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Any true coffee lover knows that a coffee machine at home isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. As more of us are working from home, it’s not quite so easy to pop to the local café for your professional brew. While there are plenty of budget espresso and cappuccino machines on the market, in the case of coffee, you really do get what you pay for.
We are going to look at the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 vs Breville BES870XL. We will compare their brewing types, capacities, ease of use, and value for money. After we have looked at the specifications, we will add a comparison chart and some pros and cons before deciding which is the better coffee machine.
We will start with the features of the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 and the Breville BES870XL that are similar.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300 vs Breville BES870XL – Similarities
Quick Glance
The comparison chart below recaps the specifics of the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 and the Breville BES870XL.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300 |
Breville BES870XL | |
| Image |  |
 |
| Size | 11 x 15.3 x 14.4 inches | 13.25 x 12.5 x 15.75 inches |
| Weight | 23.1lbs | 23lbs |
| Coffee Types | Coffee beans and ground coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, hot water, Americano | Coffee beans and ground coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, hot water, Americano |
| Coffee Bean Container | 7oz | 8oz |
| Average Heat Up Time | 75 seconds | Approx. 60 seconds |
| Customizable Drinks | Program strength and coffee size and it remembers preferences | Not stated |
| Capacity | 14 cups | Not Stated |
| Cup Tray | Yes, keeps cups warm | Yes, keeps cups warm |
| Grinder | Steel burr grinder with 13 settings | Built-in stainless steel conical grinder with 8 settings |
| Milk Frother | 180º rotation | 360º rotation |
| Dual Shots | Yes, automatic adjustment | Yes |
| Drip Tray | Stainless steel, removable | Removable with Empty Me indicator |
| Removable Waste Bin | Yes | Not stated |
| Water Reservoir | 60oz, removable | 67oz, |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Price |
Coffee Types
You can use the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 and the Breville BES870XL with ground coffee or coffee beans. You can make espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and Americanos. They both have a hot water feature.
Cup Tray
The DeLonghi ESAM 3300 and the Breville BES870XL have cup trays that keep the cups warm ready for use.
These are the only similarities between the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 and the Breville BES870XL, so we will move on to the differences.
Differences Between DeLonghi ESAM 3300 and Breville BES870XL
Appearance
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
It measures 11 x 15.3 x 14.4 inches and weighs 23.1 pounds. It is silver with all of the controls on the front of the machine.
Breville BES870XL
The coffee machine is 13.25 x 12.5 x 15.75 inches and weighs 23 pounds. There are two color options, black sesame and stainless steel.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next – DeLonghi EC155 vs DeLonghi Bar32: Which Espresso and Cappuccino Machines are Better?
Coffee Bean Container
On top of the coffee machines, there are bean hoppers to add your favorite coffee beans.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
The coffee bean hopper is integrated and has a 7oz capacity.
Breville BES870XL
The bean hopper sits on top of the machine and has an 8oz capacity.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Average Heat Up Time
Both coffee machines have heating elements that allow for continuous brewing.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
It takes an average of 75 seconds to heat up.
Breville BES870XL
It’s not in the product information, but it takes about 60 seconds to heat up.
The Winner Is- The Breville BES870XL
Customizable Drinks
For ease of use, one of these espresso and cappuccino machines allows you to save settings for the perfect coffee each time.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
Once you have programmed the right strength and coffee size, you can set the machine to remember your ideal coffee.
Breville BES870XL
There is no information on customizable settings with this coffee machine.
The Winner Is- The DeLonghi ESAM 3300
Capacity
Aside from the bean hopper capacity, we looked at the water reservoirs too.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
The water tank holds 60oz. It is listed as having a 14-cup capacity.
Breville BES870XL
The water reservoir is slightly larger at 67oz. The exact capacity isn’t listed but considering the specs, it should be at least 14 cups.
The Winner Is- The Breville BES870XL
Grinder
There is a grinder inside the coffee machines that turn beans into the ideal coffee grind.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
There is a steel burr grinder. There are 13 settings to choose from fine to coarse grind.
Breville BES870XL
The conical grinder is stainless steel and has 8 settings.
The Winner Is- The DeLonghi ESAM 3300
Milk Frother
For creamy, textured coffees, you need a milk frother.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
The milk frother rotates 180º for ease of use.
Breville BES870XL
With 360º rotation, the milk frother will fit any size jug under it.
The Winner Is- The Breville BES870XL
Dual Shots
You can choose between single or dual shots with both machines.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
It’s a smart coffee machine that will automatically adjust between one or two shots.
Breville BES870XL
There is a button on the front to switch between 1 or 2 shots.
The Winner Is- The DeLonghi ESAM 3300
Cleaning
As a kitchen appliance that is used daily, it’s important to ensure that they are easy to clean.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
The stainless-steel drip tray is removable, so is the water reservoir and the waste bin.
Breville BES870XL
The drip tray is removable and has an Empty Me light indicator.
The Winner Is- The DeLonghi ESAM 3300
Pros and Cons
Finally, the pros and cons of the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 and the Breville BES870XL will make the final decision easier.
DeLonghi ESAM 3300
Pros:
- It’s very easy to use and clean
- Well-built with a long lifespan
- Great tasting coffee with very little waste
Cons:
- It may not properly grind all bean types
Breville BES870XL
Pros:
- It has a pressure gauge on the front to make sure you have the optimal pressure
- It has a light indicator for when it needs cleaning
- It comes with nice tools to clean the filters
Cons:
- It’s not the most durable coffee machine
The Final Verdict
The price of the coffee machines was very similar, although the black Breville BES870XL is cheaper. But then the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 has the better warranty. When you add this to the customizable settings and extra grinder settings, we felt that the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 was the better espresso and cappuccino machine. The coffee was rich, full of flavor and aroma and the machine is built to last.