Breville Barista Express
Score: 80/100
De'Longhi Magnifica Start
Score: 72/100Rankings
The Breville Barista Express is an all-in-one espresso machine with a built-in conical burr grinder and rapid heat-up. Its single-boiler architecture limits back-to-back milk drinks and grind consistency can vary. Ideal for beginners to intermediate users who value convenience over professional-grade control.
The De'Longhi Magnifica Start is a super-automatic espresso machine with a built-in conical burr grinder and a 1.8 L water tank, providing one-touch coffee preparation in a relatively compact package. Its manual frother and plastic-heavy build limit advanced milk-texturing and premium feel. Suited for small households seeking fresh-bean espresso without a high price.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
2,000 mlbest | 1,800 ml | |
15 barbest | 15 barbest | |
120 Vbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 1,600 W | 1,450 Wbest |
| ↓ lower better | 10.02 kg | 8.85 kgbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Power & Energy(2) | ||
Voltage (V) | 120 V | 220-240 V |
Power Consumption (W) | 1600 W | 1450 W |
Capacity & Size(2) | ||
Water Tank Capacity (ml) | 2000 ml | 1800 ml |
Dimensions (HxWxD) | HxWxD: 15.9 in x 12.5 in x 13.8 in | 350-360 x 240 x 440 mm |
Features(1) | ||
Grinder Type | Conical Burr | Conical burr |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 10.02 kg | 8.85 kg |
Body Material | Stainless Steel | Plastic/Metal |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the Barista Express a solid entry-level hybrid, praising its integrated grinder, rapid thermoblock heating, and 15-bar pump with pre-infusion. They acknowledge its value for beginners but note drawbacks such as the single-boiler architecture and limited grind settings, which keep it from matching higher-end models.
Everyday users appreciate the convenience of an all-in-one machine, the fresh espresso flavor, and the stylish stainless-steel look. Common complaints revolve around inconsistent grinding with certain beans, the steam wait due to a single boiler, and the extra effort required for manual tamping and cleaning.
“great coffee and espresso”
“excellent midranged superautomatic”
Professional reviewers commend the Magnifica Start for its quick grind time, solid espresso quality and excellent value in a compact package, while noting the lack of advanced features such as pre-infusion, automatic milk handling and a more premium build. The machine is praised for its ease of use and reliable performance, but its basic drink repertoire and plastic construction keep it positioned below higher-end De'Longhi models.
Everyday users love the consistent coffee quality, compact size and straightforward cleaning, but they frequently mention noise during operation, the need to manually froth milk, and a feeling that the plastic housing feels less upscale. Overall sentiment is positive for basic home use, with recurring calls for quieter operation and more drink options.
