Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine vs De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

9.1/10 Excellent

4.5★ (8,400 owners)

Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning.

Full Review

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup

8.9/10 Great

4.5★ (8,600 owners)

2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup
247Verdict Score	9.1/10	8.9/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,400)	4.5★ (8,600)
Verdict	Excellent	Great
Grinder	Integrated conical burr	13-step
Price	£700+	Under £300

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.1/10 vs 8.9/10. Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning. That said, the De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup is worth considering if 2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

Colour touchscreen displays step-by-step guidance for every recipe — genuine learning resource
Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings eliminates separate grinder purchase
Auto-purge function cleans group head after each shot automatically
30 built-in recipes guide through espresso, flat white, latte and more with video tips
Sage (UK)/Breville (US) engineering pedigree — same manufacturer as Sage Barista Express

£700+ for a semi-automatic with guided screen — Sage Barista Express delivers equivalent extraction without the touchscreen at lower cost
Touchscreen durability concerns in steamy kitchen environments over years
Video guidance is useful initially but rarely referenced by experienced users

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup

Under £300 — most affordable De'Longhi bean-to-cup reviewed with genuine espresso extraction
2-step brewing process makes setup intuitive for first-time bean-to-cup users
Arabica bean selector adjusts extraction profile for the most popular bean type
13-step grinder adjustment covers espresso through long coffee brewing preferences
De'Longhi's 35-year espresso heritage at the starter bean-to-cup tier

Manual steam wand requires practice — not one-touch like Magnifica Evo
Less automatic than Magnifica Evo — manual steaming suits some, frustrates others
1.8L tank frequent refilling for 4+ cup per day households

FAQ

Which is better, Breville Barista Touch or De'Longhi Magnifica Start?

Is the Breville Barista Touch worth the extra cost?

Yes — Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine scores higher at 9.1/10 vs 8.9/10.

Who is the Breville Barista Touch best suited to?

Built-in grinder, steam wand, colour touchscreen, 30 guided recipes, auto-purge. Guided barista learning.

Who is the De'Longhi Magnifica Start best suited to?

2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup.

What are the main downsides of each?

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine: £700+ for a semi-automatic with guided screen — Sage Barista Express delivers equivalent extraction without the touchscreen at lower cost; Touchscreen durability concerns in steamy kitchen environments over years. De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup: Manual steam wand requires practice — not one-touch like Magnifica Evo; Less automatic than Magnifica Evo — manual steaming suits some, frustrates others.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine sits at 4.5★ from 8,400 verified Amazon owners, and De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup at 4.5★ from 8,600.

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