Barista Express vs. the Competition: An Honest Comparison.
We don't get paid more for picking a winner here. This is based on specs and published reviews, not a side-by-side lab test.
De'Longhi Stilosa (EC260BK)
Breville Barista Express
De'Longhi Stilosa
| Spec | Barista Express | Stilosa |
|---|---|---|
| Price (CAD) | CA$999.99 | $149.99 |
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr, 16 settings | None (manual) |
| Pump | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Tank | ~1.98L | ~1.9L |
Pick the Stilosa instead if: you already have a separate grinder (or buy pre-ground), and $850 of savings matters more to you than having everything in one machine.
Buy the Breville Barista Express (BES870)Gaggia Classic Pro E24
Breville Barista Express
Gaggia Classic Pro
| Spec | Barista Express | Gaggia Classic Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price (CAD) | CA$999.99 | $799.00 |
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr, 16 settings | None (manual, bring your own) |
| Pump | 15 bar | 15 bar, 3-way solenoid valve |
| Build | Brushed stainless | One-piece steel frame |
Base configuration shown ($799.00 CAD); other color/accessory bundles on the same product page range up to $899.00 CAD.
Pick the Gaggia instead if: you already own a grinder you like and want a commercial-feel, prosumer machine at a near-identical price to the Barista Express.
Buy the Breville Barista Express (BES870)De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo (EC9250M)
Breville Barista Express
La Specialista Arte Evo
| Spec | Barista Express | La Specialista Arte Evo |
|---|---|---|
| Price (CAD) | CA$999.99 | $699.99 (list $899.99) |
| Grinder | Built-in conical burr, 16 settings | Built-in conical burr, 15 settings |
| Pump | 15 bar | 15 bar |
Pick the La Specialista instead if: the current sale price holds and you want the most direct apples-to-apples alternative: grinder and machine in one unit, same class, currently cheaper.
Buy the Breville Barista Express (BES870)Which Breville?
The Barista Express (BES870, CA$999.99) remains this site's pick. Two Breville step-ups are worth knowing about if your needs differ. Prices are as checked on Breville Canada on October 15, 2026, and they change.
| Spec | Barista Express (BES870) | Barista Pro (BES878) | Barista Touch Impress (BES881) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (CAD) | $999.99 | $1,199.99 | $2,199.99 |
| Interface | Simple button control | LCD screen and button control | Touchscreen |
| Heating | Thermocoil | ThermoJet | ThermoJet |
| Tamping | Manual | Manual | Impress™ Puck System, assisted tamping |
| Grinder | Steel conical burrs | Not listed on Breville's comparison page | Baratza® European Precision Burrs |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited Product Warranty | 2 year | 2 Year Limited Product Warranty |
Breville's own comparison page shows no grinder spec for the Barista Pro, so none is stated here.
Barista Pro (BES878), CA$1,199.99
It adds an LCD screen and swaps the Thermocoil for faster ThermoJet heating. It costs about $200 more than the Barista Express and you still tamp by hand.
If you want a quicker-heating machine with an LCD screen and still want to tamp by hand, consider the Barista Pro.
Barista Touch Impress (BES881), CA$2,199.99
A touchscreen machine with Baratza® European Precision Burrs, Impress™ assisted tamping and Auto MilQ hands-free milk texturing. It costs about $1,200 more than the Barista Express.
If you want Breville to automate tamping and milk and you are ready to pay for it, consider the Barista Touch Impress.
For most people buying their first serious machine, the Barista Express is still our pick. See its finishes and buying details.