I’m extremely impressed with the De’Longhi Stilosa! For its price, the performance is incredible. The 15-bar pressure delivers rich, smooth espresso every single time, and the crema comes out perfect. It heats up fast, is easy to use, and the build quality feels solid with its black and stainless-steel design. The steam wand works great for cappuccinos and lattes — I was surprised how professional the results look at home. Cleaning is also simple, which is a huge plus. If you want a reliable, stylish, and affordable espresso machine, this one is absolutely a winner. Highly recommended!

This is a great little machine to start learning to make espresso and steam the milk. Ive had it for a few weeks and I can already pull a really good creamy shot. My milk skills however are lacking, but not due to the machine. It also looks nice on an apartment counter and doesnt take up too much space

Oh, let me regale you with the tale of our espresso machine! For a magnificent 13 months, this marvel of caffeinated enchantment graced our home. My wife, the espresso maestro, showered it with adoration, treating it as if it were the crown jewel of our kitchen. Daily rituals, meticulous cleanings, and even sharing the magic elixir with neighbors—our machine was the talk of the town! But alas, the plot thickened, and the machine dared to misbehave. No frothy delights, erratic dripping—oh, the drama! Undeterred, my wife, armed with the manual and a surgeon's precision, embarked on a quest to revive our cherished companion. Attempts one and two, valiant but futile. Enter the husband, equipped with secret tools unbeknownst to the rest of the family. A momentary triumph followed by another bitter defeat. Cue the revelation—the warranty! Alas, it had danced its final waltz just a month prior. Panic set in, but we valiantly sought refuge in the land of extended warranties—only to discover it cost 75% of a new machine. A daring gamble left us without the safety net, facing the ominous prospect of a $500 repair for our $85 companion. Did the machine faithfully fulfill its purpose for 13 splendid months? Indeed! Did it outshine its peers, claiming its throne on our countertop? Undoubtedly! Yet, the bitter taste of a prematurely concluded love affair lingers. It's as if we've bid farewell to a dear friend too soon, forced to sever ties with our morning ritual companion. In the end, we stand at the crossroads, contemplating a new love affair with a different brand of caffeine-inducing marvel. The memories of our espresso rendezvous will forever echo in our hearts, a bittersweet tale of passion and separation. Oh, the joys and sorrows of a fleeting espresso romance!

The De'Longhi Stilosa is a great option for the price point. If you love straight espresso or americanos, it's worth it for sure. It makes a really nice-looking crema and a roasty flavor. I was a barista for about a year, so I have some experience with a quality brew. My suggestions: Espresso: 1. The quality of your espresso will depend highly on the quality of the grind and the beans. My husband has an Encore with a wide grind range and I purchase locally roasted beans. If you use a cheap grinder and cheap beans, you will get cheap tasting espresso. Not even an industrial machine will fix that. 2. To get an even better experience. you should invest in a metal tamper. This comes with a plastic one on the opposite end of the scoop. I purchased one at my local coffee shop for only $10. All big coffee shops use a metal tamper. 3. Once you have a good grinder, play around with the grind. I could tell a difference in taste between very small changes in grind size. I purchased some cheaper beans to do experimenting. 4. The directions are likely written from a non-native English speaker, and are sometimes a bit confusing, but the pictures help. There are probably Youtube videos somewhere to help supplement. 5. You might have to experiment and do research to get a more fine-tuned brew. My puck (the grounds left over after the shot has been pulled) is still quite wet. It should be damp but firm. 6. Make sure to follow the directions carefully for cleaning the portafilter so it's clean every time 7. The machine will NOT stop brewing on its own. You will need to count (20-30 seconds) and then turn the machine off, or it will keep going and you'll get watery espresso. 8. The directions say one scoop of grinds for the single shot, and two for the double. I found that two scoops is too much for the double, so you'll need to adjust accordingly. So for the price/quality, I give this part of the machine 4 stars. I've only had it for a week, so I don't know yet how well it holds up over time. But even with needing to experiment a bit, it's a fun adventure. If you don't want the hassle, splurge for an automated machine. The steaming function: 1. It's not very good. Hence, I docked the product one star. I looked it up and you can get a better quality one to swap out, but I haven't purchased that yet. Some reviews have said to just remove the metal part (it is silicone underneath). When I tried steaming some milk, it was a bigger froth and took a long time to heat up the milk. It pumped too much condensed water and made the milk watery. A better wand will get you a better micro-froth (smaller bubbled) and *hopefully* steam the milk faster. 2. The steam knob is somewhat adjustable, so go slow when you use it. 3. Look up how to best steam milk. The directions really give no tips and it can be an art to steaming milk well. Again, if this feels like too much hassle, spend the money for an automated machine. 4. The steaming wand is quite low, so you will need a smaller/fatter pitcher or mug. The machine as a whole and supplies: 1. As I mentioned, follow directions carefully. Some reviews were grumpy about the water tank. We just leave it in the machine and fill it with a water pitcher. Easy peasy. 2. It's supposed to have a cup warmer on top. I haven't used it for that, but it does get warm (not scorching), so with a small espresso cup it would probably work as advertised. 3. I've come across people who recommend upgrading the portafilter basket. If you are a die-hard purist, maybe look this up and see if it is an avenue to consider. 4. This does NOT come with a pitcher. I chose to purchase a nice metal one. I'm going to try my hand at steamed milk art one of these days. 5. It has a removable drip-catcher bottom, so either use smaller espresso cups or take out the bottom. You'll need to pull a few shots for a larger cup of espresso or multiple drinks. Allow time for the water to heat up again. As I said, for the price it's worth it, as long as you are adventurous and can invest in a few other supplies (or already have them). If you don't want all the work, an automated machine might be a better choice. The pictures are the machine itself, the metal tamper and pitcher I purchased, and a single shot with the crema (after sitting 1 minute, there was more as it pulled). Happy brewing!

As someone who had never made espresso at home, I can say that the **DeLonghi Stilosa** was the perfect decision to get started. This little machine has taught me everything about making quality coffee without breaking the bank. Yes, at first my shots weren't perfect and I had to learn about grinding, tamping, and timing, but that learning curve was part of the fun. The machine heats up super fast (4 minutes), is perfect for small spaces, and has a stainless steel boiler that maintains stable temperature - something rare to find at this price point. What I like most is that it has saved me a fortune. I used to spend $5 daily at Starbucks, now I make equally good espressos at home for less than $1 per cup. That said, you'll need to invest in some basic extras: a milk pitcher ($20), a metal tamper ($10), and eventually a decent grinder if you want really good results. The steam wand works well for small cappuccinos and lattes, though it takes some practice to get that perfect foam. **Do I recommend it?** Absolutely. If you're a beginner, have a limited budget, and don't mind learning while making better and better coffee, the DeLonghi Stilosa is perfect. Don't expect perfection from day one, but after a few weeks of practice, you'll be making coffee that rivals coffee shops. It's the ideal machine to take your first steps into the world of home espresso without spending a fortune.