What’s the Best DeLonghi Espresso Machine?

De’Longhi has been making top-quality espresso machines that are simple to use for over 30 years. But somewhere along the lines, their extensive range became confusing with so many machines with really similar names. We’ve been testing them for around 5 years, and we still get the machines mixed up. Though that doesn’t stop them from being one of our favorite espresso machine brands. 

For most people, the best DeLonghi espresso machine is the Rivelia. It’s a fantastic all-around machine thanks to its excellent grinder, super easy-to-use interface, and consistent milk drinks. Or, if you love iced coffee, the Eletta Explore is a great option with its incredible array of both hot and cold coffees.

However, the right machine for you totally depends on how much control you want over the process and which drinks you want to make at home.

In this guide, we compare the best DeLonghi machines available today, based on our hands-on experience, including models from the Magnifica, Dinamica, Eletta, and La Specialista ranges to help you decide between the most popular DeLonghi models.

Image	Product	Best For	Type	Ease of Use	Key Details	Cost ($$$$$)
Best Overall	Rivelia	Best option for most households	Super-automatic + LatteCrema Hot System	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	15 pre-programmed coffee recipes Swappable bean hoppers	$$$$	Check Price
	Magnifica Start with LatteCrema	Best value for money	Super-automatic + LatteCrema hot system	⭐⭐⭐⭐	4 “one-touch” drinks	$$	Check Price
	Eletta Explore	Best range of iced and hot drinks	Super-automatic + Hot & Cold LatteCrema system	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	7 pre-programmed coffees 18 automatic milk recipes	$$$$$	Check Price
	Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema	Iced coffees on a budget	Super-automatic + LatteCrema hot system	⭐⭐⭐⭐	6 pre-programmed coffee recipes 2 automatic milk recipes	$$$$	Check Price
	La Specialista Maestro	Ideal for espresso enthusiasts	Automatic + auto or manual milk frothing	⭐⭐⭐	8 pre-programmed coffee recipes Cold brew capability	$$$$	Check Price
	La Specialista Touch	Holds your hand while learning to make espresso	Automatic + auto or manual milk frothing	⭐⭐⭐⭐	8 pre-programmed coffee recipes Cold brew capability	$$$	Check Price
	DeLonghi Dedica Duo	Ideal for small kitchens	Automatic + steam wand	⭐⭐⭐	Espresso or cold brew only	$$	Check Price
	DeLonghi Stilosa	For beginners on a budget	Semi-automatic + Panarello steam wand	⭐⭐⭐	Makes espresso only	$	Check Price
	DeLonghi All-in-One	For households who want traditional coffee pot and espresso	Combo: Automatic espresso + Panarello milk wand, and drip	⭐⭐⭐⭐	10 cup coffee pot Single or double espresso	$$	Check Price

How much work do you want to do?

Most people fall into one of two camps:

Either you find espresso brewing a fun and relaxing process – something to spend hours perfecting until you’ve properly dialed in your shiny new DeLonghi espresso machine. Or you find it an unnecessary hassle standing between you and your desperately needed caffeine each day.

Which one you are will dictate the type of espresso machine you should get:

• Semi-Automatic: These machines only heat the water and have a pressure pump. You need to do everything else, from weighing the coffee to timing your espresso shot. These are the cheapest DeLonghi machines available (the Stilosa) but require the most work and skill from you.
• Automatic: A tiny bit more help than the semi-automatics. The espresso machine will remember how much water to dispense. So once you’ve nailed your workflow, you don’t have to weigh and time your shots anymore. DeLonghi has automatic machines that will foam milk for you, too (La Specialista range) and ones with manual milk frothing (the Dedica range).
• Super Automatic: aka “bean-to-cup” machines. These espresso machines (the Magnifica’s, Rivelia, and Eletta Explore) are for people who prioritize convenience as they’ll do everything from weighing and grinding beans through to foaming the milk. All at the touch of a button. However, maximum convenience runs the risk of a dip in possible coffee and milk quality.

What Style of Coffee do you Like?

By being clear about what you want to drink, you can ensure you don’t pay for features that you’ll never use. 

🥛 Drink milk-based coffee? Then check which models have your favorite as an option, or if you want to make it yourself with a milk wand. The LatteCrema system is one of the best automatic milk systems we’ve tested and takes away any guesswork or skill from manually frothing.

🧊 If you love iced coffee, then look for one of the machines with the “cool LatteCrema” system, like the Eletta Explore or as an add-on to the Rivelia.

☕️ If you’re a black coffee drinker but want the option for the occasional milk-based espresso drink for you or a friend, then the machines with a Panarello steam wand are your best option. This makes it easier to steam milk every once in a while, but lacks the power for creating truly excellent milk foam.

Set Your Budget

When buying a new DeLonghi espresso machine (or any other brand), the first thing to do is set an upper limit on what you’re willing to spend and stick to it. Like, actually stick to it.

Under $300

There are plenty of budget-friendly DeLonghi espresso machines alongside the pricier ones, you’ll just have to compromise on some of the automated features.

➡️ The Dedica Duo is a great beginner-friendly machine. You can even make cold brew style coffee with it.

➡️ If you’re looking for the best budget option, then the Stilosa offers amazing value for money. It’s also frequently discounted, making it a great espresso machine under $100.

$300-$800

Within this price bracket, you have a huge selection to suit your style:

You can grab a fully automated machine with automatic milk like the Magnifica Start with LatteCrema. A compact machine for learning to pull espresso shots like the Dedica Maestro Plus, or a combo espresso and drip coffee maker for the whole family, like the DeLonghi All-in-One.

$800+

The upper echelon of the DeLonghi range is full of great choices, so focus on what you really want from an espresso machine.

The best overall experience and value is the Rivelia. If you love iced coffees, then the Eletta Explore is your best option. If you’re starting out learning to pull your own shots and want help, then the La Specialista Touch is your machine. Looking for the best hardware to pair with your espresso pulling skills? The La Specialista Maestro is for you. 

The DeLonghi world is your oyster.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The effort needed for cleaning can vary wildly between espresso machines. So, how much time are you willing to dedicate to the task?

🟢 Super-automatic machines need very little cleaning. A few minutes a week is enough to run the automated programs. Plus an deeper descaling every few months, depending on your water hardness.

🔴 Automatic or manual machines require a little more work on your end. Knocking out pucks, rinsing portafilters, wiping down milk wands. 

🥛 Any milk system – wand or LatteCrema – needs to be cleaned daily. They go nasty crazy fast, so be aware you need to be on top of that.

Any machine that doesn’t have a built-in grinder is best used with a separate coffee grinder. Freshly ground coffee tastes 100x better than pre-ground. But this adds another thing you need to clean, so bear that in mind.

DeLonghi Rivelia – Best Overall Fully Automatic Machine

For us, the Rivelia toppled the Dinamica Plus as the best DeLonghi espresso machine thanks to some great new features. It feels more intuitive and modern, whilst still delivering fantastic espresso and milk.

It ticks all the boxes of what most people are looking for in a super-automatic: tasty coffee, great milk texture, easy to use and clean, sleek looks, and not too expensive. This is for people who want high-quality coffee without a learning curve.

In day-to-day use, the Rivelia delivers consistently well-balanced espresso with a rich crema and good body. The milk is equally good, particularly for drinks that require denser foam, like a cappuccino.

We do have a couple of small issues:

• First, we thought the milk was just at an okay temperature. If you like really hot milk, you’ll likely find it too cool.
• We’d also like the bean hoppers to be airtight so we can take full advantage of their swappable design without using separate containers.
• It’s also frustrating that the cool LatteCrema system (for iced milk drinks) is an additional $130.

These are small things to complain about in an otherwise superb machine. No espresso machine is perfect, and we’ll happily compromise for the ease, price, and quality of the Rivelia.

Why not the DeLonghi Primadonna?

Despite being the top-of-the-range DeLonghi machine, we don’t really rate the Primadonna. Sure, it’s a good machine… It’s just not good enough to justify its very hefty pricetag.

Coming in around $2.5k, you’d be much better off getting a Jura machine – it will cost you the same, be just as easy to use, and the espresso quality will almost certainly be better.

DeLonghi Magnifica Start with LatteCrema – Best Value for Money

The DeLonghi Magnifica Start with LatteCrema is one of the most accessible fully automatic machines in the range, offering a straightforward way to make espresso drinks at home. (You can also get it with just a Panarello milk wand, but the quality dip isn’t worth it for me.)

It focuses on simplicity and value rather than advanced features, making it a strong choice for users who want a reliable daily coffee machine without splurging.

You don’t get the same levels of customization that other machines offer. We were a little disappointed with only 3 strength settings, especially as the strongest was the only one we enjoyed. So you won’t get real depth of flavor. Instead, this is better suited to casual coffee drinkers, particularly if you’re upgrading from a pod machine.

But it’s small, makes good coffee, lovely milk, and it’s unbelievably easy to use. Plus, we’ve seen it pop up in sales events under $600 or even $500!

Incredible value for such a high-quality machine.

DeLonghi Eletta Explore – Best for Iced Coffee

I need to preface this with the fact that the Eletta Explore is more expensive than the Rivelia. So if you primarily drink hot coffee, the Rivelia is 100% the better option. But if you love iced coffee/ iced latte, then the Eletta Explore is pretty unmatched.

With this model, DeLonghi has gone hard on cold coffee brewing, including a myriad of cold milk options. The texture is pretty good, but if you don’t follow the instructions on how many ice cubes to add, your drink will be disappointing.

In all our tests, the base espresso was consistently good with a decent crema and balanced flavor across all drinks. And, unlike many espresso machines, you don’t need to put everything on the strongest settings.

Thankfully, the Eletta Explore talks you through all the customization options – helpful because there are a lot of them. You can then save your settings to 4 user profiles, making it good for families who all want convenience.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema – Best Value Iced Coffee

If you think you’ve seen this machine elsewhere, it’s because it looks suspiciously similar to the excellent Philips LatteGo range. But then, if you’re going to copy designs, copy good ones.

The Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema sits in the sweet spot of the Magnifica range. It offers beautiful simplicity – the selection of drinks is along the top of the machine, just waiting for your choice. And it’s much easier to make strength adjustments compared to previous Magnifica generations.

This is a step-up from entry-level models while remaining significantly more affordable than premium machines. It’s designed to deliver a straightforward, reliable coffee experience with enough features to cover most casual coffee drinkers’ needs, particularly milk-based coffee drinkers.

As a basic machine, it doesn’t offer user profiles or advanced settings adjustments. Though it does have the iced coffee function, which produces a smooth drink.

But it’s ideal for everyday use, for people who want to push a button and get a good coffee without breaking the bank. That’s what makes it one of our favorite De’Longhi espresso machines.

Strictly speaking, a manual machine requires you to build the pressure yourself. But a semi-automatic takes over this part for you whilst still leaving the rest of the brewing process in your hands. An automatic knows how much water you need, and stops the shot at the right time.

👀 Still confused? Check out our guide to all the Different Types of Coffee Makers.

DeLonghi La Specialista Maestro – Best for Espresso Quality

In our opinion, this is the best-looking machine in DeLonghi’s line-up. By a mile.

The beautiful La Specialista Maestro feels like a 50s Cadillac with big dials and bold lines. But it’s more than just a pretty face. It’s also home to a high-quality grinder, intelligent dosing, smart tamping, and cold extraction technology. In other words, superb espresso quality.

With the right setup and workflow, it can produce refined espresso shots with better balance, clarity, and crema than any of DeLonghi’s fully automatic machines come close to.

It all comes down to your technique, though, as more control is left in your hands (tamping pressure, dosing, and water volume). So it’s best suited for people who want a more hands-on approach to making espresso. That said, the technology will catch your mistakes – no terrible espresso shots will be pulled on its watch.

For serious espresso drinkers, this might be too much babysitting. But if you’re a casual espresso lover looking to hone your craft, this is perfect. 

DeLonghi La Specialista Touch – Best for Learning to Make Espresso

The La Specialista Touch aims to be a gateway drug to becoming a full-blown espresso nerd. Anyone who’s been put off by how technical learning to pull espresso appears to be, will love this machine.

It comes with handy tools that help you grind, dose, and tamp your espresso pucks, making it easy to get great shots quickly. It’ll also automatically foam the milk to the right temperature and texture, so you don’t need to worry about learning everything at once. Then, when you’re ready, you can switch to manual.

You still need to want to put in the work, as even with the assist, it still takes time to perfect. Like playing a video game on easy mode.

When dialled in correctly, it’s capable of producing good espresso with balanced flavour. BUT (and it’s a big but), it just isn’t as good as the Breville Barista Touch, its direct competition at this price.

DeLonghi Stilosa – Best Budget Machine

Not everyone can, or needs to, spend a lot of money to get an enjoyable espresso machine. The DeLonghi Stilosa is great for casual coffee drinkers who just want a cappuccino or latte at home. My parents have this machine, and they love the coffee from it.

It comes with double-walled filter baskets and a Panarello milk wand, which are both designed to be forgiving for beginners. No, it won’t produce cafe-quality results – you won’t get the perfect extraction and nuance from your beans, and you’ll struggle to do latte art – but you can still make a decent drink.

But it’s under $150, so we have to be realistic here.

If you pair this machine with a decent coffee grinder and fresh beans, you’ll get many delicious coffees from the Stilosa for years to come.

DeLonghi Dedica Duo – Best for Small Kitchens

Small kitchen? No problem. The DeLonghi Dedica Duo is a compact espresso machine that doesn’t sacrifice too much on quality. It also comes in a variety of colors that all look pretty good, and will suit most kitchens.

It builds on the popular Dedica design, offering a slim profile whilst upgrading the milk wand to a professional-style one. The filter baskets are still pressurized, which means they are forgiving for beginners. So this machine is a halfway house allowing you an slick way to make espresso at home.

When paired with a quality grinder and fresh beans, it’s capable of producing a decent espresso for casual drinkers. Though it does rely heavily on user input so it performs best when you invest time and energy into dialing in your setup.

It’s the same price as the Breville Bambino, which has the potential for higher-quality espresso, though it can’t make cold brew. Still, unless the Dedica Duo is on sale, we’d be swayed by the Breville over DeLonghi and just make our cold brew the old-fashioned way.

De’Longhi All-in-One – Best for Families

Usually, making coffee for more than 2 people can be a bit of a hassle. Either you have to splash out on an expensive super-automatic espresso machine or you’re looking at a drip coffee maker to batch brew. But if you like wildly different styles of coffee, then it gets more complex.

Cue DeLonghi riding on their white horse. They’ve provided the solution in the shape of their All-in-One offering, which combines a simple espresso machine with a drip coffee maker. So, everyone should be kept happy and caffeinated.

Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t aimed at espresso aficionados. Instead, combination coffee espresso machines are for those who like an occasional latte or cappuccino but also need a full pot of coffee throughout the day. Or maybe even the much-needed caffeine hit of a red-eye coffee.

Neither will be the best possible quality – it’s always a compromise.

With a reusable filter and delay timer for the drip alongside the ability to use E.S.E. pods on the espresso side, convenience is everything here.

PrimaDonna Series

At the time of writing, there’s only one PrimaDonna machine on sale – the PrimaDonna Aromatic. But there has previously been other machines available in this range (like the PrimaDonna Soul).

These are top-of-the-range machines packed with features and also come with a hefty price tag.

➡️ This is aimed at people who want the most impressive-sounding fully automatic machine. I’m yet to be convinced that it’s worth the price, though – there are better machines available from other brands.

Eletta Series

The current model is the Eletta Explore – a machine that’s packed with drink options for both hot and cold coffees.

➡️ This is ideal for anyone who loves variety, as it has more drink options than any other machine.

‼️ We often see much older Eletta models for sale at the same price as the Eletta Explore. So we recommend you check the model numbers to make sure you get the machine you think you’re buying.

Rivelia Series

The most recent addition to the DeLonghi line-up. The Rivelia is the best overall DeLonghi espresso machine with unique features and more technology than the Dinamica or Magnifica series.

➡️ This is best if you want a machine that will do it all, and do it well.

Dinamica Series

The Dinamica Series offers a fairly extensive list of drink options, an intuitive interface, and more control over your espresso shots than the Magnifica Series.

The current model, the Dinamica Plus, used to be our favorite DeLonghi, but got unseated by the new tech in the Rivelia.

This used to be a more confusing range with the manual milk frothing on the Dinamica, the auto milk on the Dinamica with LatteCrema, then the big-daddy with auto milk and more drinks – the Dinamica Plus. Thankfully, they’ve discontinued the earlier models in favour of giving you all the best features.

➡️ As it’s the same price as the Rivelia, we’d say this is only best if you’re willing to wait until the sales or get a refurbished model. We’ve seen more discounts on it than the Rivelia, at which point the Dinamica Plus becomes great value for money.

Magnifica Series

The Magnifica series covers most of DeLonghi’s range from $600-1300 and are designed to be beginner-friendly super-automatic espresso machines.

Most are available with or without the LatteCrema system (without comes with a simple manual milk wand instead).

➡️ They’re ideal machines if you want to keep things simple and a little friendlier on the wallet (even the most expensive, Magnifica Plus)

	Magnifica Start	Magnifica Start with Latte Crema	Magnifica Evo	Magnifica Evo with Latte Crema	Magnifica Evo Next	Magnifica Plus
Best for	Beginners on a budget	Getting great value automatic milk drinks	Black coffee lovers who want more options	Iced coffee drinkers	Anyone looking for more drinks choices	Premium features & convenience
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
No. one-touch drinks	3 (black only)	4	5 (black only)	6	11	16
Milk system	Manual	LatteCrema	Manual	LatteCrema	LatteCrema	LatteCrema
Iced coffee?	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Customization options?	Basic	Basic	Moderate	Moderate	Advanced	Advanced
Price	$	$$	$$	$$	$$$	$$$
	View Price	View Price	View Price	View Price	View Price	View Price

‼️ Very old models like the Magnifica XS often pop up for sale at inflated prices. If in doubt, look at the model number – machines starting “ECAM” are the newer ones, the “ESAM” models are from the old range.

Dedica Series

This is the most compact DeLonghi series, offering stripped-back automatic machines with manual milk frothing on the basic models, and auto milk on the more expensive ones.

➡️ They’re ideal for anyone short on space who doesn’t need fancy features.

Currently, your choice of machines are:

• Dedica Deluxe / Dedica Style (EC685): Simplest, beginner-friendly machine that uses pressurized baskets (more forgiving) and a Panarello milk wand
• Dedica Duo (EC890): A versatile little machine that can make espresso and cold brew, and has a professional-level steam wand for milk drinks
• Dedica Maestro Plus (EC950): The biggest model (though it’s still very compact) that features an automatic milk system, or can be used manually

La Specialista Series

The La Specialista machines are totally different. Classed as “manual” by DeLonghi, but realistically, they’re automatic espresso machines. They’re designed to put the control in your hands, whilst not throwing you in at the deep end.

➡️ Pick this range if you want to pull your own espresso shots and steam your own milk, with some support.

Depending on the exact model you pick, the machine will have varying levels of automation to help you out. From lots of help with the La Specialista Touch to almost none on the La Specialista Arte Evo.

	La Specialista Arte Evo	La Specialista Opera	La Specialista Touch	La Specialista Maestro
Best for	Budget espresso enthusiasts	Simplicity with better workflow	Learning espresso with guidance	Best espresso quality and control
Skill level	Beginner – intermediate	Beginner – intermediate	Beginner	Intermediate – advanced
Grinder & dosing	Built-in grinder & manual dosing	Built-in grinder & assisted tamping	Built-in grinder & assisted dosing/tamping	High-end grinder & Smart Tamping Technology
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Milk system	Manual steam wand	Manual steam wand	Manual steam wand & auto frothing	Manual steam wand & auto frothing
Cold extraction?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Control level	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate (guided)	High
Price	$$	$$$	$$$	$$$$
	View Price	View Price	View Price	View Price

Today, the company is still run by the De’Longhi family. And, whilst they didn’t start making espresso machines until 1993, they are now firmly placed at the heart of the brand. This has worked out well for them as they’re one of the biggest espresso machine producers in the world.

Although their first espresso machine was only released 30 years ago, DeLonghi has honed in on a century’s worth of experience to maintain their very high build standards. As a testament to their high quality, most DeLonghi coffee machines come with a 2-year warranty as standard.

They don’t just make automatic espresso machines either. In their extensive line-up of different types of coffee makers, you’ll also find manual espresso machine options, drip coffee, cold brew, and combo machines in their extensive line-up.

A coffee machine producing Goliath.

Some other companies also offer brilliant options at various price points. It all depends on what you’re looking for in your home espresso machine:

Jura

Jura is a Swiss super-automatic espresso machine company that makes exclusively high-end machines.

➡️ They’re best suited to people who want the highest possible espresso quality at the touch of a button. And have a healthy bank balance.

If you’re looking at one of the top-end DeLonghis, then Jura could well have a more feature-packed super-automatic espresso machine for the same price. (Their cheapest option comes in around $1000.) In which case, it’s worth taking a look at our reviews of the best Jura coffee machines.

Breville

Breville has taken a slightly different path:

They produce more semi-automatic/ automatic machines than one-touch machines. And they’re generally aimed at more espresso lovers.

➡️ If you’re looking at seriously getting into the weeds on espresso making, then Breville may be a better company for you to look at.

The best Breville espresso maker depends on what you’re looking for. But they have some really great machines at all price points, from the Bambino machines to the Oracle Touch.

Whilst their super-automatic machines are considerably more expensive than DeLonghi’s, they do pack a lot more customization in there. So you get what you pay for.

Gaggia

Another Italian coffee giant, Gaggia is the closest challenger to DeLonghi in terms of offering super automatics at a really competitive price.

Gaggia tends to focus a little more seriously on perfecting espresso than DeLonghi and offers some more features too. They also use more stainless steel in their construction rather than plastic parts.

But this comes at a cost.

➡️ So it comes down to whether you think the higher espresso quality of the best Gaggia espresso machines is worth the extra spend over a DeLonghi machine. Our full DeLonghi vs Gaggia guide should help you decide.

Saeco/Philips

Saeco and Philips are the same company. Philips tends to be the brand on the lower-end machines, with Saeco offering a small range of premium super automatics.

You can see some of the great ideas from Philips on DeLonghi machines (and we compare them head-to-head, here). For example, the LatteCrema milk system is almost identical to the Philips LatteGo. This is because it’s a great system, and DeLonghi knows its competition and what people want.

The Saeco machines are generally better looking than DeLonghi’s but also more expensive. Although they do pack a lot of features for that extra money.

For us, the Rivelia is the best De’Longhi espresso machine currently on the market. You get fantastic features for a really good price.

But, depending on what you’re looking for, the La Specialista Maestro, Stilosa, or Eletta Explore may be better options. So take a look around and take the time to weigh up your options. These are investment machines that will last you years so make sure you get the right fit for you.

Matt Woodburn-Simmonds

Matt's coffee obsession started in 2006 when working as a Barista. A tendency to turn up to work hungover kickstarted his coffee journey which quickly turned into a love affair. As he moved on to work as a Restaurant Manager and Sommelier, the obsession continued to grow. Now, his passion is helping others to enjoy better coffee at home.