Delonghi La Specialista Opera vs. Breville Barista Express Impress | SHOWDOWN

Summary

In this video, ECS Coffee compares two popular semi-automatic espresso machines: the DeLonghi La Specialista Opera and the Breville Barista Express Impress. Both machines feature stainless steel bodies, built-in grinders, assisted tamping, and steam wands for microfoam. The DeLonghi offers 15 grind settings, a 51mm portafilter, and a cold brew option, while the Breville has 25 grind settings, a 54mm portafilter, and smart dosing. The video explores their similarities and differences, performance, and ease of use, providing insights to help viewers decide which machine best suits their coffee preferences.

Takeaways

• ☕ Both the DeLonghi La Specialista Opera and the Breville Barista Express Impress are semi-automatic espresso machines with stainless steel bodies and onboard grinders.
• 📏 The Breville machine offers more grind sizes (25 settings) compared to the DeLonghi (15 settings), allowing for finer adjustments to espresso extraction.
• 💡 The Breville features a smart dosing system that adjusts itself if the dose is too high or low, while the DeLonghi requires manual adjustments.
• 🔧 Both machines have assisted tamping handles: the Breville has the Impress Puck system, and the DeLonghi has a Smart Tamping Station.
• 🔥 The DeLonghi's steam wand is insulated, making it more powerful and easier to clean, while the Breville’s steam wand is not insulated, which can result in burnt milk residue.
• 📊 The DeLonghi has a 51 mm portafilter, while the Breville has a slightly larger 54 mm portafilter, allowing better distribution of espresso grounds.
• 🥤 The DeLonghi offers cold beverage options like cold brew espresso and iced coffee, which the Breville does not.
• 🔊 The DeLonghi is quieter when brewing, although louder when grinding compared to the Breville.
• 💧 Both machines feature 2-liter water tanks and separate hot water spouts for Americanos or tea.
• 💰 Price-wise, the Breville is slightly more expensive (around $100 CAD more) due to its extra grind settings and smart dosing function.

Q & A

What are the main similarities between the Delonghi La Specialista Opera and the Breville Barista Express Impress?

Both machines are semi-automatic espresso makers, made of stainless steel, with onboard grinders and assisted tamping handles. They also both feature professional-style steam wands, separate hot water spouts, and the ability to brew single or double espresso shots.

What is the difference in portafilter size between the Delonghi La Specialista Opera and the Breville Barista Express Impress?

The Delonghi La Specialista Opera has a 51 mm portafilter, while the Breville Barista Express Impress comes with a slightly larger 54 mm portafilter.

How do the tamping systems differ between the two machines?

The Delonghi La Specialista Opera uses a smart tamping station, while the Breville Barista Express Impress features the Impress Puck system, which also includes a smart dosing function to adjust the dose automatically if needed.

What is the key advantage of the Breville Barista Express Impress's grinder over the Delonghi La Specialista Opera?

The Breville Barista Express Impress has 25 grind settings, providing more precision when dialing in espresso, compared to the 15 grind settings offered by the Delonghi La Specialista Opera.

How do the steam wands compare between the Delonghi La Specialista Opera and the Breville Barista Express Impress?

The Delonghi La Specialista Opera has a more powerful and insulated steam wand, making it easier to create good microfoam and simplifying cleanup. The Breville's steam wand is less powerful, not insulated, and requires more effort to achieve a perfect microfoam.

Which machine is better suited for cold coffee drinkers?

The Delonghi La Specialista Opera is a better option for cold coffee drinkers as it has built-in cold brew functions, while the Breville Barista Express Impress does not offer any cold beverage programs.

How does the noise level differ between the two machines during the brewing process?

The Delonghi La Specialista Opera is quieter during the brewing process compared to the Breville Barista Express Impress, although the Delonghi is slightly louder during the grinding phase.

What are the differences in dosing functionality between the two machines?

The Breville Barista Express Impress offers a smart dosing function that automatically adjusts the dose if the previous shot was too high or too low. The Delonghi La Specialista Opera does not offer smart dosing, so users need to manually adjust their dose.

What is the difference in the water tank and bean hopper capacities of these machines?

Both machines have 2-liter water tanks, but the Breville Barista Express Impress has a slightly larger bean hopper (220 grams) compared to the Delonghi La Specialista Opera's 200 grams.

Which machine is better for users who prefer to dial in their espresso for the perfect shot?

The Breville Barista Express Impress is better for users who want to fine-tune their espresso shots, as it offers more grind settings (25 vs. 15) and a smart dosing function, allowing for greater precision in the brewing process.