Buying guide for best De’Longhi coffee makers
For many, the best way to start the day is with the enticing aroma and delicious taste of a fresh cup of coffee. Whether you enjoy hot coffee, cold brew, or a cup of espresso, the proper coffee maker is an essential partner in the kitchen.
De’Longhi is one of the most trusted names in quality coffee makers, cappuccino makers, and espresso machines, known for high-quality products that last a long time. The company’s products are backed by a warranty and vary greatly in size, price, design, and operation. They boast offerings that cater to households of all sizes, practical needs, and coffee preferences. And perhaps due to its heritage as an Italian company, De’Longhi’s reputation has been burnished heavily by its espresso machines, which make up the bulk of its product lineup.
But no matter which format of coffee maker you’re considering, the best De’Longhi espresso machines offer many possibilities.
What to think about before buying a De’Longhi coffee maker
Coffee vs. espresso
De’Longhi offers coffee makers, espresso machines, and combination products that make both. All models have easy-to-use control panels, advanced heating systems with reliable thermostats, and programmable functions for making barista-quality brews. However, there are a few noteworthy differences between these formats.
Drip coffee: These machines are typically more popular and familiar in North American homes. Such machines use either pre-packaged pods or ground coffee that the user portions into paper or plastic filters. Hot water infuses the grounds, either manually or automatically, and coffee is made. Machines may brew just a single cup of coffee or up to 12 cups in a carafe. Currently, De’Longhi doesn’t have any pure drip coffee machines, but it offers this format in its combination units.
Espresso: Espresso is bolder and richer than your usual cup of coffee; it also packs more of a caffeinated punch. A serving, or “shot,” of espresso is typically either a single (1 ounce) or a double (2 ounces). While a double shot of espresso has about 120 mg of caffeine—roughly that of a standard cup of coffee—the caffeine is much more concentrated. Espresso requires specific beans to be ground at a certain setting. However, like drip machines, espresso makers may use pods as well.
Combination: For those who go for different styles of coffee depending on the situation, De’Longhi produces machines that offer flexibility. Their “All-in-One” machines will make coffee as well as a range of espresso drinks, including cappuccino, flat white, and latte. De’Longhi also offers what it calls a specialty machine that produces drip coffee, pour-over coffee, and coffee over ice.
Ground coffee vs. pods
Another decision to be made is whether you prefer to grind coffee beans and portion it out for your brew or to purchase pre-portioned coffee pods. Both make great espresso, but there are a few points to consider.
Ground coffee: Buying fresh beans and grinding them is still a popular way to enjoy coffee at home. It requires the use of a separately purchased grinder, and some care to properly preserve both the beans and not-yet-brewed grounds. Brewing ground coffee allows users to make a large batch at once. Espresso typically isn’t made in more than single or double shots, however.
Pods: Nespresso is a leading brand of coffee and espresso pods, and De’Longhi has created several machines that use this format. Pods come in many varieties and are simple to use: pop one in a machine, and start the brewing process. You can adjust the strength and size of the coffee in most cases, and you’ll be drinking your cup in no more than a few minutes. Pods typically cost more than the equivalent coffee in bean form.
Manual vs. automatic espresso
De’Longhi offers both manual and automatic espresso machines. A manual espresso maker is similar to the ones you’ll find at most coffee shops. These machines require the user to tamper espresso ground into the so-called portafilter, lock it into the machine, and run the right amount of hot water through. Experienced baristas will be familiar with this process, but there’s a learning curve for newbies.
Automatic coffee machines measure the coffee and hot water according to your desires and make the cup like a drip coffee machine would. Many of these have a one-touch button to start the machine, so they are ideal for beginners.
Output
Consider who’s drinking, how much coffee they consume, and how frequently they want a cup. For larger households where many family members opt for coffee in the morning, a drip machine that brews 10 or 12 cups may be wise. However, if the same household wants coffee at different times, or different flavors, a machine that uses pods may be more practical.
While drip coffee machines can take five or ten minutes to get a pot ready, or even a few minutes for a pod to process, espresso machines don’t have the same issue. Since most people have just one espresso drink at a time, volume isn’t a big concern. Even with a small espresso machine, you can brew two singles at a time; each brew from a manual machine only takes a few minutes.
Space
Machines that use pods are generally rather compact, which benefits those with limited counter space. They can even be moved around if need be. But larger models, particularly manual espresso machines, can take up a lot of room. Note the size before making a purchase. Consider your cabinet heights, too, as many machines require adding beans, grounds, or water from the top.
A machine that features a frother and a milk jug offers exciting possibilities. You can combine the milk with cocoa, syrup, or matcha tea to make sweet alternatives to coffee-based drinks.
STAFF
BestReviews
Look for these features in a De’Longhi coffee maker
Milk frother
Many De’Longhi espresso machines come with a milk frother. This will allow you to make lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. Some machines accomplish this automatically, while machines with manual frothers require the user to do the frothing. Automatic machines can save time, energy, and milk, but taste may be sacrificed. Either way, milk frothing is easy when this feature is offered.
Grinder
Some De’Longhi espresso machines come with their own burr grinder, which provides both space-saving and time-saving convenience. These machines have a variety of grind settings for their grinder, and allow you to store beans safely within and grind when you’re ready to make espresso.
LatteCrema System
This patented De’Longhi technology makes it easier for users to create drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The machine heats milk to the proper temperature, creating the right density foam or crema and the exact proportion needed to make your specialty coffee drink. This system is found in some of the company’s automatic espresso machines.
DID YOU KNOW?
Non-dairy milk, like almond or soy milk, is a bit harder to create foam with. Automatic frothers may struggle to produce the ideal density with these.
STAFF
BestReviews
De’Longhi coffee makers prices
Inexpensive
For $200 or less, you can purchase a small combination machine that makes drip coffee or a pod-based espresso machine.
Mid-range
Between $200 and $600, you’ll find manual or automatic espresso machines as well as all-in-one options that make both espresso and drip coffee.
Expensive
De’Longhi’s most advanced coffee machines sell for over $600. Some are manual espresso machines, but others are automatic units that make individual cups of drip coffee or espresso-based drinks and include a milk frother and likely a grinder.
Drip coffee is mostly a North American preference. In many countries around the world, asking for coffee at a cafe is, in fact, ordering a shot of espresso.
STAFF
BestReviews
Tips
- Store beans sealed in a dark, cool place, and avoid touching them. Grind only within a day or two of brewing.
- Preheat your cup. Some machines will include a cup warmer as a feature.
- Know your grind. Most drip coffee is made using coarse ground coffee, but espresso beans must be finely ground.
- Try different beans. A quality coffee machine will yield tasty results, but it’s worth trying coffee from all over the world.
- Check espresso machine reviews before you buy. You’ll find that many consumers love De’Longhi models.
FAQ
Q. I noticed that De’Longhi makes a moka pot. Is this also a coffee maker?
A. A moka pot is a stovetop coffee maker that creates coffee with a flavor more intense than drip coffee. As such, moka pots are often compared to espresso machines. Yes, you can consider De’Longhi’s moka pot to be a coffee maker, but note that the end product is more like espresso than regular coffee.
Q. How should I clean my De’Longhi coffee machine?
A. For the best coffee, it’s important to keep your machine clean. Fortunately, this task is relatively simple. Machines may have dishwasher-safe parts, like a carafe or drip tray, or components like a removable water tank or filter holders that are easy to clean by hand. Frothers and portafilters should be rinsed and wiped after use. Manual espresso machines often come with a cleaning brush to remove grounds from hard-to-reach places.
Your purchase will come with a guide as to how to clean the specific product. You should expect to clean your machine once a week. Regular cleaning maintains the quality of the coffee and longevity of the machine.
Q. What is descaling? Do I have to descale my De’Longhi coffee maker?
A. The water that passes through your coffee machine likely includes traces of minerals and sediment. Those little bits accumulate over time on some parts, resulting in a loss of quality and heat in your coffee. De’Longhi’s automatic machines have a descaling option to save you time and energy. Manual machines will require you to descale. De’Longhi offers tutorials online about descaling.
