DeLonghi Overview
Established more than 100 years ago, DeLonghi is a leading firm in the home application world. This Italian company has dominated the coffee-maker field in size and importance in recent decades, gaining a great share and solid reputation.
Although DeLonghi manufactured coffee brewers quite a long ago, coffee consumers have started to notice this brand since 2008 - the booming year of espresso machines.
You can find all sorts of coffee and brewers on the DeLonghi website, from the manual, semi-automatic models to the fully automatic ones. They also bear the weight of other companies, like Nespresso, to produce capsule-based espresso makers.
Pros:
- Higher quality beverages
- Affordable
- Requires less skills
- Space economy
- Dual boilers
Cons:
- Longer brewing time
- Smaller water reservoir
- More complicated milk frothing
- Fewer color options
Breville Overview
Breville, whose founders were the two Australian guys Bill O’Brien and Harry Norville, has shown up as a home application manufacturer since 1932. As you can see, the CEOs combined their last names to end up with the company’s current name Breville.
We bet most of you do not know that Breville first aimed at making the traditional sandwich toaster, and they did succeed in this sector in 1974. Later, this enterprise also engaged in other modern home appliances, such as vacuum cleaners.
Not until the early 2000s did the company grab public awareness of its home espresso brewer line-up. Now, Breville espresso-related products are in the highest demand ever.
Pros:
- More user-friendly
- Shorter brewing time
- Larger water tank
- Simple milk frothing process
- More stylish
Cons:
- Costly
- Requires technical knowledge
- Take up more space
- Single boiler
DeLonghi Vs Breville - Performance Comparison
First, we’ll get some insight into the performance of each brand’s brewers to see how they compare, particularly in two sections: automatic and semi-automatic models.
Automatic Espresso Machines
Fully automatic machines offer customers the full touch of the brand’s functional advantages. This class is for those who care about convenience and efficiency and want to struggle with learning skills.
Automatic models are generally costlier than semi-automatic ones.
Drink Quality
Both brewers deliver a truly dark espresso with a fragrant, rich crema. However, the DeLonghi’s pump is more powerful than the Breville (19 bars > 15 bars), so its coffee tends to be more even.
Plus, DeLonghi’s espresso makers offer dual boilers (which we'll discuss more later), ensuring essential temperature stability during milk texturing and coffee extraction. Thus, their coffee gives a deeper taste.
Winner: DeLonghi
User-friendliness
Both offer pretty nice customization.
The Breville’s colorful touch screen allows users to choose their fav brew and make a perfect cup of coffee in three steps: grinding, brewing, and milking.
You can adjust everything as per your needs, like strength, texture, or temperature. Also, you can save eight personalized coffees and name them after you figure out fav recipes.
Meanwhile, DeLonghi’s programmable functions enable users to customize milk ratio, brew strength, beverage size, and more. Plus, the control panel and rotary are super simple to use.
The only complaint about this one’s performance is the noise. Its grinder generates quite loud sounds while running.
Winner: Breville
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
Both brands offer a nice balance of convenience and flexibility
Semi-automatic machines speak a lot about the versatility of each brand’s design and mechanics. We can find in these brewers a nice balance of convenience and flexibility.
Additionally, semi-automatic devices enable the drinker to make a shot with a button push but require her to tamp the ground manually.
Espresso Quality
Either the DeLonghi or Breville offers a 15-bar pump - ideal for true, fresh espresso. While the first one features a functional thermoblock heater, Breville’s manufacturers have patented the Rapid Cappuccino System on their products to retain optimal temperature.
However, DeLonghi coffee makers don’t provide an integral grinder, so you’ll need a separate grinder for pleasant results. You can also use ready-ground powders instead, but the freshness and flavor tend to suffer.
Winner: Breville
User-friendliness
Both espresso brewers come with upsides and downsides regarding user-friendliness.
First, the sleek semi-automatic Breville gains a great advantage over its competitors thanks to the brewing flexibility and user accessibility.
Like other semi-automatic models, this machine includes automatic redundancy features, offering personalization and programmability options. Meanwhile, you can still enjoy automatic conveniences at times.
The only drawback we’ve found when using this one is that it lacks a water sensor. You’ll have to measure the amount of water necessary for the beverage carefully before running the machine. Otherwise, the built-in mechanics may suffer damage.
On the other hand, the Breville comes with a self-priming operation, a swivel jet frother, and two separate thermostats. These functional points help you prepare specialty beverages, save time on startup, control water, and perfectly steam temperatures.
The barista can enjoy his cup of java without having to overly dilute the coffee with sweeteners or milk products.
A few drawbacks to note are the demitasse clearance and volume. Particularly, this machine gets louder because it vibrates a bit when running.
Winner: DeLonghi
DeLonghi Vs Breville - Features Comparison
The two coffee equipment brands have been around for decades and have shown up in many countries all over the globe. Breville and DeLonghi were both not originally coffee material manufacturers. They have taken the lead due to their excellent features.
Let’s look at these features in a comparing way to see which brand is the outperformer.
Brewing Time
A Breville brews your coffee in a shorter time
DeLonghi espresso machines include a generous capacity and rapid heating system. Thus, the barista can perform espresso shots pretty quickly.
The average DeLonghi brewer takes around 20 secs to make an espresso shot and 40 secs to produce a cappuccino.
Meanwhile, Breville’s brewing time is roughly 20 secs for an individual espresso shot and about 25 secs for a double espresso shot.
In general, these two machines have quite a short brewing duration, but that’s only the brewing, from the point you activate the pump until your drink is ready to enjoy.
All coffee machines need a while to heat up. So the tip is to give your equipment some time to warm up so that it works more efficiently.
Winner: Breville
Skills Required
A DeLonghi requires fewer technical skills.
Either of them features intuitive, large-button displays. You’ll find the super-automatic espresso machines’ color touch screens of the two companies super easy to use.
However, with the Breville, you’ll need to carry out an error and trial phase to determine what drink settings and which size of grind make you a perfect cup.
Meanwhile, the DeLonghi requires fewer skills. You can activate its programmable system and simply let the machine do the job.
Simply said, Breville machines suit those who wish to train their barista skills and experiment, whereas Delonghi models apply to people lacking the inclinations of an espresso barista.
Winner: DeLonghi
Water Reservoirs
The average DeLonghi’s water reservoir capacity is 60 oz, while a Breville generally comes with a reservoir of 67oz.
On average, if you get a Breville coffee maker, you tend to have a fairly larger water tank than a DeLonghi. This unit allows you to enjoy some extra espresso before refilling.
Winner: Breville
Counter Space
The DeLonghi bears a sleek design, saving you more counter space.
When it comes to a coffee machine, the counter space is not really a matter. However, there’s a huge difference in size between the two brands that you should be aware of.
Experienced baristas will know that Breville’s espresso brewers are sizable and bulky. They’ll take up more counter space, so you have to place them on a spacious kitchen counter.
Besides, DeLonghi is renowned for its slim designs, offering a significant counter space economy. If you have a small countertop or a decent kitchen, then a DeLonghi machine is the way to go.
Winner: DeLonghi
Milk Frothing System
A milk frothing system should be one of the top concerns regarding choosing the right espresso maker, particularly for people who have a sweet tooth and prefer milk-based drinks, like cappuccinos or lattes.
Essentially, the two brands share the use of traditional steam wands in common.
With a Breville, you’ll get a more articulated and longer wand generating on-point milk foam for a perfect creamy cup of coffee.
Meanwhile, the popular DeLonghi comes with a Pannarello wand, requiring a more mechanically complicated milk frothing process. Although many might not be into its steam wand, drinkers that love latte art will consider DeLonghi machines their go-to option.
Winner: Breville
Boiler System
It’ll be an omission if you skip the boiler system in a DeLonghi vs Breville feature comparison. In this term, Delonghi’s line-up seems to stay one step ahead of its rival with double boilers.
The dual boilers have put this brand at an advantage due to their convenience and speed. You just make cup after cup using a rapid DeLonghi.
Although the double boilers make the machine somewhat bulkier and harder to carry around, you’ll forget this downside right at the moment it gives you a delicious cup of coffee within one minute.
Winner: DeLonghi
Style
Breville espresso machines impress customers with a classic, gorgeous appeal.
Style and aesthetics are also many customers’ priorities when wandering around for a coffee machine purchase.
Breville espresso brewers are synonymous with their stylish appeal and signature touch of the art. They wow coffee lovers with their sleek finish and classy color choices. You’ll surely find a Breville model that applies to your kitchen decor, no matter what concept it bears.
On the other hand, DeLonghi also thrives in the market with sleek and statement-making stainless steel machines that feature a modern, minimal look. Although they don’t have an impressive appearance like Breville’s units, their slimmer design should save you more space.
Winner: Breville
Price
Breville seems to be on the costly side, whereas its fellow opposition’s price range varies affordably.
You can add a DeLonghi machine to your kitchen for as low as $100x. Meanwhile, you can rarely find a Breville model priced below $200.
Because of more plentiful color options and gorgeous appeal, Breville appears less cost-effective while DeLonghi is more accessible to regular customers.
Winner: DeLonghi
The Verdict
Espresso fanatics usually compare DeLonghi vs Breville because both brands boast outstanding performances, top-notch features, and advanced technology.
As seen, we end up here with a tie. As long as you grab either of the two coffee makers, you’re sure to enjoy the best great-tasting espresso-based beverages in the world.
Ideally, if you don’t mind paying a slightly higher price for a more fashionable yet convenient machine, the Breville is at the top of your wish list.
Otherwise, should you prefer a more budget-friendly brewer delivering creamy, rich espresso, we bet you’ll be into the DeLonghi.
All you need to do is weigh up the pros and cons thoroughly and make the right investment for you. Then, there comes the path to your perfect coffee!
