This De’Longhi Eletta Review takes a look at how to make a stellar cuppa with this machine.
It’s widely regarded as an automatic, cappuccino-making powerhouse, but is it worth the hefty price tag? Keep reading to find out.
De’Longhi Eletta Coffee Machine Review in a Nutshell
The De’Longhi Eletta is made for the cappuccino lover who wants to avoid rowdy coffee shops in the morning.
As far as milk frothing goes, there’s little to complain about. Your latte or cappuccino will have silky, creamy milk that some baristas would take a while to achieve.
But, it’s also a win for someone who just wants a long black for the road.
The beauty of this machine is that it doesn’t require any brainpower, produces pretty fantastic coffee, and is built for convenience.
The catch? It’s not the cheapest automatic machine by any stretch. But is it worth the cash?
The Best of the De’Longhi Eletta Coffee Machine
The De’Longhi Eletta is about as automatic as you can get without it mixing in your sugar.
We’re talking about a machine that:
- grinds your beans
- has the most popular coffee drinks pre-programmed
- has milk frothing made for each of the pre-set drinks
- has an automatic cleaning feature
The one-touch controls and fully automatic features mean your only role is to press a couple of buttons and put cups under the coffee spout.
And a neat milk carafe means you don’t even need to fuss around pouring milk into a jug every time you need hot milk. It also involves easy cleaning that helps make the process painless.
Unlike manual bean-to-cup coffee machines, you won’t grind coffee beans, tamp the portafilter, or lock it in the group head.
Is that a good thing? For some people, it’s all they could ask for in a bean-to-cup coffee machine – something that barely lets you lift a finger.
It’s truly a one-stop-shop coffee maker.
The Eletta is made for the coffee lover who wants a fuss-free, keep-cup-friendly brew. It’s for those who want a great cappuccino or latte before they walk out the door in the mornings.
Even the black coffee options produce a decent amount of coffee, so you won’t have to spend a huge chunk of your morning making drinks.
If you usually opt for milk-based coffees like cafe lattes, you’re likely to love the De’Longhi Eletta. The machine is renowned for its easy, tasty cappuccinos delivered to you in less than a minute.
Another highlight of this machine is a properly hot espresso. It’s sometimes difficult to find, but this machine makes piping hot coffee.
Thanks to its dual thermoblock heating system, and a built-in mug warmer, your brew will be hot enough to not cool down when mixed with steamed milk.
Considering its reputation for great milky coffees, we were impressed by the espresso quality. It was smooth, strong and full-bodied, which you don’t always get with fully automated machines.
There’s also an option to use pre-ground coffee. Although, of course, it’s nowhere as nice as using freshly ground coffee beans, it was still reasonably good.
The machine is available at most major coffee machine retailers, including Amazon.
Clearly, the Italian coffee powerhouse De’Longhi has nailed another machine in a lot of ways, but it’s not for everyone. So let’s explore the nitty-gritty of the De’Longhi Eletta.
De’Longhi Eletta Machine Specifications
The Eletta is pretty standard looking for an automatic, and it won’t take up too much space in your kitchen. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
| Capacity | 2 L |
| System | Fully automatic with a dual ThermoBlock heating system |
| Pressure | 15 Bars |
| Construction Materials | Stainless steel |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 26.01 cm x 35.99 cm x 46 cm |
| Weight | 11 kgs |
| Volt | 240 Volts |
| Power | 1450 Watts |
| Accessories | Sliding drink dispenser for multiple cup heights 285 g Bean hopper Milk carafe Milk feeding tube Cup warmer Drip tray |
| Special Features | Detachable milk container Programmable drinks Latte crema system Cup warmer Digital display |
| Colour options | White Silver Black |
| Settings | Single espresso Double espresso Automatic milk texturing |
| Warranty | Two-year repair, replace or refund guarantee |
Special Features Of The De’Longhi Eletta
It’s the special features and ease of use that make the Eletta stand out. Here’s what it has to offer.
Detachable Milk Container
A detachable milk container – called a carafe by De’Longhi – means you don’t have to mess around with milk jugs and cleaning after every time you use the machine.
Instead, you can simply pop it in the fridge. An automatic cleaning function means the milk wand will clean itself from the inside once you’ve finished using it.
This is great, as most of us love a machine with minimal housekeeping, especially on a busy morning.
Just make sure you clean out the carafe every few days or so, so it doesn’t get contaminated with expired milk.
Built-in Mug Warmer
A built-in warmer at the top of the machine is another way this coffee maker stands out.
There’s nothing worse than a coffee that becomes cold as soon as the steamed milk is added.
But, the warmed cups help to preserve heat and keep your coffee piping hot. And the built-in warmer means your cup is kept toasty with little to no effort.
Programmable Coffee Option
The Eletta has four pre-programmed drink options in the coffee menu, which makes it nice and simple.
The options are:
- Standard
- Long coffee
- Short coffee
- Extra-long coffee
There are also milk frothing options on the milk menu (cappuccino, latte macchiato, café latte, flat white, and milk).
Under the coffee menu, there’s also the ‘My Coffee’ option, which lets you create your own coffee to taste and set it as a drink choice.
With this, you can have your favourite, perfected coffee every day.
The only downfall is that there’s only one programmable coffee option, which we explore more in the ‘Cons to Consider’ section.
LatteCrema System
This is a milk frother with a twist. The LatteCrema System has a mixer that delivers thick, rich foam – and fast.
By mixing air, milk, and steam with precision, the froth helps make a truly barista-esque De’Longhi Eletta cappuccino.
Make sure you aim the wand into the cup correctly, so you don’t end up cleaning out your drip tray too often.
One-Touch Controls
A great part of this bean-to-cup machine is the minimal scrolling, and clicking required.
Unlike touch screens, the pre-set drinks mean you can literally click a couple of buttons and, hey presto.
Setting Up the De’Longhi Eletta Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine
The De’Longhi Eletta has to be up there with the easiest machines to set up and crack into making coffee with. You’ll be diving into cappuccino or latte making within minutes.
- Plug the power cable into the socket on the back of the machine and connect it to your power socket on your kitchen counter.
- Select the switch on the side of the machine, and find your language of choice by scrolling forwards or backwards with the ‘flat white’ button.
- Hold down ‘English’ or another option for a few seconds until it says ‘English set’.
- Take out the water tank, fill it to the ‘max line’ with water, close the lid, and replace it.
- Insert the water spout onto the connection nozzle, and wait for ‘Insert water spout and press OK’ to pop up on the screen. Click OK to confirm it’s done.
- Add your fresh beans to the bean hopper.
- Make sure the drip tray is in place and voila, you’re ready to make a brilliant cuppa.
Tips for the Perfect De’Longhi Eletta Cappuccino, Espresso, or Latte Macchiato
There are five one-touch buttons on the machine (milk menu, coffee menu, single or double options, hot water button, long coffee button, cappuccino).
So, get acquainted with them and enjoy one of the easiest coffees you’ve ever made. Cappuccino and Caffe Latte are Eletta’s signature drinks.
Here’s how to ensure a near-perfect cup every time. Find out more tips and tricks for using a bean to cup machine here.
- Use freshly ground beans that were roasted under five weeks ago.
- Use a finer grind (there are seven grind options) as espresso machines work best with finely ground beans.
- Always use a glass or ceramic mug. Seriously! It makes it taste better than plastic and it means chemicals won’t leak into your drink.
- Clean your machine and empty your drink tray regularly (there’s no excuse not to, considering how easy it is), to ensure a well-maintained machine.
- Make sure you clean your carafe and milk frother wand regularly to keep your machine clean and fresh.
Cons to Consider
We’re yet to find an absolutely perfect machine, so it’s only right we point out a few of the cons. Make sure you’re heading into any purchase without rose-tinted glasses on.
Expensive Machine
Like many things, it might come down to price for you. If you’re willing to cough up for an espresso machine that’s easy to use, convenient, and makes a great brew – fantastic.
But, the features that make it expensive – the LatteCrema system and pre-set drinks – aren’t must-haves for many coffee lovers on a budget.
A Let-Down For Lovers of the Coffee Making Process
Not everyone wants the art and science of coffee making taken out of their morning.
For many of us, the process of grinding our beans, tamping, and manually making our favourite drinks makes the end result sweeter.
Virtually all the usual steps are taken care of with this machine, which could either be really helpful or a bit of a let-down.
Slower Machine
This machine does virtually everything for us, which is why it takes a little longer to serve your coffee.
But, the Eletta is praised for its under-one-minute cappuccino, which is still a little slow for a machine designed for convenience and automation.
The pre-set ‘long coffee’ in particular, takes a long time to produce the two shots.
On the plus side, the slow, pulsing shot helps with great extraction and a full-bodied espresso.
Only One Programmable Coffee Option
There is only one programmable coffee option, unlike other more expensive bean-to-cup coffee machines like the Breville/Sage Barista Pro or the Sage Oracle Touch.
So, if you like a few coffees that aren’t in the preset options, you can only add one.
This is a bit of a blow because it doesn’t have a few obvious coffee options, such as an espresso macchiato.
It also means that if one of the pre-set options isn’t entirely to your taste, you can either learn to live with it or use your one programmable option to perfect it.
Of course, you could make your coffee more manually each day, but that takes away the speed and convenience the Eletta is marketed for.
The good news is the pre-set coffees (especially the cappuccino) are unlikely to disappoint.
Loud Machine
The Eletta makes it known that it’s grinding your beans, and extracting them. If you’re an early riser and you have later sleepers in your household, this is worth knowing.
It’s the type of ruckus that will bring them out of a heavy slumber.
Machine Comparison: De’Longhi Eletta Coffee Machine Versus Delonghi’s Magnifica Automatic Coffee Machine
They’re both much-loved espresso machines of De’Longhi’s well-stocked range, so you can be assured the coffee is tasty and the appliances are high quality.
But, which of these machines best suits your needs? You can also check out our full review of the Magnifica.
Similarities
Below we’ll list some of the similarities between the De’Longhi Eletta and the Delonghi’s Magnifica Automatic Coffee Machine – the ECAM 22.110.
Fully Automatic Bean-to-Cup Machines With Pre-set Coffees
These both have plenty of automated features, and convenience is the priority. They’ll both grind your beans, froth your milk, and make your coffee.
You might not want to learn how to make a great espresso or cappuccino, and you don’t have to with these machines. You have it with the click of a button.
Both Made For Beginners
Both these machines cater to the beginner coffee maker who wants a delicious, yet easy coffee.
You’ll be less likely to need an upgrade with the Magnifica, but they’re both great to start with.
Differences
The De’Longhi Eletta and Magnifica Automatic may be similar, but the people they’re made for are different.
Frothing Hot Milk
The De’Longhi Eletta undoubtedly produces better-steamed milk. The Magnifica’s steam wand isn’t bad – far from it. But you shouldn’t expect barista-style froth.
Grind Settings
This was surprising – the Magnifica has 13 grind settings, while the Eletta only has seven.
So, the Magnifica wins that one. Although it has to be said, the espresso you get from the Eletta is still superior.
Price
The Magnifica is probably one of the cheapest bean-to-cup machines we’d recommend while the De’Longhi Eletta is one of the priciest.
If money isn’t an issue and the key features of the Eletta tick your boxes, it may be the way to go. But if you’re looking to cut costs, you can’t get much better than the Magnifica.
To explore more machines on the market, check out our top 2022 picks for bean-to-cup coffee machines.
De’Longhi Eletta Review: Should You Buy It?
The Delonghi Eletta is as automatic as it gets, and the coffee, particularly the cappuccino, will hit the spot.
And, money aside, great cappuccino and lattes are so simple to make with this that it would actually take more effort to stop by your local cafe.
If that’s exactly what you’re looking for, you’re in business.
The obvious downsides are the cost and the little room to play. Perhaps it would feel like a safe option if you knew you could manually set a collection of different coffees.
The good news is, pre-set options are tasty. We expected a beautiful and easily-made cappuccino and latte – which we got – but it’s also an excellent espresso maker.
We think this machine is excellent if your priorities are ease of use, convenience, and a great coffee.
But it’s not worth breaking the bank for, and there are similar, cheaper espresso machines on the markets if you’re shopping with a modest budget.
There are also machines with more room for manually adding and tweaking.
But our De’Longhi Cappuccino Ecam 45.760 Coffee Machine Review found the milk-based coffees to be pretty sublime, making it unlikely to leave you craving a cafe-made cuppa joe.
Have you tried the De’Longhi Eletta machine? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
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