Breville Barista Express BES870XL vs De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155

The Breville Barista Express BES870XL and De'Longhi La Specialista Arte are both all-in-one espresso machines with integrated grinders, targeting buyers who want a complete setup in a single appliance. At $700 and $600 respectively, they sit at the heart of the mid-range market, but their engineering approaches produce notably different experiences.

The Barista Express uses a conical burr grinder with 18 grind settings, a thermoblock heating system with PID control, and a 54mm portafilter. Its grind-dose-tamp workflow is manual — you grind into the portafilter, tamp yourself, and lock in. The analog pressure gauge provides real-time extraction feedback, and programmable shot volume buttons let you dial in your preferred output. The learning curve is moderate, rewarding those who engage with the process.

The La Specialista Arte features De'Longhi's Sensor Grinding Technology with an integrated burr grinder, a Smart Tamping Station that applies consistent pressure automatically, and De'Longhi's Active Temperature Control. The 51mm portafilter is smaller than the Breville's, and the auto-tamping system, while convenient, removes some of the hands-on control that enthusiasts value. The machine offers three pre-set drink sizes with manual override.

Espresso quality gives the edge to the Barista Express. Its larger 54mm group head provides better thermal stability, and the PID-controlled thermoblock is more consistent. The 51mm portafilter on the La Specialista limits extraction quality and aftermarket accessory options. The Breville's grinder, while basic, produces more consistent particle distribution.

Steam performance is close — both machines require the brew-to-steam transition typical of thermoblock designs. The La Specialista's manual steam wand is functional but feels like an afterthought compared to the Breville's more ergonomic wand positioning.

**Verdict:** The Breville Barista Express is the better espresso machine despite costing $100 more. Its larger portafilter, superior grinder, and PID control produce noticeably better espresso. The La Specialista Arte's auto-tamping is a clever convenience feature, but it doesn't compensate for the smaller group head and less precise temperature control.

Features: Both machines offer Pre-Infusion. The Breville Barista Express BES870XL additionally features PID Temperature Control.

Size & Weight: The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is the heavier machine at 12.4 kg compared to 6.6 kg for the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155. Consider your available counter space and whether you need to move the machine frequently.

Our Verdict

Choosing between the Breville Barista Express BES870XL and the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155 depends on your priorities. If budget is your primary concern, the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155 offers excellent value. However, if you're willing to invest more for additional features and build quality, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL delivers a premium experience. Both are capable machines that can produce excellent espresso in the right hands.