The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is a reliable, mid-range super-automatic espresso machine designed for one-touch convenience, whereas the Breville Barista Touch is a premium semi-automatic model featuring an intuitive touchscreen and deep customization for the discerning home barista. The Magnifica Evo prioritizes speed and simplicity, while the Barista Touch focuses on providing a café-quality experience with greater user control.
Here’s a detailed look at both machines from DeLonghi and Breville to help you decide which one best suits your morning coffee routine.
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo
The Magnifica Evo is a workhorse super-automatic espresso machine that delivers consistent, bean-to-cup coffee with minimal effort. It embodies DeLonghi's reputation for creating durable, straightforward machines that are perfect for anyone who values convenience and reliability over manual control. From espresso shots to lattes, it's designed to make your favorite drinks at the push of a button.
- What it is: A super-automatic espresso machine with a built-in ceramic burr grinder and automatic milk frother.
- Key features: Integrated grinder with 13 settings, LatteCrema milk frothing system for one-touch milk drinks, intuitive control panel with color icons, removable and dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning.
- Price: Around $700-$900, positioning it as a strong mid-range contender.
- Dimensions: 9.4" W x 17.3" D x 14.2" H, making it relatively compact.
- Materials/Construction: Features a sturdy mix of plastic and metal components with a stainless steel boiler designed for consistent temperature and long-term use.
- Style: Classic and functional, with clean lines and a simple black and silver finish that fits into most kitchen decors without commanding too much attention.
- Pros: Extremely easy to use with its one-touch drink selections. Consistently good espresso and milk drinks. Affordable for a super-automatic machine. Compact footprint saves counter space. Simple maintenance routine.
- Cons: Limited customization compared to semi-automatic models. The build includes more plastic components than premium machines. Milk frothing is automatic, offering less control over texture.
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is ideal for the busy coffee drinker who wants great espresso drinks without a learning curve or complex preparation steps.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/magnifica-evo
Breville Barista Touch
The Breville Barista Touch bridges the gap between manual and automatic machines, giving you the precision of a barista with the guidance of an intuitive touchscreen. It offers deep customization for every step of the brewing process, from grind size to milk texture, making it perfect for the coffee enthusiast who enjoys crafting the perfect cup and wants to experiment with different settings.
- What it is: A premium semi-automatic espresso machine with a touchscreen interface, built-in grinder, and automatic steam wand.
- Key features: Full-color touchscreen for navigating drink creation, integrated stainless steel conical burr grinder, automatic steam wand for hands-free milk texturing, ability to save up to 8 personalized coffee settings, 3-second heat-up time with ThermoJet heating system.
- Price: $1,200-$1,400, reflecting its premium features and construction.
- Dimensions: 12.7" W x 13.1" D x 16.3" H, requiring more counter space than the DeLonghi.
- Materials/Construction: A high-quality brushed stainless steel body, commercial-grade internal components, and robust construction built for performance and durability.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist. The prominent touchscreen and polished steel finish give it a high-tech, professional aesthetic.
- Pros: Incredible level of control and customization. Intuitive touchscreen makes complex settings accessible. Creates café-quality microfoam for latte art. Heats up incredibly fast. Premium, durable build quality.
- Cons: High price point. Larger footprint takes up more counter space. Requires more user involvement than a super-automatic machine, which can be a learning curve for some.
The Breville Barista Touch is geared toward the serious home barista who craves control, values a high-quality build, and doesn't mind paying a premium for a top-tier experience.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/barista-touch
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo vs. Breville Barista Touch Comparison
User Experience & Control
The primary difference lies in the user experience. The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is built for simplicity. You select a drink from its icon-based interface, push a button, and the machine does the rest. It's wonderfully straightforward but offers limited a-la-carte adjustments for strength or temperature. It’s a "set it and forget it" experience aimed at convenience.
In contrast, the Breville Barista Touch is centered around user control guided by technology. Its touchscreen walks you through every step - grind, brew, and milk - while allowing you to adjust variables like grind size, brew time, and milk temperature. You can save your creations as personalized drinks. This approach combines the consistency of automation with the crafty feel of a manual machine, appealing to those who want to perfect their ideal cup.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are well-built, but they reflect their respective price points. The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo relies on durable plastic for much of its housing, with metal accents and a reliable stainless steel boiler inside. It's designed to be a functional, long-lasting appliance for daily use.
The Breville Barista Touch feels more premium from top to bottom, with a brushed stainless steel exterior that’s both stylish and sturdy. Its commercial-grade conical burr grinder and advanced heating system are built for precision and longevity, justifying its higher cost with superior craftsmanship.
Size & Design
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo features a classic, functional design with a smaller footprint, making it a better fit for kitchens with limited counter space. Its aesthetic is understated and clean.
The Breville Barista Touch is a statement piece. It’s slightly larger and boasts a modern, professional look thanks to its metal body and prominent color touchscreen. It looks like a high-end appliance straight out of a specialty cafe and is designed to be a focal point in the kitchen.
Price & Value
With a price tag around $700-$900, the DeLonghi offers excellent value. For a super-automatic machine that can make a wide range of drinks with one touch, it's an accessible investment for quality at-home coffee without the hassle. Its value is in its convenience and consistency.
The Breville, at $1,200-$1,400, is a premium purchase. Its value comes from the sheer level of control, high-quality components, and its ability to produce truly café-quality beverages, including microfoam for latte art. It's for those willing to invest more for a hands-on, highly customizable coffee crafting experience.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both are excellent machines, but they cater to very different types of coffee lovers.
Choose the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo if:
- You prioritize speed and convenience over manual control.
- You want a reliable, easy-to-use machine for daily coffee without any guesswork.
- Your budget is under $1,000.
- You are new to at-home espresso machines or prefer a straightforward experience.
Choose the Breville Barista Touch if:
- You enjoy the craft of making coffee and want to experiment with different settings.
- You're aiming for café-quality milk texture and latte art.
- You appreciate a premium, modern design and high-end materials.
- You have a higher budget and are looking for a machine that bridges the gap between automated and professional manual control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo and Breville Barista Touch?
The key difference is the level of automation and control. The DeLonghi is a super-automatic machine that handles everything for you at the touch of a button. The Breville is a touchscreen-guided semi-automatic machine that gives you deep control over grind, brew, and milk settings for a personalized, barista-style experience.
Which machine is better for beginners?
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is significantly better for beginners. Its one-touch functionality and minimal settings remove the learning curve associated with making espresso. The Breville is user-friendly for what it is, but it asks for more input from the user.
Does the Breville Barista Touch make better coffee?
It has the potential to make better coffee. With precise control over variables like grind size, dose, and temperature, an experienced user can dial in a truly exceptional shot of espresso. The DeLonghi makes consistently good coffee but offers less room for fine-tuning.
How difficult is cleaning and maintenance for each machine?
Both machines have automated cleaning cycles and removable parts for easy maintenance. The DeLonghi is slightly easier to clean day-to-day due to its simple system. The Breville's steam wand requires more frequent purging and wiping, but its on-screen guides make descaling and maintenance straightforward.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in these machines?
Yes, the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo typically has a bypass doser that allows you to use pre-ground coffee, which is convenient for decaf. The Breville Barista Touch is designed primarily for whole beans, and using its built-in grinder is essential to its workflow and quality.
What kind of milk frothing do they offer?
The DeLonghi uses a fully automatic "LatteCrema" system that sucks milk from a container, heats it, froths it, and dispenses it directly into your cup. The Breville uses an automatic steam wand that you place in a manual pitcher of milk, and it textures the milk for you to a customizable temperature and foam level, allowing for pouring latte art.
Which machine is more durable?
Both are built by reputable brands known for durability. However, the Breville’s extensive use of stainless steel in its body and high-grade internal components gives it a more robust and premium feel, suggesting excellent long-term durability with proper care.
Is the Breville Barista Touch worth the extra money?
For a coffee enthusiast who wants to learn, experiment, and achieve café-quality results at home, it absolutely is. The price jump directly correlates with the increase in control, build quality, and features. If your goal is simply a good, quick cup of coffee, the DeLonghi offers better overall value.
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