The showdown of Casabrews vs De’Longhi Stilosa is the ultimate debate for anyone looking for the best espresso machine under $200. You’ve seen the videos on your For You Page: the morning routine aesthetic, the satisfying grind, and the perfect silky milk pour. You want that setup. But then you look up the price of a Breville Bambino, and your wallet screams.
On paper, these budget espresso machines look surprisingly similar. Both use 15-20 bars of pressure. Both use 51mm portafilters. Both promise to stop your Starbucks addiction.
But which one actually pulls a decent shot, and which one is just a kitchen ornament? We bought both, tested them with the same grinder, and the results might surprise you.
The De’Longhi Stilosa (EC260)
The reliable Italian veteran that coffee forums swear by.
The Casabrews (3700/5700 Series)
The “Secret” to Both Machines: Before we compare them, know this: Both machines come with “Pressurized Baskets” (beginner-friendly, but limits flavor). To get that syrupy, café-quality espresso you see on TikTok, you must upgrade to a [51mm Bottomless Portafilter] for either machine. It’s a $30 upgrade that changes everything.
| Feature |  De’Longhi Stilosa (EC260) |  Casabrews (3700 GEN) |  The Winner? |
| Approx. Price | $89 – $119 (Often on sale) | $139 – $169 | De’Longhi (Cheaper) |
| Aesthetics | Plastic body, utilitarian, looks “budget.” | Stainless steel finish, pressure gauge, looks “Pro.” | Casabrews (Looks expensive) |
| Pressure System | 15 Bar (Italian Pump) | 20 Bar (Advertised) | Tie (15 Bar is actually better) |
| Steam Wand | Panarello Wand (Bulky, injects big bubbles. Hard for latte art). | Professional Wand (Stainless steel, better for microfoam). | Casabrews (Better for Art) |
| Boiler/Heating | Stainless Steel Boiler (Durable). | Thermoblock. | De’Longhi (Longer lifespan) |
| Portafilter Size | 51mm (2-ear) | 51mm (2-ear) | Tie (Both fit cheap accessories) |
| Cup Clearance | Low (Need shot glasses). | Higher (Fits a mug if tray removed). | Casabrews |
| Who is it for? | The Utility Drinker who wants a machine that lasts 5 years. | The Content Creator who wants to learn Latte Art. | — |
The Latte Art Test: “Microfoam” or “Bubble Bath”?
This is the dealbreaker. If your goal is to pour hearts and rosettas for your Instagram stories, the machine must be able to create “Microfoam.”
What is Microfoam? It’s milk that looks like wet paint—silky, shiny, and smooth. What do cheap machines usually make? “Macrofoam”—stiff, dry bubbles that look like dish soap. You can’t pour art with dish soap.
We tested both steam wands to see if they could actually texture milk properly.
1.The De’Longhi Stilosa **EC260** (Out of the Box)
- The Design: It uses a “Panarello” wand—that fat black plastic sleeve covering the steam pipe.
- The Problem: The Panarello is designed for grandmas, not baristas. It automatically injects air into the milk to create huge, fluffy bubbles. This is great for an old-school 1990s Cappuccino, but impossible for Latte Art. The foam is too thick and just plops on top of the espresso.
- The Hack (Save Your Money): You don’t have to accept defeat. You can actually pull the black plastic sleeve off. Underneath, there is a short, rubbery nozzle. If you secure that with a zip-tie (a common community hack), you can get decent microfoam. But out of the box? It fails the art test
2.The Casabrews **3700 Gen 2** (The Specialist)
- The Design: This is why the Casabrews is winning on TikTok. It comes with a stainless steel, professional-style steam wand. No plastic sleeves, no automatic air injection.
- The Performance: It takes a bit more skill to use. You have to learn how to “surf” the milk (listen for the tsk-tsk paper tearing sound). But because you control the air, you can create that glossy, wet-paint texture needed for detailed art.
- The Power: While the steam pressure isn’t as strong as a $500 Breville, it creates a decent vortex. With a little practice, I was able to pour a solid tulip pattern.
The Verdict: Which is Better for Art?
If you want to learn Latte Art without modifying your machine, the Casabrews wins, hands down. It gives you the “Pro” workflow immediately.
The De’Longhi can do it, but only if you are willing to hack it.
Barista Tip: The Pitcher Matters Neither machine comes with a good milk jug. If you want sharp lines in your art, don’t use a random cup. Grab a [12oz Stainless Steel Pitcher with a Sharp Spout]. It gives you the control you need for these lower-pressure machines.
The Espresso Taste Test: Flavor vs. Consistency
So, the Casabrews looks better, but does it taste better? We pulled 50+ shots on both machines using the same beans (medium roast) and the same grinder (Baratza Encore ESP).
1. The De’Longhi Stilosa (The “Hot” Shot)
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- The Taste: Surprisingly bold. Because the Stilosa uses a small stainless steel boiler (not a thermoblock), it tends to run hotter. This is great for medium-to-dark roasts, extracting deep chocolate and nutty notes easily.
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- Consistency: Once it heats up (about 3-5 mins), it stays hot. You can pull back-to-back shots without the temperature dropping too much.
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- The Flaw: It can sometimes burn lighter roasts if you don’t “temperature surf” (flush some water before brewing).
2. The Casabrews (The “Mild” Shot)
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- The Taste: Decent, but slightly thinner body. It uses a Thermoblock (flash heating). While it heats up faster (45 seconds), the temperature isn’t as stable as the De’Longhi boiler.
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- Consistency: If you pull three shots in a row, the third might be a bit sour because the block loses heat.
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- The Fix: You must run a blank shot (just water) through the portafilter before adding coffee to pre-heat the metal. Once I did this, the flavor improved significantly.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Both machines are under $150. Both make real espresso. But they are built for two completely different types of people.
Buy the Casabrews (3700 Series) IF…
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- You want to learn Latte Art: The steam wand is superior. You will be pouring hearts and tulips in weeks, not months.
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- Aesthetics matter: You want a machine that looks like a $500 Breville on your counter (stainless steel finish + pressure gauge).
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- You drink 1-2 cups a day: You aren’t running a busy cafe; you just want a morning latte that looks good on TikTok.
Buy the De’Longhi Stilosa IF…
- You want durability: This is a tank. Parts are easy to find, and De’Longhi support is legendary. It will likely outlast the Casabrews by years.
- You just want coffee, not art: You don’t care about “microfoam”; you just want a hot, strong espresso or Americano.
- You have limited counter space: It’s slightly more compact and fits in tight corners.
Don’t Forget the “Secret Sauce”
Whichever machine you choose, do not use the plastic tamper that comes in the box. And if you want to unlock the full potential of these machines, you need these two upgrades:
- 51mm Bottomless Portafilter: To fix the “fake crema” and see your extraction.
- A Capable Grinder: If you use pre-ground coffee, both machines will taste average. Grab a Kingrinder K4 (manual) or Baratza Encore ESP (electric) to get café-quality results.
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