Breville and DeLonghi are undeniably two of the leading brands when it comes to coffee machines. Espresso lovers rely on these brands for a reason. Both have strengths and weaknesses, and we help you choose which brand suits you best.
DeLonghi
Born in Italy, the company DeLonghi has been around for about 100 years. The coffee market will never be the same without this brand. But, while a hundred years may seem so long, DeLonghi only started being noticed around 2008.
Today, the brand holds different espresso makers, from manual to semi-automatic to fully automatic variants. DeLonghi has also established partnerships with other companies, such as Nespresso.
Pros
- Higher programmability
- Compact
- Dual boilers: espresso and steamed milk
- Standard stainless steel casing
Cons
- Lesser manual control
- Smaller water tanks
Breville
Now hailing from Australia is Breville, founded in 1932 by Harry Norville and Bill O’Brien (hence, the brand name). It started as a home appliance manufacturer and was known for launching the original sandwich toaster in 1974.
Breville espresso makers started being known in the early 2000s, and you know by now how that turned out. Now, they have different espresso maker variants: from manual to automatic to pod-based machines.
Pros
- Great aesthetics
- Long and articulated steam wands
- More manual control
Cons
- Pricier
- Less programmability
Aspiring barista?
As you know, you can now whip some coffee up like a true barista if you have a great espresso machine. You can instantly become a barista with a single touch of a button and in the comfort of your home. Whether you want a manual or a convenient, fully automatic one, you can choose whichever you prefer.
Road to your perfect espresso
The biggest and most important secret to a perfect brew is the freshness of the coffee’s grind. Grinding before brewing will give off the most beautiful flavors for the best results. To make this task easier, Breville Barista Touch and DeLonghi La Specialista come with built-in, conical burr grinders. While the Barista lets you choose the grind size you prefer, the DeLonghi variant houses a sensor-based technology that determines and produces the optimal dose.
Now let’s move the pressure, which is another important factor. Breville Barista Touch boasts a 15-bar pressure pump, while DeLonghi has an impressive 19 bars. But note that 15 bars of pressure are enough to give you that rich espresso you love.
Road to your perfect cappuccino
Cappuccinos require a thicker milk foam layer, and people say that DeLonghi works better with special espresso-based drinks. La Specialista guarantees the ideal temperature for extraction and milk frothing, thanks to its two boilers. Plus, you can rely on the brand’s Pannarello milk frothing wand to give you that lovely velvety foam.
On the other end, the Barista Touch houses more control. You can even set the milk temperature anywhere between 110 and 170 ℉ with 8 levels of froth density to enjoy.
Brewing duration
DeLonghi has been tested to have a strong capacity and a rapid heating system to give you your beloved espresso shot in no time. Generally, DeLonghi machines brew a shot in 20 and 40 seconds for a cappuccino.
Breville pulls an espresso shot for 20 seconds and an espresso doppio, also known as a double shot, for 25 seconds. Please take note that these durations may be fast, but they only talk about the actual brewing process. This excludes the warm-up time, which may take some time.
Skills
These coffee machines were made to be highly user-friendly. Therefore, the less you want to work, the more advanced the model you should get. DeLonghi has greater programmability; thus, you’d need fewer skills. The Breville, on the other hand, has more manual controls, which are great if you want to experiment with your coffee.
Water reservoirs
Generally speaking, the larger the water reservoir, the better. Why? So you won’t have to keep on refilling from time to time. Of course, the reservoir size will depend on the model you purchase, whether DeLonghi or Breville. But between the two, Breville seems to have larger water tanks. To make a point, DeLonghi ESAM 3300 boasts a 60 oz water reservoir, while Breville BES870XL has 67 oz.
Counter space
Breville espresso makers are bulkier, so they take up a significant amount of space. This largely depends on your preference and available countertop space.
Style
Now more than ever, people care about aesthetics. While style preference varies from person to person, Breville is known to be the more stylish option than DeLonghi. On the other end, DeLonghi coffee machines are slimmer, which should save you space.
Milk frothing system
If you love milk-based beverages, a machine with a great milk frother should be considered. Both brands have conventional steam wands to froth your milk, but the Breville houses a more extended and articulated frothing wand. On the other hand, DeLonghi has a pannarello wand which is known to froth milk more mechanically and works well with latte art, if you’re into that.
Boiler system
In this category, DeLonghi easily wins due to their impressive double boilers. Double boilers promote speed and convenience. But take note that there are also Breville models with double boilers.
Ease of cleaning and use
A color touch display is likely available for super-automatic coffee machines, which are very easy to use. But when it comes to less automated ones, DeLonghi seems to overpower Breville since the former is more programmable in this regard.
Regarding easy cleaning, both brands have models with self-cleaning features and removable reservoirs, which makes cleaning a breeze. According to users, though, DeLonghi coffee makers are slightly easier to clean due to their uncomplicated designs.
Both brands have machines that automatically rinse themselves. In addition, DeLonghi has a great auto-cleaning system for the milk carafe. But note that Breville variants house a water filter, lessening the need for frequent descaling. For descaling, while descaling liquid is highly recommended, you can go ahead and use water and vinegar instead!
Price points
You can get a hold of a DeLonghi coffee machine for as low as $100, such as the EC155 15-bar pump espresso maker. On the other hand, Breville holds a higher price point, with the cheapest reaching up to a little below $200, such as the BES250BSS with a 15-bar Italian pump. In short, Breville seems to be the more expensive brand.
Top picks
Semi-automatic
We love our first category. Semi-automatic machines are versatile and provide a balance between convenience and flexibility. Here, there’s enough user control while still being convenient. Plus, the barista can manually tamp the grounds and quickly start and stop a shot with one quick button push.
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
With this coffee machine, you can grind the beans before extraction for that fresh cup. It also boasts interchangeable filters, and users may select between automatic or manual operation. The Barista Express is easily one of our favorite espresso machines, which is why this truly is worth that investment!
Features
- Water reservoir: 67 fl. oz. (2L)
- Dimensions: 13.25 x 12.5 x 15.75 inches
Pros
- It comes with a stainless steel conical burr grinder
- It has a “clean me” feature that lights up to notify users it’s time to clean
- 54 mm tamper and 360-degree swivel steam
- It comes with a frothing pitcher
Cons
- It takes a significant amount of counter space
- Lacks water sensor
DeLonghi EC155 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
A more budget-friendly option is the DeLonghi EC155. We say it’s excellent for beginners due to its price yet decent brewing capability. This is compatible with pre-ground or pods and utilizes a single boiler system.
Feature
- Water reservoir: 35 fl. oz.
Pros
- Compact
- It comes with a swivel jet frother, self-priming operation, and two independent thermostats.
- More affordable
- Pulls an excellent shot
Cons
- Small water reservoir
- It does not come with a built-in grinder
- Quite noisy
- Max cup height is low at 2.5 inches
Automatic
Now let’s move to fully and super automatic coffee makers that make the user experience the easiest. These machines typically house “flowmeters” that monitor the shot being pulled to ensure accuracy. Additionally, these coffee makers will automatically grind and tamp your beans. We recommend automatic machines for those who are not willing to put in time and effort in learning the ropes of coffee brewing yet desire an excellent cup every day!
Breville Barista Touch BES880BSS Espresso Machine
To say that this one is a luxury is an understatement. However, this is a great option to add to your home if you have the money to spare. With its pre-programmed beverage menu, automatic milk texturing, and an intuitive touch screen display, you’ll find yourself an authentic cafe experience daily. With a 3 second heat-up time, you’ll have your cup of Joe in no time!
Feature
- Water reservoir: 67 fl. oz
Pros
- Intuitive LCD touch screen display
- Adjustable strength, texture, and temperature
- You can save up to 8 personalized coffee settings
- It comes with a stainless steel conical burr grinder
Cons
- Lacks auto tamping
- The location of the water reservoir is not ideal
DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 Super Automatic Espresso Machine
While this DeLonghi Magnifica super automatic machine from DeLonghi is closer to their top-of-the-line range, I think it still comes at a reasonable price. With its super-automatic operation and bean-to-cup capabilities, you’ll have a great cup without breaking a sweat.
Feature
- Water reservoir: 60 ounce
Pros
- The steam wand swivels 180 degrees
- It comes with a frothing system that produces a rich and creamy froth
- Programmable menu settings
- Easy to use rotary and push button control panel
Cons
- Noisy grinder
- Volume can be improved
Nespresso
Last but not least, we have the Nespresso category. Why? Because both of the brands are in partnership with Nespresso for compatibility. While both brands may seem identical and designed, let’s dive deeper so we can compare them better.
Nespresso Creatista Plus Espresso Machine with Milk Frother by Breville
Now, if you love your lattes, the Creatista might be the one for you. It can quickly create authentic and high-quality latte art in the comfort of your home. In addition, the machine comes with a display that helps you during preparation and even with the maintenance of the machine. Plus, this is a head turner with its sleek and stainless steel design.
Pros
- Customizable
- It comes with a milk frother and a steam wand
- Sleek design
- 11 temperature settings
- 8 coffee options
- 4 froth levels
Con
- Higher price
DeLonghi Silver Lattissima Plus Nespresso Capsule System
We vouch for this for flat white and dry cappuccino lovers out there! This comes at a lower price than its Breville counterpart, but you’ll surely get top-notch performance. This is one of the only self-proclaimed latte machines as well.
Pros
- User friendly
- Adequate programmability
- Self-cleaning option
- Auto-time option
Cons
- Not incredibly customizable
- It does not come with a milk frother
Why you will love Breville
While this brand is the more expensive option, we say it’s worth the investment if you have some cash to spare. Generally, here are some reasons why Breville might be for you:
- Topnotch aesthetics
- If you love larger espresso machines
- Provides complete control over your brewing process; thus, your coffee
- Typically offers a 67-ounce capacity, which gives you an extra cup compared to other brands and models
Why you will love DeLonghi
Now at a more affordable price, here are the reasons why DeLonghi might be what you’re looking for:
- Compact and not as space-consuming
- Programmable functions
- Higher pressure (up to 19 bars!)
- Easier to clean
- Budget-friendly
FAQs
Which one should I buy: Breville or DeLonghi?
What is the main difference between Breville and DeLonghi?
Which brand offers the slimmest espresso machine?
Conclusion
It’s no doubt that both Breville and DeLonghi are trusted brands when it comes to coffee machines. Both companies work hard to provide us with the latest technology. Each brand also has a long, impressive list of coffee machines, and it’s only up to you which one you think will suit your needs best! We hope that this article helped you get a step closer to your dream coffee machine. Happy shopping!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
