Breville Barista Touch BES880 vs De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9665
Side-by-side comparison of two espresso machines
| Specification | Breville Barista Touch BES880 | De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9665 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Breville | De'Longhi |
| Price (MSRP) | $1,000 | $900 |
| Category | Semi-Auto | Semi-Auto |
| Boiler Type | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Boiler Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Boiler Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Pump Type | Vibratory | Vibratory |
| PID Control | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Infusion | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure Profiling | No | No |
| Flow Control | No | No |
| Group Head | 54mm Breville | Proprietary |
| Portafilter | 54 mm | 51 mm |
| Steam Wand | Auto | Commercial |
| Water Source | Reservoir | Reservoir |
| Reservoir | 2000 ml | 2000 ml |
| Cup Warmer | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 330 x 310 x 400 mm | 340 x 340 x 400 mm |
| Weight | 12.8 kg (28.2 lbs) | 11.5 kg (25.4 lbs) |
| Power | 1680W | 1450W |
| Made In | Australia | Italy |
Expert Analysis
The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro ($900) and Breville Barista Touch ($1000) are both all-in-one espresso machines with built-in grinders and automated features. The Maestro uses De'Longhi's 51mm portafilter with sensor grinding and smart tamping at 11.5 kg and 1450W. The Barista Touch uses Breville's 54mm system with a touchscreen interface and auto-steaming at 12.8 kg and 1680W. The Maestro has PID temperature control and pre-infusion; the Touch also has both plus a wider temperature range. The Touch's color touchscreen with customizable drink recipes is more user-friendly than the Maestro's button interface. The Maestro's commercial-style steam wand is manual; the Touch offers programmable auto-steaming. The Touch's 54mm portafilter has more aftermarket options than De'Longhi's 51mm. The Maestro's smart tamping station provides more consistent puck preparation for beginners. Both grinders are adequate starters. Verdict: The Barista Touch is the more polished machine with better interface, larger portafilter, and auto-steam. The Maestro is for those who want to learn manual steaming and prefer De'Longhi's semi-guided workflow.
Size & Weight: The Breville Barista Touch BES880 is the heavier machine at 12.8 kg compared to 11.5 kg for the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9665. Consider your available counter space and whether you need to move the machine frequently.
Our Verdict
Choosing between the Breville Barista Touch BES880 and the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9665 depends on your priorities. If budget is your primary concern, the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9665 offers excellent value. However, if you're willing to invest more for additional features and build quality, the Breville Barista Touch BES880 delivers a premium experience. Both are capable machines that can produce excellent espresso in the right hands.
Pros & Cons
Breville Barista Touch BES880
- PID temperature control
- Pre-infusion capability
- Vibratory pump (noisier)
- Non-standard portafilter size
De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9665
- PID temperature control
- Pre-infusion capability
- Vibratory pump (noisier)
- Non-standard portafilter size