A review of the Bezzera Duo Top DE espresso machine expands on our dual boiler tests . This mid-range dual boiler has several strengths, impresses with its good beverage programmability, and falls short in some categories.
The dual boiler from the company features a Bezzera BZ brewing group and an electric brewing group heater. The brewing temperature can be individually adjusted.
The Bezzera DUO Top DE is designed as a dual boiler, with the steam boiler (1 liter) and the brewing kettle (0.45 liters) both relatively small. The question remains as to how this affects temperature performance, frequency stability, and steam power.
Buy Bezzera DUO DE
The following specialist retailers sell the Bezzera DUO DE, and we recommend purchasing it from them. All offer the option of adjusting the machine's offset.
Germany:
Switzerland:
We search for specialist partners for you who we know offer good work and excellent service, and we maintain close contact with the retailers mentioned. The links are so-called commission links. If you order through one of these links, you won't pay a cent more – however, we receive a small commission, which we invest directly in new test equipment.
We are still looking for competent partners for you in the DACH region.
Features of the Bezzera DUO Top DE
With a 3.5-inch touch display, an integrated timer, and three PID thermostats, the machine can be controlled easily and precisely. Buttons for programming the water flow rate enable volumetric coffee preparation. The machine can be operated either via a tank or a fixed water connection and features an automatic brewing group rinse program.
The machine is equipped with a rotary pump and can be easily connected to a water supply and drain thanks to the included connection set.
The housing of the Bezzera DUO Top DE is made of high-quality AISI 304 stainless steel and has an attractive metallic finish. The machine measures 300 x 425 x 470 mm and weighs 31 kg. The maximum cup height is 9 cm.
The Bezzera DUO Top DE features a Bezzera BZ brewing group and an electric brewing group heater. The brewing temperature can be individually adjusted. With a diameter of 58 mm, the portafilters are standard size and are included. The machine is also equipped with a steam wand for milk preparation and can dispense hot water for tea or Americano.
Coffee maker temperature test protocol
As part of the coffee maker test protocol, we brew five espressos after a heat-up time of 25 minutes. For espresso machines that heat up quickly, we test this performance again after 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes, depending on the manufacturer's specifications or the machine's capabilities.
The Bezzera Duo performed impressively in our protocol after a 25-minute heat-up time. Without a rinse shot, the machine delivered exactly 92 degrees Celsius, as set. However, the third to fifth shots, each one minute apart, were too cold.
Tips and notes:
- Wait 25 minutes
- If you're making one or two double espressos, the temperature is set correctly. If you're preparing more espressos, we recommend a higher base temperature setting.
- In reference, the temperature is very constant.
WBC temperature test protocol
The WBC temperature log helps us gain a more comprehensive understanding of an espresso machine's performance. This log also indicates that the temperature on our model tends to need to be raised slightly during extended use to reach the desired target temperature of 92 degrees Celsius.
Good espresso with the Bezzera DUO Top DE
When properly heated, we make good espressos without any fuss with the Bezzera DUO Top DE. The machine does have a pre-brew function, but this only really works when connected to the mains water supply. In tank mode, the water and coffee aren't enough to thoroughly soak the cake, as the maximum pre-brew time is 5 seconds. It's best to avoid this, as there's a risk of channeling.
The machine is consistent in its brewing, and the included sieves do a decent job. However, the double sieve is borderline large in terms of capacity and should be filled to approximately 19 grams to ensure there's not too much space between the shower and the coffee.
Foaming performance and cappuccino
We froth a 0.6-liter jug at a good speed, with the heating occurring faster than the rolling phase. Generally, we would prefer it the other way around. However, the small steam boiler reaches its limits with repeated frothing—but this is something to consider, especially for events or catering. At the typical pace in most home kitchens, the power should be perfectly sufficient.
We find the steam wand to be critically short, but it can just about manage with the 0.6 liter jug.
Energy consumption
At 0.28 kWh, the energy consumption of the Bezzera DUO Top DE is in the middle range.
