Both the Delonghi la Specialista vs Breville Barista Pro are great semi-automatic espresso machines that can spare you from getting your morning cup of caffeine from the coffee shop. And the Barista Pro is the best one on my radar.
The Breville Barista Pro has better construction. It has up to 30 grind settings, providing more space for experimentation and a powerful steam wand for better latte art. However, its wand requires manual steam milk, so it involves an initial learning curve.
The DeLonghi La Specialista also has its place for users prioritizing ease of use. Its integrated smart tamping system simplifies shot extraction, and its upgraded Panarello wand facilitates creating ideal milk foam for milky beverages without barista skills.
Delonghi la Specialista Vs Breville Barista Pro: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi la Specialista Vs Breville Barista Pro: Differences
The comparison showed a 3-2 win for the Barista Pro. Now I’ll reveal all the differences between them!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Built-in Grinder
First off, they are grind-and-brew coffee machines with a built-in stainless steel conical grinder. That means you won’t incur the extra expense of needing a separate espresso grinder to get started. Still, the key difference lies in the number of grind settings each offer since, you know, the more settings there are, the more room you have for experimentation to dial in your shots.
The La Specialista is limited at 6 grind settings, while Barista Pro has up to 30 different options. This means the Barista Pro provides much more control over the grind size. With 30 grind settings, finding the ideal grind size for your preferences is likely just a matter of time.
The La Specialista may not offer the same level of precise adjustment, but it attempts to compensate with two-wall portafilters. These portafilters are more forgiving, making it easier to achieve a good espresso shot even without a highly precise grind size.
Dosing & Tamping
As semi-automatic coffee machines, these machines don’t come out of the box alone. The La Specialista features a 51-mm portafilter. Meanwhile, the Barista Pro is equipped with a slightly larger 54-mm portafilter, which is generally considered better for extraction.
Speaking of portafilters, the La Specialista’s package includes only pressurized filter baskets, whereas the Barista Pro offers both pressurized and unpressurized baskets.
If you’re inexperienced with espresso making, the pressurized baskets are the best place to start. This basket leaves more room for error, meaning there’s no need to dial in for the perfect shot of espresso by precisely altering the dosage and grind size.
Once you’re confident you have the necessary skill level, your ability to pull great espresso shots time after time will be enhanced with the non-pressurized baskets. They require you to be spot-on with your coffee measurements, grind size, and tamping technique, but trust me, the payoff is worth it!
If you’re stepping into the world of espresso-making, the La Specialista might just be one of your new best friends. It’s all about the Smart Tamping Station. This nifty feature is equipped with springs and mechanisms that ensure the built-in tamper compacts your coffee grounds into a perfectly even puck.
The best part? It’s mess-free and eliminates those tamping errors that haunt the dreams of espresso newbies. Just grind your beans, pull the lever on the left, and a flawlessly flat coffee puck is created.
Now, let’s flip the coin and talk about the Barista Pro. This machine is for those who like to get their hands dirty (figuratively, of course). Manual tamping is the game here, which might sound daunting, but it’s actually a great way to feel more involved in your espresso-making process.
Plus, the Barista Pro uses a stainless steel tamper, which is, frankly, a breath of fresh air compared to the plastic tampers that too many manufacturers sneak into their packages. I mean, seriously, who wants a flimsy plastic tool with their $500+ espresso machine? Not me!
Heating System
If you’re like me – saving time on your morning coffee routine is a big deal, these machines have got you covered.
The La Specialista comes equipped with two independent thermoblocks – one for coffee and another for milk. Shot of espresso? Done. Instantly ready to steam milk? You bet. This machine can‘t multitask, which is a bit odd for a machine with two boilers, but it definitely won’t make you tap your foot waiting.
Now, the Barista Pro is even quicker with its ThermoJet heating system that’s ready in just three seconds. Yes, three – less time than it takes to decide what to wear. But you need to preheat the portafilter by pulling a few blank shots before brewing.
Brewing System
Both boast a pre-infusion feature. Ever heard of this when talking about espresso machines? This is when water gently seeps through the coffee grounds at low pressure to, in coffee terms, “bloom” the grounds. Then, high-pressure water blasts through, creating a well-rounded shot.
The difference here is that the Barista Pro allows you to change the length of the pre-infusion step. The factory setting is 10 seconds, which is somewhat long for me, so it’s good to be able to change that to my heart’s content.
Both also have Digital Temperature Control, or, as the techies call it, PID (Proportional Integral Derivative). Yeah, I know. It sounds like something from an advanced math class, but PID keeps the water temperature super stable. Why does that matter? Well, a consistent temperature means consistently great shots. And who doesn’t want that?
Design & Convenience
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Dimensions & User Interface
| Delonghi la Specialista | Breville Barista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15 x 14.5 x 17.5 inches | 16 x 13.5 x 16.1 inches |
| Weight | 29.7 lbs | 27.5 lbs |
These machines are not the smallest ones, but I’m sure they will fit under your kitchen cabinets as long as you’re happy with sliding them out daily to reach the water tank. By the way, they are also quite heavy, but hey, are you planning to incorporate espresso machine lifting into your fitness routine?
The La Specialista looks good, wrapped in stainless steel with a sleek black control panel. It features some programmable knobs and a traditional pressure gauge in the center of the user interface. Pop the machine on your countertop, and I bet it’ll add instant “wow” to your kitchen.
I also personally think the Barista Pro has better build quality than the La Specialista since it feels more durable with plastic parts. It is also available in a stainless steel finish, but there are also a few other color options to choose from. We’re talking options like Smoked Hickory, Red Velvet Cake, Black Truffle, and Sea Salt – sounds more like a dessert menu than color choices, right? And when this handsome guy lights up with its blue backlit LCD screen, it screams premium.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Delonghi la Specialista | Breville Barista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 5 inches | 4 inches |
The La Specialista offers a more spacious cup clearance, enough for even jumbo-sized cups. Better yet, there’s a flip-down foldable tray to lift smaller espresso cups up. The Barista Pro doesn’t have such a cup riser, but you can remove its drip tray to make more space for larger cups.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Delonghi la Specialista | Breville Barista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2 liter | 2 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.25 kilogram | 0.25 kilogram |
They share a 2-liter water tank and a 0.25-kilogram bean feeder, which only need to be refilled after making many shots. Both also have a water sensor that nudges you when the water is running low.
The Barista Pro adds a cherry on top by coming with a filter that you can pop into the water tank to soften the water. This is a game-changer, folks! Softened water not only improves the taste of your coffee but also helps keep your machine in tip-top shape for longer.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Tie
I always feel thrilled when talking about frothing milk. These two machines have four-hole steam wands for straightforward and quick milk foam texturing, but, oh boy, they are quite different. The La Specialista has an automatic Panarello wand, while the Barista Pro uses a powerful manual steam wand.
The La Specialista’s Panarello wand scores a solid 10 in my book. Just put the cup with the wand inside it, twist the ring to pick your milk froth style, and watch the magic happen. Then you’re suddenly sipping on café-quality lattes and cappuccinos without breaking a sweat. It’s so easy that it almost feels like cheating.
The Barista Express powerful wand can make better microfoam for a good latte. It can also rotate 360 degrees and might take some time to master, but trust me, the effort pays off. This wand is a ticket to microfoam needed for those Instagram-worthy latte art creations, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Delonghi la Specialista
Drink Options
| Delonghi la Specialista | Breville Barista Pro |
|---|---|
| Espresso Coffee Americano Hot Water | Espresso Hot Water |
The La Specialista has three pre-program coffee types, including espresso, coffee, and Americano. The Barista Pro features a hot water outlet so you can make these coffee drinks manually, but the water spout is off to the side, so you’ll need to move the cup to get your hot water flowing. The Delonghi La Specialista also has a separate hot water spout located conveniently close to the portafilter and right above where your cup sits.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Delonghi la Specialista | Breville Barista Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | Yes | No |
In addition to the available settings mentioned above, both allow you to adjust the amount of coffee grounds used, the length of the shot, and the brewing temperature. You can also choose between single or double shots. The Barista Pro displays everything clearly on its LCD screen, making everything easier.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Barista Pro
- The Breville Barista Pro delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: With a single touch, the integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control delivers the right amount of coffee on demand, for maximum flavor
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- FASTER HEAT UP TIME: Innovative ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds with the instantaneous transition from espresso to steam
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at the right temperature +/- 2°C, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Delonghi La Specialista
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- FRESHEST COFFEE, EVERY TIME: Integrated grinder with Patent Pending Technology delivers consistent grinding and optimal coffee dose.
- HANDCRAFTED PRECISION: Smart Tamping Station ensures the right pressure for flawless results
- 1 SECOND QUICK START Power the machine on and immediately start grinding
- ACTIVE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Provides ideal temperature stability for optimal coffee extraction
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Breville Barista Pro: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
- Delonghi La Specialista: https://www.delonghi.com/en/ec9335-m-la-specialista-manual-espresso-maker/p/EC9335.M
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.