Delonghi
DeLonghi EC460
DeLonghi’s Stainless Steel Pump Espresso Machine lets you make quality espresso at home without a crash course in Barista 101. This basic, easy-to-use espresso machine uses 15 bars of pressure to extract maximum flavor from either loose ground or pre-packaged espresso pods. Choose brew or steam using the dial to select the appropriate icon.
The stainless steel frother wand steams milk for cappuccino or latte, and detaches for cleaning. Keep cups warm and ready to use by storing them on top of the machine. The 53-oz water tank is removable so you can fill it easily at the sink or with clean-tasting bottled water. Pump-driven machine w/15 bars of pressure. Durable, stainless steel boiler. Dual-function filter holder accommodates either loose ground or pods.
Sale Price:$119.95DeLonghi ECO310BK
The De’Longhi Espresso Maker has a patented dual-function filter holder for use with ground espresso, this unique filter mixes air into the brewing process to produce a perfect crema. Distinguished by it’s caramel color, the crema is the essence of authentic espresso. The filter also accommodates E.S.E pods.
This great espresso machine offers a cappuccino system frother that mixes steam and milk to create a rich creamy froth. It’s perfect for making cappuccino, latte or any other frothy milk coffee beverage. The 48 ounce (1.4 Liter) removable water tank can be filled right at the sink. Plus cleaning the tank has never been easier. The large removable drip tray also lends itself to easy, hassle-free, clean up.
Sale Price:$230.95DeLonghi ESAM3500
The DeLonghi ESAM3500 may be expensive, but it’s the machine that will make sure you never bother to see the inside of Starbucks again. Only serious coffee drinkers need apply, but if that’s you, you’re in for a treat with this machine.
Best Price: Buy this from Amazon.com
DeLonghi ESAM3500 FeaturesAs you’d expect at this price point, the ESAM3500 allows you to adjust the clock, start time, auto shutoff, water hardness and coffee temperature. You can choose from five different coffee strengths, as well as three cup sizes (ristretto, espresso and large) thanks to the height adjustable spouts.
The Delonghi patented Direct-to-Brew system allows beans to be ground instantly, ensuring fresh and tasty coffee or espresso. It features an adequate 15-bar pump.
To ease the pain of making lattes and cappuccinos you get a 25-ounce milk container. Two detachable lids cater for frothed milk and steamed milk respectively. The container has an easy automatic cleaning function and can also be detached for cold storage.
The Delonghi ESAM3500 features a burr grinder, and adjustable grind settings that allows you to get the perfect grind for all types of beans. The instant reheat function keeps the machine ready for action.
If you never know when to clean your espresso machine, the ESAM3500 has a decalcification system with indicator lights that lets you know exactly when it’s time to do so. There’s a cup warmer on top and the unit has a 60 ounce removable water tank with level indicator.
Finally, there’s a removable used coffee container as well as a removable drip tray to make cleaning easy.
Delonghi ESAM3500 PerformanceThe first thing we have to mention is that this machine makes absolutely delicious coffee and espresso. Fresh and full of flavor, you’ll have to beware of becoming addicted to this machine. The frothing pitcher, usually a problem ridden attachment on so many machines, works extremely well. We love the adjustable spout height and the variable coffee strength settings, which work as expected.
There are a few steps involved in getting going with the machine, but that’s to be expected. Grab the manual, take it slow, make it a journey of discovery and you’ll soon get the hang of it. The fact that the machine tells you when it needs cleaning is brilliant. If there’s one thing that causes a ton of problems for people who own espresso machines, it is not cleaning the unit regularly enough.The ESAM3500 will hold your hand all the way. The unit is very easy to clean as well.
Verdict:
If you can afford it, and if you seriously love coffee, espresso, cappuccinos and lattes, the Delonghi ESAM3500 is a fantastic espresso machine. Highly recommended.
Sale Price:$1,338.27DeLonghi ESAM3300
The Delonghi Esam3300 Magnifica is not a machine for the casual espresso drinker. It is for the serious, uncompromising coffee connoisseur who demands nothing but the richest flavor and smoothest, most delicious crema. If that sounds like you, the ESAM3300 won’t disappoint.
DeLonghi ESAM3300 Features:The ESAM3300 features a patented Delonghi boiler, compact for better distribution of heat. The double boiler, made from stainless steel of course, is removable to allow proper and easier cleaning of the machine, so crucial to keeping these machines running optimally.
The product features a beans-to-brew system, which grinds the beans right before making the brew, ensuring absolute freshness and flavor. The Instant Reheat function keeps the machine ready for action regardless of the time lapse between cups.
All controls are at the front of the machine, and both the water tank and bean container are removable, so you can operate the machine without moving it around. Conveniently, the height of the coffee spigots can be adjusted to accommodate anything from a standard espresso cup to a tall coffee mug. This is always a problem on entry level models without this ability, so we just love this feature on the Delonghi ESAM3300.
The cappuccino system can rotate 180 degrees to accommodate any size milk container, another area that’s a problem on more basic models. There’s a cup tray for keeping cups warm, as well as a customizable grinder to help you grind beans just the way you want them.
Overall, the ESAM3300 provides features that eliminate all the cons and concerns of cheaper, more basic machines. Truly a unit for the professional.
DeLonghi ESAM3300 Performance:First of all, for such a fully featured machine, this model is extremely easy to use. The dials are intuitive and won’t take long for even a novice to get to grips with. The fact that you can play around with the grind and brew strength will certainly please those who don’t want to leave the quality of their beverage completely up to a machine.
The machine produced some of the most delicious espresso we have ever tasted. The steaming wand works ok, but this is one feature on espresso machines that the manufacturers just can’t seem to get perfectly right. It’s a little short and we felt it could have done with full rotation instead of just side to side.
The built-in grinder works very well, if a bit noisy, but that’s to be expected. We found the cup warmer slightly inadequate, which is a little disappointing.
Cleaning and Maintenance:
All parts that need to be cleaned regularly can be removed without too much fuss from the machine, making the Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica easy to maintain.
Customer Reviews:
On Amazon.com the Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica has received 115 reviews, of which 93 are four and five star ratings. That’s a healthy 80% customer satisfaction ratio.
Verdict:
Overall, this is a wonderful coffee/espresso machine. It is expensive, but will give you many years of excellent service if you maintain it properly, which is fairly easy thanks to key parts being removable. It produces superior quality coffee, espresso and cappucinos. The less than perfect steam wand and cup warmer are the only disappointments on an otherwise great appliance. Sale Price:$779.99DeLonghi BAR32
With its classic look, pump-driven performance and affordable price, the Delonghi BAR32 is well worth considering as an entry-level home espresso maker, especially if you love using regular coffee mugs and cups instead of just espresso cups.
DeLonghi BAR32 Features:The BAR32 features a 35 ounce water tank. Space is a big draw here, as unlike so many other espresso machines, you can actually use regular coffee mugs in this machine. The machine features both an E.S.E. filter holder and the patented Sempre Crema Filter, to be used for ground coffee.
For frothy milk needed for lattes, cappuccinos and similar beverages, there’s the Swivel Jet Frother. The machine is pump driven and features an anti drip design. Construction is very much plastic, but that’s to be expected in the sub-$100 price range.
Performance:
As mentioned in the features, you can use either E.S.E. pods or ground coffee in the machine. The machine heats up suitably fast and you won’t have to wait more than a few minutes to churn out a delicious espresso. The machine makes a great single cup either from the E.S.E. filter or the Sempre Cream Filter. Producing a good double espresso can be a little tricky though as we found the results to be somewhat on the weak side.
Frothing performance is good as well, producing a suitably foamy result, although there is a minor concern here as discussed below.
Concerns:
The steam wand is on the short side, so it may be necessary to change to a different pitcher to accommodate this, although you can just hold the pitcher up to the wand. You’d also be better off making two separate cups with this machine than trying to make two cups simultaneously as that leads to somewhat weak and inconsistent espresso.
Customer Reviews:
On Amazon.com the product has received 184 reviews, with 149 four and five star reviews for a customer satisfaction percentage of 80%. That’s quite a decent success ratio.
DeLonghi BAR32 Verdict:Not without a few minor problems, the Delonghi BAR32 Espresso Maker is a decent enough entry-level espresso machine, and clocks in at just under $100. It supports the use of taller mugs than most machines would and is fairly easy to operate. The quality of beverages produced are good, with the exception of the concerns we mentioned about simultaneous cups. Also consider the Delonghi EC155, although an approximate inch of extra clearance between the nozzle and drip tray may just swing you towards the BAR32 as it can accommodate taller cups.
Best Price and User Reviews: Amazon.com
Watch the video below for an overview of the Delonghi BAR32, and to see it creating a latte.DeLonghi EC702
In this Delonghi EC702 Review:
You will discover its strengths and weaknesses
You can view a video demonstration of the product
You will get real consumer opinions about this espresso maker
The Delonghi EC702 is a higher entry-level 15-bar pump driven espresso machine. It offers the capability to brew delicious espressos, lattes and cappuccinos. While not quite perfect, this is a great espresso machine to have in the kitchen and it comes with a host of excellent features. Read all about it in our Delonghi EC702 review below.
Buy the Delonghi EC702 at Amazon.com
Before you get to the actual review, you may want to see the Delonghi EC702 in action. Watch this video to see it perform for real.
Delonghi EC702 Video Review DeLonghi EC702 Features:This is a solidly built espresso machine, with a durable stainless steel boiler at the center of the well constructed frame. Delonghi has also included a dual-filter holder.
This allows you to use two different filter attachments:
- a filter for E.S.E pods, which is very convenient for a quick, mess-free espresso - the Delonghi Sempre Crema Filter, which can be used with ground coffee or espresso mixes
This feature gives you the best of both worlds, whether you prefer pods or ground beans, or even both.
The EC702 also features self-priming operation, reducing preparation time and hassle and helping you to get right to brewing your drink. A quite effective adjustable frothing wand is present for steaming and foaming milk for your cappuccinos and lattes
.
As for water reservoir, the Delonghi EC702 features a decent 44 ounce water tank, which is removable and includes a level indicator. There are two separate thermostats that control brewing and steaming respectively.
Finally, a removable drip tray, basic on/off light and a cup warmer on the top finishes off the features of this great looking little machine.
DeLonghi EC702 Performance:
First of all, it is a good idea to read the manual before attempting to use the machine. Many problems consumers experience with this machine aren’t problems at all, but simply ignorance.
Performance wise, the Delonghi EC702 doesn’t take a lot of time to heat up. While officially, as you’ll see in the manual, it boasts a 15 minute startup, you can expect to be able to start brewing in less time than that.
The machine features a tamper next to the nozzle which works fairly well. The espresso produced by the machine has lots of crema and tastes pretty much as you’d expect: rich and satisfying.
The Steaming Wand
The included steaming wand does a good job of preparing milk for your milky espresso beverages. It is operated with a simple knob which turns it on or off. The wand is adjustable, but is also a little awkwardly positioned. This doesn’t make it a pain to use, but one just questions the design decisions on these machines sometimes. It does feature a little handle which makes moving it around easier, and also helps to hold your milk cup steady while you’re steaming if you hook it in between the handle and the wand itself.
The cup warmer heats up with the machine, but is nothing to write home about. Your cups won’t be cold, but we still question the value of this feature on these smaller machines. Still, it is there and it works to a certain extent.
Cleaning/Maintenance
Everything takes apart fairly easily, including the steam nozzle. Both the drip tray and water tank are removable to make cleaning that much easier.
Concerns:
While mostly metal construction, the Delonghi EC702 unfortunately does contain some plastic parts, the drip tray being one of them. You also need some space around the machine to easily remove the water tank. It it’s stuck into a tight corner you’ll need to move the machine in order to do so. Another area of concern is the lack of space between the nozzle and the drip tray, allowing for only small cups to be used. For most people this will be okay though, as we’re only dealing with espresso here and not big mugs of coffee.
Customer reviews:
On Amazon.com 192 customers have reviewed the product, with 133 four and five star reviews. That’s means about 70% of reviewers are really happy with the product. To be fair to this product, many negative reviews stem not from defects in the machine, but from people who didn’t read the manual and therefore don’t operate it properly.
DeLonghi EC702 Verdict:The Delonghi EC702 is a great espresso machine for well under $200, which is the price point is most often sells at. For the most part it gets favorable reviews from consumers, and we found it quite easy to use and an efficient machine that produces great tasting beverages. There are a design flaw or two, like limited nozzle space, but these aren’t deal breakers.
Delonghi EC702 Pros and Cons
+ Dual-Filters Supports Both E.S.E Pods & Ground Coffee + The Machine Makes Delicious Espresso + Self-priming Operation + Mostly Metal Construction and a Durable Stainless Steel Boiler + Good Rate of Consumer Satisfaction
- Could Have Used More Space Below Nozzle - Milk Frothing Wand Could Have Been Better Positioned - Some Plastic Parts
Sale Price:$178.99DeLonghi EC155
As a budget pump-driven espresso machine, the Delonghi EC155 Espresso Maker is a solid choice as a beginner’s espresso machine. It is also perfectly suitable for the casual espresso lover who wants a delicious cup of espresso in the morning without having to make a huge investment in an espresso machine to get it. Read our review to discover both the good and bad about this machine.
- Watch the video to see how the machine works - Make the correct decision by reading out review and taking note of the pros and cons of this espresso machine - We provide consumer opinions which will leave you in no doubt as to whether this is the machine for you
Get the best price on the Delonghi EC155 at Amazon.
First of all, here is a video of the Delonghi EC155 espresso machine in action. Have a look to see how this machine performs. The full review continues below the video.
Video Review of the Delonghi EC155 DeLonghi EC155 ReviewThe Delonghi EC155 is an attractive, compact little espresso machine. With black and silver accents, it has a basic, yet modern look about it and will fit well into most kitchens. It doesn’t take up a whole lot of counter space, which is a big plus.
The unit it easy to move around due to its size, and you can actually pick it up with one hand without too much trouble. The construction is stainless steel combined with plastic, which is pretty standard for entry level espresso machines.
The water for this machine is stored in a 35 ounce removable water tank. This makes it convenient to fill, and also means that you can use the rapidly heated water for other purposes as well.
No one likes to wait long for a cup of espresso. Usually, you want it now. The Delonghi EC155 has a self-primer and heats up quickly, to give you fast access to an espresso whenever you need one. The standard 15-bar pump does a good job of extracting the maximum flavor for a delicious cup of espresso.
Nice Touches
The Delonghi EC155 has two very nice touches for a model of this price. First, it has two thermostats, one for water and one for steam. Secondly, it has a dual-function filter. This means that you can not only use standard ground coffee in the machine, but also E.S.E pods. Many people prefer the ease of use of pods, and the EC155 has you covered with full compatibility in this regard. This is just one of the features making this $80 machine a really attractive option.
Drink Quality
If you like your espresso rich with a beautiful crema, you’ll be pleased to know that you needn’t spend hundreds of dollars in order to get that. The Delonghi EC155 does a fine job of producing a delicious, rich shot of espresso. There’s little wrong with the espresso produced by this little machine.
The unit also features a swivel jet milk frother and steam wand, which works fairly well for making cappuccinos and lattes. The wand is a little on the short side, but then this is a small machine so it is probably to be expected.
Negatives
Now, while a compact machine is great for saving space and giving you the ability to tuck it in anywhere, there is usually some kind of payoff. In the case of the EC155, this is that there is very little space between the cup and the nozzle. You won’t be able to use anything other than espresso glasses of small cups here.
The absence of a cup warmer is to be expected in this price range, and may or may not bother you. Personally we feel this is nothing to be worried about, as cup warmers on these machines generally do a sub-par job even when they are present.
In the end though, you pretty much get what you can expect at from an espresso machine costing around $80. No bells and whistles (although the dual-filter system is a great feature), but a solid, compact little espresso machine that does what it says on the box.
Delonghi EC155: Our VerdictAs mentioned, you can often get the EC155 for around $80 or just below at Amazon.com. In this price range, there is nothing better. You get some nice features, a decent cup of espresso, compact design, and good build quality. It’s a good entry level machine for the casual espresso drinker.
Pros:
- Great price
- Good espresso, decent crema
- Dual filter allows use of ground espresso and E.S.E. pods
- Self-priming operation
- Removable water tank
- 15-Bar pump pressure
- Easy enough to clean
Cons:
- One space for small cups under the nozzle
- Parts can be hard to come by
- Short steam wand
