Welcome, coffee lovers, to our in-depth comparison of two heavyweights in the world of home espresso machines: the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB and the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL. These two machines are known for their sophisticated engineering and superior espresso-making capabilities, and they’ve quickly become favorites among coffee connoisseurs around the globe. But, which one stands out when pitted against the other? Today, we’ll peel back the layers on each machine’s design, performance, and feature set to help you make an informed choice. So, let’s dive in!
Overview of the Competing Machines
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte is a testament to De’Longhi’s dedication to marrying style with substance. This espresso machine exudes elegance, and it’s engineered with features that make espresso brewing a rewarding and almost intuitive experience.
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL
The Breville Barista Express delivers quality and value in equal measure. It’s a machine that speaks volumes about Breville’s commitment to bringing cafe-quality espresso into homes. It strikes a balance between semi-automatic operations and customizable settings, suiting both espresso novices and veterans.
Design and Build
De’Longhi La Specialista Arte: Classic Italian Elegance
From the moment you lay eyes on the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte, it’s clear that this machine is a cut above the rest. Its stainless steel finish radiates a timeless Italian design ethos, and the tactile control knobs and levers only heighten the machine’s elegance. The machine is also compact and well-suited for countertops of any size.
Breville Barista Express: Robust and Functional
The Breville Barista Express, too, boasts a beautiful stainless steel finish, but its design leans more towards modernity. The machine’s layout is intuitive, and all the controls are within easy reach. Its durable build gives it a sturdy feel, lending confidence to its long-term performance.
Performance and Ease of Use
Mastering the Art with De’Longhi
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte is designed to make you feel like a skilled barista. The machine has a unique Sensor Grinding Technology that delivers the optimal dose of coffee every time. Then there’s the Smart Tamping Station, which ensures precise pressure for the perfect espresso extraction. What’s more, the machine’s Active Temperature Control offers stable brewing temperatures for consistent results.
Getting Express Results with Breville
On the other hand, the Breville Barista Express offers a seamless espresso-making experience, thanks to features like the Dose-Control Grinding that lets you grind on demand, and the Digital Temperature Control (PID), which ensures water is at the right temperature. Additionally, the machine’s steam wand allows you to hand texture micro-foam milk, enhancing flavor and enabling latte art.
Key Features
A Deeper Look at De’Longhi
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte comes with a My LatteArt Steam Wand that lets you experiment with milk texturing and latte art. Its 2L water tank is easily accessible and comes with a filter to reduce limescale buildup. The machine also has a rapid heat-up time of just a few seconds, making it ready for brewing in virtually no time.
Exploring the Extras with Breville
The Breville Barista Express matches up with an impressive feature set. Its grind size dial allows you to control the grind size no matter what type of coffee you’re using. The machine also has a 2L water tank, equipped with a handle for easy removal and cleaning. Its ‘clean me’ light takes the guesswork out of maintenance by indicating when a cleaning cycle is needed.
Quality of Espresso
Taste and Consistency with De’Longhi
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte consistently delivers a smooth, full-bodied espresso that will leave you craving more. Thanks to the Active Temperature Control, you can expect your espresso to have the same delightful taste, shot after shot. The machine’s ability to deliver a rich crema is also worth noting.
Flavor and Consistency with Breville
The Breville Barista Express impresses with the richness and complexity of its espresso. With each shot, it exhibits a great balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness. The freshness of the ground beans due to its built-in grinder also significantly enhances the flavor of the espresso.
Latte Art
De’Longhi: A Canvas for Creations
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte equips you with the tools you need to turn every cup into a work of art. The My LatteArt Steam Wand lets you froth milk to your preferred texture, setting the stage for you to showcase your latte art skills.
Breville: Bringing the Barista Out of You
The Breville Barista Express holds its ground in the realm of latte art, with its steam wand enabling you to achieve micro-foam milk. This feature is perfect for producing a range of textures suitable for different types of coffee and, of course, for creating latte art.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Making it Easy with De’Longhi
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte has been designed with easy maintenance in mind. The machine’s descaling alert lets you know when it’s time for a clean-up. What’s more, its detachable components, such as the drip tray and the water tank, make cleaning even more straightforward.
Keeping it Clean with Breville
Maintaining the Breville Barista Express is equally fuss-free. The ‘clean me’ light will indicate when a cleaning cycle is needed. Plus, the removable water tank, drip tray, and the fact that the burr grinder is easy to clean contribute to a low-effort maintenance experience.
Price Point
Investing in De’Longhi
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte comes with a higher price tag than the Breville Barista Express, but it justifies this with its high-end features, consistent performance, and the brand’s reputation for durability.
The Value of Breville
The Breville Barista Express, while still not cheap, is the more budget-friendly option. Given its exceptional features and the quality of the espresso it produces, this machine certainly offers bang for your buck.
Final Verdict: De’Longhi vs. Breville
De’Longhi: For the Design and Feature Enthusiasts
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte caters to those who value an elegant design and a range of innovative features to fine-tune their espresso brewing process. It’s a machine that will sit proudly on your kitchen counter, and it delivers on the promise of exceptional espresso.
Breville: For the Quality and Value Seekers
The Breville Barista Express, on the other hand, is for those who want to balance the quality of espresso with the value for money. It’s a robust, reliable machine that brings a high-end espresso experience right into your home, without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Choosing between the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB and the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL isn’t a straightforward task, as both espresso machines boast impressive features, superb performance, and build quality that promises durability.
Whether you opt for the innovative and elegant De’Longhi machine or the robust and value-for-money Breville Barista Express, one thing is for sure: your journey to discovering the true art of espresso brewing will be an exciting one.
Remember, the best espresso machine is the one that fits your lifestyle, your kitchen, and your taste the best. Happy brewing!
FAQs
Q: Can the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte and Breville Barista Express make other types of coffee besides espresso?
A: Yes, both machines are capable of making a range of coffee types such as cappuccino, latte, and Americano by adjusting the settings and milk texturing process.
Q: Do these machines come with a warranty?
A: Both machines come with a manufacturer’s warranty. It’s always recommended to check the warranty terms and conditions at the time of purchase.
Q: How often should I clean these espresso machines?
A: Regular cleaning is recommended for both machines. Each machine has its own maintenance indicators and the user manuals provide detailed cleaning instructions.