The DeLonghi Specialista and the Breville Express are two of the most popular machines for making café-quality espresso at home, but they cater to very different preferences. The Specialista, from Italian brand DeLonghi, emphasizes classic craftsmanship and a semi-automatic, hands-on experience, while the Express, from Australian brand Breville, offers an all-in-one solution with an integrated grinder and a sleek, modern user interface.
Here’s a complete look at how these two espresso machines compare to help you decide which is the right investment for your coffee bar.
DeLonghi Specialista
The DeLonghi Specialista is a semi-automatic espresso machine that embodies traditional Italian design and engineering. It's built for the home barista who enjoys the ritual of making coffee and values durability, with features aimed at providing control and consistency in every shot.
- What it is: A semi-automatic espresso machine designed for enthusiasts, focusing on manual control, reliable performance, and durable materials.
- Key features: Smart Tamping Station for consistent pressure, active temperature control with dual heating systems for brewing and steaming, advanced latte system.
- Price: $700 - $900
- Dimensions: Approximately 12" W x 12" D x 16" H.
- Materials/Construction: Features a high-quality stainless steel boiler and a robust brass brew group, ensuring thermal stability and longevity. The overall construction is a mix of metal and premium plastics.
- Style: Classic yet refined with a slightly retro feel, characterized by smooth curves and polished stainless steel. It fits beautifully in both modern and traditional kitchens.
- Pros: Excellent build quality with a focus on core component longevity. Smart tamping system reduces mess and improves consistency. Independent heating systems allow for brewing and frothing without a wait. Classic Italian design offers a timeless look.
- Cons: A separate high-quality grinder is an additional purchase. The hands-on nature may have a steeper learning curve for complete beginners. Taller profile requires more vertical clearance.
The Specialista is ideal for coffee lovers who want a robust, beautifully designed machine and enjoy being involved in every step of the espresso-making process.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/specialista-prestigio-espresso-machine
Breville Express
The Breville Express is an incredibly popular all-in-one machine that combines a user-friendly espresso maker with a high-quality conical burr grinder. It's designed for convenience without sacrificing the ability to customize your coffee, making it a go-to choice for aspiring home baristas who want great results quickly.
- What it is: An all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine with a built-in conical burr grinder.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder with dose control, digital temperature control (PID) for precise water temperature, pressure gauge for shot feedback, hands-free grinding cradle.
- Price: $700 - $900
- Dimensions: Approximately 12" W x 12" D x 14" H.
- Materials/Construction: Built with stainless steel in key areas like the portafilter and thermocoil system, with a durable plastic body accented by brushed metal finishes.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and utilitarian. Its clean lines and brushed stainless steel finish give it a contemporary look that feels professional and fits well in modern kitchens.
- Pros: All-in-one design saves counter space and cost. Digital temperature control ensures shot-to-shot consistency. Very intuitive and easy to learn for beginners. The immense popularity means tons of online tutorials and support are available.
- Cons: The integrated grinder limits future upgrades should your skills advance. Some components are plastic, which may not feel as premium as DeLonghi's all-metal parts. A single boiler means there’s a short wait between brewing espresso and steaming milk.
This machine is for the modern coffee drinker who cares about precision and convenience and wants to achieve great espresso with minimal fuss and a smaller footprint.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870
DeLonghi Specialista vs. Breville Express Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
Both machines are designed with home countertops in mind and share a similar 12" x 12" footprint. The primary difference is height. The Breville Express stands around 14 inches tall, making it a better fit for kitchens with lower-hanging upper cabinets. The DeLonghi Specialista is taller at 16 inches, which gives it a more commanding presence on the counter but might be too tall for some spaces.
Materials & Construction
This is a key differentiator. The DeLonghi Specialista puts a strong emphasis on traditional Italian build quality, featuring a stainless steel boiler and a heavy brass brew group. These materials are chosen for their excellent thermal stability and long-term durability. Breville favors an engineered approach with a stainless steel thermocoil heating system, which heats water quickly, along with a mix of durable plastic and brushed metal parts. While both are built well, the DeLonghi feels more mechanically robust due to its heavy metal internals.
Price & Value
Both machines live in the same $700-$900 premium espresso category, but they offer different kinds of value. The value of the Breville Express comes from its integration - you get a very capable espresso machine and a quality conical burr grinder in one package, saving space and money compared to buying separate components. The value of the DeLonghi Specialista is rooted in its craftsmanship and core components designed for longevity, positioning it as a machine you’ll use for many years.
Style & Aesthetics
Your choice here comes down to personal taste. The Specialista has a distinctly European, classic look. Its polished finish, curved body, and traditional pressure gauge give it an elegant, almost retro, charm. The Express is unmistakably modern and technical. With its A-line profile, brushed stainless steel, and clear interface, it looks like a professional appliance designed for precision.
Who Each One Works Best For
The DeLonghi Specialista is a perfect fit for the hobbyist who romanticizes the espresso ritual. If you appreciate the art of dialing in a shot, value high-end internal components, and want a machine that feels like a piece of classic Italian equipment, this is your machine. It’s for the user who either has a separate grinder they love or plans to invest in one.
The Breville Express is designed for the practical enthusiast who wants excellent results efficiently. It's best suited for those looking for an all-in-one solution that delivers precision and consistency without a massive learning curve. Its compact size and integrated grinder make it ideal for anyone who’s short on counter space but serious about their morning coffee.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Specialista and the Express are fantastic machines in their class, but they serve different home baristas.
Choose the DeLonghi Specialista if:
- You appreciate classic, elegant Italian design and want a machine with real presence.
- You prioritize heavy-duty internal construction like brass and steel for long-term durability.
- The hands-on process, like using its innovative tamping station, is part of the appeal for you.
- You want to choose your own grinder or already have one you're happy with.
Choose the Breville Express if:
- You want an all-in-one solution to save counter space and simplify an equipment hunt.
- A sleek, modern, stainless-steel aesthetic fits the look of your kitchen.
- You value digital precision, like the PID temperature control that ensures your water is at the perfect temperature.
- Having access to a large online community for tutorials, tips, and tricks is important to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the DeLonghi Specialista and Breville Express?
The biggest difference is the onboard grinder - the Breville Express has an excellent integrated burr grinder, while the DeLonghi Specialista does not. Aesthetically, the DeLonghi features a classic Italian design compared to Breville's modern, technical look. Internally, DeLonghi focuses on traditional heavy-duty components like a brass brew group for thermal stability.
Which machine is better for beginners?
The Breville Express is generally considered better for beginners. Its all-in-one nature simplifies the process, and its incredible popularity means there is a huge volume of online video tutorials and guides available to help new users pull great shots quickly.
Does the Breville Express's built-in grinder compromise on quality?
Not for most users. The integrated conical burr grinder is far superior to most entry-level grinders and is more than capable of producing a fine, consistent grind for great espresso. However, dedicated grinders at the $300+ price point will offer more fine-tuned adjustments for advanced baristas.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in both machines?
Yes, both machines come with double-wall, or "pressurized," portafilter baskets. These baskets are designed specifically for use with pre-ground coffee and help create artificial pressure to produce a decent shot even if the grind isn't perfect.
Which espresso machine is built to last longer?
Both are respected for their durability in this price range. However, the DeLonghi Specialista's focus on heavy-duty, classic materials like a brass brew group and stainless steel boiler is often associated with traditional commercial machine longevity and may give it an edge in raw component lifespan.
How much counter space do these machines need?
They both take up about a 12x12 inch square of counter space. The key consideration is vertical height. The Breville Express is about 14 inches tall, while the Specialista is about 16 inches tall, so be sure to measure the space under your cabinets.
Which machine makes better milk foam for lattes?
Both have powerful, manually operated steam wands capable of producing excellent microfoam for latte art. The DeLonghi features a dedicated heating system just for steaming, meaning it's ready instantly after you brew. The Breville has a single heating element, so there's a short 20-30 second wait while it heats up to steam temperature.
Is the higher price for these machines worth it compared to a cheaper model?
Absolutely. Moving into the $700+ category gets you critical features unavailable in cheaper machines, such as precise temperature and pressure control, high-quality components for better consistency, and powerful steam wands. These elements make a huge difference in the quality of espresso you can produce at home.
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