Comparison · Espresso Machines

Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 vs De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M

Two espresso machines side by side. They differ on boiler / heating, width, depth, height. The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 heats on demand through a thermocoil, while the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M heats on demand through a thermoblock.

What actually differs

  • The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 heats on demand through a thermocoil, while the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M heats on demand through a thermoblock.
  • The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is lighter at 11 kg; the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M weighs 16 kg.
  • Voltage: the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 has 120V/60Hz, the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M has 120 V.
  • Size, Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 against De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M: width 41.4 cm against 41.9 cm, depth 35.1 cm against 35.6 cm, height 33.8 cm against 47 cm. The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is the more compact of the two.

Which one should you buy?

Pick the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 if…

Home enthusiasts looking for a semi-automatic espresso machine with grinder and quick warm-up.

Home users who need a compact mains-powered unit with quick heat-up and temperature control may consider this model. It runs on 120V/60Hz and includes a 2-year warranty.

Skip it if: You make several milk drinks back to back

Full specs and review →
Pick the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M if…

Home baristas moving up to a real portafilter machine for straight shots and the occasional milk drink

Combines a built-in grinder with a thermoblock that heats quickly and a 2 L tank for home use. The trade-off is that it holds less temperature steady than a boiler machine.

Skip it if: You make several milk drinks back to back

Full specs and review →

Where each one wins

Edge to the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881
  • A more compact footprint

Specs compared

Rows where they differ are highlighted. Specs are from manufacturer sources; blanks are left blank, never estimated.

SpecBreville Barista Touch Impress BES881De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M
Typical price$$$ $700–1,500$$$ $700–1,500
Machine typeSemi-automaticSemi-automatic
Boiler / heatingThermocoilThermoblock
Built-in grinderYesYes
Can be plumbed inNoNo
Needs mains powerYesYes
Water tank2 L2 L
Width41.4 cm41.9 cm
Depth35.1 cm35.6 cm
Height33.8 cm47 cm
Weight11 kg16 kg
Voltage120V/60Hz120 V
Warranty2 years2 years

What they have in common

Both record the same value for: machine type (Semi-automatic); built-in grinder (Yes); can be plumbed in (No); needs mains power (Yes); water tank (2 L); warranty (2 years).

Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 vs De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M: common questions

What is the main difference between the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 and the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 heats on demand through a thermocoil, while the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M heats on demand through a thermoblock. The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is lighter at 11 kg; the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M weighs 16 kg.

Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 or the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro EC9885M more expensive?

Both sit in the same typical price band, $$$ $700–1,500.

More comparisons

As an Amazon Associate, Extraction Lab earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more