Thank you for watching, comments welcome! Product links in the description above 👆🏻 Check prices here: geni.us/BrevilleEspressoMach (Breville/Sage affiliate link) Full Barista Express Video: ruclips.net/video/_XgBasLKbCc/видео.html Full La Specialista Video: ruclips.net/video/2SunSQd4qvs/видео.html
Hi Tom, it would be great to do a video about the espresso puck/shower screens (vamotto, neouza,etc.) - are they useful or useless - your opinion. We have Sage Barista Pro and we're not sure about the sense of those screen in my machine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Thanks Tom for all of your videos. They help me to choose the right coffee machine, but I have a question: has I know the Italian cafe needs about 7 8 grams for a single shot. The Sage barista have a 54 millimeter diameter and the DeLonghi 51 mm. My doubts are if the diameter is too big, the Puck will be to short? Which are Better for a single shot 7or 8 gr? And the witch of them is the more silent?
We have had the Breville unit for almost 10 years. It started leaking 2 years ago, and I pulled it apart and replaced an o-ring on the pump output. A few months ago the pump started siezing, so I ran vinegar through it and it fixed. SO all in all, been a very reliable machine that produces consistent good results. Go Australia!
@@shamrock135 The o-ring was on the output side of the high pressure pump. You need to remove the retaining clip to remove the pipe. I took the o-ring to a small engineering company in my industrial estate who charged me $1 for 2 new ones.
I have owned my Breville Barista Express for 2 years now and love it. On days I forget to pre-heat the portafilter, I just run a blank single shot through it and wipe it out. I also purge the head after pulling my shot and it flushes out those grounds that get sucked up. Great review, I always wondered if that Delonghi was any better and now I know I made the right choice!
I've had the Barista Express for about 8 years now and love it. That said I had to replace the pump recently. Not a huge deal. $32 from Amazon and about 2 hours of learning how and doing it. Back to good Americanos in the morning out on the deck.
We use the La Specialista in the second year now. We were not able to set the machine up for a good espresso and a good "coffee crema" at the same time. Since I bought an external mill for my espresso everything is just fine. The grinder of the La Specialista is now used for "coffee crema" only. The external mill holds another type of beans and is grinding much finer for espresso. Temping is done in both cases with the build in temper of the DeLonghi. I like the speed and ease of use of the La Specialista - and of course the quality of the coffee.
Great video! I received the BBE as a Christmas gift and love it. It actually came with a funnel which allows me to grind into my portafilter without making a mess.
I bought the Breville Express in solid stainless steel for $1,000 (Canadian) and I LOVE it! I agree that the (only) downside is running out of water mid stream but you learn quickly to check the water levels more regularly. I had to justify spending that kind of money for a coffee machine but if you love your coffee and can afford it, go for it!
I have the latest Delonghi la specialista arte evo model and it seems like they have made slight corrections for a lot of these issues. The casing is now full brushed and stainless steel, the grind setting now has 2 more options but is still not removable from what i can see and the portafilter is warm after leaving it in for 20 minutes or so. I paid $617 Aud for the machine which included a gift package. As someone with very limited knowledge when it comes to coffee machines i am very happy with the purchase.
I had that exact Breville since 2016 and its still going strong and no issues. The only thing I had to do is replace the water pump which was $40 an easy fix. Its super reliable.
Just bought my BBE $899 on sale, less $100 than the Arte. Easiest decision ever. Then I found this video and couldn’t be more pleased with my purchase!
On the hunt for black friday deals and had my eye out on DeLonghi for a long time. Came here to make final check and found BBE or SBE as here it is Sage ... Anyway ... Sage is almost 220€ cheaper than DeLonghi so i'm taking the plunge! Thanks for your nice video and detailed explanation.
Tom! Love your Espresso Machine Videos. The technical comparisons are so informative and helpful. Your videography has excelled too. Thanks. Blessings ☕☕☕☕
Currently the Delonghi is nearly £200 cheaper than the BBE in the UK but I still bought the BBE which is called Sage on my model. Thanks for the comparison.
I would like to know what you thought of the flavor of the espresso shot that each appliance produced. I often see in these reviews and in videos an espresso machine or press produce a cosmetically pleasing shot, but what does it taste like? A beautiful looking shot can still taste bitter AF or sour. Ultimately, the deciding factor for either machine is whether or not I can make minor user-friendly adjustments to espresso making (grind size, dosage, brew temp, etc) that will yield a shot that is enjoyable to my flavor preference. I have an earlier model DeLonghi La Specialista and I find that I have to make minor espresso-making adjustments with each breed or roast of coffee that I add to the grinder hopper.
I bought an original Barista Express over 10 years ago shortly after Breville first released them. Not much seems to have changed in that time besides the change from a square to round bean hopper, and stamped plate for the drip tray instead of the originals wire mesh (which I prefer as it doesn need to be wiped every time). Sadly, it started leaking not long ago and killed a solenoid in the process. I bought the parts, but then found I couldn't pull apart the fittings that have leaked due to being locked in place from corrosion, so it may have had its day. The steam wand is definitely the Achilles heel of these machines and could be more powerful, so a bit disappointed they haven't improved it. Regarding the tank, I don't see it as a big issue to not have a sensor. Just check the level before you start, which is easy to see from the sides. Good review, I had wondered about the Delonghi, but here in Australia they're more expensive, so a Breville is a strong possibility as a repeat purchase.
Thanks for sharing, Jared. While the steam wand is slow, it does make excellent silky milk. It is unfortunate that these can be prone to leaking. I still think it is a better machine all around than the Arte. I wish there were more proper combo offers than just these two...
@Tom's Coffee Corner do you not get the Barista Pro in your market? That seems a little more advanced than the Barista Express, and has some differences internally as well from what I've seen. Though it does delete the pressure gauge unfortunately.
@@jaredbawden6707 Well, the Pro comes with the additional advantage of a lack of a heated brew group, methinks. The Bambino does not heat the brew group, and I am pretty sure the Pro uses the same technology. Also, the Pro is quite more expensive.
My BBE preheats (water) in about a minute. So, rather than wait longer for the brew group & portafilter to heat, I pull a blank shot while I’m grinding the beans. That water - and the drip tray contents - later gets used to water plants. No waste!
Tom - Excellent video. I received a Barista Express for Christmas after my Sunbeam Cafe Series dual pump machine finally died after 10 years of gallant service. I’ve found it to be an excellent little machine. Very consistent and well performing machine. I was initially worried about the integrated grinder but have found it to be very good. All of the positive points you detail are true. My negative points are no low water indicator, no dual pump for simultaneous extraction and milk texturing and time it takes for the steam wand to engage. However all of these points are overcome with the price and some minor work arounds. One minor update for you is that in Australia Breville ship the machine with a grinder extension to reduce with a dosing funnel to reduce mess. Thanks and keep up your excellent work ☕️
I've just bought the "Cecotec Power Espresso 20 Barista Maestro", I used to have the classic "Sage the Barista Express" and I must say, this new one is the closest thing I've ever got to the Sage one, with basically half of the price! It would be interesting to see your review of it!
I see you went through the motions of giving the Delonghi a "fair" deal but it was never going to make the grade, was it? 😁😁 I wholeheartedly agree though! I have had the Barista Express for 2 years now and as a result I look forward to waking up every morning for my coffee!!😍
Yes, I gave the Arte a fair shake. I am a Delonghi fan. But I recognize that these are two different machines. I hope Delonghi brings their A game next time, because I know they can do it!
Just bought BBE on Amazon Prime day for $549 - $200 amazon card offer. Total with taxes was close to $400. I’m def. а beginner level for coffee/espresso prep. Until now used bialletti moka 6 cup and Francis & Francis illy’s espresso machine. Thank you for review. My friends has Specialista he bought few years ago and he is very with it. Hope espresso from BBE will be better than Illy’s :-) Thank you so much for this review. It was excellent.
Got the barista express for nearly 2 years now and it is an amazing machine. There is a reason why is still on the market for so long and it is the best seller for the semi-manual machines bean-to-cup. I drink espresso everyday and I can always pull great shots. Honestly in that range of price/budget I wouldn't even think an alternative. The only issue with the barista is that you need to wait at least 5-10 minutes so the machine goes in temperature... not a big deal for me, because if you love coffee you are not really in a rush and you can afford 10 minutes to switch and do something else, then get your coffee. If you can't probably this machine is not for you.
Great review, I've tried douzaines of machines over the years. The most important things are quality of the grinder and the temperature stability. Without those two elements, it gets complicated to dial-in the perfect shot (extraction). I would go for the Breville even if the Delonghi was much cheaper. If you want an Americano, you don't need a special button, just make an ultra long espresso. The Delonghi will do nothing besides letting more water run depending on the beverage you choose, it's not really a magic feature. Again great review Tom.
Hi there, you are right on most points, but for an Americano, the Delonghi actually pulls a shot, then adds hot water through the hot water spigot. So, it does not just pull a longer shot. But yes, the grinder and heated brew group (although it takes a long time to heat) of the BBE make it the winner.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thanks for the extra info. I’m curious, does it make a difference in quality? At that point, there’s so little left to extract from the coffee, it’s just yellow water.
@@rioriggs3568I'm not really sure how it compares to the breville but the delonghi Americanos are really delicious. It pulls the shot and then adds hot water on top of it. So long as you have a good shot you have a good Americano in my experience
One very key point is the temperature stability during the brewing stage. I am surprise to see that Delonghi didn't realize about this very basic thing. This is the main killer especially for coffee savvy folks !!!
This is our second K-Classic. We had our first one for many years, so when we had to replace it, we wanted nothing else but this exact ruclips.net/user/postUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf model. We use it for about three people everyday in the morning. The taste and quick brew is one of the reasons we like it so much. There are so many choices of brands of coffee that we would grab what was on sale and test the different brands from there. I would definitely recommend trying different brands of coffee to find the ones you like the most because there are brands that quite frankly taste horrible.
In México, the Breville price is higher than the Delongui price (1000 vs 600 dlls) , and the after-sales service is bad. Their reviews on the sales pages refer to many problems and few solutions in terms of maintenance. I am learning a lot from you, greetings
I find it funny this video came out after we just talked about delonghi in a different video. Great comparison, I had the same issues when i had to upgrade my espresso maker and it looks like we were using the same checklist on features! Excellent video!!!!
Hi I bought a Delonghi Elita explore however I find my coffee does not come out super hot specially the ones with milk. I have hard time controlling the heat temperature specially the drinks with milk. Would you recommend coffee machines with a milk steaming wand?
Wow, this is a super thorough and informative review which has helped me with my decision! Does the Barista Express come with automatic dosing and tamping handle?
Thanks for the comprehensive review! Recently I paid a visit to a local retailer and spoke with the service technician there. He walked me to the service department and showed me the rows of Breville machines waiting to be serviced or parted out. Needless to say he didn’t give them a high recommendation. Unfortunate, they do seem to have everything you’d want in a semi automatic. Other than perhaps quality of parts or manufacturing issues…
I have heard the same thing. Which is why I was apprehensive to buying a BBE until I found a great deal. I do see lots of them on the used market with issues of leaking, but I’d hope they have improved the internal design by now. What I do know is, I’ve been using DeLonghi extensively for 5 years, with no issues whatsoever. 👍🏻
@@TomsCoffeeCorner We didn’t get into specifics, just the fact that there seemed to be a disproportionate number of Breville machines compared to other manufacturers. Rancilio was his favourite. That’s his go to. However I’m leaning towards a fully automatic, that’s why I’m looking at either a Saeco or Gaggia. Otherwise I’d get a Rancilio. They do make an excellent espresso and last a long time.
Hey Tom, great contents you're providing. Thanks to your videos I convinced myself to buy a Neouza Naked Portafilter and my coffees with La Specialista reached another level of extraction. My question is, can you advice any Portafilter at the same quality level (not the original one) that is compatible with La Specialista and can extract with a double spout? I would love to buy Neouza or Normcore again, unfortunately seems they don't specify any compatibility with La Specialista. I would love to hear your take, thank you friend!
Tom, Thank you fo your illuminating review. I noticed that there is also a Breville Barista "Impress" model for $200 more than the Barista Express. The Impress has dosing controls and some "automatic tamping mechanism. I hope that someday soon you might be able to compare these two fine Breville (or Sage) machines. Either one is a sobering investment. However, if there is a favorable difference with an extra $200 we apprentices might consider making the extra investment.
Hi Steven, thank you for your sentiments. I have seen the Impress, and it looks pretty cool. Whether the dosing and tamping feature are worth it, are really questions of automation and ergonomics. The included tamper is 52.7mm, while the basket is 53.3mm. So if the tamper piston on the Impress is also 52.7mm, I would probably still prefer to tamp with something like the Normcore 53.3mm tamper, to avoid coffee powder on the rim. I am not sure if the Impress differs otherwise to the Express.
@Tomscoffeecorner, thank you for the very detailed and useful information. I wished I had found you a year ago. I got a delonghi la specialists as a birthday present nearly 2y ago. I make one coffee a day plus 4 more a week for friends. Already used a bottle and a half of descaling. And from the first time I did descaling the last step- rinsing didn't stop. I had to add more water and continue longer. I do put max water for the rinse and this happens every time. Last time, I was in a hurry and I just turned it off. Next day when I turn it on it was still flashing red for descaling and I let it rinse till the water is all gone. I was trying to keep the ok button down hoping to cancel the rinsing but then I realized that it can only cancel the descaling not the rinse Then I made long espresso and the pressure went to the max red- end. It dropped very little coffee. After that the machine started leaking underneath. I changed the grinder from 5 to 2. When I run without filter, just water and no pressure, it doesn't leak. Do you have any suggestions or ideas what to do? I'm not sure if it's under warranty. Thanks. @TomsCoffeeCorner
Oh boy, I'm not really sure. I don't see why pressure would be built up from descaling. Have you tried opening the steam valve? That's a good way to relieve some pressure.
Tom, I have had the Barista for a couple of years and my mother has had the de Longhi- and have come to the same conclusions. The Breville is easier to dial in the grinder, the head is warmer, it pulls better shots most times, and is easier to clean. The de Longhi water tank seems to need filling less often, but the grinder of a pain to clean. In terms of reliability, zero issues with the Breville (it gets hammered with 4 adults) but my mum is on her second de Longhi. She did try a Barista but did not Like it….
i am watching this now as I am trying to make a decision on an espresso machine. Can you confirm the Barista Express does have a proper heated brew group as there is no mention in the specs or manual about this. In fact the manual talks about preheating the brew group and portafilter to ensure it is not cold.
It takes about 25-30 minutes, but eventually it heats up. It's a passive heating, which is why it takes so long. The models with the newer ThermoJet don't seem to warm up, and neither does the Delonghi La Specialista. Cheers!
Thank you for your video, I’m absolutely new to the space but I’ve always loved coffee. Could you please answer my questions? - I have been having pod coffees and do you think I’ll be able to tell the difference and love the actual espresso? - breville is about $400 more expensive $1000 vs $630 at where I live, do you think it’s worth it? - I see that specialista isn’t recommended much, would you say it’s a bad machine or is it just not perfect enough for actual coffee folks, do you still recommend that machine for me? Or should I save up and get the express but I might also end up not buying anything because it’s too expensive. Thank you!!!❤
You'll notice a huge difference between pods and actual espresso, yes. The Sage is better than the Delonghi for a number of reasons. Maybe wait for a sale?
My barista express does not take anywhere near that long to start steam, I would say about half that. that being said, I do steam basically strait after pulling a shot, so maybe the heater is already a lot warmer. (i did see the note in the video about the 20-30 depending on usage, so less of a point i guess) the downsides to the La Specialista are a bit hard to dismiss, the grinder is the biggest one in my opinion. the level sensor is nice, I wish the breville had it, but its not a major issue. I really like how breville stand behind their products, on my second bag of beans I had a foreign object that I missed when filling the hopper that lodged in the grinder and shredded the gears inside (the foreign object looked like it was perfectly shaped to break a grinder). I contacted both the bean manufacturer and breville, the bean company basically did not believe me and wanted me to provide the object, which I could not as it was jammed in the machine. breville booked me in for a 'free quote' to diagnose the issue with instructions to the repair shop to pull the machine down and provide me the object (free of charge), I took it in, they a day later they said they had the object out and what the issue was and that they were waiting on parts. I asked how much it would cost and they said breville authorised the repair for free. have not had another issued with it in 3 years. took me 6 months with the bean manufacturer to get them to do anything. If my barista express were to die, I would probably not buy another one, but thats only because I would probably upgrade to a 'prosumer' level machine with separate grinder. not because the machine is bad in any way, I love it and use it every day. I do not see myself replacing it until it does eventually kick the bucket (unless I come across an unbeatable deal on a better machine. thats unlikely to happen).
The breville case is also plastic made, but is covered in a metal sheet. Better grinder with much more step positions(the impress has more up to 30 ), pid control with temp +4 -4 celsius depending on how darker your coffee is, if you hold your finger on the cup button the preinfusion function will be set on manual meaning thay you can control how long u want to take, 3way solenoid valve, overall a better product than the delonghi. The grinding, Brew temp stability and the pressure extrsction are the most important when it comes to espresso quality
The Delonghi also has temperature control in all La Specialista and Dedica models. Not sure it's a true PID (and, tbh, if it matters with thermoblock machines), but they could be set up at 92/94/96° C
How do you feel about Lelit Anita? I think it’s underrated, a made in italy all in one without plastic in composition to be even cheaper than both of these espresso machines
Hi Tom, Thank you for the great machine comparison review. Considering that on average the Sage/ Breville machine is £300 dearer than the Delonghi in the UK, would this fact change your decision. I admit that the Sage is a great machine but it is reflected in the price. Regards, John 👍🏻
Hi John, at that price difference, I’d go for the DeLonghi. I’m also very satisfied with the reliability of my Delonghi machines. I cannot speak yet to the Sage, since I’ve only had it a short time.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thanks for your reply Tom. I am pleased to tell you that I indeed purchased the DeLonghi brand new for the excellent price of £296:34. I am delighted with this machine having used it now for approximately 3 months. I find that if you purge the shower head a few times with the portafilter in place the whole machine warms up nicely. Just dry the basket quickly before grinding the beans. Coffee extraction time & pressure tend to vary with each bean type & roasting level but either increasing or decreasing the basket amount by 1 gram and the grind level between 1&2 seems to do the trick. Regards, John
@@TomsCoffeeCorner thanks for the reply. I was set on buying the breville barista express then i saw this evo. I love the way the la specialista arte look aesthetically so i was in doubt again as it's the same price as the BBE and its just 3mos old. I was hoping on looking for some reviews about the Evo and comparing it to BBE but to my surprise there hasn't any youtuber who reviewed it yet
Thank you for watching, comments welcome! Product links in the description above 👆🏻
Check prices here: geni.us/BrevilleEspressoMach (Breville/Sage affiliate link)
Full Barista Express Video: ruclips.net/video/_XgBasLKbCc/видео.html
Full La Specialista Video: ruclips.net/video/2SunSQd4qvs/видео.html
Hi Tom, it would be great to do a video about the espresso puck/shower screens (vamotto, neouza,etc.) - are they useful or useless - your opinion. We have Sage Barista Pro and we're not sure about the sense of those screen in my machine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Thanks Tom for all of your videos. They help me to choose the right coffee machine, but I have a question: has I know the Italian cafe needs about 7 8 grams for a single shot. The Sage barista have a 54 millimeter diameter and the DeLonghi 51 mm. My doubts are if the diameter is too big, the Puck will be to short?
Which are Better for a single shot 7or 8 gr? And the witch of them is the more silent?
Hi Tom, which would you choose if La Specialista Arte were 166€ cheaper?
Can you do an Delonghi Opera VS Breville Pro comparison
We have had the Breville unit for almost 10 years. It started leaking 2 years ago, and I pulled it apart and replaced an o-ring on the pump output. A few months ago the pump started siezing, so I ran vinegar through it and it fixed. SO all in all, been a very reliable machine that produces consistent good results. Go Australia!
so vinegar is much better to descale than those descaler that use chemicals?
@@redoctober918 commercial descaler will work better, but vinegar (acetic acid) was good enough in my case.
Hi I’m having the same issue with leaking can you show me/tell me where you changed the o ring and what size o ring was used?!! Please 🙏
@@shamrock135 The o-ring was on the output side of the high pressure pump. You need to remove the retaining clip to remove the pipe. I took the o-ring to a small engineering company in my industrial estate who charged me $1 for 2 new ones.
Cheers so much for sharing your know how 😊❤
Bought the Breville after watching this review. Thank you....
Awesome - have fun experimenting! Tom
I have owned my Breville Barista Express for 2 years now and love it. On days I forget to pre-heat the portafilter, I just run a blank single shot through it and wipe it out. I also purge the head after pulling my shot and it flushes out those grounds that get sucked up. Great review, I always wondered if that Delonghi was any better and now I know I made the right choice!
Your skill at operating machines from behind them is honestly amazing lol
😂😂
I have failed to articulate this so simply on more than one occasion. I'm always Blown Away by how smooth he is, even frothing good milk backwards
That was, definitely, the most complete video I ever saw about barista machine and their cost benefit. Congratulations! 👏🏻
Wow, thanks! So which one do you like better?
I've had the Barista Express for about 8 years now and love it. That said I had to replace the pump recently. Not a huge deal. $32 from Amazon and about 2 hours of learning how and doing it. Back to good Americanos in the morning out on the deck.
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
We use the La Specialista in the second year now. We were not able to set the machine up for a good espresso and a good "coffee crema" at the same time. Since I bought an external mill for my espresso everything is just fine.
The grinder of the La Specialista is now used for "coffee crema" only. The external mill holds another type of beans and is grinding much finer for espresso. Temping is done in both cases with the build in temper of the DeLonghi.
I like the speed and ease of use of the La Specialista - and of course the quality of the coffee.
Great video! I received the BBE as a Christmas gift and love it. It actually came with a funnel which allows me to grind into my portafilter without making a mess.
Amazing comparison Tom. Loved the info provided. So useful before I buy my machine
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks. I am looking into buying new machine and your review is very helpful
I bought the Breville Express in solid stainless steel for $1,000 (Canadian) and I LOVE it! I agree that the (only) downside is running out of water mid stream but you learn quickly to check the water levels more regularly. I had to justify spending that kind of money for a coffee machine but if you love your coffee and can afford it, go for it!
The BBE is also often cheaper than a fully automatic machine, and makes much better coffee!
I have the latest Delonghi la specialista arte evo model and it seems like they have made slight corrections for a lot of these issues. The casing is now full brushed and stainless steel, the grind setting now has 2 more options but is still not removable from what i can see and the portafilter is warm after leaving it in for 20 minutes or so.
I paid $617 Aud for the machine which included a gift package. As someone with very limited knowledge when it comes to coffee machines i am very happy with the purchase.
I had that exact Breville since 2016 and its still going strong and no issues. The only thing I had to do is replace the water pump which was $40 an easy fix. Its super reliable.
Owner of the Breville Touch Machine for home use. Its used 3 times a day, seven days a week for 3 years now and still running strong!
Thanks for your feedback!
Great video! It was concise and hit all the really relevant points.
Thanks for the best review ever!
Just start learning about it.
You are correct about the cleaning of the drip tray in the Breville. Clean off residue with just a cloth and a quick wipe
Using daily a Barista Express for a little more then 7 years and I cannot be more happy with it.
Very professional comparison video. It gives me some idea which one I should go for.
Awesome, thanks for the feedback! Have fun with your choice!
Thank you for this comparison, it helped me A LOT with my decision!!
Just bought my BBE $899 on sale, less $100 than the Arte. Easiest decision ever. Then I found this video and couldn’t be more pleased with my purchase!
On the hunt for black friday deals and had my eye out on DeLonghi for a long time. Came here to make final check and found BBE or SBE as here it is Sage ... Anyway ... Sage is almost 220€ cheaper than DeLonghi so i'm taking the plunge! Thanks for your nice video and detailed explanation.
Have fun, and thanks for posting!
Very informative. I'm about to start jumping into this world and trying to see which one to get.
Tom! Love your Espresso Machine Videos. The technical comparisons are so informative and helpful. Your videography has excelled too. Thanks. Blessings ☕☕☕☕
Wow, thanks! Glad the videos are helpful, it's nice to know that. Cheers! Tom
Currently the Delonghi is nearly £200 cheaper than the BBE in the UK but I still bought the BBE which is called Sage on my model. Thanks for the comparison.
Honestly, I think it's the better choice. Cheers!
I would like to know what you thought of the flavor of the espresso shot that each appliance produced. I often see in these reviews and in videos an espresso machine or press produce a cosmetically pleasing shot, but what does it taste like? A beautiful looking shot can still taste bitter AF or sour. Ultimately, the deciding factor for either machine is whether or not I can make minor user-friendly adjustments to espresso making (grind size, dosage, brew temp, etc) that will yield a shot that is enjoyable to my flavor preference. I have an earlier model DeLonghi La Specialista and I find that I have to make minor espresso-making adjustments with each breed or roast of coffee that I add to the grinder hopper.
Awesome review, thank you
ordered right before Christmas, i got the Arte for $499. looked at the breville but it was hundreds more. enjoying the Arte by the way.
Glad to hear it - $499 is a nice price!
I bought an original Barista Express over 10 years ago shortly after Breville first released them. Not much seems to have changed in that time besides the change from a square to round bean hopper, and stamped plate for the drip tray instead of the originals wire mesh (which I prefer as it doesn need to be wiped every time).
Sadly, it started leaking not long ago and killed a solenoid in the process. I bought the parts, but then found I couldn't pull apart the fittings that have leaked due to being locked in place from corrosion, so it may have had its day.
The steam wand is definitely the Achilles heel of these machines and could be more powerful, so a bit disappointed they haven't improved it. Regarding the tank, I don't see it as a big issue to not have a sensor. Just check the level before you start, which is easy to see from the sides.
Good review, I had wondered about the Delonghi, but here in Australia they're more expensive, so a Breville is a strong possibility as a repeat purchase.
Thanks for sharing, Jared. While the steam wand is slow, it does make excellent silky milk. It is unfortunate that these can be prone to leaking.
I still think it is a better machine all around than the Arte. I wish there were more proper combo offers than just these two...
@Tom's Coffee Corner do you not get the Barista Pro in your market? That seems a little more advanced than the Barista Express, and has some differences internally as well from what I've seen. Though it does delete the pressure gauge unfortunately.
@@jaredbawden6707 Well, the Pro comes with the additional advantage of a lack of a heated brew group, methinks. The Bambino does not heat the brew group, and I am pretty sure the Pro uses the same technology. Also, the Pro is quite more expensive.
My BBE preheats (water) in about a minute. So, rather than wait longer for the brew group & portafilter to heat, I pull a blank shot while I’m grinding the beans. That water - and the drip tray contents - later gets used to water plants. No waste!
You're not lazy Tom, you're efficient !
Very informative. Thank you 🙏
Thanks for this. My decision was made as soon as you compared the grinders 2 minutes in. I just need someone to buy me the Sage/Breville now.
Thanks👍🏼 very informative! 👏🏽
Tom - Excellent video. I received a Barista Express for Christmas after my Sunbeam Cafe Series dual pump machine finally died after 10 years of gallant service. I’ve found it to be an excellent little machine. Very consistent and well performing machine. I was initially worried about the integrated grinder but have found it to be very good. All of the positive points you detail are true. My negative points are no low water indicator, no dual pump for simultaneous extraction and milk texturing and time it takes for the steam wand to engage. However all of these points are overcome with the price and some minor work arounds. One minor update for you is that in Australia Breville ship the machine with a grinder extension to reduce with a dosing funnel to reduce mess. Thanks and keep up your excellent work ☕️
Thanks for sharing, and I am glad they have started shipping with a funnel. Cheers! Tom
I've just bought the "Cecotec Power Espresso 20 Barista Maestro", I used to have the classic "Sage the Barista Express" and I must say, this new one is the closest thing I've ever got to the Sage one, with basically half of the price! It would be interesting to see your review of it!
I see you went through the motions of giving the Delonghi a "fair" deal but it was never going to make the grade, was it? 😁😁 I wholeheartedly agree though! I have had the Barista Express for 2 years now and as a result I look forward to waking up every morning for my coffee!!😍
Yes, I gave the Arte a fair shake. I am a Delonghi fan. But I recognize that these are two different machines. I hope Delonghi brings their A game next time, because I know they can do it!
I love mine but man is it a stressful experience too cuz sometimes i have the best foam n someones i made it too watery
Just bought BBE on Amazon Prime day for $549 - $200 amazon card offer. Total with taxes was close to $400. I’m def. а beginner level for coffee/espresso prep. Until now used bialletti moka 6 cup and Francis & Francis illy’s espresso machine. Thank you for review. My friends has Specialista he bought few years ago and he is very with it. Hope espresso from BBE will be better than Illy’s :-) Thank you so much for this review. It was excellent.
Wow, that's a steal for $400! Congratulations, and have fun!
Quite useful! I’d love to see all those results into a final matrix of results 🤓
Got the barista express for nearly 2 years now and it is an amazing machine. There is a reason why is still on the market for so long and it is the best seller for the semi-manual machines bean-to-cup. I drink espresso everyday and I can always pull great shots. Honestly in that range of price/budget I wouldn't even think an alternative. The only issue with the barista is that you need to wait at least 5-10 minutes so the machine goes in temperature... not a big deal for me, because if you love coffee you are not really in a rush and you can afford 10 minutes to switch and do something else, then get your coffee. If you can't probably this machine is not for you.
Thanks for that feedback! It's a hard machine to beat for the price.
Great review, I've tried douzaines of machines over the years. The most important things are quality of the grinder and the temperature stability. Without those two elements, it gets complicated to dial-in the perfect shot (extraction). I would go for the Breville even if the Delonghi was much cheaper. If you want an Americano, you don't need a special button, just make an ultra long espresso. The Delonghi will do nothing besides letting more water run depending on the beverage you choose, it's not really a magic feature. Again great review Tom.
Agree completey with your point about the special buttons. Marketing gimmick for the coffee naive amongst us.
Hi there, you are right on most points, but for an Americano, the Delonghi actually pulls a shot, then adds hot water through the hot water spigot. So, it does not just pull a longer shot. But yes, the grinder and heated brew group (although it takes a long time to heat) of the BBE make it the winner.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thanks for the extra info. I’m curious, does it make a difference in quality? At that point, there’s so little left to extract from the coffee, it’s just yellow water.
@@rioriggs3568I'm not really sure how it compares to the breville but the delonghi Americanos are really delicious. It pulls the shot and then adds hot water on top of it. So long as you have a good shot you have a good Americano in my experience
Dials coming off 2 Delonghi machines in the shop was enuff to scare me away! Got the Breville :)
That constant temp in sage its the real deal when it comes espresso, for me its worth every money. Cheers ✌️
One very key point is the temperature stability during the brewing stage. I am surprise to see that Delonghi didn't realize about this very basic thing. This is the main killer especially for coffee savvy folks !!!
This is our second K-Classic. We had our first one for many years, so when we had to replace it, we wanted nothing else but this exact ruclips.net/user/postUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf model. We use it for about three people everyday in the morning. The taste and quick brew is one of the reasons we like it so much. There are so many choices of brands of coffee that we would grab what was on sale and test the different brands from there. I would definitely recommend trying different brands of coffee to find the ones you like the most because there are brands that quite frankly taste horrible.
Do you mean Delonghi?
In México, the Breville price is higher than the Delongui price (1000 vs 600 dlls) , and the after-sales service is bad. Their reviews on the sales pages refer to many problems and few solutions in terms of maintenance. I am learning a lot from you, greetings
Thanks for this great comparison.
Is one of these good for starting a coffee shop. If not what is best ☺️
I find it funny this video came out after we just talked about delonghi in a different video. Great comparison, I had the same issues when i had to upgrade my espresso maker and it looks like we were using the same checklist on features! Excellent video!!!!
I would love to see a showdown between the breville pro VS Delonghi opera 🙏
Hi I bought a Delonghi Elita explore however I find my coffee does not come out super hot specially the ones with milk. I have hard time controlling the heat temperature specially the drinks with milk. Would you recommend coffee machines with a milk steaming wand?
very nicely made review! no surprises, breville is king of home all in ones
It sure seems that way, although I have not tried the Lelit offering yet. Cheers!
Very well made and informative, thanks!
Can you do an Delonghi Opera VS Breville Pro comparison
Wow, this is a super thorough and informative review which has helped me with my decision! Does the Barista Express come with automatic dosing and tamping handle?
Thanks for the comprehensive review! Recently I paid a visit to a local retailer and spoke with the service technician there. He walked me to the service department and showed me the rows of Breville machines waiting to be serviced or parted out. Needless to say he didn’t give them a high recommendation. Unfortunate, they do seem to have everything you’d want in a semi automatic. Other than perhaps quality of parts or manufacturing issues…
I have heard the same thing. Which is why I was apprehensive to buying a BBE until I found a great deal. I do see lots of them on the used market with issues of leaking, but I’d hope they have improved the internal design by now.
What I do know is, I’ve been using DeLonghi extensively for 5 years, with no issues whatsoever. 👍🏻
What were the main issues that the service technician showed you?
@@TomsCoffeeCorner
We didn’t get into specifics, just the fact that there seemed to be a disproportionate number of Breville machines compared to other manufacturers. Rancilio was his favourite. That’s his go to. However I’m leaning towards a fully automatic, that’s why I’m looking at either a Saeco or Gaggia. Otherwise I’d get a Rancilio. They do make an excellent espresso and last a long time.
Mine is from 2009 and it works perfectly.
Had mine for 5 years so far…. Used constantly and never had an issue. 😊
Great, exactly what I needed!
In under 4 minutes, I've seen enough to know the De'Longhi isn't as good as the Breville/Sage. Thanks for this video.
I purchased a barista express on sale today and it came with a dosing funnel in the U.S😊
Oh that’s cool! Thank you for letting me know. Can anyone else confirm that they are now shipping with a funnel?
Hey Tom, great contents you're providing. Thanks to your videos I convinced myself to buy a Neouza Naked Portafilter and my coffees with La Specialista reached another level of extraction. My question is, can you advice any Portafilter at the same quality level (not the original one) that is compatible with La Specialista and can extract with a double spout? I would love to buy Neouza or Normcore again, unfortunately seems they don't specify any compatibility with La Specialista. I would love to hear your take, thank you friend!
Well done !
I bought the Briville express touch. A month ago live it. It more automatic but youn can do it manually to.
The DeLonghi is about $70 cheaper here in Australia but I'm still going to go with the Breville.
Tom, Thank you fo your illuminating review. I noticed that there is also a Breville Barista "Impress" model for $200 more than the Barista Express. The Impress has dosing controls and some "automatic tamping mechanism. I hope that someday soon you might be able to compare these two fine Breville (or Sage) machines. Either one is a sobering investment. However, if there is a favorable difference with an extra $200 we apprentices might consider making the extra investment.
Hi Steven, thank you for your sentiments. I have seen the Impress, and it looks pretty cool. Whether the dosing and tamping feature are worth it, are really questions of automation and ergonomics. The included tamper is 52.7mm, while the basket is 53.3mm. So if the tamper piston on the Impress is also 52.7mm, I would probably still prefer to tamp with something like the Normcore 53.3mm tamper, to avoid coffee powder on the rim. I am not sure if the Impress differs otherwise to the Express.
@Tomscoffeecorner, thank you for the very detailed and useful information. I wished I had found you a year ago. I got a delonghi la specialists as a birthday present nearly 2y ago. I make one coffee a day plus 4 more a week for friends. Already used a bottle and a half of descaling. And from the first time I did descaling the last step- rinsing didn't stop. I had to add more water and continue longer. I do put max water for the rinse and this happens every time. Last time, I was in a hurry and I just turned it off. Next day when I turn it on it was still flashing red for descaling and I let it rinse till the water is all gone. I was trying to keep the ok button down hoping to cancel the rinsing but then I realized that it can only cancel the descaling not the rinse Then I made long espresso and the pressure went to the max red- end. It dropped very little coffee. After that the machine started leaking underneath. I changed the grinder from 5 to 2. When I run without filter, just water and no pressure, it doesn't leak. Do you have any suggestions or ideas what to do? I'm not sure if it's under warranty. Thanks. @TomsCoffeeCorner
Oh boy, I'm not really sure. I don't see why pressure would be built up from descaling. Have you tried opening the steam valve? That's a good way to relieve some pressure.
Thanks! You helped me decide.
how abount grinder of breville and delonghi?
It's better in the Breville - much higher resolution for dialing in.
Tom, I have had the Barista for a couple of years and my mother has had the de Longhi- and have come to the same conclusions. The Breville is easier to dial in the grinder, the head is warmer, it pulls better shots most times, and is easier to clean. The de Longhi water tank seems to need filling less often, but the grinder of a pain to clean. In terms of reliability, zero issues with the Breville (it gets hammered with 4 adults) but my mum is on her second de Longhi. She did try a Barista but did not
Like it….
Hi Brian, thanks for sharing your experiences. I think both claims from yourself and your mom are valid. Cheers!
Thank u for ur videdo. What about the quality of espresso?
is the water boiled or heat up in plastic or copper? don't want hot water in contact with plastic
How long does it take the machines to warm up?
i am watching this now as I am trying to make a decision on an espresso machine.
Can you confirm the Barista Express does have a proper heated brew group as there is no mention in the specs or manual about this. In fact the manual talks about preheating the brew group and portafilter to ensure it is not cold.
It takes about 25-30 minutes, but eventually it heats up. It's a passive heating, which is why it takes so long. The models with the newer ThermoJet don't seem to warm up, and neither does the Delonghi La Specialista. Cheers!
Thank you for your video, I’m absolutely new to the space but I’ve always loved coffee. Could you please answer my questions?
- I have been having pod coffees and do you think I’ll be able to tell the difference and love the actual espresso?
- breville is about $400 more expensive $1000 vs $630 at where I live, do you think it’s worth it?
- I see that specialista isn’t recommended much, would you say it’s a bad machine or is it just not perfect enough for actual coffee folks, do you still recommend that machine for me? Or should I save up and get the express but I might also end up not buying anything because it’s too expensive.
Thank you!!!❤
You'll notice a huge difference between pods and actual espresso, yes. The Sage is better than the Delonghi for a number of reasons. Maybe wait for a sale?
I have both Sage and Delonghi . Definitely, Sage has better taste.
Very helpful
I had the two machines by Warranty, I returned the Delonghi. the best beeville
May you do an updated comparison video breville versus the brand new KitchenAid ® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine pretty please?
you are the boss of reviews
Thank you, captain!
Hi,
I wanna buy a coffee machine, and i’m looking for a good one
Does one hole in the Sage steamer is it enough for makeing the milk ?
Thanks
Hi Sam, yes the one hole works just fine. Have fun with your choice!
Thanks
Hi, what exactly are the models you were comparing? Breville870 and Delonghi EC9155MB?
Yes that's right. Barista Express vs La Specialista EC9155
My barista express does not take anywhere near that long to start steam, I would say about half that. that being said, I do steam basically strait after pulling a shot, so maybe the heater is already a lot warmer. (i did see the note in the video about the 20-30 depending on usage, so less of a point i guess)
the downsides to the La Specialista are a bit hard to dismiss, the grinder is the biggest one in my opinion. the level sensor is nice, I wish the breville had it, but its not a major issue.
I really like how breville stand behind their products, on my second bag of beans I had a foreign object that I missed when filling the hopper that lodged in the grinder and shredded the gears inside (the foreign object looked like it was perfectly shaped to break a grinder).
I contacted both the bean manufacturer and breville, the bean company basically did not believe me and wanted me to provide the object, which I could not as it was jammed in the machine. breville booked me in for a 'free quote' to diagnose the issue with instructions to the repair shop to pull the machine down and provide me the object (free of charge), I took it in, they a day later they said they had the object out and what the issue was and that they were waiting on parts. I asked how much it would cost and they said breville authorised the repair for free.
have not had another issued with it in 3 years. took me 6 months with the bean manufacturer to get them to do anything.
If my barista express were to die, I would probably not buy another one, but thats only because I would probably upgrade to a 'prosumer' level machine with separate grinder. not because the machine is bad in any way, I love it and use it every day. I do not see myself replacing it until it does eventually kick the bucket (unless I come across an unbeatable deal on a better machine. thats unlikely to happen).
Thanks very much for sharing your experience! Glad to hear that Breville supported you so well with your machine. Cheers!
The breville case is also plastic made, but is covered in a metal sheet. Better grinder with much more step positions(the impress has more up to 30 ), pid control with temp +4 -4 celsius depending on how darker your coffee is, if you hold your finger on the cup button the preinfusion function will be set on manual meaning thay you can control how long u want to take, 3way solenoid valve, overall a better product than the delonghi.
The grinding, Brew temp stability and the pressure extrsction are the most important when it comes to espresso quality
Thanks for sharing that pre-infusion tip!
The Delonghi also has temperature control in all La Specialista and Dedica models. Not sure it's a true PID (and, tbh, if it matters with thermoblock machines), but they could be set up at 92/94/96° C
Can you not just run some hot water through the porta filter and shower plate on the Delonghi to get it hot before extracting the coffee?
Worked in my dishwasher top shelf
Hello,
Please let me know which is the cheapest espresso machine with rotary pump.
Thank you.
Mihai
Good question...I think maybe a La Spaziale Vivaldi
Thank you for your comparison very helpful and I think I will get the sage barista does have hot water?
Hi Angeline, yes it also gives hot water. I have the full review here: ruclips.net/video/_XgBasLKbCc/видео.html
@@TomsCoffeeCorner thank you I love watching your channel
Can you also review the Ultima Cosa presto bolente semi automatic espresso machine? I am thinking of buying it but I am not sure about its features
Oh, that's a white label machine. Kaffeemacher reviewed it. In Germany it's called Gastroback. Cheers!
How do you feel about Lelit Anita? I think it’s underrated, a made in italy all in one without plastic in composition to be even cheaper than both of these espresso machines
What about the boilers? What are they made out of?
They are not boilers, but thermoblocks - which are stainless steel lines, encompassed in an aluminum block.
Do you have a picture?
@@TomsCoffeeCorner
Would have loved a blind-taste-test. That is a important part of a comparison
True! But I am the actor, filmer, and editor, lol. I'd need an assistant. :)
Omg , like delonghi because water sensor ❤ . So difficult to make the decision .😊
Great video g
At a price of £350 surely the Delonghi is the better value for money vs the sage at £550+?
I would love to see you, do a test with De'Longhi EC9355.M2.0.
Hi Tom,
Thank you for the great machine comparison review.
Considering that on average the Sage/ Breville machine is £300 dearer than the Delonghi in the UK, would this fact change your decision.
I admit that the Sage is a great machine but it is reflected in the price.
Regards,
John 👍🏻
Hi John, at that price difference, I’d go for the DeLonghi. I’m also very satisfied with the reliability of my Delonghi machines. I cannot speak yet to the Sage, since I’ve only had it a short time.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner
Thanks for your reply Tom. I am pleased to tell you that I indeed purchased the DeLonghi brand new for the excellent price of £296:34. I am delighted with this machine having used it now for approximately 3 months.
I find that if you purge the shower head a few times with the portafilter in place the whole machine warms up nicely. Just dry the basket quickly before grinding the beans.
Coffee extraction time & pressure tend to vary with each bean type & roasting level but either increasing or decreasing the basket amount by
1 gram and the grind level between 1&2 seems to do the trick.
Regards,
John
@@johnruddleston805 Thanks for sharing, John! Have you every dunked the PF in a cup of warm water? That should thoroughly warm it, too.
Thanks a lot, it's a really interesting good review. Please continue.
Breville being Australian company really shows in their understand of making proper coffee machines
Whats the difference of the La Specialista Arte and the Arte Evo? The Arte Evo has the same price as the Breville Barista express in our place.
To me, the Arte Evo just looks aesthetically a little different, with different manometer dial accents, for example.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner thanks for the reply. I was set on buying the breville barista express then i saw this evo. I love the way the la specialista arte look aesthetically so i was in doubt again as it's the same price as the BBE and its just 3mos old. I was hoping on looking for some reviews about the Evo and comparing it to BBE but to my surprise there hasn't any youtuber who reviewed it yet
The showdown! 🥳🥳