Nespresso Breville Vs Delonghi: Which One Should You Choose?

TL;DR? The Nespresso Delonghi is the winner in this showdown.

Most of us are familiar with the brand Nespresso. But, not a lot of people realize that the brand has partnered with Delonghi and Breville to make several coffee machines. 

But, what are they each like and which is better?

To help you figure out whether you should be buying a Nespresso Breville vs Delonghi machine, I’ve done the research and created a complete guide.

Keep reading to get the dirty details on each of these machines. 

Comparison Chart

Nespresso Breville Overview

Breville is an Australian company that was established back in 1932. They manufacture kettles, blenders, and of course, coffee makers. 

Breville partnered with Nespresso back in January of 2017. Nespresso wanted a high-quality manufacturer to create excellent machines for their new line.

Nespresso Breville machines have a retro, rounded design. The machines are made with metallic finishes that look super sleek.

In terms of the gear they consist of, Nespresso’s Breville machines that feature a milk frother are made with an automatic steam wand system. That way, you can bring out your inner barista. 

The system means you’ll have to manually steam the milk on your own, allowing you to really fine-tune your cappuccinos and lattes.

There are both Vertuo and Original Nespresso Breville machines. 

The VertuoLine is a line of Nespresso machines that are known for creating a rich, thick crema. On the other hand, OriginalLine is known for creating more aromatic and flavorful coffee.

So, in terms of coffee, you can pick the machine that pairs with your favorite pods.

Nespresso Delonghi Overview

Delonghi is an Italian company that first opened its doors in the 1900s. However, it wasn’t until a few decades later that the company really took off.

By the 1990s, Delonghi had gained a name for itself as a coffee maker manufacturer. 

In 2004, Nespresso signed a partnership with Delonghi. Three years later, the two brands launched the Lattissima, which became a huge success.

Delonghi’s Nespresso machines have an elegant, square design. They have plastic interfaces that are extremely easy to clean. 

In terms of mechanics, there are both Original and Vertuo Delonghi Nespresso machines. 

While not every Delonghi Nespresso machine has a milk frother, those that do have a super convenient one. These machines have automatic milk dispensers that take the work out of steaming your drink.

Nespresso Breville vs Delonghi: The Machines

Now that you’ve got a clear idea of what Nespresso Breville and Nespresso Delonghi are about, it’s time to really get into the discussion. 

Let’s take a look at some of the Nespresso machines from these manufacturers.

Nespresso Citiz (Breville and Delonghi)

Both Breville and Delonghi make Nespresso Citiz machines. These are small machines that are designed for individuals who don’t have a lot of space.

The Citiz device is a pretty basic espresso machine, that doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles. They’re part of the OriginalLine of machines.

If you want a bit of dairy in your coffee, you can attach a small milk frother to the machine. There are two compatible sizes that you can attach.

The Delonghi Citiz has a tall black design, while the Breville machine comes in red. It’s also slightly wider than the Delonghi device. 

Pros: 

• It comes with a detachable milk frother, so you can whip up cappuccinos if you really want to.
• Is small and compact, so it fits nicely in any kitchen. 
• It has a large water reservoir despite its size, so you don’t have to refill it too often. 
• It features high-pressure brewing, so it makes a super smooth espresso.

Cons: 

• It’s a very basic machine, so you won’t be able to brew tons of different types of drinks.
• It comes in two different colors, so you can pick something that fits your style.

Nespresso Essenza Mini (Breville and Delonghi)

Both Breville and Delonghi make a version of the Nespresso Essenza Mini. This is an OriginalLine Nespresso machine.

The Essenza Mini is a compact and economical machine that’s easy to transport and use anywhere. It’s also lightweight and has an automatic descaling system so it’s easy to clean. 

All you have to do is pop in a descaling pod and run the brew cycle. That’s it!

In terms of the coffee, the machine makes a great espresso but doesn’t include a milk frothing device. However, you can always purchase a separate milk frother if you really need milk beverages.

The Delonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini has a rounded bell top design, while the Breville has a long and rectangular look.

Pros: 

• It’s super compact, so you can take it with you wherever you go. 
• It’s super affordable, so you can enjoy great coffee even if you have a smaller budget.
• It’s easy to clean, so you won’t have to constantly rinse it out or deep clean it.
• It has a quick heat-up time, so you can start drinking your coffee right away.

Cons:

• It doesn’t have a huge capacity, so it’s not ideal for brewing tons of coffee at a time.
• It doesn’t include a milk frother, so you won’t be able to make lattes or cappuccinos.

Nespresso VertuoPlus (Breville and Delonghi)

The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is a machine that was built to pour long coffees.

Vertuo Plus machines come in both Breville and Delonghi editions.

The machines feature a unique barcode system. The system scans barcodes on Nespresso Vertuo capsules to determine exactly what extraction method to use for each one. 

Nespresso Vertuo Plus machines are only compatible with Vertuo pods and don’t have a milk frothing device attached. 

If you want to make milk drinks, you can always use a separate milk frother. Still, that’s an extra investment so be prepared.

However, the high-quality espresso makes up for the lack of steamed milk. 

The only real difference between the Delonghi and the Breville Vertuo is the design. Delonghi’s machines are much squarer looking than Breville’s.

Pros: 

• It has a barcode scanning system, so the machine perfects the art of brewing each cup of coffee. 
• The machine lets you pick from five different cup sizes, so you can brew just as much coffee as you want.
• It makes a thicker and richer crema, so you get a much silkier and smoother espresso.
• It has an automatic capsule removal system and reservoir, so you only have to empty out the capsules once a week instead of after each use. 

Cons: 

• It only works with Nespresso Vertuo pods, so you’ll have to buy the right coffee capsules in order to use it.
• It doesn’t have a milk frother, so you won’t be able to make lattes or milk-based drinks.

Nespresso Lattissima (Delonghi)

Nespresso Lattissima was the first coffee machine line Delonghi launched with Nespresso. You can get both OriginalLine and VertuoLine Lattissima machines.

The line currently includes the Lattissima One, Lattissima Touch, Lattissima Plus, and Latisima Pro. 

The Latisima line of machines features an intuitive touch screen. This feature allows you to make between three and four specialty coffee drinks.

Those include latte, lungo, espresso, and cappuccino.

Even the most basic of these machines also have a milk frother built-in. All you have to do is push a button and hot, steamed milk comes out of the spout and into your drink!

Pros: 

• They have an intuitive touch screen, so they’re super easy to operate.
• They have an automatic milk foam spout, so you don’t have to do any of the work yourself.
• They heat up very quickly, so you don’t have to wait long for your coffee. 
• They have synchronized rinse and descaling systems, so they’re super easy to clean.

Cons: 

• They have limited pre-programmed drinks, so you might not be able to make everything you want.
• Not all the Lattissima machines work with every type of Nespresso capsule, so you’ll only be able to use Vertuo or Original pods according to your type of machine. .  

Nespresso Creatista (Breville) 

Breville has three exclusive machines for Nespresso under their Creatista line. This includes the Creatista Uno, Creatista Pro, and Creatista Plus.

All of the machines are OriginalLine.

The Creatista line is sleekly designed, with machines made out of stainless steel. That makes them extra-durable, preventing them from showing wear and tear too quickly.

All the Creatista models have a steaming wand and come with a milk pitcher that you can use to make the milk froth. 

Despite the fact that they have a steaming wand, however, the process is automatic. Just fill the milk jug, place the tip of the wand in it, press a button, and you’re good to go!

Since the milk is steamed with a steaming wand, you get a bit of creative freedom here to try your hand at latte art.  

Pros: 

• They come with an automatic steaming wand, so you can get creative with the drinks you make.
• They’re highly durable, so you don’t have to worry about wear and tear.
• They have a tank capacity of 50 ounces, so you can serve more coffee at once.
• They have eight specialty drink options, so you can make a number of different types of coffee.

Cons: 

• Not every Breville Nespresso machine is fully automatic, so you’ll have to be a bit more involved in the coffee-making process
• They’re a bit on the expensive side

Nespresso Breville vs Delonghi: The Differences Explained

With a good idea of some of the different machines each of these brands makes, you’re probably wondering what the big difference is.

After all, they’re both Nespresso coffee makers. 

Let’s take a look at a couple of the features of these machines that really sets them apart from one another.

Build Quality and Design

Build quality and design are two obvious differences between the Nespresso Breville and Delonghi. 

The finishes, curvatures, and the external materials used on the machines are quite different. 

For one thing, Delonghi machines tend to be made out of plastic. They have sharp, square edges and minimalist designs. 

Delonghi machines also tend to have a slightly smaller coffee reservoir. While this won’t affect the flavor of your coffee, it does affect how much you can brew at a time. 

On the other hand, Breville machines are quite different. They have a slightly larger reservoir, meaning you can brew a lot more coffee before you have to refill them.

On top of that, they’ve got rounded, retro-looking designs with bright colors and metallic finishes. 

Both are made of top-quality materials, but the metallic design of the Breville machines tends to be a bit more durable. 

Winner: Breville comes out as the winner in terms of design thanks to the extra sturdy features. With this machine, you don’t have to worry about nicks, scratches, or wear and tear as much.

Coffee Quality

In terms of the coffee quality, these two machines are virtually indistinguishable.

Both machines use a 19-bar pressure system which is ideal for extracting the full flavor of the ground coffee bean. 

On top of that, both machines come in Vertuo and Original lines. In other words, you can choose the type of pod that you prefer. 

Winner: It’s a tie! Both the Delonghi and Breville machines make great cups of coffee. 

Cost

In terms of the cost, Delonghi Nespresso machines are usually a bit more affordable. You’ll actually notice this regardless of which make or model you choose, too. 

However, while that might seem off-putting at first glance, it’s important to know the reason behind the cost.

Breville’s metallic finishes and sturdier designs tend to hike up the price a bit. 

As a result, even though you pay a bit more upfront, your machine is likely to last for a bit longer. That can save you more money over time.

Winner: The Delonghi is slightly more affordable, meaning you can get a bit more bang for your buck.

Verdict

When it comes to the Nespresso Breville vs Delonghi, these are both pretty great machines. However, the Nespresso Delonghi has a few conveniences that the Nespresso Breville machines lack. 

If you’re wanting a machine that’s: 

• fast, 
• affordable 
• and easy to operate, 

a Nespresso Delonghi machine is probably for you.

On the other hand, if you want to: 

• pump out lots of coffee 
• enjoy a machine that lasts longer
• and have the ability to really fine-tune your drinks, 

a Nespresso Breville might be the way to go. 

And, if you’re not satisfied with either of them? 

Perhaps you should check out our guide on Jura machines instead!