The best De'Longhi super-automatic is the Dinamica Plus. The best De'Longhi portafilter machine is the ECP3630.
If you have been shopping for a De'Longhi, you have probably noticed that:
- Each model comes in several versions that look almost identical
- Prices swing wildly between those versions
I have worked out what actually separates them, so you can pick the right De'Longhi for your needs and budget. I also flag the De'Longhi machines I would avoid.
My Top Picks
De'Longhi Dinamica Plus: Best Super-Automatic
- Automatic milk frothing in three textures
- Touchscreen controls
- User profiles and easy drink customization
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo: Best Value Super-Automatic
- One-touch milk drinks
- Clear picture-based buttons
- Usually well under $1,000
De'Longhi Eletta Explore: Best Premium Pick
- Touchscreen
- Huge drink menu, hot and cold
- Makes cold milk foam
De'Longhi ECP3630: Best Portafilter Machine
- Two-setting steam wand (hot milk or foam)
- Very affordable
- Compact
De'Longhi COM532M: Best Espresso and Drip Combo
- Espresso plus up to 10 cups of drip coffee
- Programmable drip coffee
- Two-setting steam wand
What Kinds of Espresso Machines Does De'Longhi Make?
De'Longhi makes super-automatics, semi-automatics and espresso/drip combos. Its super-automatics are excellent across the board. Its entry-level semi-automatics are great, but I would not buy its premium ones. Its combo machines are fine but unremarkable.
Super-Automatic Espresso Machines
Super-automatics grind, dose, tamp and brew at the touch of a button. De'Longhi calls them "automatic" machines; you will also hear them called bean-to-cup machines.
Every De'Longhi super-automatic has some kind of milk system:
- LatteCrema automatic frother: a milk carafe attaches to the machine and froths milk at the touch of a button
- Steam wand: you froth milk yourself, like on a semi-automatic
De'Longhi makes excellent super-automatics at every price, and they all make very similar espresso. So in the reviews below, I focus on features, ease of use and value rather than espresso quality.
In my view, De'Longhi is the second-best super-automatic brand after Jura, and you typically pay much more for a Jura with similar features. See Jura vs De'Longhi.
Semi-Automatic (Portafilter) Machines
With these, you dose and tamp ground coffee into a portafilter yourself.
De'Longhi calls them "manual" machines, though they are not true manual lever machines.
I would only buy one if you want a cheap way to start making espresso at home. De'Longhi makes some of the best entry-level machines around, but its pricier models are not as good as similarly priced Breville and Gaggia machines.
Espresso and Drip Combos
These make espresso and a pot of drip coffee.
Their espresso side is similar to an entry-level De'Longhi portafilter machine, and their drip coffee is fine but nowhere near the best automatic pour-over coffee makers.
(De'Longhi also makes Nespresso machines, which I cover in my Nespresso machine comparison.)
Jump to: super-automatics · portafilter machine · combo machine
Best Super-Automatic: De'Longhi Dinamica Plus
De'Longhi Dinamica Plus
Best overall
Froths milk to three textures, so its milk drinks genuinely differ.
| Specification | De'Longhi Dinamica Plus |
|---|---|
| Controls | Touchscreen |
| Milk system | LatteCrema (three textures) |
| Drinks | ~14 |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 9.3" x 16.9" x 13.7" |
| Price point | Premium |
Features
Seven black drinks and seven milk drinks, and because it froths milk to different textures, the milk drinks actually taste different.
You set the texture with a dial on the milk carafe. Lattes come out silky and cappuccinos thick and foamy. Machines that froth to a single texture, like the Magnifica Evo, only vary the amount of milk.
It also makes a full range of black coffees, including a pot of coffee (carafe sold separately).
Features: 9/10
Ease of Use
Touchscreen and buttons, plus user profiles to save favorite settings.
The screen can feel a bit crowded, so it is possible to tap the wrong drink, but you can cancel instantly.
The workflow is excellent, with thoughtful touches:
- Add an extra shot to any drink while it brews
- A warning if the carafe is set to the wrong texture for your drink
- Customize a drink once without having to save it as your default
It feels thoroughly tested and close to foolproof.
Ease of use: 9/10
Value
Worth it if you will use its menu and profiles.
It is not cheap, but it is much cheaper than a Jura with similar features, and I prefer it to most of them. If you do not need the touchscreen and profiles, the Dinamica with LatteCrema offers the same milk system for less.
Value: 8/10
Strengths: real variety in milk drinks, intuitive touchscreen, easy extra shots. Weaknesses: cheaper De'Longhis brew and froth to a similar standard.
Read my full Dinamica Plus review, plus Dinamica vs Dinamica Plus and Philips 5400 vs De'Longhi Dinamica Plus.
Best Value Super-Automatic: De'Longhi Magnifica Evo
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo
Best value
One-touch cappuccinos at a much lower price than most super-automatics.
| Specification | De'Longhi Magnifica Evo |
|---|---|
| Controls | Buttons |
| Milk system | Automatic frother (one texture) |
| Drinks | ~7 |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 9.5" x 17.3" x 14.2" |
| Price point | Affordable |
Features
One-touch black and milk drinks, but only one milk texture.
Its milk drinks are cappuccino, latte macchiato and "My Latte" (where you set the amount of milk). They differ only in the amount of milk.
It also makes espresso, coffee and an "iced coffee" option, which is simply a slightly cooler brew and will still melt your ice.
There are three strength settings, but changing the drink size takes more effort than on the Dinamica Plus.
Features: 7/10
Ease of Use
The button layout is clear, with picture buttons for each drink.
Press a drink, choose a strength from one to three beans, and you are done.
Changing a drink's size is harder. You enter a programming mode and set the volume manually. I would prefer a quick "bigger" button like on the Dinamica Plus.
Ease of use: 8/10
Value
One of the best-value super-automatics you can buy. Its espresso is as good as De'Longhis costing much more, and one-touch milk drinks at this price make it a steal.
Value: 10/10
Strengths: great espresso for the price, near-foolproof controls, one-touch cappuccinos. Weaknesses: one milk texture, fiddly size adjustment.
Read my Magnifica Evo review, De'Longhi Magnifica Evo vs Philips 3200, and my Magnifica ESAM3300 review, which explains why I would skip that older model.
Best Premium Pick: De'Longhi Eletta Explore
De'Longhi Eletta Explore
Best for iced milk drinks
One of the most affordable super-automatics that makes cold milk foam for iced lattes.
| Specification | De'Longhi Eletta Explore |
|---|---|
| Controls | Touchscreen |
| Milk system | LatteCrema Hot and Cool system |
| Drinks | 40+ |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 10.3" x 17.5" x 15.1" |
| Price point | Premium |
Features
It can make almost any espresso drink, hot or iced. With 40-plus menu items, if it is made from espresso and milk, it can probably make it.
Its big feature is cold milk foam, so you can make iced lattes without your ice melting into a watery mess. It can also brew cold extraction coffee.
Features: 10/10
Ease of Use
A touchscreen plus buttons makes it easier to use than the Dinamica, especially for customizing drinks.
On the Dinamica, you change size by stopping the drink when it reaches the amount you want. On the Eletta Explore, you drag a slider.
Ease of use: 9/10
Value
Great value, even though it is the most expensive De'Longhi here. The closest rival in features is the Jura Z10, which costs far more. The Z10 makes slightly better espresso, but not enough to justify that price gap for most people.
Value: 8/10
Strengths: easy customization, cold milk foam, much cheaper than rivals with similar features. Weaknesses: comes with a lot of accessories to find space for.
How to Choose a De'Longhi Super-Automatic
Budget
De'Longhi super-automatics range from roughly $500 to $2,500. I think the best value is under about $1,500.
All of them make very similar espresso. More expensive models add:
- More menu items
- Nicer controls
- More automated milk frothing
| Dinamica Plus (best overall) | Magnifica Evo (best value) | Eletta Explore (premium) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controls | Touchscreen | Buttons | Touchscreen |
| Milk system | LatteCrema (3 textures) | Automatic frother (1 texture) | LatteCrema Hot and Cool (3 textures plus cold foam) |
| Menu items | ~14 | ~7 | 40+ |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Automatic Frother or Steam Wand?
De'Longhi super-automatics come with either a LatteCrema carafe or a panarello steam wand.
With LatteCrema, you attach the carafe, choose a drink and the machine froths the milk to the texture set on the carafe's dial.
LatteCrema pros: less effort, no learning curve, and some models make cold foam. LatteCrema cons: pricier machines, less control over texture, and more cleaning.
Panarello steam wands have a sleeve that adds air for you. That makes frothing easy but limits how silky the milk gets, so latte art is tough. You can remove the sleeve for silkier milk, but it takes more skill.
Steam wand pros: cheaper machines, more control, easier cleaning, latte art possible with practice. Steam wand cons: a learning curve and less consistency.
My take: if you want cold foam or the most convenient milk drinks, get a LatteCrema model. Otherwise, a steam wand model like the De'Longhi Dinamica is cheaper, easier to clean and gives you more control.
Which Drinks Will You Make?
Machines get pricier as menus grow, so do not pay for drinks you will not make. Many menu items differ only in milk volume, which you can adjust yourself.
Pay more attention to:
- How many milk textures it offers
- How many black coffee styles it makes
- Whether it makes cold foam
| Dinamica Plus | Magnifica Evo | Eletta Explore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black coffee styles | ~7 | ~3 | ~9 |
| Milk textures | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Cold milk foam | No | No | Yes |
Controls
- Dial: found on older models. Vague notches and symbols, so expect to read the manual.
- Buttons: labeled with symbols. Nicer than dials, though you may still check the manual.
- Touchscreen: much easier, but adds hundreds of dollars.
I think buttons give the best balance of value and ease of use.
User Profiles
Premium De'Longhis save settings for several users. You only need them for a big household or an office. The Dinamica Plus and Eletta Explore have them; the Magnifica Evo does not.
What All De'Longhi Super-Automatics Share
Brewing
They use the same basic grinder and brew unit design, so they make very similar espresso. Do not assume a $2,000 model will make better espresso than an $800 one.
Milk
LatteCrema machines share the same milk system, so their hot milk quality is the same. They froth to three textures and froth all the milk in the carafe unless you stop them. Models with the "Hot and Cool" system also make cold foam.
Steam wand models use the same panarello wand, so their milk quality is the same too.
Cleaning
They automate internal rinsing, so day to day you just:
- Empty and wash the grounds container every few days
- Empty the drip tray
- Descale when prompted
LatteCrema models also need their milk carafe cleaned after use. Unlike Juras, the brew unit can be removed and rinsed under the tap, which I see as a plus.
Durability and Warranty
De'Longhi super-automatics are generally durable, and many Reddit owners say theirs have lasted more than five years. Warranty terms vary by model and region, so check before you buy.
Best Portafilter Machine: De'Longhi ECP3630
De'Longhi ECP3630
Best De'Longhi portafilter machine
A great-value way into espresso, with a two-setting steam wand for both lattes and cappuccinos.
| Specification | De'Longhi ECP3630 |
|---|---|
| Automatic shot volume | No |
| Heat-up time | ~3 minutes |
| Heating | Stainless steel boiler |
| Steam wand | Panarello with hot milk and foam settings |
| Baskets | Single and double pressurized |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 7.3" x 12" x 9.5" |
| Price point | Budget |
Espresso Quality
Decent, not amazing. It is a step up from pod espresso, but nowhere near café quality.
Its pressurized baskets are designed for consistent, decent shots from pre-ground coffee. You will reliably get an above-average shot, but never a great one. There is not much point using expensive, freshly ground coffee in it. If you want to grind fresh, look at a Breville or Gaggia machine instead.
Espresso: 5/10
Milk
Its two-setting steam wand is the highlight. One setting makes hot milk, the other foam, so you get more control than with similar machines like the ECP3420.
Hot milk is great for smooth lattes, and the foam setting is perfect for cappuccinos. If you mainly drink milk drinks, it is an ideal budget machine.
Milk: 8/10
Ease of Use
Easy to use, though hard to fine-tune.
You start and stop shots yourself, and there is little room for a scale under the cup, so precise shots are tricky. But it is designed for beginners, not espresso hobbyists. The dual steam wand makes milk about as easy as it gets.
Ease of use: 8/10
Value
One of the best machines at its price. No other machine this cheap makes two milk textures so easily.
Value: 9/10
Strengths: forgiving pressurized baskets, two milk textures, more durable than many rivals. Weaknesses: no descale reminder, no automatic shot volume.
See our list of the best espresso machines for beginners for more options.
De'Longhi Portafilter Machines I Would Skip
Dedica Range
The Dedica Arte, Dedica Deluxe and similar. They are only a little cheaper than the Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus and the Gaggia Classic Pro, but make clearly worse espresso. See my Dedica EC680M review for details.
La Specialista Range
These have built-in grinders, including the La Specialista Arte and Maestro. In my view the grinders do not adjust finely enough for great espresso, and the machines are not cheap. If you want a built-in grinder, I recommend the Breville Barista Pro. Compare them in Breville Barista Pro vs De'Longhi La Specialista and De'Longhi La Specialista vs Breville Barista Express.
Best Combo: De'Longhi COM532M
De'Longhi COM532M
Best espresso and drip combo
Espresso, two milk textures and up to 10 cups of drip coffee.
| Specification | De'Longhi COM532M |
|---|---|
| Drinks | Espresso, drip coffee, hot milk, milk foam |
| Steam wand | Panarello with two settings |
| Auto-brew | Yes (drip side) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 14.5" x 11" x 12.8" |
| Price point | Mid-range |
Drink Quality
Decent espresso and drip coffee, but not great at either. The espresso side is essentially an ECP3630, designed for pre-ground coffee. The drip coffee is fine but well behind top brewers like the Technivorm Moccamaster or Bonavita. The dual-setting steam wand makes both lattes and cappuccinos easy.
Drink quality: 6/10
Ease of Use
Simple controls, but you measure water for every drink.
It has separate heating for each side, so you can pull a shot and brew a pot at the same time. The drip side can be scheduled, but not the espresso.
There is no automatic shot volume and no clear water markings, so you measure water yourself.
Ease of use: 7/10
Value
Middling. It is basically an ECP3630 plus an entry-level drip brewer, and it costs more than buying both separately. That is true of most all-in-ones, though. See the best dual coffee makers for alternatives.
Value: 6/10
Strengths: makes a full pot of drip coffee, more durable than most all-in-ones, two-setting steam wand. Weaknesses: no water markings, neither side is outstanding.
Which Should You Get?
De'Longhi makes excellent super-automatics and good entry-level portafilter machines.
Super-automatics:
- Dinamica Plus for the best all-round automatic milk drinks
- Magnifica Evo for the best value
- Eletta Explore for iced drinks and cold foam
Portafilter machine:
- ECP3630 for an inexpensive machine that does the basics well
Skip De'Longhi's pricier portafilter machines. Instead, consider:
- Breville Bambino Plus without a grinder
- Breville Barista Pro with a built-in grinder
For espresso plus a pot of drip coffee: the COM532M.
See also Breville vs De'Longhi and the best super-automatic espresso machines.
FAQs
Which De'Longhi espresso machine is best for beginners?
For push-button convenience, the Magnifica Evo. For learning to make espresso yourself on a budget, the ECP3630.
Do De'Longhi super-automatics make good espresso?
Yes. They make very good espresso for super-automatics, second only to Jura in my experience, and at much lower prices.
Can you remove the brew unit on a De'Longhi?
Yes. Most De'Longhi super-automatics have a removable brew unit you can rinse under the tap.
Written by · reviewed by the Cicada Coffee Bar team
Daniel Voss
Lead Equipment Reviewer, Cicada Coffee Bar
Daniel leads the equipment-testing side of Cicada Coffee Bar. Every super-automatic, semi-automatic, and grinder featured on this site is bought or sourced independently, set up on the test bench, and brewed with daily for at least two weeks before a single word is written — tracking espresso quality, milk texture, ease of cleaning, and long-term reliability. Reviews are updated whenever pricing or firmware changes.
