De'Longhi - 15-Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine - Stainless Steel

Really good and compact. Perfect for small kitchens. Looks great and works fantastic. Very easy to clean as well!

I purchased this machine in December 2023 as a Christmas gift to myself. I had been borrowing a smaller espresso machine from a friend and decided it was time to invest in my own. After researching and watching multiple reviews, I chose this model because it offered similar features to the one I had been using. I know it may seem unusual to review something more than two years later, but I believe a post-warranty review is the most valuable kind. After extended daily use, I can confidently speak to its reliability. Setup took less than ten minutes. If you are new to manual espresso machines, understand that you control the shot length, so you must watch the extraction and stop it at your preferred volume. During my research, I debated between a 15 bar and 20 bar model. What I learned is that most espresso extraction happens around 9 bars after internal regulation, so 15 bars is more than sufficient for home use. My first shot looked great, but dialing in your grind size and tamp pressure takes time. Expect to go through a fair amount of coffee while learning. Once dialed in, this machine consistently produces rich espresso with proper crema and balanced flavor. The steam wand was the biggest upgrade for me. It takes practice, and the sound can be intimidating at first, but once you get comfortable, it opens the door to textured milk and even simple latte art. My only minor complaint is that the puck is not completely dry after brewing. There is usually a small amount of water left in the portafilter. It has never caused an issue and is easy to clean with a quick wipe. Now that both the standard and extended warranties have passed, the machine still performs exactly like it did on day one. I use distilled water and clean it monthly, which I believe makes a big difference. It has delivered consistent, delicious espresso every morning. If it stopped working tomorrow, I would still recommend it as a strong budget friendly option for home baristas.

Wonderful espresso. Easy cleanup. Quailty Machine. Need I say more?

An affordable espresso/cappuchino maker that I use every day. Easy to use and maintain, makes a great cup. Could be built a little more durably, but is perfectly acceptable, considering the cost of comparable machines.

Great for beginners, I wanted to learn how to copy Starbucks Vanilla Latte without spending 800 plus dollars, for 150 bucks it works great, we are making awesome lattes and because its manual we are learning a lot. Hats off to the coffee shop workers, making great drinks takes skill.