Best DeLonghi Espresso Machine (2023) -Ultimate Buying Guide
Imagine starting your day with the aroma of a delicious espresso. Or perhaps, waking up with a cappuccino suits you better. After, that's how Italians do it!
To make these delicious espresso drinks just right, you will often need a good espresso machine. There are tons of brands and types out there, but some of the best are made by the DeLonghi. This Italian appliance maker is a powerhouse in the world of coffee.
DeLonghi has been making high-quality espresso machines for many years now. So choosing the best DeLonghi espresso machine can be tricky. In fact, there is no "best" espresso machine and this depends on your preferences and needs.
We hope the Delonghi espresso machine reviews below help you in your quest in selecting the best one for you.
We have also prepared a guide on what to look for in DeLonghi coffee machines. So make sure you don't miss it!
With that being said, let's get started!
What is the Best DeLonghi Espresso Machine?
Check out our overviews below and click on "Read More" to jump down to the in-depth reviews:
no. 1
- Gorgeous, durable design - one of the best-looking machines in the market
- Uses single-wall filter baskets
- Excellent manual steam wand
- Quiet operation
no. 2
- Sleek and modern design that is not overly large
- 18 One-touch specialty coffee drink menu
- The LatteCrema milk system is excellent
- Unique TrueBrew Over Ice iced coffee drink
no. 3
- Highly intuitive design that has stood the test of time
- Lots of coffee tech included despite dated appearance
- Can be thoroughly cleaned
- Excellent value
no. 4
- Beautiful & durable stainless steel design with intuitive controls
- Compatible with ESE coffee pods
- Includes hot water dispenser and manual milk frother
- Easy to clean
no. 5
- Beautiful and compact design with intuitive controls
- The portafilter is compatible with ESE coffee pods
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Excellent price
no. 6
- Hassle-free with 9 One-touch coffee recipes
- Beautiful minimalistic compact design
- Automatic milk frothing
- Compatible with OriginalLine 3rd Party capsules
no. 7
- Can brew coffee and espresso
- Could potentially save you space by allowing you to get rid of your coffee maker
- Compatible with ESE coffee pods
- Surprisingly good steam wand given the price point
Now stick around so you can learn more about each product we mentioned and what you should look for when you're shopping for one!
1. De'Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine EC9355M
Best Semi-Automatic
This is a gorgeous high-quality machine made of stainless steel, that does everything you could ask for in a semi-automatic espresso machine.
Its beautiful design will certainly be a conversation starter for any guests who visit you. La Specialista features a large stunning pressure gauge, prominently shown in front, while the chrome buttons adorn the black dashboard.
We can't get over how nice this machine looks, and it looks even better in person!
The controls are highly intuitive. For example, want a double shot? Press the x2 button. Do you want to increase the temperature and up the dosage? Press the button with the thermometer and use the dial to increase the coffee strength.
It's built like a tank, weighing almost 30 lbs (almost 14 kg). This is testament of its built-quality build (backed-up by a 3-year warranty). At 15 inches (38 cm) in width, it's not overly large. But, you should check if it will fit under your cupboards; this machine is 17.5 inches (44.5cm) tall, and you need to allow for additional room to fill the bean hopper and remove the water tank.
The large 67 oz (2 liter) water reservoir is sufficient to make numerous cups of coffee before it needs refilling.
Besides looking pretty, the Specialista is full of features...
The built-in burr grinder has 8 levels of adjustment, is very quiet, and has sensors to ensure the right grind and dosage for the coffee you select.
The Smart Tamping Station works by means of a lever. This ensures less messes and a consistent tamping pressure for consistent espresso shots.
This semi-automatic uses a 1-second quick start tech. This means that by the time your coffee beans are ground and tamped into the filter, your water will be ready to pull your shot, although you may want to leave it a little longer to get it just right.
It also uses Dynamic Pre-Infusion and Active Temperature Control technologies to optimize the flavor of your coffee. There is also a Dual Heating System, which minimizes the waiting time between beverage preparation, and coffee brewing and milk steaming.
The "My" button lets you save your favorite beverage's volume so that you don't have to dial it in every time you brew a cup of joe.
Significantly for coffee aficionados, this De'Longhi machine comes with single-wall filter baskets for its 51 mm portafilter. They are less forgiving than the double-wall ones, but they have the potential to yield better espresso shots. Single-wall filter baskets is what commercial grade espresso machines use and what you'll find at your local coffee shop.
There is a hot water dispenser by the coffee dispenser - a neat feature for those who love Americanos or want to have some tea.
The Lattecrema System comes with the My Latte Art steam wand. It's a fully manual system, so you will need to practice your latte art skills.
Finally, La Specialista is easy to clean - there is no internal brew system and no complicated internal milk frothing system with tubes to worry about. There are cleaning and descaling prompts, so you don't have to keep track of when next to clean your machine.
In terms of cons, this espresso machine has a steep learning curve. You will have to learn how to dial-in the grind level, coffee volume, and dosage, to fully utilize the potential of this machine. You will also need to learn how to steam milk.
Finally, a knock box is not included, which is almost required to use this machine - it's very annoying to try to get the coffee puck out of the portafilter without one!
Overall, this is definitely one of the best semi-automatic espresso machines in the market.
Pros:
- High-quality gorgeous intuitive design
- Single-wall filter baskets
- Quiet operation
- Excellent manual steam wand
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- No knock box included
Specs
- Type: Semi-automatic
- Body material: Stainless steel
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 15.0 x 14.5 x 17.5 in (38.1 x 36.8 x 44.5 cm)
- Weight: 29.7 lbs (14.5 kg)
- Pressure: 15 bar
- Boiler: Dual thermoblock (stainless steel)
- Grinder: Burr grinder with 8 levels of adjustment
- Water Reservoir: Removable, 67.6 oz (2 L)
- Bean Hopper Capacity: 8.8 oz (250 g)
- Milk Frother: My Latte Art steam wand
- Milk Jug: Yes
- Hot Water Dispenser: Yes
- Warranty: 3 years (if you register this machine)
2. De'Longhi ECAM35075SI Dinamica with LatteCrema
Best Super-Automatic
For more info, check out our detailed De'Longhi Dinamica with LatteCrema review!
The Dinamica with LatteCrema is a fairly compact, stylish, and powerful machine that is designed to give you the best possible experience preparation experience thanks to its 18-drink One-touch menu. This includes including the TrueBrew Over Ice drink, a proprietary recipe developed by De'Longhi to ensure a delicious full-bodied iced coffee.
The large LCD display is its most distinguishing feature and gives a premium feel to the machine, despite the exterior being made of plastics. Operating this machine via the screen and buttons below is not as intuitive as other De'Longhi espresso machines from this list. You will definitely need to comb through the User Manual to fully understand what each icon means.
The monochrome screen has very limited resolution and feels like something from the 80s.
Despite its complicated set of buttons, using this super-automatic espresso maker becomes second nature after a while of using it.
A nice practical design feature is the 61-oz (1.8-liter) water tank. It's front-loading, and it flushes with the Dinamica's panels to allow you to see the water level at a glance.
This super-automatic machine incorporates a 13-level burr grinder and an automatic and adjustable milk frother based on the proprietary LatteCrema System.
This Dinamica is highly customizable. You can personalize the coffee strength, the coffee volume, and the amount of milk for specialty espresso-based drinks. You can also choose the foam texture by moving the dial on the milk system.
You can save your preferences using the My Menu button. However, there are no user profiles, in case you live with other coffee snobs who happen to like the same drinks as you. To get user profiles, you will need to fork out about $300 to get the Dinamica Plus.
The LatteCrema System is adjustable; it creates great foam texture for drinks such as lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos. And all you have to do is move the milk system's dial to the desired foam level. It's also compatible with non-dairy milks such as soy milk, almond milk, and my favorite, oat milk.
The LatteCrema System is also very easy to clean. This is in contrast to other super automatic espresso machines that can require a significant amount of effort to keep squeaky clean. You can rinse the milk system by rotating the dial to the "clean" position. A more thorough cleaning is possible by disassembling the milk system and placing all the pieces in the dishwasher.
You can also thoroughly clean the brew unit by removing it. This is always a plus in our books.
In terms of cons, the Dinamica's display looks a bit outdated. The font and resolution are something out of those old-school alarm clocks from the 80s. In addition, the button layout and icons are not very intuitive requiring you to scour the manual to fully understand this machine's functions.
Another con is its overly generous use of plastics. This may seem picky, but this is one of the higher-end models De'Longhi has to offer.
Pros:
- Sleek and modern design that is not overly large.
- 18 One-touch specialty coffee drinks
- Quiet operation
- The LatteCrema is excellent
- Easy to clean and maintain (including the milk system)
- Unique TrueBrew Over Ice iced coffee drink
Cons:
- Generous use of plastic
- The screen seems a bit outdated
- It's not intuitive to use at first
Specs
- Type: Super-automatic
- Body Material: Plastic
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 9.3 x 16.9 x 13.7 (23.6 x 42.9 x 34.8)
- Weight: 23.2 lbs (10.5 kg)
- Pressure: 15 bars
- Boiler: Dual Thermoblock (Stainless Steel)
- Grinder: Burr grinder with 13 levels of adjustment
- Style: Super-automatic
- Water Reservoir: Removable, 61 oz (1.8 L)
- Bean Hopper Capacity: 10.5 oz (298 g)
- Milk Frother: LatteCrema automatic milk frother with milk jug
- Milk Jug: Yes - integrated in the milk frother system
- Hot Water Dispenser: Yes
- Warranty: 3 years (if you register this machine)
3. De'Longhi Magnifica (ESAM3300)
Best Value
For more info, check our De'Longhi Magnifica ESAM330 Detailed review!
The Magnifica is a super automatic espresso machine that has stood the test of time. This espresso machine is a true veteran, with its design virtually unchanged since its inception over 20 years ago.
The Magnifica ESAM3300 is simple, reliable and delivers great coffee. And it can do so for many years provided you take care of it.
The Magnifica ESAM3300 has a simple and intuitive set of controls for customization. It uses dials to control the coffee strength (dosage), and the coffee volume.
It comes with an integrated steel burr grinder with 13 levels of adjustment for the perfect consistency for making a beautiful espresso without losing any of the flavor or aroma.
Despite its age, it sure comes with a lot tech!
Examples include De'Longhi's patented Tubeless System (to minimize leftover coffee grounds that could become stale), the Direct-to-Brew System (the coffee grounds are brewed almost immediately after grinding to ensure no freshness is lost), the instant reheat function (keeps your machine hot between cycles to minimize waiting times) and a powerful 15 bar pump, which is more than adequate to make espresso.
It also has a steam wand for frothing milk, using the Patented Cappuccino System. The end-result is amazing specialty coffee beverages such as cappuccinos and flat whites.
You see? The Magnifica ESAM3300 may look outdated but don't let that fool you!
The ESAM3300 also comes with a large 60-ounce water tank that slides out of the side, so you can easily remove it from the machine.
It also has a cup warmer, and it gets hotter than many fancier (and more expensive) super automatics.
This latte maker has a dual thermoblock system, one for the coffee and another for steam, so you don't have to wait long for your morning cup of coffee. It’s not as convenient as a one-touch machine but it’s still convenient.
Okay...so we keep on going about how great this automatic espresso machine is. It's not perfect though.
The grinder is amongst the loudest we've tested, it lacks milk customization options, pre-programmed recipes and user profiles, and its plastic design looks a bit outdated. However, when you look at the price, and how long this design has lasted unchanged, all is forgiven!
Pros:
- Highly intuitive controls uses dials to customize the coffee strength and volume.
- Integrated burr grinder with 13 levels of adjustment
- Lots of technology included inside
- Can be thoroughly cleaned
- This design has stood the test of time.
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Loud grinder
- Lacks some modern features (user profiles, One-touch recipes)
- No coffee temperature options
Specs
- Type: Super-automatic
- Body Material: Plastic
- Dimensions (In): 11(l) x 15(w) x 14(h)
- Weight(lbs): 23.12
- Pressure: 15 bars
- Boiler: Dual Thermoblock (Stainless Steel)
- Grinder: Burr grinder with 13 levels of adjustment
- Water Reservoir: 60 oz (1.8 L)
- Bean Hopper Capacity: 8 oz (227 g)
- Milk Frother: Pannarello steam wand
- Milk Jug: None
- Hot Water Dispenser: Yes, via steam wand
- Warranty: 3 years (if you register this machine)
4. De'Longhi Dedica Style Pump Espresso Coffee Machine EC680
Best Compact
This machine promises authentic Italian style coffee in your own home, while not breaking your bank.
At just 5.9 inches (15 cm) wide it is perfect for even the smallest of kitchens. It has a stainless steel exterior with three buttons at the top of the machine.
You can use freshly ground coffee or ESE coffee pods (but better stick to freshly ground coffee).
With a 15-bar pressure, it can make an espresso with a thick crema. It's a fairly manual machine though, which means the grinding, dosing and tamping is left up to you. So, this is not a machine for beginners, or for those who don't care about learning about how to make good espresso.
It uses Thermoblock technology to ensure your coffee is prepared at the right temperature. The coffee temperature can be adjusted to three levels, and you can also further customize your coffee by playing around with the grind level (but you will need a coffee grinder for that of course!)
This little machine also comes with a manual milk frother. It is placed on the right side of the machine and there is enough room so that things don't fell too cramped. With this manual steam wand, you could in theory make latte art if you know how to, but it may take some practice. This is because it uses thermoblock technology so not so much steam will be coming out of the wand.
The Dedica is a breeze to clean with a removable drip tray and inner base filter. There aren't many parts to clean, and the use of a portafilter means no internal brew unit to worry about.
It doesn’t come with a milk jug, so you’ll need to purchase this espresso machine accessory separately. It also does not have an integrated grinder, to save cost (obviously). To fully utilize the potential of this small yet powerful De'Longhi espresso machine, we recommend you get a coffee grinder.
In short, the Dedica by De'Longhi offers a lot for the money - a stainless steel compact espresso machine that is capable of steaming milk to make delicious specialty drinks like flat whiles, and on top of that it comes with a hot water dispenser. Amazing!
Pros:
- Beautiful & durable stainless steel design with intuitive controls
- Manual milk frother for latte art
- Hot water dispenser - perfect for Americanos
- Easy to clean
- Compatible with ESE coffee pods
- Great value
Cons:
- Fairly manual - a bit of learning needed
- Lacks the bells and whistles of higher end models
- Does not include a milk jug
Specs
- Type: Semi-automatic
- Body Materials: Stainless steel
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 5.9 x 13 x 11 inches (15.0 x 33 x 27.9 cm)
- Weight: 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
- Pressure: 15 bar
- Boiler: Single Thermoblock (Stainless Steel)
- Grinder: None
- Water Reservoir Size: 33.8 oz (1 L)
- Bean Hopper Capacity: None
- Milk Frother: Pannerello steam wand
- Milk Jug: None
- Hot Water Dispenser: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
5. De'Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Best Budget
If you are looking for something that is no-fuss and reasonably priced, then the De'Longhi ECP3420 might be right up your street.
The ECP3420 features a sleek design and a manual steam wand. The machine itself has a gorgeous aesthetic made with stainless steel and chrome finishes, albeit being made of plastic.
This espresso machine takes just a few seconds to warm up. It comes with the Rapid Cappuccino System which minimizes the heating time in-between cups, and between the brewer and the cappuccino maker. It can take ESE coffee pods, if you prefer convenience over coffee quality.
With this unit you can brew two espressos at once using the two basket sizes. The controls are simple and intuitive, you could use it without reading the instructions manual (but we don't recommend skipping reading it!)
The machine also includes a 37-oz removable water tank, which makes refilling it easy. Simply lift it out of the back of the machine and take it to the tap for a quick and easy top up.
You can remove the drip tray to fit larger cups under the unit, and then brew two espressos into the same cup if you want a slightly larger beverage.
In terms of cons, a milk jug is not included. The steam wand tends to underperform due to inconsistent pressure. However, it's good enough though for beginners. In addition, the features are scant. But then again, you might be looking for something simple without unnecessary features that bloat the price.
Pros:
- Gorgeous compact design
- Intuitive design and controls
- Portafilter is compatible with ESE pods
- Manual steam wand
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Excellent price
Cons:
- Lacks many features
- The steam wand underperforms - no latte art for you
- No milk jug included
Specs
- Type: Super-automatic
- Body Material: Plastic
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 7.3 x 9.4 x 12.0 inches (18.5 x 24.0 x 30.5 cm)
- Weight: 9 lbs (4.1 kg)
- Pressure: 15 bars
- Boiler: Single Thermoblock (Stainless Steel)
- Grinder: None
- Water Reservoir Size (oz): 37
- Bean Hopper Capacity: None
- Milk Frother: Pannarello steam wand
- Milk Jug: None
- Hot Water Dispenser: Yes, via the steam wand
- Warranty: 1 year
6. Nespresso Gran Lattissima by De'Longhi
Best Pod Coffee Machine
Yes, this is a high-end Nespresso machine that takes Nespresso OriginalLine pods, but it’s made by De'Longhi, as are some other Nespresso machines. This Nespresso Original machine is the best rated Nespresso machine - check out our Nespresso Gran Lattissima Detailed Review to learn more!
The beautiful and compact Gran Lattissima comes in a choice of black and white, however, the white one has a black plug if you were thinking of getting the white one to blend in.
It makes brewing coffee quick and as convenient as possible while giving you a wide range of coffee options. It heats up in just 25 seconds and has a One-Touch function that lets you select what you want in, guess what, one touch.
There is a choice of 9 One-Touch coffee drink recipes (really, it’s 7 because the 9 "drinks" include hot foam and hot milk). The coffee drinks you can make with this baby include espresso, ristretto, lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato, flat white and caffe latte.
This pod coffee maker has an impressive 19 bar pressure which helps extract as much coffee flavor as possible from the coffee pods.
The Rapid Cappuccino System (R.C.S) can very easily make frothy coffees - all you have to do is tap your drink of choice and voilà!
The milk frother automatically selects between hot milk and foam, depending on the drink, and adds the correct amount of foam to your coffee when you select your beverage. Make sure you use the correct coffee cup for a better experience (and avoid spills).
The coffee machine has a 9-minute auto shut off like most Nespresso coffeemakers. You can adjust it to 30 minutes or eight hours yourself, however, you’re not going to need that as the machine can’t keep your coffee warm, so it might as well shut off right away.
The convenience carries on into the cleaning of the machine as it has an automatic cleaning system. After every milk drink preparation, the machine will prompt you to clean it by rotating the milk froth regulator knob to the cleaning position. The Gran Lattissima also comes with descaling alerts and the milk jug can be placed in your dishwasher.
The downside is that, despite the automatic cleaning, the Rapid Cappuccino System (R.C.S) needs to be disassembled and tossed into the dishwasher every two days. If you don't have a dishwasher, tough luck. As per the User Manual, no dishwasher means the R.C.S cleaning process should be done after milk every preparation and it consists of disassembling and soaking all the R.C.S pieces in water for 30 minutes - a lengthy process.
While the automatic adding of foam to your drink is convenient, it means you can’t do any latte art or control the amount of foam yourself. If you want a pod machine that allows some latte art look into the Nespresso Creatista Plus (but it's made by Breville - hence not in this list!)
This Delonghi Nespresso coffee machine only makes espresso-based drinks, so if you fancy a regular black coffee, it’s tough luck.
Pros:
- Beautiful minimalistic design
- 9 One-Touch drinks
- Automatic milk foam setting
- Automatic cleaning system
Cons:
- No Control over milk foam
- The Rapid Cappuccino System can be difficult to clean
- Only makes espresso-based drinks
- Pod coffee is not as good as freshly ground coffee.
Specs
- Type: Single serve pod machine (Nespresso OriginalLine)
- Body Material: Plastic
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 7.9 x 14.4 x 10.8 inches (20.1 x 36.6 x 27.4 cm)
- Weight: 11.4 lbs (5.2 kg)
- Pressure: 19 bars
- Boiler: Single Thermoblock
- Grinder: None, this is a pod machine
- Water Reservoir Size: Removable, 43.9 oz (1.3 L)
- Bean Hopper Capacity: N/A - this is a pod machine
- Milk Frother: Automatic Rapid Cappuccino System
- Milk Jug: The Rapid Cappuccino System has one.
- Hot Water Dispenser: None
- Warranty: 2 years
7. De'Longhi BCO430 All-in-One Coffee & Espresso Machine
Most Versatile
The De'Longhi BCO430BM is a combination coffee and espresso machine that offers both convenience and quality. It has everything you need to make delicious drinks like lattes while also providing drip coffee.
It's quite large and bulky at 14.5 x 11.0 x 12.8 inches (W x D x H) or 36.8 x 27.9 x 32.5 cm (W x D x H). But if you can find the space for it on your countertop, then you will be guaranteed delicious coffee or espresso, whenever you want it.
Despite its large size, you could potentially save space with this coffee machine because you won't have to get a drip coffee maker and an espresso machine!
The highlight of this De'Longhi coffee machine is its versatility. You can prepare specialty coffee drinks like flat whites or cappuccinos if you feel like being fancy. Or you can easily prepare a 10-cup carafe of drip coffee while you sleep (yes, you can program it to start making coffee when you want).
You can also program it auto-off feature, from 1 minute to 11 hours and 59 minutes. This feature is not only convenient, but it also helps to save power in case you leave your machine running.
Going back to the coffee, this coffee maker uses a portafilter and 15 bars of pressure to make delicious espressos with lots of crema. The steam wand is actually better than expected, and if you're willing to learn, you can make different types of milk texture for different drinks.
Water from the 40-oz reservoir is passed through an active carbon filter, which helps to remove any impurities. This gives your coffee an even better taste and means you won't need to descale your espresso machine as much.
Other features include a cup warmer, hot water dispenser, and compatibility with coffee pods conforming to the ESE standard.
In terms of cons, this machine does not include a milk jug, the coffee carafe is made of glass (not good to keep your coffee warm or for butterfingers). You also need to be diligent in tracking when you cleaned the machine, since it does not have prompts and it can be prone to failure if not adequately cleaned. It does not have a built-in grinder, and it cannot brew espresso and drip coffee at the same time.
However, the above saves cost without significantly compromising the coffee quality, which is fine by us!
Pros:
- Highly versatile specialty espresso machine and drip coffee maker
- Good steam wand
- The coffee basket is compatible with ESE coffee pods
- Programmable
- Could potentially save you space by allowing you to get rid of your drip coffee maker
- Gold tone filter for less waste
Cons:
- Needs diligent cleaning to avoid failure
- Glass carafe
- No integrated grinder
Specs
- Type: Semi-automatic espresso machine and drip coffee maker
- Body Material: Plastic with stainless steel details
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 14.5 x 11.0 x 12.8 inches (36.8 x 27.9 x 32.5 cm)
- Weight: 14.2 lbs (6.4 kg)
- Pressure: 15 bars
- Boiler: Single Thermoblock
- Grinder: None
- Water Reservoir Size: 40.6 (1.2 L)
- Bean Hopper Capacity: None
- Milk Frother: Panarello steam wand
- Milk Jug: None
- Hot Water Dispenser: Yes, via steam wand
- Warranty: 1 year
Buyer's Guide
Whether you want to buy a DeLonghi machines or ones from another brand, there are a few things to consider before you buy.
You want a cost-effective machine that has enough functionality to do all the things you want it to do, while balancing other aspects like ease-of-use, price and size.
In this section, we will share a few tips for finding the perfect coffee machine.
The Boiler
The boiler is one of the most essential components of a good espresso machine. Most machines will boast about having boilers that can heat up the water in less than a minute, which is great if you don't want to wait long for your morning coffee.
The following types of boilers are the most commonly encountered:
- Single Boilers: the same boiler is used to brew espresso and steam the milk. This makes for a cheaper espresso machine, but you won't be able to brew and steam simultaneously. In addition, you will need to wait for the boiler to reach steaming temperatures after brewing your espresso shot, and afterwards, you will need to wait for the boiler to cool down if you wish to pull another espresso shot.
- Heat Exchangers: a single boiler is used, which is used for steaming only. A separate water line goes through the boiler, which heats the water for brewing. However, heat exchanger machines tend to underperform if you need to make many drinks consecutively. In addition, the brew water temperature cannot be controlled as precisely as other types of boilers.
- Thermoblock machines: a thick block of metal with a coil machined into it is heated by a heating element. The machine's pump sends small bursts of water through the coil, rapidly heating the water to steaming temperatures. A separate single boiler can still used for brewing purposes, but the thermoblock practically eliminates any waiting times between brewing and steaming.
- Dual boilers: as the name implies, dual boiler machines have two boilers. One boiler is dedicated to brewing whereas the other is dedicated to steaming. Dual boiler machines produce the best results but are more expensive. One example of such a machine is the Breville Oracle.
Semi-Automatic vs Super-Automatic
Both semi-automatic and fully automatic espresso machines will allow you to draw a shot of espresso at the press of a button.
The main difference is that fully automatic units grind, dose, tamp, brew and steam the milk all on their own, usually by simply pressing a button.
Semi-automatic machines on the other may require you to take care of the dosage, grinding and tamping. This results in a steeper learning curve. However, you have more control over the coffee preparation process.
Water Reservoir
All coffee machines will get their water from a reservoir, which you will need to refill on a regular basis. If you don't want to refill the tank every morning, then you will want to buy a machine that has a large one.
However, don't think you can't just leave water in the reservoir, as it may become stagnant which will affect the taste of your coffee.
Stagnant water may also cause residue to build up inside the pipes of your machine, which means you will need to descale it.
As such, you only really want a machine that has a giant reservoir if you are going to make multiple coffees a day for more than one person.
The User Interface
Nowadays, you can control your machine by means of buttons and dials, or by means of a screen with some buttons. Some higher-end machines even come with touch screens.
Ultimately, you want a machine that has intuitive controls.
A screen may be better suited for an espresso machine that has tons of features, to avoid having 10,000 buttons and dials. However, it can bloat the price, and it adds another layer of complexity in the machine's design (i.e. another point of failure).
The Milk System
There are two main types of milk systems. They are as follows:
- Steam wands: steam wands typically require user input to achieve the correct milk texture. However, they are easier to clean, and with the right skills, create the perfect micro-foam texture needed for latte art.
- Automatic milk frothers: the advantage here is that the machine does the steaming or frothing for you. There is no need for you to be involved in the process. Some of the more advanced models can even create different milk textures for different specialty drinks. However, automatic milk frothers consist of many pieces which require thorough cleaning. In addition, you won't be able to make beautiful latte art with these.
Note that the boiler type impacts how good the milk system is.
For example, a machine that uses a thermoblock system to steam the water will not perform as well as a machine that uses two separate conventional boilers to brew and steam. This is because thermoblocks can only handle small amounts of water at a time. This means less steam for your milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is De'Longhi a good brand for espresso machine?
Yes! DeLonghi is a well-established brand of electrical appliances. They have a wide range of espresso machines. How good they are really depends on what type of espresso machine you’re looking for, and how much you're willing to pay.
Can you use regular coffee in De'Longhi espresso machines?
If by regular coffee you mean ground coffee, then yes, most espresso machines have a by-pass for ground coffee. Dark or medium roast coffee works well. Others, like the De'Longhi Nespresso Gran Latissima only take pods. It is best to check each particular model before purchasing.
What’s the difference between De'Longhi and Nespresso?
De'Longhi and Nespresso are different brands. Nespresso relies on manufacturers like De'Longhi to make some of their Nespresso machines.
How long should a DeLonghi espresso machine last?
It really depends. Like any electrical appliance it should be maintained regularly to get the most out of your coffee machine. Higher-end machines, with good care, can last decades. I used to own a Magnifica ESAM 3300 which lasted almost 10 years (until I sold it).
Where are DeLonghi espresso machines made?
DeLonghi espresso makers are manufacturing between China and Italy (where its headquarters are located).
Bottom Line
There you go!
We hope that our selection of best DeLonghi espresso machines has helped you select what's best for you.
We have put a lot of effort into writing this guide so that you don't have to spend time researching.
Let us know if you have any questions!
