Breville Barista Pro
Score: 86/100
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera
Score: 82/100Rankings
The Breville Barista Pro is a semi-automatic espresso machine featuring a rapid 3-second ThermoJet heat-up and an integrated 30-setting conical burr grinder. Its manual steam wand and substantial 9 kg weight make it less suited for tight counter spaces. Ideal for home enthusiasts seeking fast, barista-level control.
The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera is a semi-automatic machine that combines a built-in conical burr grinder, smart tamping lever and 19-bar pump for barista-level espresso and fast cold-brew. Its size, weight and limited grind granularity are trade-offs for the extensive feature set. Best for intermediate home baristas who want an all-in-one solution with cold-brew capability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
15 bar | 19 barbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 3 secondsbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 8.845 kgbest | 12.8 kg |
2,000 mlbest | 2,000 mlbest | |
406 mm | 445 mmbest | |
250 gbest | — | |
354 mm | 380 mmbest | |
410 mmbest | 370 mm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Pump Pressure (bar) | 15 bar | 19 bar |
Features(3) | ||
Steam Wand Type | Manual | commercial |
Grinder Type | Conical burr | conical_burr |
Grind Settings (steps) | 30 steps | 15 steps |
Design & Build(5) | ||
Height (mm) | 406 mm | 445 mm |
Width (mm) | 354 mm | 380 mm |
Depth (mm) | 410 mm | 370 mm |
Weight (kg) | 8.845 kg | 12.8 kg |
Primary Material | Brushed Stainless Steel | stainless_steel |
Power & Electrical(2) | ||
Voltage (V) | 120 V | 220-240 V |
Power Consumption (W) | 1680 W | 1550 W |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and editors emphasize the Barista Pro's speed, thanks to ThermoJet®'s 3-second heat-up, and its precise grinding and temperature control, which together produce consistent, high-quality espresso.
Everyday users give the machine high marks, frequently noting the rapid heat-up, reliable shot consistency, and the usefulness of the bundled accessories.
“Integrated 15-setting Italian conical burr grinder delivers consistent dosing and reduces user error.”
“Cold Extraction technology produces cold brew or espresso-cool drinks in under five minutes, faster than traditional methods.”
Professional reviewers commend the La Specialista Opera for its smart tamping lever, rapid cold-brew capability, and precise temperature control, noting that it delivers barista-level espresso with minimal user effort. However, they criticize the limited grind settings and view the 19-bar pump claim as marketing hype, while also pointing out the machine's sizable footprint and weight as potential drawbacks for smaller kitchens.
Everyday users appreciate the machine's ease of use, especially the one-touch presets and quick cold-brew function, and they praise the quality of micro-foam from the steam wand. Recurring complaints focus on the grinder's limited fineness, the bulkiness of the unit, and occasional extraction inconsistencies with non-standard beans.
