The De'Longhi La Specialista Prestigio EC9335M and the Breville Barista Express are two of the most popular home espresso machines, but they cater to slightly different users through their design philosophy, user experience, and price. De'Longhi emphasizes a guided, simplified process with its smart tamping station and active temperature control, while Breville provides precise, manual control over grind size and dose, appealing to those who want to fine-tune every part of their shot. This distinction in their approach is the core difference between these two excellent machines from De'Longhi and Breville.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which espresso machine is the right fit for your counter and your coffee routine.
De'Longhi La Specialista Prestigio EC9335M
The La Specialista series from De'Longhi is designed to offer a "barista-at-home" experience without a steep learning curve. It achieves this by automating some of the trickiest parts of espresso making, like tamping, while still giving you control over grinding and extraction. This machine is a semi-automatic hybrid that guides you to a consistent shot of espresso every time.
- What it is: A semi-automatic espresso machine with a sensor-driven grinder, smart tamping station, and advanced steam wand.
- Key features: Built-in conical burr grinder with 8 settings, a smart tamping station for consistent pressure, active temperature control with 3 profiles, and a separate heating system for milk frothing.
- Price: Around $750
- Style: Classic Italian espresso machine design with a polished stainless steel finish, pressure gauge, and sturdy knobs.
- Materials/Construction: Main housing is stainless steel with some durable plastic components. It features dual stainless steel heating systems for stability.
- Pros: Smart Tamping Station provides mess-free, consistent tamping for better shots. Dual heating systems allow for no-wait brewing and steaming. Grinder sensors ensure the right dose every time. Its guided process makes it very beginner-friendly for a semi-automatic machine.
- Cons: A limited number of grind settings compared to the Breville. Less manual control may not appeal to perfectionists. Can be loud during operation.
This De’Longhi is ideal for those who want to step up from a pod machine and make real espresso without the guesswork and skill required by more manual machines.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/la-specialista-prestigio-espresso-machine
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express has been a benchmark for home espresso for years, offering an all-in-one package that gives home baristas the tools they need to craft café-quality drinks. It's built around the "four keys formula" that professional machines use: proper dose, precise temperature, optimal pressure, and powerful steam. It strikes a balance between automated convenience and manual control.
- What it is: An all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine that takes you from whole beans to espresso in under a minute.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder with 16 settings, digital temperature control (PID) for water stability, dose-control grinding cradle, and low-pressure pre-infusion for a balanced extraction.
- Price: Around $750
- Style: Sleek and modern with a brushed stainless steel finish, an intuitive button layout, and a clear pressure gauge.
- Materials/Construction: Features a high-quality brushed stainless steel exterior and internal components built for longevity. It uses a single Thermocoil heating system.
- Pros: Gives you precise control over grind size, dose, and temperature. Excellent build quality feels substantial and durable. Widely supported with parts, accessories, and a huge online community. Produces exceptional espresso once dialed in.
- Cons: Has a steeper learning curve to master proper dosing and tamping. Single heating system means you have to wait between brewing and steaming milk. Grinder can be somewhat messy.
The Barista Express is perfect for the aspiring home barista who enjoys the process of making coffee and wants full control over the variables to perfect their ideal shot.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870xl.html
De'Longhi La Specialista vs. Breville Barista Express Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
Both machines are designed with home countertops in mind and have similar footprints. The De'Longhi La Specialista measures approximately 14.5" W x 15" D x 17.5" H, making it slightly taller. The Breville Barista Express is a bit more compact at about 12.5" W x 12.6" D x 13.1" H.
The taller profile of the De'Longhi is something to consider if you have low-hanging upper kitchen cabinets. For kitchens where counter space is truly at a premium, the Breville might be a slightly better fit, but both are considered reasonably sized for all-in-one units.
Performance & User Experience
This is where the two machines diverge most significantly. The De'Longhi is built for ease of use and consistency. Its standout feature is the Smart Tamping Station: after the grounds are dosed into the portafilter locked into the grinder, you simply pull a lever on the side to tamp the puck perfectly every time. This removes one of the most variable and difficult skills for a beginner to learn.
The Breville Barista Express offers a more traditional, hands-on experience. You control the grind dose and then must tamp the coffee yourself using the included tamper. While this has a learning curve and can be messy, it also provides experienced users the ability to adjust their tamping pressure and technique to get the best possible extraction from different coffee beans. Breville’s PID digital temperature control keeps water temperature more stable than many non-PID machines, a critical factor for excellent espresso.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are well-built with a heavy emphasis on stainless steel. The Breville Barista Express has a slight edge with its brushed stainless steel housing that feels robust and premium throughout. It has gained a reputation for its durability over many years on the market.
The De'Longhi La Specialista also uses a polished stainless steel body, but incorporates more high-quality plastic in areas like the bean hopper and water tank. A key difference in construction is the heating system. The De'Longhi has two separate thermoblocks for brewing and steaming, meaning you can pull a shot and immediately steam milk. The Breville has a single Thermocoil, so you must wait a minute or so for it to switch temperatures between brewing and steaming.
Price & Value
Both the De'Longhi La Specialista Prestigio and the Breville Barista Express hover around a similar price point, typically retailing for about $750. In terms of value, the choice depends on what you prioritize. The De'Longhi offers value through its user-friendly features like the smart tamper and dual heaters, which simplify the workflow and save time.
The Breville offers value through its degree of control and potential for higher-quality espresso shots for users willing to learn. Its robust build and widespread popularity also mean that support and third-party accessories are easy to find, adding to its long-term value.
Style & Versatility
De'Longhi's design language leans into the classic, almost retro aesthetic of Italian coffee bars. With its large, round pressure gauge, polished finish, and prominent knobs, it makes a bold statement and fits well in traditional or modern-industrial kitchens.
Breville opts for a more contemporary and industrial look. Its brushed steel finish, clean lines, and intuitive button layout give it a professional-chef-appliance feel that complements modern kitchen designs. Its more understated elegance can blend in more easily with other stainless steel appliances.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both are fantastic machines that produce great espresso, but they excel for different kinds of users.
Choose the De'Longhi La Specialista if:
- You are new to semi-automatic espresso machines and feel intimidated by tamping.
- You want a more guided experience that delivers consistent results with less effort.
- You make a lot of milk drinks and want to switch between brewing and steaming quickly.
- You appreciate the bold, classic Italian machine aesthetic.
Choose the Breville Barista Express if:
- You enjoy the craft of coffee making and want full control over your grind and tamp.
- You are willing to practice and "dial in" your machine to achieve the perfect shot.
- You value PID temperature control for shot-to-shot consistency.
- You prefer a clean, modern design and a massive community for tips and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the De'Longhi and Breville machines?
The main difference is their approach to the user. The De'Longhi La Specialista is designed for simplicity and consistency with features like an assisted tamping station. The Breville Barista Express is designed to give the user more manual control over variables like grind dose and tamping pressure.
Which espresso machine is better for beginners?
The De'Longhi La Specialista is generally better for absolute beginners because its Smart Tamping Station removes the most difficult variable from the process. The Breville is a great machine to learn on, but it requires more initial practice and patience.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in these machines?
Yes, both machines can be used with pre-ground coffee. However, for best results and the freshest flavor, using the integrated grinders with fresh, whole beans is highly recommended. Using pre-ground coffee bypasses one of the primary benefits of these all-in-one machines.
Which one has a better steam wand for milk frothing?
Both machines have capable steam wands that can produce high-quality microfoam for latte art. The De’Longhi has an advanced latte system with a selector for foam or flat milk, which can be helpful. The Breville's manual steam wand is very powerful and provides full control, often preferred by experienced users.
Is the Breville's PID temperature control a big deal?
Yes, for espresso enthusiasts it is. A PID controller ensures the water temperature is precise and stable during brewing, which is critical for extracting the best flavor from coffee beans. This is a pro-level feature that contributes to the Barista Express's consistent shot quality.
How easy are they to clean?
Both models require regular cleaning, including descaling, cleaning the grinder, and backflushing the group head. The Breville comes with a solid set of cleaning tools and has automated cleaning cycle alerts. The De'Longhi's design, especially the assisted tamper, also requires regular wipe-downs and cleaning to function smoothly.
Which one is more durable?
Both machines are built well with premium materials. The Breville Barista Express has a longer track record on the market and has proven to be a very durable and reliable machine, which gives it a slight edge in perceived long-term durability.
Do I need to buy any extra accessories?
Both machines come with almost everything you need to start, including a portafilter, filter baskets, a milk pitcher, and cleaning supplies. Many Barista Express users eventually upgrade their tamper and purchase a coffee scale for more precise dosing, but this is optional.
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