Tested By Our Coffee Expert

DeLonghi has a long-standing reputation for well-made and well-priced kitchen gear, and the best De longhi espresso machine is no exception. I’ve never owned one. So, this review had to wait until I found a way to test each of the picks from this list. And this meant going to friends’ (and friends of a friend’s) houses and testing out their DeLonghis.

One thing’s sure: these machines are made with the user in mind, delivering delicious espresso drinks in attractive and easy-to-use packages. Ranging from simple semi-automatic designs to full-fledged super-automatic espresso machines that take you from bean to cappuccino, the Delonghi line has something for everything.

HOW I TESTED THESE MACHINES

I tested all the top models to find my personal top pick as well as recommendations for different styles of users. Read on to find out which Delonghi espresso machine is best, and for the full results to find the suitable Delonghi coffee maker for your needs!

The 8 Best Delonghi Espresso Machines in 2023

The best DeLonghi espresso machines are all-around crowd-pleasers, suitable for everyone from the up-and-coming coffee fanatic to a professional espresso aficionado. No wonder me and others consistently rank them among the best espresso machines for your home.

Best DeLonghi coffee machine 2023 – here are the eight reviews not to overlook this year!

Best Overall

1. Delonghi La Specialista Prestigio

• Machine type: Automatic

• Milk system: Professional steam wand
• Water reservoir: 67 oz
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 17.7” x 13.8” x 15.6”

The Delonghi La Specialista Prestigio is a powerful automatic espresso machine that will appeal to expert baristas and espresso novices alike. 

This machine is possibly capable of too much to summarize it all, but here’s what impressed me most during testing.

It’s the only Delonghi machine to feature the brand’s patented “sensor burr grinding technology” to ensure consistent grinding and dosing. I’d love to see more than 8 grind settings, but they were enough to achieve proper extraction at all roast levels in testing.

I suspect this stainless-steel espresso machine gets away with fewer grind settings due to the dynamic preinfusion, which is my favorite feature. It automatically adjusts the preinfusion stage length depending on the puck’s density. For example, preinfusion was extended when extracting dense light roasts, so I enjoyed sweet and bright shots rather than sour ones.

The Delonghi La Specialista espresso machine is the only one on this list with two independent heating systems, so you can steam milk and pull a shot simultaneously. This is a must if you’re serious about making the best lattes. Likewise, while the professional-style steam wand might take a bit longer to master than the Pannarello wands, the milk foam quality is worth it (1).

Best Super Automatic Espresso Machine

If the La Specialista is the espresso maker for the aspiring barista, the Dinamica is for anyone who’d rather hire a barista. This Delonghi coffee machine with a grinder does it all for you and, in my experience, does it very well.

This super-automatic espresso machine delivers four pre-programmed drinks at the touch of a button – coffee and espresso, lungo, and iced espresso. You can customize the strength, volume, and temperature of each drink. And with dual spouts, you can easily serve one or two coffee drinkers. 

This is the first super-auto with a dedicated Iced Coffee button, which works well. A unique brew cycle lowers the brew temperature and extends extraction time, resulting in a smooth and concentrated shot designed to be diluted over ice (2). I was happy to be testing this model in the summer months!

This model has a manual Pannarello steam wand, which takes two steps to make milk-based drinks. There is a more expensive version of the Dinamica with an auto-frothing carafe. Still, in our testing, even those without barista experience quickly mastered the Pannarello wand. So, I wouldn’t say it’s worth the cost increase unless you have your heart set on one-touch drinks.

Best For Beginners

Do you want a machine that can teach barista skills without dropping big bucks on fancy features? Then, the ECP3420 is for you. This Delonghi 15-bar espresso and cappuccino machine is an affordable semi-automatic machine designed for the first few years of your espresso journey. My friend, who’s never owned an espresso machine, got one for herself, and I’m teaching her some basic espresso-making stuff on this machine. Trust me, it’s excellent for beginners.

When it breaks down (machines at this price typically falter in the first five years), you’ll know how to steam milk, prep an espresso puck, and pull a shot. Equally important, you’ll know if you love the espresso hobby enough to invest in a more advanced machine. The ECP3420 is the ultimate buy for the espresso beginner.

The portafilter ensures your shots look great and taste good, even if you haven’t bought a grinder or mastered puck prep. The Pannarello wand does something similar for milk, making it easy to prepare perfect airy froth (3).

Pro tip: Want to keep advancing your skills without buying a new machine? Here’s what I did when I was starting out. First, buy a non-pressurized filter basket on Amazon for a few bucks. Then, remove the outer cover of the Pannarello wand, making it similar to a standard steam wand. Presto, change-o – you have a novice-level machine!

Best For Small Spaces

4. Delonghi Dedica Arte

• Machine type: Automatic

• Milk system: Professional steam wand
• Water reservoir: 35 oz
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 5.9” x 12” x 13”

I have a story about this Delonghi automatic espresso machine. A colleague recently sent me a photo of some truly impressive latte art, saying he did it with a Dedica. I was skeptical, replying, “No way you steamed milk that well with a Delonghi Dedica.” And he replied, “No, it was the Dedica Arte.” That’s why this particular model – which replaces the Pannarello wand of the standard Dedica with a professional stainless steel wand – is on the list.

Feel free to get the Delonghi Dedica Deluxe or Delonghi Dedica espresso machine if you just want a small espresso maker. But if you want a small latte machine, the Dedica Arte is substantially better than its tiny price increase would suggest.

The Dedica Arte is sleek and stylish.

It is less than 6″ wide and fits comfortably in small kitchens, dorm rooms, and RVs. And its small footprint doesn’t impact performance. It’s a programmable automatic machine with a 15-bar pump compatible with ground coffee and ESE pods. That steam wand I raved about doubles as a hot water tap for making tea or an Americano. You can even program your local water hardness to set up descaling alerts.

The only real sacrifice made, in my opinion, is the size of the drip tray. It’s tiny, and I emptied it every time I made a drink to be on the safe side.

Best for Milky Drinks

The Delonghi Magnifica Evo is the only machine on this list that delivers a milky drink at the touch of a button. It’s the perfect option if you don’t have time to master a steam wand (or money to pay a barista). My parents have one, and they swear by it. They’re huge fans of lattes, and they’re picky with their coffee. So I know every latte-lover will love this machine.

Delonghi’s patented LatteCrema system is the heart and soul of this machine. It’s an automatic frothing carafe that whisks air and milk while heating to deliver exceptionally long-lasting and smooth milk foam. 

The carafe is designed to froth as much milk as you add, with clear markings indicating how much milk is needed for a given drink. Or use the “My Latte” setting to add as much milk as you prefer. I like this as a waste-reduction strategy.

There are seven programmed drink options: espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, iced coffee, coffee, hot water, and My Latte. I was happy to find you can customize drink volume and brew strength but was disappointed not to be able to control milk temperature or texture.

The Magnifica line was designed as an introduction to fully automatic machines – all the necessary functions are there but with no complicated extras. The result is an affordable and easy-to-use design. I regularly recommend this machine to friends sick of dropping all their cash at the cafe but not looking to take on espresso as a hobby.

Best Combination Machine

Delonghi Digital is a unique machine that will only appeal to a specific clientele. But if you’re looking for an espresso machine that can brew a pot of coffee, this combination coffee machine is the best on the market – from any brand, not just Delonghi. I wouldn’t know much about it since I’m an espresso fanatic. But I do know my friends, who each prefer different coffee styles, love this machine. They even joke about how it saved their marriage.

Most dual brewers falter with espresso because making a good pump espresso machine is harder than a good coffee machine. This model stands out from the crowd; it benefits from Delonghi’s espresso expertise.

The espresso side is essentially the Delonghi Stilosa, a simple but effective semi-automatic espresso maker with a 15-bar pump and Pannarello steam wand. It pulls rich, crema-topped shots that are miles better than anything I’ve tried from a dual-use machine.

The coffee side is a standard programmable coffee maker with a 10-cup glass carafe and a hot plate. You can program it to brew on a 24-hour timer and choose between regular or bold coffee strength.

I was most impressed by the fact that the two systems operate independently. So if someone is brewing a pot of coffee, there’s no need to wait for your cup of espresso. Whether at home or the office, that’s a relationship-saving feature.

This machine has a nice collection of accessories, including baskets for a single or double espresso, an ESE pod basket, a measuring scoop, a GoldTone coffee filter, a descaling solution, and a charcoal water filter.

Best Pod Machine

I can’t say I’m a fan of Nespresso coffee machines and capsules in general – either from a flavor or environmental standpoint (4). But that’s an easy stance when working from home with unlimited time to prepare my morning brew lovingly. I understand the appealing convenience of a pod-based system, and I’ll admit to being charmed while testing the Nespresso Lattissima Touch at my cousin’s house.

This Nespresso machine is easy to use, even more accessible to clean and maintain, and makes a one-touch latte that’s almost on par with freshly ground coffee beans. In my experience, bolder flavored dark roast pods gave the best results for milk-based drinks. Straight espresso was less flavorful than freshly ground coffee, so this machine is best for cappuccino fans.

You make up for what you lose in quality coffee in almost every other way. The Lattissima is faster, smaller, and less expensive than a super-automatic espresso machine with similar capacity. It heats in under 30 seconds, automatically ejects pods into a waste bin after brewing, and has alerts for cleaning and descaling.

The Lattissima Touch has six one-touch drink options: espresso, lungo, hot milk, cappuccino, creamy latte, and latte macchiato. I was pleased to note the distinction between creamy latte and latte macchiato – many machines only offer one. You can customize the coffee and milk volume in each case, but you can’t adjust the temperature or milk texture. 

Budget Pick

The Delonghi Stilosa espresso machine is a new-and-improved upgrade to the Delonghi EC155, a machine I’ve been recommending to espresso lovers on a budget for years. It’s rare to find an espresso machine under $100 worth its price. Most machines leak, underheat, or break down as soon as the warranty elapses. The Stilosa is the rare exception, benefiting from Delonghi’s expertise in manufacturing higher-end models.

This little semi-automatic design is perfect for beginners or anyone who wants no-hassle, low-cost espresso at home. With pressurized portafilters and a Pannarello steam wand, anyone can prepare a great espresso and frothy warm milk – no barista skills required. No, it won’t be quite cafe-quality, but the value for money is unbeatable.

The Stilosa hasn’t changed much from the EC155.

And this design decision is fine because the price hasn’t increased either. I believe in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” ethos. 

A spring has been added to keep the filter basket more securely in the portafilter, fixing a big cause of frustration in the older models. And the aesthetics have been freshened, though I still wouldn’t call this a beauty. 

Notably, the internal layout is the same. The thermoblock is smartly positioned against the group, so this machine has an impressively high and stable brew temperature compared to its competition. I even managed to pull some decent light roast shots!

More De’Longhi Machines I Tested

Aside from the De’Longhi machines above, I also tested the following models. They did not make it to my best list but I found some of them make really good espresso, too.

De’Longhi EC702

De’Longhi Magnifica

How I Tested These Machines

Like I said, I had to visit my friends’ and family’s homes to test most of these machines. I tested each of them personally and, where possible, recruited more and less experienced barista friends and colleagues to provide additional feedback. I also contacted our home test team with access to any of these models to provide information on long-term issues and durability.

Our team and I performed quantitative tests with a thermocouple and timer to establish brew temperature, milk temperature, temperature stability, heat-up time, and drink preparation time. 

A standard taste test was conducted for each machine, with at least three participating team members. We used the same medium roast coffee blend in each case and tasted straight espresso and a milk-based drink. I separately experimented with lighter and darker roasts to assess the versatility of the models.

Finally, I evaluated every design for user-friendliness. I considered ease of cleaning, programmability, customizable options, noise levels, and other noteworthy features that made a machine stand out.

How To Choose The Best Delonghi Espresso Machine

Is Delonghi a good brand? Before you buy a Delonghi espresso coffee machine, you probably want assurances that Delonghi is a reliable brand. Happily, they’re among the best machines on the market for home use. Designed and engineered in Italy, Delonghi machines have a sterling reputation for value (5). They are known for being easy to use, easy to clean, and affordably priced.

What Are The Types Of Delonghi Espresso Machines?

Delonghi makes three different types of espresso machines: semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic. There are no Delonghi manual espresso machines.

• Semi-automatic espresso machines leave most of the work – the grinding, tamping, dosing, and shot timing- in the hands of the barista. In general, that means the most potential for excellence but also the most room for error. They’re an excellent choice for anyone interested in honing their barista skills, and they tend to be the most affordable.
• Automatic espresso machines remove one level of control versus semi-automatic, the shot timing. You can pre-program the shot volume, and it will stop brewing automatically. This machine style is a great compromise between convenience and control, suitable for beginners and experts alike.
• Super-automatic espresso machines, including pod-based machines, do it all. You’re just there to press a button. The machine will grind, dose, and tamp the coffee, then pull a shot of espresso. Depending on the model, it might also froth milk automatically. These machines are very consistent and easy to use, great for anyone with busy mornings and no interest in developing barista skills.

Choosing A Milk Frothing System

De Longhi espresso machines have one of three milk frothing systems – auto-frothing carafes, Pannarello wands, and professional-style steam wands. They’re quite different, making this an easy way to choose a model that suits your needs.

An automatic frothing carafe is the easiest to use. Fill it with milk, attach it to the machine, and it does the rest. Milk and air are whipped together in the chamber, and the milk foam is dispensed atop your drink. The milk carafe can be stored in the fridge between uses to minimize waste. 

The downside is that you don’t have much (if any) control over the milk texture. They usually make one standard airy froth. Auto-frothers also sometimes struggle with milk alternatives as their settings are established for dairy milk.

The next difficulty level is the Pannarello wand, essentially a manual steam wand with a special cover that helps introduce air to the milk. It’s a great option for beginners as it teaches the process of steaming milk while eliminating some potential for error. Like the carafe, it’s best for making an airy froth, but unlike the carafe, it works with any type of milk.

The barista at the local coffee shop is using a professional steam wand. It takes some practice, but it can produce the perfect silky microfoam for a latte. And it’s your best option if you hope to pour art (6).

If you have no interest in milk drinks, consider another brand that offers machines without milk systems, like Jura. Or check out a manual machine like the Flair. You’ll be able to get a higher-quality espresso maker for the same price.

Size, Shape, and Capacity

Most domestic espresso machines are designed to fit in the average home kitchen and comfortably serve a typical household. So you don’t need to worry too much about size or capacity unless you fall at one of the extremes.

If you have a small kitchen with limited counter space, or you’re buying for the office, RV, or dorm room, seek out a compact espresso machine. This might also be a good case for a capsule machine if you don’t have easy sink access.

At the other end of the spectrum, if you have a huge household or drink a lot of espresso, a machine with higher capacity will save you frustration. Look for a larger water tank and drip tray to avoid needing to refill the former and empty the latter constantly.

How Does Delonghi Compare To Breville?

The Delonghi vs Breville is a frequent comparison, being the two main manufacturers of home espresso machines. Wondering which is for you? This chart compares our Best Overall and Best Budget Delonghi espresso machines versus the closest equivalent Breville models.

	Delonghi La Specialista Prestigio	Breville Barista Express Impress
Non-pressurized baskets included
	17.7” x 13.8” x 15.6”

Related: You might also be interested in comparing Delonghi vs Saeco.

The Verdict

DeLonghi produces various machines to make espresso at home, each suitable for a specific demographic. While they have different strong suits, all are defined by easy-to-use interfaces and excellent engineering and design.

If you’re looking for the best coffee machine, my favorite Delonghi espresso machine this year is the La Specialista Prestigio. This machine uses enough high-end features to appeal to advanced coffee nerds while remaining easy for a beginner to operate. Couple that with a stainless steel build, sleek aesthetics, and a built-in grinder, and it’s hard to ask for much more!