Breville Barista Express Impress vs De'Longhi La Specialista Opera
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Quick take: The Breville Barista Express Impress costs $50 less; the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera heats up faster (20 seconds).
| Spec | Breville Barista Express Impress | De'Longhi La Specialista Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $750 | $800 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (3,400) | 4.1★ (366) |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 19 bar |
| Water capacity | 67 oz | 67.6 oz |
| Warm-up time | 30 seconds | 20 seconds |
| Steam wand | Manual | Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Enthusiasts | Enthusiasts |
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 12.5 x 15.8 in | 15.0 x 14.6 x 17.5 in |
| Weight | 23 lbs | 28.1 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Breville Barista Express Impress
- ✓Integrated grinder saves counter space
- ✓Assisted tamping for consistency
- ✓Good grind quality
- ✓Great value all-in-one
- ✗Large footprint
- ✗Thermoblock not ideal for back-to-back shots
- ✗Learning curve
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera
- ✓Smart tamping lever gives mess-free, consistent 20kg tamps
- ✓Dual heating cuts the wait between espresso and steaming
- ✓Large 67.6 oz tank suits multi-drink households
- ✓Ships with both pressurized and single-wall baskets
- ✗Rated 4.1 - some owners report quality-control hiccups
- ✗Bulkier and heavier than the Arte Evo it sits above
- ✗Tamping inside the station hides puck prep from view
- ✗No touchscreen guidance despite the premium over Arte Evo