Breville and De’Longhi sit side by side on almost every appliance shelf, and both sell machines that grind, tamp, pull a shot and steam milk. They are not built around the same idea, though. Breville puts most of its range into manual machines that coach you through each step. De’Longhi spreads its range wider, from small manual pump machines to fully automatic bean-to-cup models that do everything at the press of a button.
This guide compares the two brands on the things you can check: how each one heats, grinds and tamps, how it steams milk, how easy it is to learn, and how much each brand’s range suits the way you want to make coffee. It ends with three in-stock machines, two from Breville and one from De’Longhi, so you can see the difference in real models.
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Quick verdict: Breville or De’Longhi?
If you want to make espresso by hand, with a grinder, a portafilter and a steam wand, Breville is the better choice for most people. Its machines are easier to learn and more consistent, and the independent results we read put Breville a little ahead on ease of use and test scores. If you want to press one button and get a latte, choose De’Longhi, which has the far deeper range of fully automatic machines. It also has the cheaper ways in, and CHOICE found it slightly more reliable.
The table sums up the brand differences. The sections after it explain each one, with the source behind it.
Breville vs DeLonghi espresso machine, side by side
| Breville | De’Longhi | |
|---|---|---|
| Main strength | Manual and semi-automatic machines, many with a built-in grinder | Fully automatic bean-to-cup machines, plus compact manual models |
| Heating (models on this page) | ThermoJet (ready in 3 seconds) or Thermocoil with PID | Three selectable brew temperatures on the La Specialista Arte |
| Tamping help | Impress system: automatic dose and a 22 lb tamp | Dosing funnel and tamping mat, tamped by hand |
| Built-in grinder settings | 25 (Barista Express Impress) | 8 (La Specialista Arte) |
| Milk | Manual wand, or hands-free automatic wand on some models | Manual wand on La Specialista; one-touch milk on its automatics |
| Learning curve | Easier, says CHOICE’s coffee expert | Good coffee is possible, but may take longer to learn (CHOICE) |
| Brand data (CHOICE, Australia) | Higher test score and satisfaction | Slightly higher reliability; named Best Brand for 2025 |
| Warranty (listings on this page) | 2 years on the Bambino Plus; not stated on the Impress listing | 2 years on the La Specialista Arte listing |
Two different ideas of home espresso
The clearest difference between the brands is where their ranges sit. CHOICE, the Australian consumer group, puts it plainly: Breville has the wider range of manual and semi-automatic espresso machines. Most Breville models ask you to lock in a portafilter and steam the milk yourself, and the brand’s work goes into making those steps easier, with built-in grinders, automatic dosing and steam wands that texture milk on their own.
De’Longhi does sell manual machines. Its La Specialista line has a grinder, a portafilter and a steam wand, and it has a run of small, low-cost pump machines below that. But it is better known for fully automatic machines, which grind, tamp, brew and froth inside the box. If that is what you want, our best De’Longhi espresso machine guide covers that range in detail, from the Magnifica to the PrimaDonna.
So the first question is not really which brand. It is whether you want to make the drink or press a button for it. Answer that, and the brand usually follows.
Heating: how fast each one is ready
Breville publishes its heating systems in detail. The Bambino Plus uses what Breville calls a ThermoJet system, a printed heating circuit that it says is ready in 3 seconds. The Barista Express Impress uses a Thermocoil with PID temperature control, which Breville says brews at 200°F. PID is a digital controller that holds the water temperature steady, which matters because a few degrees change how a shot tastes.
De’Longhi’s La Specialista Arte takes a different approach to the same problem. Its listing describes active temperature control with three infusion temperatures to choose from, so you can brew lighter and darker roasts at different heats. It does not publish a heat-up time in the listing we read.
Both makers also use low-pressure pre-infusion on these machines, which gently wets the coffee before full pressure. Breville states it for both of its models on this page. In daily use, a fast heat-up is a real convenience on a busy morning, and that is where Breville’s ThermoJet machines stand out.
Grinding and tamping: where Breville helps more
A built-in grinder saves counter space and money compared with buying a separate one, but it has to be good enough for espresso. Here the numbers favor Breville. The Barista Express Impress has 25 grind settings, according to Breville’s listing. The La Specialista Arte has eight. GearLab’s reviewers, testing the Arte in 2024, said eight settings did not give a full range of grind options and that the grinder seemed to struggle with a full load.
Tamping is the other step beginners get wrong. Breville’s Impress system calculates the dose from your last grind, then tamps it with a steady 22 pounds of pressure and a small twist, so each puck comes out much the same. De’Longhi gives you a dosing funnel and a tamping mat with the Arte, which makes hand tamping tidier but still leaves it to you.
If you already own a good espresso grinder, this matters less, and a machine without a grinder may suit you better. Our best burr espresso grinder guide covers that route.
Milk: hand steaming, automatic wands and one-touch drinks
For a cappuccino or a flat white, the steam wand matters as much as the shot. Both brands do well here, in different ways.
The La Specialista Arte’s manual wand was its strongest point in GearLab’s review. The reviewers called it forgiving for beginners learning microfoam and said the milk poured well for latte art, though steaming was slow. Breville’s Bambino Plus takes the work away entirely: its automatic wand textures the milk while you wait, with adjustable temperature and texture. The Barista Express Impress has a conventional manual wand.
De’Longhi’s answer to hands-free milk is mostly its automatic machines, which make the whole drink with a press of a button. If you want a manual shot with an automatic wand, Breville has more choice.
Ease of use and reliability: the independent picture
CHOICE tests coffee machines and surveys owners each year, and its comparison of the two brands is the broadest independent source we found. It is Australian, so model names, prices and some machines differ from the US, but the brands and their main lines are the same.
Its numbers are close. Breville scored higher on average test score and on owner satisfaction. De’Longhi scored slightly higher on reliability, and CHOICE named it the Best Brand for espresso machines in 2025, with Breville just behind. CHOICE’s coffee expert, Adrian Lini, finds Breville machines often easier to use, with more intuitive controls, and says you can certainly get good coffee from a De’Longhi, though it may take longer to learn. On the mid-range models, it found the La Specialista Arte and the Breville Barista Express about equally easy to use.
GearLab’s 2024 espresso review points the same way. It ranked the Breville Barista Express above the La Specialista Arte and said the Breville works like the Specialista but scores higher in some areas, including espresso quality, milk steaming and ease of use. It also noted the Arte has a pressure gauge, which the Barista Express lacks.
Read together, these say Breville is a little easier and a little better in the cup on manual machines, while De’Longhi holds up slightly better over time. Neither result is a landslide.
Cleaning and upkeep
Every espresso machine needs regular descaling, backflushing or rinsing, and both brands include cleaning supplies with the machines on this page. Breville ships cleaning tablets and a water filter holder with the Barista Express Impress. De’Longhi says the La Specialista Arte has detachable parts that can go in the dishwasher.
GearLab found daily cleaning of the Arte simple, but said descaling needed De’Longhi’s own solution and took nearly 40 minutes, one of the longest in its group. Whichever brand you buy, follow the maker’s descaling schedule; hard water is the most common reason a home machine slows down. Our best espresso machine cleaner guide covers the products, and our water filter for espresso machines guide covers the water.
Range, warranty and where each brand falls short
Breville’s weakness is the low end. CHOICE notes its range starts with the Bambino, so if you want the cheapest possible pump machine, De’Longhi has more to offer. Breville’s own warranty page says only that the length depends on the product, so check each listing; the Bambino Plus listing states a 2-year limited warranty, while the Barista Express Impress listing we read does not state one.
De’Longhi’s weakness is the grinder on its manual machines, as GearLab found, and a steeper learning curve. Its strength is choice: compact manual machines, the La Specialista line, and many automatic models. The La Specialista Arte listing states a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Choose Breville if… / Choose De’Longhi if…
Choose Breville if…
- You want to learn to pull shots by hand, with help along the way.
- You want a built-in grinder with a wide range of settings.
- You want a manual shot with an automatic milk wand.
- Fast heat-up matters on busy mornings.
Choose De’Longhi if…
- You would rather press one button and have the machine make the whole drink.
- You want the lowest-cost way into espresso with a steam wand.
- You like choosing a brew temperature for different roasts.
- You value a brand with a slightly better reliability record in CHOICE’s survey.
Our picks for the Breville vs DeLonghi espresso machine question
Three machines, all sold by Amazon.com and in stock when we checked: two from Breville, one from De’Longhi. The first pair are the closest match across the brands, a manual machine with a built-in grinder from each. The third is Breville’s compact machine for buyers who already own a grinder. Two of them are different colors of models we cover elsewhere: the Barista Express Impress is the black stainless version of the brushed steel one in our best espresso machine guide, chosen because it is the direct rival to the La Specialista Arte, and the Bambino Plus is the brushed steel version of the one on that page, chosen because it is the way into Breville without a grinder. For De’Longhi’s automatic machines, see our De’Longhi guide.
1. Breville Barista Express Impress – Assisted Dosing and Tamping
This is Breville’s manual machine with a grinder built in, plus help on the two steps beginners find hardest. Breville says the Impress system calculates the dose from your last grind and corrects the next one, then tamps with a steady 22 pounds and a 7-degree twist. You still lock in the portafilter, start the shot and steam the milk yourself.
The conical burr grinder has 25 settings. A Thermocoil heater with PID control brews at 200°F, according to Breville, after a low-pressure pre-infusion and then 9 bar extraction. The listing gives a 250 g bean hopper and a 2-liter water tank, and the box includes a 54 mm stainless steel portafilter, a milk jug, single and dual wall baskets, a trimming tool, a water filter and cleaning tablets.
The milk wand is manual, so latte art takes practice. Breville lists the machine at 16.6 by 14.4 by 12.2 inches, so check the space under your cabinets with the hopper on top.
Why we like it
- Automatic dosing and a 22 lb assisted tamp (Breville)
- 25 grind settings (listing)
- PID temperature control at 200°F (Breville)
- Large 2-liter tank (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | BES876BST |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic with built-in grinder |
| Grinder | Conical burr, 25 settings |
| Heating | Thermocoil with PID |
| Milk | Manual steam wand |
| Water tank | 2 liters |
| Size (W x D x H) | 16.6 x 14.4 x 12.2 in (Breville) |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants to learn real espresso at home, with one machine on the counter and help on dosing and tamping until the routine sticks.
Skip it if you want milk drinks without steaming by hand; the Bambino Plus below or a De’Longhi automatic makes milk for you.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grinder and machine in one
- Consistent tamp every time
- Steady brew temperature
Cons
- Manual milk wand takes practice
- Large footprint
- Warranty not stated on the listing
2. De’Longhi La Specialista Arte – A Forgiving Steam Wand
This is De’Longhi’s answer to the Barista Express: a manual machine with a built-in conical burr grinder, a portafilter and a steam wand. The listing names it the La Specialista Arte, model EC9155MB. It offers three brew temperatures, so you can set a higher heat for light roasts and a lower one for dark, and three presets for espresso, Americano and hot water.
The steam wand is the reason to choose it. De’Longhi calls it the My Latte Art wand and says it stays cool to the touch, and GearLab’s reviewers found it forgiving for beginners and good for latte art, if slow. The grinder is the weak spot: it has eight settings, and GearLab said that was not a full range and that it struggled with a full load. GearLab also found descaling slow, at nearly 40 minutes with De’Longhi’s own solution.
A dosing funnel and a tamping mat come in the box, and the listing says detachable parts can go in the dishwasher. The listing states a 2-year manufacturer warranty. De’Longhi now also sells a newer Arte Evo, so check that you are happy with this earlier model before you buy.
Why we like it
- Steam wand GearLab found easy to learn on
- Three brew temperatures (listing)
- Dosing funnel and tamping mat included
- 2-year warranty stated on the listing
Key specifications
| Model | EC9155MB |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual with built-in grinder |
| Grinder | Conical burr, 8 settings |
| Heating | Active temperature control, 3 settings |
| Milk | Manual steam wand |
| Water tank | Not stated on the listing |
| Size (W x D x H) | Not stated on the listing |
| Warranty | 2 years (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a De’Longhi buyer who wants to make milk drinks by hand and values an easy steam wand more than a fine-tuned grinder.
Skip it if you drink straight espresso and want fine control over the grind; the Breville above has more than three times the settings.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Beginner-friendly milk wand
- Selectable brew temperature
- Dishwasher-safe parts (listing)
Cons
- Only eight grind settings
- Slow descaling, per GearLab
- Earlier model; a newer Evo version exists
3. Breville Bambino Plus – Hands-Free Milk in a Small Machine
The Bambino Plus is Breville’s small machine for people who already have a grinder or buy freshly ground coffee. The listing gives its width as 7.7 inches, and Breville lists it at 11.9 by 7.4 by 14.3 inches, so it fits where the machines above will not.
Breville says its ThermoJet heater is ready in 3 seconds, and the listing adds PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion before full extraction. The headline feature is the automatic steam wand: set the milk temperature and texture, put the jug under the wand and it makes the microfoam for you. The machine purges itself after steaming so the next shot comes out at the right temperature.
It has no grinder, so budget for one if you buy whole beans. The 54 mm portafilter takes a 19 g dose, according to the listing, and the listing states a 2-year limited warranty and 1,560 watts.
Why we like it
- Ready in 3 seconds (Breville)
- Automatic milk wand with temperature and texture settings
- 7.7-inch width (listing)
- 2-year limited warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | BES500BSS |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic, no grinder |
| Grinder | None |
| Heating | ThermoJet with PID |
| Milk | Automatic steam wand |
| Water tank | Not stated on the listing |
| Size (W x D x H) | 11.9 x 7.4 x 14.3 in (Breville) |
| Warranty | 2 years limited (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen and a latte drinker who wants real shots without learning to steam milk, and who already owns a grinder or will buy one.
Skip it if you want everything in one machine; the Barista Express Impress has a grinder built in.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very fast heat-up
- Hands-free milk texturing
- Narrow footprint
Cons
- No grinder
- Water tank size not stated on the listing
Breville and De’Longhi questions, answered
Is Breville better than De’Longhi?
For manual espresso, usually yes: CHOICE found Breville easier to use with higher test scores, and GearLab ranked the Barista Express above the La Specialista Arte. For fully automatic machines and low-cost pump machines, De’Longhi has the deeper range, and CHOICE found it slightly more reliable.
Which brand is easier for beginners?
Breville, for manual machines. Assisted tamping and automatic milk wands remove the steps beginners struggle with most. If a beginner wants no learning at all, a De’Longhi automatic machine is easier still.
Do Breville and De’Longhi use the same portafilter size?
Not always. Breville states 54 mm for both of its machines on this page. De’Longhi does not state a size on the La Specialista Arte listing we read, so check before buying a tamper or accessories for one.
Which lasts longer?
No source we read measured lifespan directly. CHOICE’s owner survey gave De’Longhi a small edge on reliability, but only by a couple of points. Regular descaling with the right water does more for any machine’s life than the badge on the front.
Our final word on the two brands
For most people who want to make espresso themselves, Breville is the brand to start with: it is easier to learn, its grinders give more control, and its machines heat up fast. De’Longhi is the better buy if you want a machine that does the whole job for you, or the cheapest way into espresso with a steam wand. Either way, good beans and a clean machine do the rest.
Our best espresso machine guide compares models from both brands and others, and our espresso machine for beginners guide covers the first machine in more depth. And if you would rather someone else made the coffee and the food, see the menu or call to order.