Breville vs DeLonghi: Don’t Make Me Choose!

It’s no secret that Breville and DeLonghi are two of my favorite home espresso machine manufacturers. In this Breville vs DeLonghi guide, you’ll see that their products tend to be stylish, well-built and user-friendly.

Now, if you happen to be looking for manual espresso machines, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Manual espresso makers typically use lever action to create pressure, and the machines I’m going to highlight today are semi automatics through and through.

Or are they? Both Breville espresso machines and DeLonghi machines are so user-friendly that many models border on being super automatic espresso machines. Clearly, these manufacturers have convenience and user experience top of mind when designing their coffee gadgets!

I can’t wait to dig into these industry stars. So, without further ado, let’s begin this guide to Breville vs DeLonghi.

Overview: Breville vs DeLonghi Espresso Machines

I’ll start off this Breville vs DeLonghi guide with a brief background of the two popular brands. Still, if you’re already well versed in the Breville and DeLonghi ecosystems, you can skip on down to the next section – I won’t take it personally.

Background on Breville

Oh, Breville. If you’ve spent any time on my website, you know that the Australian company is after my heart.

Founded in Sydney in 1932, Breville is celebrated for bringing innovation, style and convenience to the home appliance world. I’d say they’re nothing short of legendary, making not just home espresso machines and drip coffee makers but toaster ovens, juicers and more.

For my part, I appreciate Breville products because they’re high quality, innovative and durable. As far as looks go, Breville espresso machines are no strangers to style. Plus, stainless steel is a mainstay in their design books, even for their entry-level models. Since budget and beginner espresso machine markets tend to be dominated by machines with plastic housing, Breville really stands out!

Even better, the Aussies are constantly updating and improving on their machines. Often, Breville machines walk the line between super automatics and semi automatic espresso machines, or what I call “hybrid” machines.

This makes the brand a great entry to the world of home coffee makers, combining convenience and ease of use with just enough of a challenge. 

On the other hand, true espresso aficionados will appreciate the durable build and commercial components on the steeper side of Breville’s price range.

Background on DeLonghi

Of all the Italian espresso machine manufacturers, DeLonghi is one of my favorites. Of course, Gaggia is pretty up there too.

But DeLonghi is something special. I fawned over them in my guide to the best super automatic espresso machine, particularly the DeLonghi Dinamica Plus. That said, I admit that I’ve given their regular home espresso machines a bit less attention. That ends now!

As it happens, DeLonghi is a time-tested Italian manufacturer with a reputation for high quality and intuitive designs. Like many espresso machine manufacturers, DeLonghi didn’t start out in the coffee industry. Rather, when the Italian company was founded in 1974 it manufactured electric radiators.

Nowadays, DeLonghi is part of the DeLonghi Group, an international conglomerate with over 10,000 employees and hundreds of products. Needless to say, they’ve come quite far from their humble beginnings!

Today, coffee machines make up the core of the DeLonghi brand. DeLonghi has a reputation for balancing quality, affordability and ease of use. It’s no wonder that DeLonghi espresso machines are so popular in the entry-level and mid-range market.

Choosing Between Breville and DeLonghi: What to Consider

There’s a lot to consider when purchasing an espresso machine, whether you’re researching manual espresso machines, automatic espresso machines or something in between. Read on below for some factors to take into account while you decide which manufacturer makes the best espresso machine for your needs.

Price

Both Breville and DeLonghi sell machines that appeal to a wide slice of the market, from no-frills entry-level models to mid-range semi automatics and even high-end hybrid machines. No matter your price point, you can find a machine that’ll fit your needs.

Still, Breville’s budget machines may seem pricey if you’re only accustomed to the cost of pour over drippers. That said, Breville’s budget models are loaded with advanced features that make them worth the cash.

Take, for instance, Breville’s flagship budget model, the Bambino Plus. Little Bambi boasts stainless steel housing, PID temperature control, automatic pre-infusion and an automatic milk frother. Meanwhile, the Breville Duo Temp Pro costs about the same and has almost all the same features, yet with a manual steam wand instead.

Sure, these Breville machines aren’t the most affordable entry-level machines out there, but they up the game with user-friendly controls that help ease a novice into the world of home coffee bars.

On the other hand, DeLonghi has several budget espresso machines that are about half the price of Breville’s entry-level models. The Dedica series models, like the Dedica Deluxe or the Dedica Maestro Plus, are an example of this, and they’re a solid choice for beginners. That said, given its pressurized portafilter baskets it’s not the type of machine you can grow with.

In either case, remember that you’ll need to shell out for all the required espresso accessories as well. If your budget is super tight, you can consider buying a manual grinder for your espresso needs.

Overall, both Breville and DeLonghi have big lineups that cover a range of budgetary constraints and barista needs. Still, Delonghi certainly has more firmly “budget” choices. 

At the same time, both brands have premium hybrid models with excellent performance. I’ll touch on those a bit later in this guide to Breville vs DeLonghi espresso machines.

Size and Design

When I talk about DeLonghi’s super automatic espresso machines, I tend to complain about plastic. That isn’t the case with their semi automatics.

Rather, this branch of De’Longhi machines features retro-style chunky knobs and buttons. More importantly, stainless steel housing is a staple.

Similarly, Breville’s signature look is brushed stainless steel and a modern and industrial aesthetic. Even better, Breville machines often feature commercial grade components, so they’re sturdy and well-built. DeLonghi wins some points in this regard too, but I’d say Breville is the master at sprinkling in some prosumer elements.

When it comes to the size of an espresso machine, it often depends on how many components it has. Features like a built in grinder, dual boilers or a large water reservoir all add some heft.

If space is an issue and you already have an espresso grinder, consider the Breville Infuser. It’s compact and stylish, featuring all the Breville standards.

Before I move on to the rest of my Breville vs DeLonghi guide, I’d be remiss to not mention the DeLonghi All in One espresso machine here.

This De’Longhi espresso machine is quite bulky, with a 15-inch (38-centimeter) wide footprint. Still, you have to consider what you’re getting in this package.

Really, the name says it all; this is an espresso maker, milk frother and coffee maker all in one. Sure, the thing needs a ton of elbow room, but an independent coffee maker and a cappuccino maker would likely take up twice the space.

To be clear, this espresso machine isn’t anywhere close to the top of the line, but that’s almost beside the point. Honestly, the All in One is so affordable for a 3-in-1 machine that as long as it can spit out a decent espresso shot, I’m happy!

Performance

Fortunately, this is where you can’t go wrong; both Breville and De’Longhi machines have some stellar espresso machines in their lineups. Overall, you’re looking for a few key ingredients: commercial components, a metal portafilter and group head, single wall portafilter baskets, a powerful and reliable heating system and a quality steam wand.

Some additional features, like automatic preinfusion or PID temperature control, are also nice-to-haves. As it happens, a PID controller and preinfusion are often standard in Breville machines, though they’re not always adjustable by the user.

On that note, the Breville Dual Boiler is a great choice for those of you seeking a high-achiever that can pull shots and steam milk simultaneously. But if you go this route, you’ll need a separate burr grinder.

Another stellar Breville performer is the Oracle Touch, which features commercial-grade components, a gorgeous touch screen display and an automatic tamper.

On DeLonghi’s side of the equation, the La Specialista series is a great place to start if you’re looking for a high performer. Even better, models like the La Specialista Arte produce great espresso and milk quality but don’t break the bank.

This is great and all, but remember: with any espresso machine, to get the most bang for your buck you’ll want to start with high quality coffee beans, filtered water and a solid espresso grinder.

Ease of Use

Both DeLonghi and Breville machines tend to have easy-to-navigate user interfaces. And really, that’s where it all begins. I’m always annoyed when an espresso machine is allegedly easy to use but I can’t pull a double shot without consulting the user manual.

As I mentioned, convenience is pretty much built into the business identities of these manufacturers. Plus, all the models I’m discussing today are semi automatic, featuring some automatic controls to ensure that the espresso shots are easy to brew and taste delicious.

At the same time, the more advanced models on this list offer plenty of customization to dial in your espresso shots just right, aided by intuitive interfaces.

For example, the Breville Oracle Touch espresso machine is a great super auto-semi auto hybrid. Convenience is king here; the Oracle Touch features a dual boiler, automatic tamping and a touch screen that offers beverage prep instructions. Pretty neat!

Similarly, DeLonghi’s flagship La Specialista Maestro has so many built-in automatic features that it’s truly almost a super automatic. In other words, this coffee maker is nowhere near being a manual espresso machine. I’ll talk more about the Maestro later on in this Breville vs DeLonghi guide.

Back in the Breville world, there’s a reason why the Breville Barista Express is perhaps the most popular mid-range espresso machine on the market. Automatic dosing and a pressure gauge help out the newbies, while reliable cup quality appeals to espresso connoisseurs that don’t want to shell out for a more expensive machine.

If that’s not enough for you, the Barista Express Impress gives you a hand with assisted tamping, while the Barista Touch levels up with a touch screen.

As it happens, there’s also the Barista Touch Impress which, you guessed it, has both assisted tamping and a touch screen.

Special Features

I’ve touched on a lot of these special features already, since they’re pretty commonplace in Breville and DeLonghi machines. So, rather than embark on a long-winded monologue here I’ll give you a quick list of special features to look out for:

Importantly, automatic steam wands and tampers are borrowed from the super automatic handbook. Both Breville and DeLonghi machines include these features, though you have to pay more for the convenience.

On the Breville side, the entire Impress line features assisted tamping via their Impress Puck System. Keeping the lineup straight can be difficult, so here’s a tip: if it has “Impress” in the name, it’s got assisted tamping.

As for DeLonghi, their hybrid machines in the La Specialista line often have automatic tamping. In particular, I’d recommend La Specialista and La Specialista Maestro. The key difference between the two is that the Maestro features a bonus automatic frother, while the regular ol’ La Specialista asks that you steam milk using your own hard-earned skills.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Like cleaning and descaling coffee makers, cleaning these espresso machines is pretty straightforward. In fact, the process is so easy that I can’t say if either manufacturer makes it significantly easier than the other.

Either way, always filling your coffee maker with filtered water will save you some elbow grease down the road. More importantly, brewing with filtered water will result in a more delicious espresso shot.

What’s more, if you get a machine with a built in grinder you’ll have to remember to clean out the grinder too. Oh, and I’d recommend that you avoid dark roasts that are super oily. Otherwise, you could end up having to unclog the grinder. Admittedly, unclogging a grinder isn’t too hard, but even I don’t want to take a grinder apart before I’ve had my morning cuppa!

Head to Head Comparison: DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro vs Breville Barista Touch

On the surface, these two stand-outs from Breville and DeLonghi seem pretty similar. They’re both high-performing semi automatics with shiny stainless steel housing and user-friendly features. What’s more, both machines feature programmable drink recipes, automatic preinfusion and built-in conical burr grinders.

But there’s more to this story – let’s get into what makes these machines unique. The DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro is a gorgeous hybrid espresso machine with a retro vibe and stylish digital displays. It borrows some features from super automatics: assisted tamping, an automatic milk frother and quality mechanisms to ensure proper dosing, pressure and brew temperature.

This quasi-super automatic costs a pretty reasonable $1,199.95.

That said, you can still put your own spin on things with La Specialista Maestro. Customization options include five brew temperature settings, an optional manual steam wand and programmable drink recipes. On the downside, La Specialista Maestro has only eight grind settings.

Meanwhile, the modern Breville Barista Touch offers many similar benefits, with a few upgrades. First off, this Breville espresso machine has a whopping 30 grind settings. What’s more, the Barista Touch has a superior color touch screen, more brew temperature options and eight programmable drink recipes.

There’s no assisted tamping on this machine, so you’ll just have to whip out your trusty espresso tamper.

Even better, the automatic steam wand with a built-in thermometer produces creamy microfoam that rivals the work of professional baristas. Maybe automation is after our jobs after all!

Finally, the Barista Touch is a bit more affordable than its DeLonghi competitor, costing $999.95. That just might be enough in my book to push this Breville machine over the finish line.

DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro vs Breville Barista Touch Comparison Chart

Verdict: Breville vs DeLonghi Espresso Machines

Ultimately, I can’t say that Breville or DeLonghi is a clear winner over the other. Well, maybe it’s not that I can’t say – it’s that I won’t. I just love these brands too much to pick one.

That said, I can give you some general pointers in your own search. If affordability is your main priority, DeLonghi has many more options in the budget-friendly realm, including the remarkably inexpensive DeLonghi Stilosa. And when you’re ready to step your game up, the lineup of La Specialista models is waiting for you.

On the other hand, Breville has many more options when it comes to mid-range and premium models. Sure, Breville’s lineup can be confusing, but once you get to know the Breville ecosystem it’s much easier to figure out which machine will meet your needs. 

And if all else fails, the Breville Barista Express will have your back.

For more side-by-side comparisons of brands, check out our Jura vs DeLonghi and Gaggia Classic Pro vs Rancilio Silvia guides.

Breville vs DeLonghi FAQ