Casabrews CM5418 vs De'Longhi Stilosa: the sub $200 shootout

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Two of the cheapest real espresso machines you can buy, and the spec sheets are not close. Casabrews lists the CM5418 at $159.99 with a 20 bar Italian pump, PID temperature control, a pressure gauge, 1350 W heating, and a body just 5.47 inches wide. De'Longhi's Stilosa answers with a stainless steel boiler, a 15 bar pump, and the service network of a major brand. On paper the Casabrews wins; on long-term trust the Stilosa argues back.

CM5418 vs Stilosa, head to head

Specs and the Casabrews price from casabrews.com and delonghi.com product pages, checked August 2026. De'Longhi publishes fewer figures for the Stilosa; missing values are marked rather than estimated.

The spec sheet is lopsided

PID temperature control and a pressure gauge on a $159.99 machine would have been unthinkable a few years ago. The CM5418 heats in about a minute, shows you extraction pressure, and squeezes into 5.5 inches of counter. Its 51mm aluminum portafilter with dual-wall baskets is built for forgiving, beginner-friendly shots rather than serious dialing in, which at this price is the correct choice.

What the Stilosa still offers

A stainless steel boiler engineered for years of daily use, a global parts and service network, and the resale liquidity of a household brand name. Budget hardware is where support matters most, because a machine at this price that fails out of warranty is a write-off. Both machines top out at similar drink quality; the wider budget field is ranked in best espresso machine under $200.

Which one should you buy

Buy the Casabrews CM5418 if you want the most measurable machine per dollar: the gauge, PID, 20 bar pump, and tiny footprint make it the best-equipped starter at its price.

Buy the De'Longhi Stilosa if brand support, service availability, and a steel boiler from a century-old maker matter more to you than gauges. It is the conservative version of the same decision.

Check current prices

The CM5418 lists at $159.99 and the Stilosa's street price usually lands nearby, so check both on the day.

Related reading

• Best espresso machine under $200
• Best budget espresso machine
• Stilosa vs Dedica
• Coffee gear guides hub

FAQ

Is Casabrews a good brand compared to De'Longhi? Casabrews is a newer direct-to-consumer brand whose machines carry a 1 year warranty, while De'Longhi is a long-established manufacturer with a global service network. The CM5418 offers more features per dollar; the Stilosa offers more institutional support.

Does the Casabrews CM5418 really have 20 bar pressure? Casabrews lists a 20 bar Italian pump with PID temperature control and a built-in pressure gauge. Extraction itself happens at lower pressure through its dual-wall pressurized baskets, as on all machines in this class.

Which is smaller, the CM5418 or the Stilosa? The CM5418, at 5.47 inches wide by Casabrews' specification. De'Longhi does not publish Stilosa dimensions on its product page, but the CM5418 is among the narrowest espresso machines sold.

Sources: Casabrews CM5418 (casabrews.com); De'Longhi Stilosa (delonghi.com). Manufacturer pages fetched August 2026. Specs a maker does not publish are left out rather than estimated.