasing café elegance or honing your skills with a machine that responds to you, this worthy addition gives you both.
If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ.
Do I need a separate grinder for the Diletta Bello+?
Yes. The Bello+ is a prosumer machine and expects a quality espresso-capable burr grinder. A consistent, fine grind is essential for proper extraction. It uses a 58 mm E61 portafilter, so VST/IMS baskets and most 58 mm tampers fit.
How long does warm-up take and how do I manage temperature?
Plan on 10–15 minutes for the boiler and a bit longer for the E61 group to be fully heat-soaked. Use the PID to set brew temp; a short blank flush before the shot helps stabilize the group. Warm your cup on the tray to reduce heat loss.
Can it brew and steam at the same time?
Yes. The heat-exchanger boiler lets you pull a shot and steam milk simultaneously, which is ideal for lattes and cappuccinos. Purge a little condensation from the steam wand before texturing milk.
What water should I use and what maintenance is required?
Use filtered/soft water (hardness around 40–70 ppm as CaCO₃) to minimize scale. Backflush with water daily, detergent backflush weekly, wipe and purge the steam wand after every use, and replace the group gasket and screen periodically. Descale only if your water/usage requires it.
Is the Bello+ plumbable and what’s the reservoir like?
The Diletta Bello+ is a reservoir-fed machine (not plumb-in). It has a generous top-loading tank (roughly 2–3 L class) that’s easy to refill and clean. Keep the intake filter submerged and rinse the tank regularly.
