Casabrews vs DeLonghi Stilosa: Which Budget Espresso Wins?

Casabrews CM5418 vs De'Longhi Stilosa compared on measured extraction, baskets, steam wand and heat-up, and where the published reviews disagree.

By Maksud · Published Oct 3, 2026

Casabrews vs DeLonghi Stilosa comes down to how much work you want per shot. Buy the CASABREWS CM5418 for milk drinks with little learning: TechGearLab scored it 69 to the Stilosa’s 44 and measured 21% extraction yield against 12%. Buy the De’Longhi Stilosa if you plan to learn manual shots with a good grinder. That is the setup in which Tom’s Guide calls it its favorite budget machine.

The split is real, not a rounding error. TechGearLab weights its overall score 40% espresso quality, 20% ease of use, 15% cleaning, 15% milk steaming and 10% customization. It lists “no automation” as a Stilosa con, while the CM5418 has programmable shot volumes. Tom’s Guide judges what the Stilosa can do once you stop shots yourself, ideally with a scale and a quality grinder. Which verdict fits you depends on how much of that work you want.

Casabrews CM5418 vs Stilosa specs and measurements side by side

Espresso quality: TechGearLab’s numbers vs Tom’s Guide’s verdict

TechGearLab gave the CM5418 an espresso score of 7.0 and the Stilosa 4.0. Its 21% vs 12% extraction yields (the CM5418 review text gives 20.7%) are the clearest numbers anyone has published for these two, and the Stilosa’s 12% was the lowest yield in TechGearLab’s table. It named the CM5418 “Best for Tight Budgets” and ranked the Stilosa 10th of 11. One of its photo captions calls the Stilosa’s espresso watery next to the Breville Barista Express.

Tom’s Guide reads the Stilosa the other way, listing “pulls great espresso, all things considered” as a pro. Coffee Chronicler also praises its flavorful espresso and crema. A plausible reason for the gap is setup and skill. Tom’s Guide says you have to monitor and stop each Stilosa shot yourself and pair it with a quality grinder, while TechGearLab’s score counts ease of use and steaming too. Neither source puts a number on that, so I’m treating it as an explanation, not a finding.

One caveat applies to every CM5418 number. Casabrews told Tom’s Guide it revised the machine, raising brew temperature by 50°F and adding a flush program. TechGearLab’s page doesn’t say which version it measured, so its CM5418 figures may describe the earlier unit.

Baskets and the upgrade path for each machine

The CM5418 ships with dual-wall (pressurized) 1-cup and 2-cup 51 mm filters, per the CASABREWS CM5418 manual. TechRadar says the portafilter holds baskets with a notch, not a spring clip. No compatible single-wall basket is sold, so upgrading means a new portafilter. Tom’s Guide did exactly that, using a Casabrews bottomless portafilter (about $38) that it says made the espresso taste much better.

The Stilosa’s stock basket is itself disputed. Tom’s Guide lists single-walled portafilters as a pro, while Coffee Chronicler says a non-pressurized basket comes standard in the EU and Asia and advises US buyers to get an aftermarket 51 mm portafilter and basket.

Coffee Chronicler also notes the Stilosa has no solenoid valve. It retains pressure, so the portafilter can “sneeze” grounds if you remove it too soon. For the basics, see pressurized vs non-pressurized baskets.

Steam wand and milk drinks: reviewers disagree

Reviewers split on the CM5418’s wand. TechRadar calls its steam performance a strength and says it suits flat whites. Tom’s Guide calls it low-power and frustrating, and TechGearLab lists a low-pressure steam wand as a con while still scoring milk steaming 6.7.

The Stilosa’s US version uses a panarello wand, per Coffee Chronicler. Tom’s Guide found it a touch overzealous but able to make good lattes, while TechGearLab said its high steam pressure heated milk too quickly to control and scored its milk steaming 4.0. TechGearLab timed a full cappuccino at 2:58 on the CM5418 and 2:48 on the Stilosa, the two fastest in its group, so speed is a wash. Neither machine comes with a milk jug, per TechRadar and Tom’s Guide.

Heat-up, back-to-back drinks and shot control

The CM5418 uses a thermoblock and is ready in about 40 seconds, per TechRadar, but it can’t brew and steam at once. After steaming, its manual says the 1-cup and 2-cup lights flash for overheat protection until you run hot water from the wand for about 8 seconds. TechGearLab and Tom’s Guide both flag that cool-down as an annoyance if you make drinks back to back.

On the Stilosa you start and stop every shot yourself, and Tom’s Guide recommends a scale. Heat-up is contested: TechGearLab lists it as slow to heat up and recorded a 25-minute setup time, while Tom’s Guide lists quick heat-up as a pro and Coffee Chronicler says it heats quickly. The 20 bar vs 15 bar gap is a manufacturer spec and doesn’t decide shot quality on its own; bar pressure explained covers why.

Build, size and how long each is likely to last

The CM5418 is the narrower machine, but the Stilosa gives you more cup room: 10.7 cm against 9.53 cm, per TechGearLab. Tom’s Guide describes the Stilosa as a plastic body around a stainless steel boiler. CNET named the CM5418 its best budget machine but lists long-term durability as a question, since Casabrews is a newer brand. It says a machine this inexpensive may not last more than a few years of regular use.

The CM5418 manual triggers a descale warning after 500 brew cycles. If yours stops pumping, start with CM5418 not pumping water, and see how to descale an espresso machine for either model.

Which should you buy: CM5418 or Stilosa?

• Buy the CASABREWS CM5418 if you want programmable shots, use pre-ground coffee (its manual pairs the dual-wall filters with pre-ground), need a narrow footprint, and want lattes with minimal learning. It has the stronger independent measurements. Note that Tom’s Guide’s own CM5418 review would rather you buy the cheaper Casabrews 3700 Essential.
• Buy the De’Longhi Stilosa if you’re willing to add a grinder, a scale and possibly an aftermarket basket to learn manual shots.
• Consider neither if you can stretch your budget. TechGearLab’s “Best Espresso Machine on a Budget” is the Breville Bambino; compare it in Bambino vs Bambino Plus or see the full best espresso machines ranking.

This order follows weight of evidence, not commission. See how we research.

More on the CM5418, Stilosa and budget espresso

• Casabrews CM5418 review
• De’Longhi Stilosa review
• Best espresso machines
• Pressurized vs non-pressurized baskets