Comparison · Espresso Machines

Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 vs De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M

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 Opera EC9555M 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 Opera EC9555M heats on demand through a thermoblock.
  • The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is lighter at 11 kg; the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M weighs 12.8 kg.
  • Voltage: the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 has 120V/60Hz, the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M has 120 V.
  • The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 has a longer warranty (2 years against 1 year for the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M).
  • Size, Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 against De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M: width 41.4 cm against 38.1 cm, depth 35.1 cm against 35.6 cm, height 33.8 cm against 44.5 cm.

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 Opera EC9555M if…

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

Pairs a built-in grinder with a commercial-style wand and quick heat-up for everyday home use. The trade-off is less temperature stability 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 longer warranty

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 Opera EC9555M
Typical price$$$ $700–1,500$$$ $700–1,500
Machine typeSemi-automaticSemi-automatic
Boiler / heatingThermocoilThermoblock
Built-in grinderYesYes
Can be plumbed inNoNo
Width41.4 cm38.1 cm
Depth35.1 cm35.6 cm
Height33.8 cm44.5 cm
Weight11 kg12.8 kg
Voltage120V/60Hz120 V
Warranty2 years1 year

What they have in common

Both record the same value for: machine type (Semi-automatic); built-in grinder (Yes); can be plumbed in (No).

Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 vs De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M: common questions

What is the main difference between the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 and the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 heats on demand through a thermocoil, while the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M heats on demand through a thermoblock. The Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 is lighter at 11 kg; the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M weighs 12.8 kg.

Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress BES881 or the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M more expensive?

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

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