The Breville Barista Pro and the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte are premier all-in-one espresso machines, but they target different home baristas. The Barista Pro from Breville is a premium, tech-forward machine with a digital LCD interface and lightning-fast heat-up time, while the La Specialista Arte by DeLonghi offers a more compact, hands-on, and affordable experience with a classic aesthetic.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which espresso machine is the right fit for your kitchen and your coffee routine.
Breville Barista Pro
The Barista Pro is designed for the modern home coffee enthusiast who appreciates precision, speed, and a high-end user experience. It combines a built-in grinder, a powerful steaming wand, and a digital interface into one sleek stainless steel unit, streamlining the process of making cafe-quality espresso drinks at home with its proprietary ThermoJet heating system.
- What it is: A semi-automatic, all-in-one espresso machine with a digital screen and an integrated conical burr grinder.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system (3-second heat-up), intuitive LCD display for grind and shot control, 30 grind settings, powerful manual steam wand for microfoam, 54mm portafilter.
- Price: Around $700-$800.
- Dimensions: 12.5" x 12.6" x 16.9".
- Materials/Construction: Built with a brushed stainless steel casing and high-quality internal components for a durable, premium feel.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a minimalist aesthetic and digital interface, perfect for contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Extremely fast 3-second heat-up time. Digital display provides precise control and feedback. High-quality construction feels solid and durable. Powerful steam wand produces excellent microfoam for latte art.
- Cons: Carries a higher price tag. The larger footprint requires more counter space. Digital features may be overly complex for users wanting a simple experience.
The Barista Pro is perfect for the tech-savvy coffee lover who wants near-instant brewing, precise control over their espresso, and a premium, modern machine to match their kitchen.
Shop this product: breville.com
DeLonghi La Specialista Arte
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte offers a more traditional semi-automatic experience, focusing on the craft of espresso making. It’s compact, budget-friendly, and comes with a barista kit, making it an excellent starting point for aspiring home baristas who want to learn the fundamentals of tamping, brewing, and frothing milk without a huge investment.
- What it is: A compact, semi-automatic espresso machine with a built-in grinder and manual steam wand, geared towards a hands-on brewing experience.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder with 8 settings, a complete barista kit (tamper, dosing funnel, etc.), 3 temperature settings, and MyLatteArt steam wand.
- Price: Typically priced between $600-$700.
- Dimensions: 11.4" x 9.4" x 14.4".
- Materials/Construction: A mix of stainless steel and high-quality plastics creates a sturdy yet lightweight build.
- Style: Classic Italian coffee machine design with a stylish combination of polished metal and black accents that fits a variety of decors.
- Pros: More affordable price point offers great value. Compact footprint is ideal for smaller kitchens. Includes a full barista kit. Offers a great hands-on, authentic espresso-making experience.
- Cons: Slower heat-up time compared to the Barista Pro. Fewer grind settings limit fine-tuning. Build is less hefty and premium-feeling than the Breville.
The La Specialista Arte is ideal for someone starting their espresso journey who appreciates a manual process, has limited counter space, and wants an all-in-one package for a reasonable price.
Shop this product: delonghi.com
Breville Barista Pro vs. DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
Right away, the most noticeable difference is size. The Breville Barista Pro is the larger machine at 12.5" x 12.6" x 16.9". It commands a significant presence on the countertop. While it fits under standard cabinets, it's a better choice for kitchens with dedicated coffee stations or ample counter space.
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte's compact frame (11.4" x 9.4" x 14.4") is its major advantage. It's designed specifically for smaller kitchens, apartments, or anyone trying to maximize counter space without sacrificing the ability to make great espresso. Its smaller depth and width make it far more versatile for tight spots.
Materials & Construction
Both machines use stainless steel, but the feel is distinct. The Barista Pro boasts a heavy, brushed stainless steel body that gives it an industrial, professional-grade quality. You can feel the durability and premium construction when you interact with it. All the touchpoints, from the portafilter to the control knobs, feel solid.
The La Specialista Arte also features a stainless steel casing but incorporates more high-quality plastic components to achieve its lighter weight and lower price point. It feels well-built and sturdy for daily home use, but it doesn't quite have the same hefty, high-end presence as the Breville.
Price & Value
The Breville Barista Pro typically costs between $700-$800, placing it in the premium home espresso machine category. That extra cost gets you advanced technology, most notably the ThermoJet system for a 3-second heat-up time and the LCD screen for precise control. For users who value speed and digital feedback, the higher price offers clear benefits.
Coming in around $600-$700, the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte presents a compelling value proposition. It provides all the necessary components for great espresso - a grinder, a decent brew group, and a capable steam wand - plus a full barista kit, for about $100 less. It's an excellent investment for someone wanting to get into the hobby without breaking the bank.
Style & Versatility
Style comes down to personal preference. The Breville Barista Pro embraces a sleek, minimalist, and technological aesthetic. Its clean lines and digital display fit perfectly in modern, contemporary, or transitional kitchens where high-end appliances are a focal point.
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte leans into a more classic, timeless Italian design. The combination of polished metal, black accents, and manual pressure gauge gives it a charming, almost retro look that works beautifully in traditional, farmhouse, or eclectic kitchens. It looks less like a tech gadget and more like a traditional coffee maker.
Ease of Use & Features
The Barista Pro uses its LCD screen to guide you through the process, displaying grind size, dose amount, and shot duration. This feedback loop is invaluable for learning and achieving consistency. Combined with its ultra-fast heat-up, the entire workflow is efficient and streamlined. However, the sheer number of options (30 grind settings) can feel overwhelming at first.
The La Specialista Arte is more analog and tactile. You dial in your grind from 8 settings and use a separate dosing and tamping station. This manual process can be deeply satisfying but requires more practice and patience to perfect. Its included accessories, like the dosing funnel and tamper, show a clear intent to teach users the craft from the ground up.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville Barista Pro is designed for the coffee lover who craves precision and modern conveniences. If you want your machine to heat up instantly, provide digital feedback, and offer granular control over your espresso shot, the Pro is built for you. It's an excellent machine for intermediate users ready to upgrade or determined beginners who love technology.
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte is for the aspiring barista who enjoys the ritual and process of making coffee. It's great for beginners thanks to its included kit and more forgiving price tag. If you have limited space, appreciate a classic aesthetic, and find joy in the hands-on process of tamping your own coffee and manually frothing milk, the Arte is a fantastic choice.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these espresso machines can produce excellent results, but they serve very different needs and preferences.
Choose the Breville Barista Pro if:
- You prioritize speed and don't want to wait for your machine to warm up.
- You appreciate the guided feedback and precision of a digital LCD screen.
- You want a wide range of grind settings for dialing in the perfect shot.
- You have ample counter space and prefer a modern, high-tech appliance look.
Choose the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte if:
- You are working with a tighter budget and want excellent value for your money.
- Countertop space is limited, and you need a compact machine.
- You enjoy the hands-on ritual of espresso-making and want a machine that helps you learn.
- A classic, timeless design appeals to you more than a modern digital interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Barista Pro and La Specialista Arte?
The primary difference is technology versus tradition. The Barista Pro leans on an LCD screen and a 3-second ThermoJet heating system for speed and precision. The La Specialista Arte focuses on a more classic, manual experience with its analog controls, barista kit, and compact, budget-friendly design.
Which espresso machine is better for beginners?
Both are good options. The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte is slightly more beginner-friendly if you want to learn the physical craft of espresso, as it includes a full barista kit. The Breville Barista Pro is better for beginners who are more tech-savvy and appreciate digital feedback to guide them toward a consistent shot.
Is the Breville Barista Pro worth the extra money?
For many, yes. The extra cost mainly covers the ThermoJet heating system (3-second warm-up) and the intuitive LCD screen. If speed, convenience, and precise digital control are important to you, the higher price is justified.
How does the milk frothing compare?
Both machines have powerful manual steam wands capable of creating microfoam for latte art. The Barista Pro's steam wand is generally regarded as slightly more powerful, allowing for quicker steaming. The DeLonghi's MyLatteArt wand is specifically designed to be easy for beginners to use.
Do both machines have a built-in grinder?
Yes, both feature an integrated conical burr grinder. The Barista Pro has 30 separate grind settings, offering more flexibility, while the La Specialista Arte has 8 settings, which are sufficient for most home espresso needs.
Which machine is easier to clean?
Both have similar daily cleaning routines involving wiping the steam wand, purging the group head, and emptying the drip tray. The Barista Pro's digital screen will also prompt you when it's time for deeper cleaning cycles like descaling, which is a helpful feature.
Which one has a faster heat-up time?
The Breville Barista Pro is a clear winner here. Its ThermoJet heating system is ready to pull a shot just 3 seconds after turning it on. The La Specialista Arte uses a traditional thermoblock which takes a minute or two to get up to temperature.
Do I need to buy a separate tamper for these machines?
The Breville Barista Pro includes a quality 54mm magnetic tamper that stores on the machine. The DeLonghi's "Arte" model name stands for "art," and it lives up to it by including a full barista kit with a quality tamper, tamping mat, dosing funnel, and milk frothing pitcher in the box.
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