Breville Barista Express vs DeLonghi La Specialista Arte
Short answer: Buy the Barista Express for the better shot and the bigger ecosystem to grow into; buy the La Specialista Arte if you want more help at the tamping stage and a choice of brew temperature. Both are all-in-one espresso machines with a built-in conical burr grinder and a manual steam wand, so the decision comes down to details. The Express has the larger 54mm portafilter, PID temperature control and a vast aftermarket and how-to community. The Arte guides your dose and tamp with a funnel and tamping mat, offers 3 infusion temperatures, and has a steam wand De'Longhi says stays cool to the touch.
Updated
Part of our guide to the best espresso machines.
Head to headHighest overall score: Breville Barista Express (8.1 vs 7.8) — but pick by how you brew.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.1/ 10 Higher | 7.8/ 10 |
| Price | $499.95approx.Checked 2026-10-09 | $299.99approx. |
| Get it for | espresso quality, upgrade ceiling & community | guided dosing & tamping, brew temperature by roast, beginner-friendly steaming |
| Portafilter | 54mm | 51mm |
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr | Built-in conical burr |
| Milk | Manual steam wand | Manual steam wand |
| AmazonFull review of Breville Barista Express | Not sold on Amazon right nowFull review of DeLonghi La Specialista Arte EC9155 |
Prices are approximate; use the listing for the current offer.
What the extra money buys — The Barista Express is the pricier of the two at the prices shown here, and both are all-in-ones with a built-in grinder and a manual wand. The premium buys the higher ceiling: a 54mm portafilter, PID temperature control, and a much bigger aftermarket and how-to community to grow into. The Arte's own answers are the guided dosing and tamping kit and a choice of 3 brew temperatures.
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Breville Barista Express vs DeLonghi La Specialista Arte: which wins for you
A 54mm portafilter against the Arte's 51mm, and PID control Breville says holds 200°F. It scores 80 for espresso quality here against 78.
A much bigger aftermarket of baskets, tampers and accessories, and a large how-to community to learn from.
De'Longhi's barista kit, a dosing funnel and a tamping mat, keeps grounds in the basket and guides an even tamp.
De'Longhi lists 3 infusion temperatures with Active Temperature Control, so you can brew light roasts hotter and dark roasts cooler.
De'Longhi says the My Latte Art wand stays cool to the touch after steaming, which makes it safer to handle while you learn.
Breville Barista Express vs DeLonghi La Specialista Arte: score by dimension
BrewSift sub-scores for espresso. The longer bar wins each row; equal scores are both highlighted.
Breville Barista Express vs DeLonghi La Specialista Arte: specs side by side
Breville Barista Express vs DeLonghi La Specialista Arte: the bottom line
Buy the Barista Express for the better shot and the bigger ecosystem to grow into; buy the La Specialista Arte if you want more help at the tamping stage and a choice of brew temperature. If you just want the stronger all-rounder, the Breville Barista Express edges it on our overall score (8.1 vs 7.8).
More comparisons in espresso machines
Other matchups we have run side by side, same scoring, same spec sheet.
Common questions
Is the La Specialista Arte better than the Barista Express?
Not overall. The Barista Express edges it on espresso quality (80 against 78 here), build and ecosystem, and scores higher for value. The Arte is the friendlier machine at the tamping stage and the only one of the two that lets you pick from 3 brew temperatures. If you want the higher ceiling, buy the Express; if you want more guidance in the routine, the Arte is the easier daily machine.
Is this the La Specialista Arte or the Arte Evo?
The original La Specialista Arte, model EC9155. De'Longhi's newer La Specialista Arte Evo, model EC9255, adds a Cold Brew function and 4 preset recipes (espresso, long black, cold brew and hot water) against the Arte's 3. Everything on this page is the EC9155. If cold brew from the machine matters to you, look at the Evo specifically.
Which has the better built-in grinder?
Both use a conical burr grinder that doses directly into the portafilter. Breville lists 16 grind settings and dose control on the Barista Express. De'Longhi designs the Arte's grinder to deliver a consistent single or double dose. Neither matches a good standalone grinder, and on both machines the built-in grinder is the part owners upgrade around first.
What portafilter size do they use?
The Barista Express uses a 54mm stainless portafilter designed for an 18g dose, per Breville. The La Specialista Arte uses a 51mm portafilter. The larger basket gives the Express more room for dose and a wider choice of aftermarket baskets and tampers, which is part of why it has the higher ceiling.
Which is easier for a beginner?
The La Specialista Arte asks less of you at the messy steps. Its dosing funnel and tamping mat keep grounds contained and guide the tamp, and its 3 presets cover espresso, a long black (Americano) and hot water. The Barista Express is still a beginner machine, scoring 86 for ease of use here against the Arte's 82, but you learn dosing and tamping by feel.
Can you adjust the brew temperature?
On the Arte, yes: De'Longhi lists 3 infusion temperature levels so you can match the roast, with Active Temperature Control holding the one you choose. Breville describes the Barista Express's Thermocoil as delivering 200°F under PID control, a stable fixed target rather than a menu of profiles. For most medium roasts that difference will not show in the cup.
Do I need to buy anything else with either machine?
Not to get started. Both have a built-in grinder and a steam wand, so beyond beans and a milk jug there is little else to buy. With either machine, fresh beans, a small scale and filtered water make a bigger difference than any accessory.
Breville Barista Express
$499.95