The DeLonghi Ec9155MB La Specialista Arte Evo and the Breville Barista Express are both all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machines aimed at home baristas, but they cater to different philosophies. The DeLonghi excels in user-friendliness and guided brewing for beginners, while the Breville offers granular control and professional-style features perfect for the aspiring coffee enthusiast who loves to experiment.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right semi-automatic espresso machine for your home cafe from DeLonghi or Breville.
DeLonghi Ec9155MB La Specialista Arte Evo
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Evo is designed to make the home espresso experience accessible and enjoyable, especially for newcomers. It combines an integrated grinder, straightforward controls, and a complete barista kit to guide users through the process, stripping away intimidation while still producing high-quality espresso and even cold brew.
- What it is: A user-friendly, all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine with a new cold brew function.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder with 8 grind settings, My LatteArt steam wand, 3 brewing temperature profiles, 5 preset drink recipes (Espresso, Americano, Cold Brew), and active temperature control. Includes a full barista kit (tamper, dosing funnel, etc.).
- Price: Around $700-$900.
- Style: Sleek and compact with a classic Italian aesthetic. Its stainless steel finish and minimalist controls fit well in both modern and traditional kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a durable stainless steel body and high-quality plastic components on the interface. The internal Thermoblock heating system ensures fast heat-up times.
- Pros: Very approachable for beginners. The included barista kit provides excellent value. Its compact design is great for smaller countertops. The Cold Brew function offers unique versatility.
- Cons: The grinder has fewer adjustment steps than the Breville. Offers less manual control over extraction variables, which may limit advanced users.
The DeLonghi Ec9155MB is for anyone starting their espresso journey who wants a reliable, stylish, and guided experience without an overwhelming learning curve.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/la-specialista-arte-evo-espresso-machine-with-cold-brew/p/EC9155MB
Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is an iconic machine that has empowered a generation of home espresso enthusiasts. It's a true all-in-one powerhouse, combining an integrated grinder, precise temperature control, and a pressure gauge to give you all the tools you need to pull café-quality shots once you learn the ropes.
- What it is: A premium semi-automatic espresso machine designed for enthusiasts who want total control over the brewing process.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder with dose control grinding, digital PID temperature control for precision, a prominent pressure gauge for extraction feedback, and a powerful manual steam wand for micro-foam.
- Price: $700 to $1,000.
- Style: A modern, slightly industrial aesthetic with a professional feel. The brushed stainless steel finish and clear, functional layout make it a statement piece on any counter.
- Materials/Construction: Features a robust stainless steel body and commercial-grade components. Breville's Thermocoil heating system ensures stable water temperature and rapid performance.
- Pros: Offers exceptional control over every variable of the espresso shot. The pressure gauge provides invaluable feedback for learning. A durable, long-lasting build quality. Widely popular with tons of online tutorials and community support.
- Cons: A much steeper learning curve than the DeLonghi. It’s slightly larger and requires more counter space. The precise controls can be intimidating for absolute beginners.
The Breville Barista Express is geared toward the hands-on coffee hobbyist who enjoys the process and wants to master the art of espresso making.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
DeLonghi Ec9155MB vs. Breville Barista Express Comparison
Features & Usability
This is the most significant point of difference. The DeLonghi Ec9155MB prioritizes simplicity and a guided experience. It offers preset drink options and three temperature settings, making it easy to get a good result quickly. It’s designed to flatten the learning curve and build confidence.
In contrast, the Breville Barista Express is all about manual control and learning the craft. Features like the digital PID temperature control allow you to adjust water temperature degree by degree, and the visible pressure gauge tells you if your shot is over, under, or perfectly extracted. This makes it a fantastic teaching tool, but requires more patience and practice to master.
Grinder Performance
Both machines have integrated conical burr grinders, a huge plus for freshness and convenience. The DeLonghi's grinder has 8 settings, which is adequate for dialing in most coffee beans for espresso. It gets the job done reliably without being overly complicated.
The Breville's grinder offers more steps of adjustment and includes grind amount control, giving finer command over your dose. This extra level of precision is crucial for enthusiasts aiming to perfect their extraction based on bean type, roast date, and humidity.
Dimensions & Design
The DeLonghi has a noticeably more compact footprint, making it a better option for kitchens with limited counter space. Its design language is classic Italian - sleek, clean, and understated. It blends into its environment gracefully.
The Breville Barista Express is slightly larger and taller. Its design is more technical and professional, announcing itself as a serious piece of coffee equipment. The dominant pressure gauge and clear controls give it a look that appeals to those who appreciate a more industrial, functional aesthetic.
Price & Value
While both machines occupy a similar price range of roughly $700 to $1,000, they offer different kinds of value. The DeLonghi's value comes from its accessibility and complete package, the included barista kit (fancy tamper, dosing funnel, milk pitcher) means you have everything you need to start right out of the box, saving you an extra hundred dollars or more.
The Breville's value is in its professional-grade features. PID temperature control and a pressure gauge are uncommon at this price point, providing capabilities usually found in much more expensive machines. It’s an investment in a deeper coffee education and a machine that can grow with your high-level barista skills.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these are excellent all-in-one machines, but they serve different home baristas with different goals.
Choose the DeLonghi Ec9155MB if:
- You're just starting your espresso journey and want a machine that’s easy to use.
- You appreciate a complete, out-of-the-box kit without needing to buy accessories.
- Counter space is a top concern in your kitchen.
- You want versatility like a dedicated Cold Brew function.
Choose the Breville Barista Express if:
- You see espresso-making as a hobby and want to control every detail.
- You want to learn the science behind a perfect shot using feedback from a pressure gauge.
- You love tinkering and experimenting with different grind settings, dose amounts, and beans.
- You have sufficient counter space and prefer a professional, industrial look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the DeLonghi EC9155MB and the Breville Barista Express?
The primary difference is user experience. The DeLonghi is designed for ease of use with pre-programmed settings for beginners. The Breville is built for manual control, offering advanced features like a pressure gauge and tunable PID temperature control for coffee enthusiasts who want to master the craft.
Which espresso machine is better for a beginner?
The DeLonghi Ec9155MB is better for beginners. Its streamlined interface, preset recipes, and included barista kit make the learning process much less intimidating and more straightforward.
Do both machines come with a built-in grinder?
Yes, both feature an integrated conical burr grinder, which is essential for grinding fresh beans on-demand for the best-tasting espresso.
Which machine gives me more control over my espresso shot?
The Breville Barista Express offers significantly more control. You can precisely adjust the grind size, dose amount, and brew temperature, and the pressure gauge provides real-time feedback to help you perfect your extraction.
How do the steam wands compare for making lattes?
Both are highly capable. Breville’s powerful manual steam wand is known for creating silky micro-foam ideal for latte art, though it takes practice. DeLonghi’s My LatteArt steam wand is also quite effective and designed to be easy for beginners to handle.
Is there a significant size difference between the two?
Yes. The DeLonghi is noticeably more compact and has a smaller footprint, making it a better fit for kitchens where counter space is at a premium. The Breville is wider and taller, requiring more dedicated space.
How much maintenance do these machines require?
Both require regular maintenance for optimal performance and longevity. This includes daily rinsing of the group head and portafilter, monthly descaling, and periodic deep cleaning of the grinder burrs. Both machines include cleaning tablets and indicators that tell you when a cleaning cycle is due.
Which machine offers better value for the price?
It depends on your priorities. DeLonghi offers great value for beginners with its comprehensive accessory kit and ease of use. Breville offers value for enthusiasts by packing professional-level, high-performance features into a machine at a mid-range price point.
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