Breville vs De'Longhi: Which Espresso Machine Brand Actually Makes Better Coffee?

Based on expert reviews, reliability data, and real user experiences from Reddit, forums, and verified purchasers

The short answer: Breville wins for serious home baristas who want cafe-quality espresso. Their machines have better grinders (16-18 settings vs De'Longhi's 8), superior stainless steel construction, and consistently score higher in taste tests. De'Longhi is better if you're on a tight budget or want push-button simplicity. Get the Breville Barista Express on Amazon for $499 →

The Fighters

	Breville	De'Longhi
Price Range	$300-$2,800 on Amazon	$143-$1,500 on Amazon
Best For	Espresso enthusiasts, quality-focused users	Beginners, budget buyers
Origin	Australia (founded 1932)	Italy (founded 1974)
Build Material	Stainless steel throughout	Mix of plastic and steel
Popular Model	Barista Express (~$499)	La Specialista (~$600)

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The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Espresso Quality

This is what matters most. Breville's "4 Keys Formula" delivers larger dose capacity, manual pre-infusion up to 60 seconds, quality steam, and PID-controlled extraction temperature. The result? Popular Mechanics found the Barista Express "produced slightly more nuanced espresso" in blind taste tests.

De'Longhi takes a different approach. According to Home Coffee Expert, "De'Longhi doesn't prioritize espresso quality as its primary focus. Instead, they prioritize ease of use and affordability." Their machines produce "good quality" coffee, but aren't designed for extracting maximum flavor from specialty beans.

The grinder is the key differentiator. Breville's Barista Express offers 16-18 grind settings for precise dialing. De'Longhi's La Specialista? Just 8 settings. Craft Coffee Spot called this "very limiting" for anyone serious about espresso.

Breville	De'Longhi
9/10	7/10

Round 1 Winner: Breville — Superior grinder precision and extraction control produce noticeably better shots.

Score after Round 1: Breville 9 | De'Longhi 7

Round 2: Build Quality & Durability

Breville commits to stainless steel construction even in budget models. Their machines feature metal drip trays, 54mm commercial-style portafilters, and what Home Coffee Expert describes as "commercial-grade components." Users report 3-10 years of daily use with proper maintenance.

De'Longhi has a plastic problem. Even higher-end models use significant plastic. Tom's Coffee Corner noted the La Specialista "feels cheaper compared to Breville Barista Express" with "plasticky parts, such as the portafilter handle and the bean hopper." Users report durability issues including water sensor failures and rubber seal leaks.

CHOICE Australia gathered 10 years of reliability data: Breville "consistently comes out on top for brand reliability" while De'Longhi received a "very good" score—solid, but not leading.

Breville	De'Longhi
9/10	6/10

Round 2 Winner: Breville — Premium stainless steel construction and top reliability scores make this a clear win.

Score after Round 2: Breville 18 | De'Longhi 13

Round 3: Milk Steaming Performance

For latte lovers, steam wand quality determines whether you get silky microfoam or sad bubbles. The Kitchn tested both and found "the milk steaming wand on the Breville was more mobile and a breeze to use, while the De'Longhi's steaming wand was stiffer, making it harder to achieve the right texture."

Breville uses single-hole steam wands requiring technique but enabling professional-quality microfoam for latte art. De'Longhi uses panarello-style wands that auto-froth—easier for beginners but with less control.

Some De'Longhi users report serious issues. One Trustpilot reviewer complained their steamer had "so little pressure that only bubbles" instead of proper foam. Breville's consistency is notably better.

In taste tests comparing lattes, Popular Mechanics selected Breville as the winner.

Breville	De'Longhi
9/10	6/10

Round 3 Winner: Breville — Better steam wand mobility and latte art capability.

Score after Round 3: Breville 27 | De'Longhi 19

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Round 4: Ease of Use

Here's where De'Longhi fights back. Their machines are designed for people who want espresso without a learning curve. The La Specialista includes automatic tamping—no technique required. The panarello wand doesn't need manual air introduction. Many models offer preset drink buttons including cold brew options.

Breville requires commitment. You'll need to learn about extraction, dial in your grind seasonally, and develop steam wand technique. Coffeeness summarized it well: "Breville offers exceptional espresso quality as long as you're willing to put in the effort."

That said, Breville's interface is actually cleaner. The Kitchn noted the Barista Express has "intuitive and very clearly labeled buttons" while the La Specialista interface was "not very intuitive... a lot of dials and buttons, labelled with vague symbols."

De'Longhi also wins on unique features: cold espresso and cold brew options that Breville's Barista Express line omits entirely.

Breville	De'Longhi
7/10	8/10

Round 4 Winner: De'Longhi — Automatic tamping, preset drinks, and cold coffee options make it more accessible.

Score after Round 4: Breville 34 | De'Longhi 27

Round 5: Value for Money

De'Longhi offers the cheapest entry point in espresso. The Stilosa starts at just $143—you literally cannot get a Breville for that price. Their mid-range machines compete directly with Breville at $500-700.

De'Longhi also provides better warranty coverage: 2 years standard plus 1 year with registration (3 total) versus Breville's standard 2 years.

But Breville's value proposition is longevity. Home Coffee Expert notes Breville machines "require fewer repairs over time" due to superior construction. The Barista Express at $499 (currently on sale from $699) includes a quality integrated grinder that would cost $200+ separately.

For budget buyers under $300, De'Longhi wins easily. At $500+, Breville's quality and durability justify the investment. The math: a Breville lasting 8 years vs a De'Longhi lasting 5 years makes them cost-equivalent per year.

Breville	De'Longhi
7/10	8/10

Round 5 Winner: De'Longhi — Lower entry price, better warranty, and solid budget options.

Score after Round 5: Breville 41 | De'Longhi 35

Round 6: Customer Service & Support

Both brands have customer service problems, but De'Longhi's are worse. Trustpilot UK reviews describe nightmares: "Sent my machine back for a repair under warranty, they have had it a month now no updates... Would never buy from them again due to such poor customer service."

Another user complained: "if it goes wrong contacting customer service is almost impossible. The two days they say they will respond to emails never happens."

Breville isn't perfect—one aggregator shows a 1.6/5 customer service rating. But other users praise their support as "second to none." The mixed reviews suggest inconsistency rather than systemic failure.

De'Longhi does have one advantage: extensive global parts availability at competitive prices. If you're handy with repairs, parts access matters.

Breville	De'Longhi
6/10	5/10

Round 6 Winner: Breville — Mixed reviews beat consistently terrible ones.

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Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
Breville	47/60	WINNER
De'Longhi	40/60

The Winner: Breville

Breville takes this Death Match with superior espresso quality, better build materials, and more reliable performance over time. The grinder advantage alone (16-18 settings vs 8) creates a quality ceiling De'Longhi simply can't match.

Yes, Breville costs more upfront. Yes, there's a learning curve. But if you're investing in home espresso, you'll taste the difference in every cup. CHOICE Australia's decade of reliability data confirms what enthusiasts know: Breville builds machines that last and deliver cafe-quality results.

The Barista Express at $499 is the sweet spot—integrated grinder, manual pre-infusion, quality steam wand, and stainless steel construction. It beat the La Specialista in professional taste tests and wins on build quality.

Ready to buy the winner? Get Breville Barista Express on Amazon →

When the Loser Actually Wins

De'Longhi isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You're on a strict budget under $300 — The Stilosa at $143 makes decent espresso for the price. Breville doesn't compete here.
You're a complete beginner who doesn't want to learn — Automatic tamping and preset drinks mean consistent results without technique.
You want cold coffee options — De'Longhi's Cool Espresso and Cold Brew settings are absent on Breville's Barista Express line.
Warranty length matters most — 3 years vs 2 years provides peace of mind.
You just want "good enough" daily coffee — If cafe-quality isn't your goal, De'Longhi delivers convenience.

De'Longhi might be right for you: Check De'Longhi prices on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is Breville really worth the extra money over De'Longhi?

For espresso enthusiasts, yes. The grinder alone makes a significant difference—more settings means better extraction. Breville's build quality also means fewer repairs and longer lifespan. However, if you just want convenient coffee and aren't chasing perfection, De'Longhi's lower prices make sense.

How long do Breville and De'Longhi machines last?

Breville users commonly report 3-10 years with proper maintenance, with many reaching the upper end. De'Longhi machines can last 5-8 years, though some users report earlier failures. One user's De'Longhi Icona Vintage from 2015 is still working fine—maintenance matters more than brand.

Which brand is better for beginners?

De'Longhi. Their automatic tamping, panarello steam wands, and preset drink options flatten the learning curve. Breville makes better espresso but requires learning proper technique.

Can De'Longhi make good espresso?

Yes, De'Longhi makes "good quality" espresso suitable for daily drinking. It won't match what a skilled user can extract from a Breville, but most casual coffee drinkers will be satisfied. CNN even picked the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera over Breville's Oracle Jet for its "rich, smooth and balanced results."