The Delonghi Touch and Breville Touch espresso machine collections seem similar, but they cater to very different types of home baristas. Delonghi’s Touch machines emphasize user-friendly controls, reliable performance, and classic Italian design at a more accessible price point. In contrast, Breville's Touch lineup focuses on professional-grade technology, offering precision temperature and pressure control through advanced touchscreens for coffee enthusiasts willing to invest more for customization.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which high-end espresso machine is the right fit for your kitchen counter.
Delonghi Touch Espresso Machines
The Delonghi Touch series represents the brand's commitment to combining classic Italian engineering with modern, simplistic operation. These machines are built for home users who want high-quality espresso without a steep learning curve. Known for their durability and consistent performance, Delonghi Touch models offer a straightforward path to cafe-quality drinks through intuitive icons and pre-programmed settings.
- What it is: A series of premium home espresso machines with user-friendly touch controls designed for convenience and reliability.
- Key features: Thermoblock heating systems for fast start-up, high-quality milk frothing wands or automatic systems, intuitive touch-button interfaces, and durable stainless steel construction.
- Price: Approximately $700 to $1,200.
- Style: Sleek and minimalist Italian design with clean lines and a modern aesthetic that fits well in contemporary kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: Features sturdy stainless steel components, high-quality internal parts, and a reputation for long-term reliability.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price, incredibly user-friendly and great for beginners, fast heat-up times, consistent brewing performance, and a reliable, durable build.
- Cons: Offers less manual control and customization than Breville, features are advanced but not as cutting-edge as top-tier Breville models, and the design is minimalist but less high-tech.
This line is ideal for the aspiring home barista who prioritizes ease of use and consistent results over granular control, all packaged in a stylish Italian design.
Shop this brand: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/products/coffee-and-espresso
Breville Touch Espresso Machines
The Breville Touch series is designed for the serious coffee enthusiast who wants to bring the precision of a professional cafe into their home. These machines are packed with innovative technology, featuring vibrant touchscreens that guide you through every step of the brewing process. With features like PID temperature control and customizable drink settings, Breville gives users the tools to experiment and perfect their espresso shots.
- What it is: A collection of high-performance espresso machines with advanced touchscreen interfaces for precise control and customization.
- Key features: Full-color touchscreen displays with pre-programmed cafe drinks, precise PID temperature control for water stability, integrated conical burr grinders (in many models), and customizable settings for grind size, shot volume, and milk texture.
- Price: Approximately $800 to $1,500.
- Style: A contemporary, high-tech aesthetic with polished surfaces, prominent digital screens, and a robust, professional look.
- Materials/Construction: Built with premium, high-grade stainless steel and solid internal components designed for precision and durability.
- Pros: Barista-level control over every brewing variable, stunningly intuitive video-guided touchscreens, high-end features like PID control, and consistently excellent espresso and milk texturing.
- Cons: A significantly higher price point, can be more complex than needed for casual users, and the larger footprint of some models may not suit smaller kitchens.
A Breville Touch machine is an excellent choice for the coffee lover who enjoys the science behind a perfect shot and wants the highest level of control over their brewing process.
Shop this brand: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso.html
Delonghi Touch vs. Breville Touch Comparison
Materials & Construction
Both Delonghi and Breville build their machines with durable stainless steel, but their focus differs slightly. Delonghi is known for creating robust, reliable workhorses that stand the test of time, their internal componentry is built for longevity and consistent daily use. Breville also uses high-quality materials, but with a greater emphasis on a refined-feeling, premium finish. The build quality on a Breville machine often feels a bit weightier and more substantial, reflecting its higher price point.
Technology & Features
This is where the two brands truly diverge. A Delonghi Touch machine offers a simple, icon-based touch interface. It's designed to be intuitive and quick. A Breville Touch machine, on the other hand, often features a full-color LCD touchscreen with guided tutorials. Breville incorporates more professional technology, such as PID systems that maintain precise water temperature for optimal espresso extraction - a feature serious enthusiasts swear by. Many Breville models also come with a high-quality integrated grinder, adding to their all-in-one appeal.
Style & Aesthetic
Your kitchen's aesthetic might sway your decision. Delonghi leans into a sleek, minimalist Italian design. The machines are modern and clean, designed to blend elegantly into a kitchen without dominating the space. Breville's style is more contemporary and tech-forward. With prominent screens and polished, industrial-inspired lines, a Breville machine makes a statement that you are serious about coffee.
Price & Value
Delonghi generally offers a more accessible entry into the premium espresso machine market, with prices often starting around $700. For this price, you get a durable, reliable, and very capable machine that delivers excellent coffee with ease. Breville sits a clear tier above, with models starting around $800 and climbing toward $1,500. The higher cost reflects its advanced technology, precision controls, and premium build. Delonghi provides outstanding value for everyday excellence, while Breville offers boutique cafe performance for a price.
Who Each One Works Best For
A Delonghi Touch is best for the person who wants delicious, consistent espresso drinks without fuss. It appeals to busy professionals, families, and anyone who values convenience and reliability but still wants a high-quality machine. They want to press a button and get a great latte.
A Breville Touch is designed for the coffee hobbyist, the tinkerer, and the flavor chaser. If you enjoy experimenting with grind size, tamping pressure, and shot timing to unlock the perfect flavor profile, Breville provides the tools you need. It's for the person who sees making espresso as a craft to be honed.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands produce outstanding machines, but they excel in different areas and are tailored to different users.
Choose a Delonghi Touch machine if:
- You prioritize simplicity and ease of use over complex customization.
- You're looking for the best performance and reliability at a more accessible price point.
- You appreciate a sleek, understated Italian design that complements a modern kitchen.
- You want a workhorse machine that makes excellent coffee consistently with minimal effort.
Choose a Breville Touch machine if:
- You are a serious coffee enthusiast who wants precise control over every part of the brewing process.
- Your budget accommodates a more premium, technology-packed machine.
- You appreciate a high-tech interface with guided tutorials and deep customization options.
- You want professional-grade features like PID temperature control and an integrated grinder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Delonghi Touch and Breville Touch machines?
The main difference lies in technology and user focus. Delonghi Touch machines use simpler, icon-based controls for ease and convenience. Breville Touch models feature advanced touchscreens with more granular control over variables like temperature, grind, and brew volume for a customized, barista-style experience.
Which espresso machine brand is better for beginners?
Delonghi is generally considered more beginner-friendly. Its intuitive interfaces and pre-programmed settings allow new users to make great coffee immediately, while Breville's advanced options can sometimes feel overwhelming for those just starting out.
Is the higher price of a Breville Touch machine worth it?
If you are a coffee enthusiast dedicated to perfecting your skills and chasing the perfect shot, the advanced features of a Breville machine, like PID temperature control, are absolutely worth the investment. For users who primarily want a delicious and easy latte every morning, Delonghi offers better value.
Do these machines have built-in grinders?
Many popular Breville models, like the Barista Touch, come with a high-quality integrated conical burr grinder. While some Delonghi models (especially super-automatics) have grinders, it's a more common feature in Breville's "all-in-one" semi-automatic machines like the Touch lineup.
How difficult are these machines to clean and maintain?
Both brands design their machines for straightforward home maintenance. They include removable drip trays, water tanks, and often have automated cleaning cycles or alerts. Regular descaling and backflushing are recommended for both to ensure longevity.
Which brand has better milk frothing capabilities?
Both brands offer excellent milk frothing, either via manual steam wands or automatic systems. Breville is often praised for its steam wands, which deliver powerful, dry steam that makes achieving microfoam for latte art easier, but Delonghi's automatic frothers are prized for their convenience.
How long do Delonghi and Breville machines typically last?
Both brands are known for quality construction and generally offer 1- to 2-year warranties. With regular cleaning and proper care, machines from both Delonghi and Breville can be expected to last for many years of daily use.
Which one is more compact?
Delonghi machines often have a slightly smaller footprint, as Breville's feature-heavy models (especially those with grinders) can be larger and require more counter space.
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