Are you searching for a way to make barista-level drinks on your own from home? You’ll want to consider getting a beginner-friendly espresso machine, like those offered by Mr. Coffee or De’Longhi.
Either one of these manufacturers has numerous options, though. Deciding which one is right for you can be difficult and overwhelming.
In this Mr. Coffee vs De’longhi comparison, we’ll be diving into two of their most popular home espresso machines. By the end of this post, you should have an idea which one is better for you.
Here’s what we’ll discuss:
- Key similarities between the Mr. Coffee and De’Longhi.
- Which features are unique to either espresso machine.
- How to figure out which one is a better fit for you.
Quick Summary
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Attribute | Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista | De'Longhi Bar Pump Espreso and Cappuccino Machine |
|---|---|---|
Image |
|
|
Water Tank Capacity | 54 oz | 37 oz |
Milk Frother | Automatic | Manual |
Stainless Steel Finish | Yes | Yes |
Adjustable Drip Tray | Yes | Yes |
Removable Water Tank | Yes | Yes |
Colors | Black, white, & red | Black |
Ideal Uses | Home | Home |
Pricing |
Making the decadent latte or cappuccino of your dreams couldn’t be any simpler on the Mr. Coffee Café Barista. Like the name implies, it’s almost like having your own personal barista right at home. The user-friendliness comes from the fact it has an automatic milk frother that takes care of frothing the milk for you.
We think this is a great pick for any espresso beginners who want milk foam for minimal effort.
The De’Longhi Bar Bump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine is another remarkably user-friendly model. It may not be as difficult to use as some of the espresso machines you might see in specialty coffee shops, but due to its manual frother design, this is a better pick for those who want a more hands-on espresso-brewing experience.
Similarities
Espresso Machine Type
These machines are different from your average drip coffee maker that makes whole pots of coffee. Not only do the Mr. Coffee and De’Longhi brew single servings at a time, but they’re designed specifically to make espresso.
This is possible due to their basic design as espresso machines. It’s not just mock espresso – it’s authentic because either machine can brew up to fifteen bars of pressure. The result is a rich, deep, and bold taste just like what you could get from your favorite coffee shop.
If you’d like to see some other espresso machines suitable for use at home, take a look at our Rocket Cinquantotto vs Appartamento guide.
Adjustable Drip Tray
The espresso machines used by your local coffee shops all have drip trays built under the brew heads, and so do the Mr. Coffee and De’Longhi.
As you might have guessed, one reason for the presence of drip trays is to catch any drops from your portafilter once you remove your cup from underneath it. It protects your counters from annoying coffee splatters.
Another purpose for the drip trays, however, is that they’re shelves. They hold your cup in place during brewing. If you happen to want to brew into larger or smaller cups, the drip trays on either the Mr. Coffee or De’Longhi are adjustable, too.
Removable Water Tank
Espresso wouldn’t exist without water. For that reason, every single espresso machine and coffee maker needs to have a water tank built in.
It’s the design of the water tank that can vary. Thankfully, the espresso machines in this comparison both have removable water tanks.
The benefit to this is that it makes cleaning and refilling so much easier. Instead of having to try and dump water into the tank where the machine sits on your counter, you can pull out the tank and fill it up in your sink to reduce the risk of spills.
Read Also: Mr. Coffee vs Nespresso
Stainless Steel Finish
Plastic may be affordable and even long-lasting sometimes, but there’s no denying that it doesn’t look good. Many people spring for stainless steel when it comes to kitchen appliances due to the fact that it’s both attractive and tough.
If your kitchen is filled with stainless steel, then you won’t need to worry about the Mr. Coffee or De’Longhi standing out. Both have a polished stainless steel finish that helps protect the parts of the machines and makes them look refined.
Scoop/Tamper Combo
We think it’s great when you get everything you need to get started with just about any appliance. In the case of espresso machines, this would mean having something to measure coffee grounds with and a tamper.
By giving you a scoop/tamper combo, the Mr. Coffee and De’Longhi both fulfill that need. What we like is that both these functions are combined into one tool. That saves you storage space, because you’ll only have one piece of equipment to fit in a drawer somewhere in your kitchen.
The drawback to the scoop/tampers is that is that both of them are available in plastic. This isn’t the strongest material for a tamper, and a metal tamper would be something to consider purchasing if you’re going to be making espresso often. It will give you the weight you need to tamp easily and it’s not as likely to break.
Read Also: Keurig K-Elite vs De’Longhi Nespresso
Differences
Water Tank Capacity
The amount of espresso your machine can make in one session is directly impacted by the size of its water tank. If it can hold more water, it can brew more drinks at a time before it needs a refill.
When it comes to water tank size, the Mr. Coffee is the winner. It holds 54 ounces in its tank, while the De’Longhi only holds 37 ounces.
That simply means you’ll need to stop and refill the De’Longhi more often if you’re serving multiple drinks in a row. If you’re just making drinks for yourself, however, it likely won’t make much of a difference.
Mr. Coffee Automatic Milk Frother
What really sets the Mr. Coffee apart from the average home espresso machine is the automatic milk frother. As the name implies, it’s capable of perfectly frothing milk for you with nothing more than the touch of a button.
This is the kind of feature you don’t often see on anything other than high-end superautomatic espresso machines that aren’t always feasible for the average home user.
It sets you on an even playing field with baristas. Even if you’re a complete beginner, you’ll be able to make delightfully smooth milk foam to top your lattes and cappuccinos with.
The De’Longhi also has a milk steamer. However, as it is manually operated, you will need to hold up a pitcher of milk beneath it and foam the milk yourself.
De’Longhi Hidden Water Tank
The look of your espresso machine can be important. Sometimes, you don’t want the aesthetic to be disrupted by the occasionally unsightly water tank.
On the De’Longhi, that’s not a problem. Its water tank is actually concealed inside the back of the machine, preserving the overall look on the outside.
Not to worry, though – you can still visually gauge how much water is left in the tank, so you know when to add more. It has a convenient water level indicator on the front panel.
Mr. Coffee One-Touch Controls
The Mr. Coffee Café Barista is definitely one of the easiest espresso machines out there for anyone on a budget. Its one-touch controls mean that the perfectly fresh latte of your dreams is quite literally only the touch of a button away.
Simply put the portafilter in, add milk to the frother, then push the button for the drink and size you’d like. The Mr. Coffee will take care of the rest after that for you.
De’Longhi Filter Storage
Both the De’Longhi and Mr. Coffee come with filters of different sizes to put in your portafilter. This is so you can make single or double shots of espresso.
But the De’Longhi has something else that makes it extra convenient: built-in storage for those filters. When you’re finished brewing your shots for the day, you can flip open the same lid that conceals the water tank and slide the filters into storage slots on the inside.
There are two advantages to this storage system. The first one is that it allows you to keep all your coffee gear together, reducing your risk of losing the filters.
Another benefit is that it helps conserve just a teensy bit of counter space. It might not make a world of difference, but it can still save some room for you.
Mr. Coffee Color Variations
Stainless steel certainly looks classic, but what if you want something a bit more unique than that? The Mr. Coffee gives you that option by being sold in three different colors.
You can purchase it in the timeless stainless steel look or get it in red or white. This makes it more versatile when it comes to where it can fit in visually.
Which is Right for You?
At the end of the day, you still could be wondering which one of these simple espresso machines is the right one for you. We’ll look at a few different factors that could make one or the other a better fit for you here.
For example, let’s discuss drink volume. Are you going to be frequently serving multiple drinks to your friends and family?
If so, you’ll want an espresso machine with a larger water tank, such as the Mr. Coffee Café Barista. You won’t need to pause for water refills as often with it.
What if you’re looking for an espresso machine that can be easily stored away? We think the De’Longhi is the better pick in that regard, due to its concealed water tank and built-in filter storage.
Another question to ask yourself is whether the color matters. If it does, then you may prefer the Mr. Coffee, since it’s sold in three different colors.
Finally, you should consider your own skill level. Those who have experience with espresso machines or who want a more traditional experience would probably appreciate the De’Longhi more because of its manual milk frother.
On the other hand, those who don’t want to deal with frothing milk or those who are beginners will likely appreciate the Mr. Coffee’s automatic milk frother more.
This is the bottom line:
Get the Mr. Coffee Café Barista if you’re a total beginner or you have a preference for the color of your espresso machine.
On the flipside, you should choose the De’Longhi Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine if you’re looking for a more hands-on brewing experience.