Breville Infuser vs De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
Quick take: The Breville Infuser costs $200 less; the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte has a built-in grinder; the Breville Infuser heats up faster (30 seconds).
| Spec | Breville Infuser | De'Longhi La Specialista Arte |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | PID Control, Pre-Infusion, Volumetric Control | Built-in Grinder, Manual Tamping Kit, Active Temperature Control |
| Approx. price | ~$500 | ~$700 |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 61 oz | 56 oz |
| Warm-up time | 30 seconds | 40 seconds |
| Steam wand | Manual | Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Enthusiasts | Beginners |
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 12.5 x 13.2 in | 11.2 x 14.4 x 15.9 in |
| Weight | 16 lbs | 18.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Breville Infuser
- ✓Pre-infusion for better extraction
- ✓PID temperature control
- ✓Good build quality
- ✓Reasonable price
- ✗No built-in grinder
- ✗Single boiler
- ✗Basic steam wand
- ✗Discontinued - remaining stock only
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
- ✓Included tamper, mat, and dosing funnel teach real technique
- ✓Three infusion temperature levels adapt to the roast
- ✓Good built-in grinder
- ✓Competitive price vs Barista Express
- ✗Thermoblock limits steam
- ✗Busy control panel
- ✗Proprietary portafilter size
- ✗Build quality not as premium as Breville
What owners say
Breville Infuser
The Breville Infuser is the older single-boiler, brew-only machine that sits just above the Bambino line in capability but below the all-in-one Barista models. It offers a 54mm portafilter, PID temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a manual steam wand. For years it was the value pick for someone who wanted Breville's pre-infusion and a manual workflow without a built-in grinder. Full owner insights →
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
La Specialista Arte is De'Longhi's compact all-in-one with a built-in conical burr grinder, a 51mm portafilter, a manual tamping station, and a manual steam wand — aimed at people who want a single machine that grinds and brews with a more hands-on, 'barista' workflow than a super-auto. It positions itself as a step toward real technique while keeping everything in one unit. Full owner insights →
Breville Infuser vs De'Longhi La Specialista Arte: common questions
Which is cheaper, the Breville Infuser or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte?
The Breville Infuser is the cheaper of the two at roughly $500, about $200 less than the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte at ~$700. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Does the Breville Infuser or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte have a built-in grinder?
Only the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte grinds its own beans. The Breville Infuser needs a separate grinder, which is worth budgeting for — a dedicated burr grinder is usually the bigger upgrade to shot quality, but it also costs extra counter space and money on top of the machine.
Which heats up faster, the Breville Infuser or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte?
The Breville Infuser is ready sooner — 30 seconds against 40 seconds for the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.