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The 5 Best Delonghi Espresso Machines

Published on 02/06/2024 · 12 min readSavor the perfect espresso at home! Discover the 5 best De'Longhi espresso machines, known for their precision, ease of use, and Italian craftsmanship.
Ethan Hauck, Coffee Expert
By Coffee Expert Ethan Hauck

Photo by Charles Sims

Among the countless brands of espresso machines out there, De’Longhi has remained a mainstay in countless kitchens and cafés around the world. While one could argue that it’s for their aesthetics, specialty features, or for the name itself, there is one simple truth — De’Longhi is massively popular because they make excellent automatic coffee makers and espresso machines.

Whether shopping on a strict budget or looking for the cream of the crop, there’s a De’Longhi machine out there for your next purchase. Coincidentally, that’s where we come in! Below, you’ll find a list of the best De’Longhi espresso machines on the market that can easily address most needs.

Be sure to reach out to a Curated Expert for personal, tailored advice if you find yourself stuck — we are, after all, here to help.

The 5 Best De’Longhi Espresso Machines of 2024

De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

The Good

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo is the ideal combination of De’Longhi’s strengths. Combining a simple, clean stainless steel aesthetic with high-quality parts and consistent performance, there’s a reason it’s at the top of our list.

Included with the Magnifica Evo are a(n):

  • Conical burr (built-in) grinder
  • 8.8 oz coffee bean hopper
  • Automatic LatteCrema frothing system
  • 60 oz. water reservoir
  • Two-year warranty
  • Seven pre-programmed drink recipes

Perhaps the best characteristic of the Magnifica Evo is its ease of use. With seven one-touch recipes at their fingertips, users can near-effortlessly grind their beans, froth milk (and alternative milks), and pull espresso shots. On that note, yes — it includes a built-in conical burr grinder and De’Longhi’s signature LatteCrema frothing system.

This all combines into a machine that’s incredibly simple to use (even when fighting the Sandman through busy early mornings). Add in the machine’s two-year warranty (three with product registration), and you get an espresso machine that will stand the test of time and make tasty espresso while doing it.

The Bad

There are two relatively minor downsides with the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo: its secondary features and its Americano function. Let’s start with its secondary uses.

When I say its secondary features are a minor downside, I mean that, while incredibly useful, they’re a tad difficult to understand at first glance. While the machine’s abilities to automatically descale and pre-program your home’s water hardness are handy, they can be tricky to figure out. This problem is remedied by the manual, though, so be sure to keep it around.

The Magnifica Evo’s only other issue is its Americano function. Users who enjoy drip coffee will find that the temperature control for the Evo doesn’t allow any sway in the water’s temperature. While this will result in a nice, hot Americano, it also means that some caution is recommended, especially if seeking your personal “right temperature.” Additionally, those who plan to use this machine to make hot water for tea will find that its lack of water temperature control may lead to burnt tea on occasion.

The Verdict

Ultimately, whether you need a machine that allows you to experiment with new recipes and learn the craft, or you want an all-in-one solution to your morning espresso, the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo is it. It offers an intuitive, modern design with a simple control scheme that’s mostly foolproof, barring the use of some minor secondary features.

All in all, the Evo is perfect for users who want a reliable, easy-to-use automatic espresso machine that’s built with long-term performance in mind.

De’Longhi Dedica Arte Espresso Machine

The Good

The De’Longhi Dedica Arte espresso machine is another example from De’Longhi of a quality espresso machine with a reasonable price tag. Featuring a compact water tank and small counter space footprint, the Dedica Arte is a fantastic machine for those working with limited space.

Despite its compact design, the Dedica Arte provides several handy features, including a(n):

  • ThermoBlock boiler
  • Auto-off
  • Cup warmer
  • 35 oz water reservoir
  • 1-year limited warranty
  • My LatteArt steam wand

Don’t mistake its compact size as a sign that it’s feature-lacking, either, as the Dedica Arte offers quite a bit in such a small package. For latte lovers, its My LatteArt steam wand provides silky milk froth for lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of a button. Additionally, on the ease-of-use side, the included tamp is a massive upgrade from the classic (also included) De’Longhi tamp/scoop combination.

Perhaps best of all, though, is that the Dedica Arte’s modern, intuitive design makes pulling ideal shots incredibly easy — and fast. While the interface is certainly a part of that result, the larger factor is the Dedica Arte’s ThermoBlock heating system (also seen in other De’Longhi machines). While still a single-boiler machine, the Dedica Arte does an excellent job with heat retention and cold starts alike, reducing the wait time commonly associated with single-boiler espresso machines significantly.

The Bad

While not necessarily a bad thing, it’s worth noting that the De’Longhi Dedica Arte’s small size is a double-edged sword. The same thing that makes it perfect for smaller kitchens and users working with limited space can cause it to be somewhat lacking for those with more space. There are other (larger) machines on the market at a similar price point that offer more features — but that’s the sacrifice we make to save space.

The Verdict

Overall, the De’Longhi Dedica Arte is a great espresso machine for users who are limited on space but still want a tasty, easy espresso in the morning (or afternoon, or evening … we don’t judge). While its compact design does mean that it lacks the features that larger machines can accommodate, it comes with all of the basics one could need for espresso minus the grinder and coffee beans.

If you need a high-quality (but still affordable) espresso machine that can fit into any kitchen, the De’Longhi Dedica Arte is a fantastic option.

De’Longhi Eletta Explore Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

The Good

The De’Longhi Eletta Explore fully automatic espresso machine is like the grown-up, super-serious brother of the Dinamica Plus below. Feature-rich to the point of being almost overwhelming, this thing is built to last. It features over 50 recipes saved for one-touch use, including a 3-minute cold brew thanks to the proprietary De’Longhi Cold Extraction Technology inside.

The Eletta Explore features quite a bit more, though, including a(n):

  • 3.5in LED touchscreen display
  • Customizable, personalized recipes
  • Included travel mug (with 15 cup-specific recipes)
  • De’Longhi LatteCrema hot and cool milk frothers
  • Built-in conical burr grinder with 13 specific settings
  • De’Longhi Bean Adapt Technology

That last bullet point is worth noting, as De’Longhi’s Bean Adapt is absolutely incredible. This feature allows users to fine-tune just about every feature of their drink based on the beans they use — perfect for households with varied tastes in roasting styles.

The Bad

Many users choose the De’Longhi Eletta Explore for its ability to make excellent cold drinks. While it also exceeds with hot drinks, this is worth noting, as the machine’s only real downside relates to cold brew and iced drinks specifically.

Namely, the ability to customize drinks (the My Drink function) only works with hot beverages. While this doesn’t mean you can’t make cold customized drinks, it does mean that you’ll need to put a touch of brain power into each cold drink. This is because the volume and consistency of each drink will vary slightly — especially if using varied ingredients (oat milk versus heavy cream, for example).

The Verdict

The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is perhaps one of the best examples of modern home espresso machines that rival the quality of some professional-grade options. It’s feature-rich and vastly improves upon just about every minor quirk of other De’Longhi machines on this list. Its ability to make cold brew and iced drinks is certainly a standout on this list, too.

With that said, though, users who buy the Eletta Explore explicitly for the cold drink function will find that it’s still, at its heart, a machine made for hot espresso. Nonetheless, at its price point, the Eletta Explore is one of the best De’Longhi espresso machines on the market in 2024.

De’Longhi Dinamica Plus Espresso Machine

The Good

The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus espresso machine is an absolute beast of an at-home espresso machine. Fully automatic, this machine quite truly does it all, from the grind to fine-tuning the minutia of your personal ideal espresso shot, the Dinamica Plus has it dialed in. Some of its handier features include a(n):

  • LatteCrema Automatic steam wand/milk frother
  • 16 built-in recipes; 3 adaptable drinks
  • 3.5in LED touchscreen display
  • Built-in conical burr grinder
  • 10.5oz coffee bean hopper
  • 3-year full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Cup warmer

This is, in large part, because of the fantastic LED touch display and De’Longhi companion app. With these, users can detail precisely what they want in a personalized drink profile that can be divided by household members. This results in an incredibly user-friendly experience where a single touch does just about everything for you.

The built-in conical burr grinder comes with 13 settings, giving users the utmost control over every aspect of their espresso. Additionally, the Dinamica Plus’ LatteCrema automatic milk frothing tool allows users to program their preferred settings for a silky latte at a finger’s touch. Finally, the machine’s surprisingly compact size allows a bit more freedom over where it goes in the kitchen and who can fit it into their kitchen.

The Bad

Truthfully, there is very little to complain about with the Dinamica Plus. It’s loaded with features, compact enough to fit in most kitchens, and comes with a two-year warranty (three years if you register the machine). While its price tag is higher than others on this list, that price comes with a massive number of upsides.

The Verdict

The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is a surprisingly compact, fully automatic espresso machine with very little to complain about. So little, in fact, that the drip tray was nearly considered as a negative as it’s just a touch smaller than I’d like. But, given the Dinamica Plus’ incredible performance and adaptability, there are very few machines on the market that could compete.

While options like the Victoria Arduino Eagle One Prima or Ascaso Baby T Plus are certainly better overall machines, they’re also over three times the cost of the Dinamica Plus. In short, users who want a fully automatic espresso machine with heaps of customizability and handy features will love the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus.

De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine

The Good

The De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine is perhaps the best machine on this list for users who are new to at-home espresso machines. While it certainly has its quirks (we’ll get there), some features on this specific model make it an excellent option to slowly dive into the world of espresso.

This machine features a(n):

  • Automatic LatteCrema milk frother
  • My LatteArt steam wand
  • PID temperature control
  • Dynamic pre-infusion feature
  • Built-in grinder with De’Longhi Sensor Grinding Technology
  • Smart Tamping system
  • Single stainless steel boiler

Combined, these features offer users an experience that, while still hands-on, provides a touch of hand-holding through automated features.

The built-in grinder is well-made and performs admirably, but those who haven’t done much tamping (learn how here) will love the La Specialista Prestigio. Its Smart Tamping technology allows users to simply lock the portafilter in place and flick a lever, resulting in a perfect tamp every time.

The La Specialista Prestigio’s high (19 bar) pressure and numerous automated features ensure consistent shots and perfect foam. Simultaneously, its one-second heat time ensures users can quickly get in and out of the kitchen — no matter how rushed or tired.

The Bad

The De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio is another case of an espresso machine that is, at times, too feature-rich for its own good. While its user interface is simple and relatively easy to use, the process of fine-tuning individual settings like grind consistency, temperature, and the like can become tedious.

This isn’t due to a flaw on behalf of the manufacturer, though — truth be told, it could be user error — but that doesn’t make the reality any less, well, real. With that said, once users have gotten their settings to their daily ideal, the La Specialista Prestigio is nearly effortless to use.

The Verdict

The De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine is by far the best option on this list for users who want the involvement of a manual machine with the convenience of automation. Its built-in grinder, Smart Tamp, and numerous automated functions ensure an intuitive user experience, making it a great diving-in point for beginners to experience high-end, at-home espresso machines.

While the process of fine-tuning the La Specialista Prestigio can be a slight hassle because of its minimalistic dial controls, once they’re figured out, you’re set.

Overall, this machine is fantastic for people with somewhat limited space in their kitchen who want excellent hot espresso daily with minimal effort.

Choose the Right De’Longhi Espresso Machine for You

Photo by Adi Goldstein

As shown above, De’Longhi makes some truly excellent machines. While options like the De’Longhi Stilosa are still excellent mainstays for super-budget espresso machines, the brand’s mid- to high-end machines are genuinely fantastic. Whether you want the manual feel of pulling a shot with the La Specialista Prestigio or the fully automated ease of the Dinamica Plus, De’Longhi has a machine for everyone.

No matter which one tickles your fancy, its best feature will be the first sip of cafe-grade espresso in the comfort of home — and at the push of a button.

Pssst — still can’t decide? Reach out to a Curated Coffee and Espresso Expert today for a touch of guidance from a genuine master of the field — and it’s free!

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De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
$799.95
De'Longhi Dedica Arte Espresso Machine
$299.95

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De'Longhi Dinamica Plus with TFT Touch Display and App
$1,499.95
De'Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine
$899.95
Victoria Arduino Eagle One Prima Espresso Machine Easy Cream
$7,490.00
Ascaso Baby T Plus Automatic Espresso Machine
$5,849.00
Rocket Espresso Boxer Timer 1 Group Espresso Machine
$4,800.00
Ascaso Big Dream Specialty 2 Group Espresso Machine
$16,599.00
Ascaso Big Dream Specialty 3 Group Espresso Machine
$20,599.00

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