De’Longhi Coffee Machines Buying Guide

You know the coffee you love. Finding the machine to make it at home can take a little more working out.

Perhaps you want a cappuccino before the school run, without measuring coffee or steaming milk. Perhaps you’d enjoy spending a few minutes making an espresso and getting the milk just right. Or perhaps a fresh pot of coffee on the breakfast table sounds perfect.

For easy everyday coffee, start with the De’Longhi Magnifica range. For a more hands-on routine, look at Stilosa, Dedica Duo or La Specialista. For a jug to share, a filter machine is a lovely, simple choice.

We’ll help you work through the De’Longhi coffee machines at Redber, explain what the differences mean in a real kitchen, and suggest coffees and a few useful extras to go with your choice.

Start with your morning coffee

Before comparing screens and drink counts, think about what you’ll actually make on a Tuesday morning. How much time do you have? Does everyone drink the same thing? Do you enjoy the preparation, or would you rather press a button?

• “I just want my coffee, please.” A Magnifica grinds the beans and brews for you. Choose an automatic milk model if cappuccinos are part of the daily routine.
• “I’d like to learn to make espresso.” Stilosa and Dedica Duo let you prepare the coffee and steam the milk yourself. You can start with ground coffee and add a grinder later.
• “I want to grind my own beans and get involved.” La Specialista Arte and Arte Evo bring a grinder and manual espresso machine together.
• “We get through a pot at breakfast.” The ICM15210 filter machine makes a jug of black coffee, ready to pour.

There’s no need to buy the most elaborate machine to enjoy your coffee. A model that fits your habits is much more likely to earn its place on the worktop.

De’Longhi coffee machines at a glance

Here’s a quick comparison to help you narrow things down. The model codes matter: two machines called “Magnifica Evo” can have different milk systems and drink menus.

Follow the product links below for current prices, availability and what’s included with each machine.

Magnifica: freshly ground coffee with less fuss

The appeal of a Magnifica is easy to understand. Add whole beans and water, choose your drink and let the machine take care of the grinding and brewing. The biggest decision is how you’d like to make your milk drinks.

Magnifica Start and Evo: for black coffee and the occasional cappuccino

If your usual order is an espresso or black coffee, start with the Magnifica Start ECAM220.22.GB or Magnifica Evo ECAM290.21.B. Both grind and brew automatically, with a manual frother for when you fancy a cappuccino.

The Start offers espresso, coffee and Americano alongside steam. The Evo has espresso, coffee and Long, with colour icons to guide you. Its four advertised selections include steam, so don’t read that as four separate coffee recipes.

You’ll need to froth the milk yourself, which gives you a chance to experiment. A De’Longhi stainless steel milk jug is a useful companion. If several people want milk drinks every morning, the automatic Milk versions below may suit you better.

Magnifica Start Milk and Evo Milk: make room for cappuccino

If a cappuccino is your daily treat, the Magnifica Start Milk ECAM220.60.B keeps things straightforward. Its LatteCrema Hot carafe prepares the milk automatically, and the four one-touch choices are espresso, coffee, cappuccino and hot water.

The Magnifica Evo Milk ECAM290.83.TB gives you seven selections and simple colour icons. It’s worth a look if you’d like more variety without spending much time navigating menus.

With either, check that your favourite drink is on the menu. An automatic milk carafe doesn’t always mean a dedicated flat white button. And allow a little time for washing the milk parts afterwards; automatic preparation still comes with a cleaning routine.

Magnifica Evo Next: when everyone likes their coffee differently

One person likes a short, stronger coffee. Another wants a longer drink. Sound familiar? The Magnifica Evo Next ECAM310.60.B has up to three profiles, so you can save individual preferences.

You get 10 drinks, a 2.4-inch colour display, five drink sizes, four intensity levels and three temperature options. Those settings are useful if you enjoy finding your favourite combination and returning to it each day.

For a new machine, our Bean-to-Cup Coffee Taster Pack is a good way to explore different coffees before choosing your regular bag. Select whole beans for the hopper.

Magnifica Plus: more choice for a coffee-loving household

De’Longhi Magnifica Plus ECAM320.60.B Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine - Black

The Magnifica Plus ECAM320.60.B offers 15 one-touch drinks, a 3.5-inch touchscreen and up to four profiles. Its milk menu includes flat white, cappuccino, caffelatte and latte macchiato.

We’d put it on the list for a household with several different favourites. You’re getting a bigger screen and more choice, so think about whether you’ll use those extras. If you make the same two drinks every day, one of the simpler Magnifica models may cover everything you need.

Manual espresso machines: enjoy making it your way

There’s something satisfying about preparing your own espresso. You fill the portafilter, press the coffee down, fit it to the machine and watch the shot pour. Milk drinks take a little practice, but you can build confidence one cup at a time.

Stilosa: a friendly place to start

De’Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK Espresso Machine - Black

The De’Longhi Stilosa is a straightforward introduction to that routine. You prepare the coffee yourself and use the manual frother for cappuccinos and lattes.

You don’t have to buy everything at once. Begin with Caffè Italiano in espresso grind, then consider a grinder when you’re ready to experiment with whole beans. Keep a milk jug nearby and give yourself a little time to learn what works.

Dedica Duo: a small footprint, with hot and cold options

De’Longhi Dedica Duo EC890.M Espresso Machine - Silver

At around 15cm wide, the Dedica Duo is worth measuring up for a smaller kitchen. It has espresso, double espresso and cold brew presets, plus a steam wand for milk drinks.

It uses ground coffee, so you’ll need a separate grinder if you want to grind beans fresh. Remember to measure the space for both appliances, and leave room to turn the portafilter and move your milk jug.

Love an iced coffee when the weather warms up? The Duo’s dedicated cold brew option gives you something else to try. That feature belongs to the Duo, so check carefully when comparing it with other Dedica models.

La Specialista Arte: your grinder and espresso machine together

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155.MB Espresso Machine with Grinder - Silver

The La Specialista Arte suits someone who enjoys the making as much as the drinking. Its integrated grinder keeps the setup together, while you still prepare the portafilter and steam the milk.

It offers three infusion temperature settings, plus espresso, Americano and hot-water options. You can explore how a different grind or dose changes your coffee without needing a separate grinder on the counter.

Try our Espresso Coffee Taster Pack in whole beans if you’d like to compare a few flavours. Work through one coffee at a time and make small adjustments; it’s much easier to understand what changed.

La Specialista Arte Evo: for espresso and cold coffee days

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo EC9255.M Espresso Machine with Grinder - Metal

The La Specialista Arte Evo adds a dedicated cold brew setting to that hands-on approach. De’Longhi describes its Cold Extraction technology as making cold brew in under five minutes.

It’s worth comparing with the Arte if cold coffee is a regular favourite. For an occasional iced latte, though, you can use espresso poured over cold milk and ice. You don’t need a cold brew programme for that.

Filter coffee: put a pot on

De’Longhi ICM15210 Filter Coffee Machine, 1.25L - Black

For a slow breakfast or a few mugs while you work, the De’Longhi ICM15210 filter coffee machine keeps things simple. It brews ground coffee into a 1.25-litre glass carafe, with a warming plate and automatic switch-off after 40 minutes.

The quoted 10-cup capacity uses a small cup measure, so you’ll get fewer servings in generous mugs. There’s no grinder or milk system built in.

For a chocolatey everyday cup, try Café Français and choose filter grind. You can also explore our filter coffees for something different. If you prefer to grind fresh, the Melitta MOLINO burr grinder is a practical option for filter brewing.

Choosing the coffee to go with your machine

The machine is only part of the fun. Once you’ve found one that suits you, choosing the coffee lets you make that daily cup your own.

For a rich espresso or a milky favourite

Caffè Italiano is a dark-roasted Arabica blend with dark chocolate and roasted nut notes. It’s a useful starting point if you enjoy a fuller espresso style. Browse our espresso coffees for more options and choose whole beans or espresso grind to match your setup.

For an easy everyday brew

Café Français has chocolate, caramel and nutty notes. Try it in your filter machine, or explore the Intro Coffee Taster Pack if you’re still finding out what you enjoy. A smaller selection can be more useful than committing to a large bag straight away.

For your bean-to-cup hopper

Choose whole beans from our bean-to-cup coffee range. Follow your machine’s guidance on beans: De’Longhi advises against very oily, caramelised or coated beans in its automatic grinders. Never put ground or instant coffee into the bean hopper.

For an evening cup

Decaf deserves a place in the cupboard too. Our Decaf Coffee Taster Pack lets you explore a few options. With a manual machine, prepare it as you would your usual coffee. On a bean-to-cup model, use the dedicated pre-ground function if one is provided, following the dosing instructions. Think about coffee left in the grinder if you switch beans.

Once you open a bag, keep it sealed, away from heat and light. Buy an amount you’ll get through while the flavour is fresh, and give yourself a few cups to settle into a new coffee before changing every setting.

Do you need a separate coffee grinder?

Magnifica and La Specialista models already have a grinder. Stilosa, Dedica Duo and the filter machine don’t, so you can either order your coffee ground or add a grinder.

For manual espresso, look at the Lelit Fred Prima burr grinder. Its fine, stepless adjustment lets you make small changes to the grind, which is helpful when you’re learning to get your espresso how you like it. You can compare more espresso grinders in our range.

For filter coffee, the Melitta MOLINO has 17 settings and is suited to filter and cafetière brewing. Choose your grinder around your brewing method: a filter-focused grinder doesn’t necessarily give you the fine adjustment you’ll want for espresso.

If you’re buying a machine and grinder together, include both in your budget and worktop measurements. There’s nothing wrong with starting with ground coffee and adding a grinder later.

A few useful extras for your coffee corner

Check what comes in the box first. You may already have everything you need for your first brew. These are the extras we’d consider as you settle into your routine:

• A milk jug: the De’Longhi stainless steel frothing jug is useful for steaming milk with a manual wand.
• A knock box: the De’Longhi knock box gives used coffee pucks a home when you’re working with a portafilter.
• A cup you love: choose De’Longhi espresso glasses for a short coffee, or cappuccino glasses for your morning milk drink. Check the machine’s cup clearance before choosing taller glassware.
• Care products: keep De’Longhi EcoDecalk descaler handy, and check whether De’Longhi Eco MultiClean suits the milk-system parts you need to clean.

Make cleaning part of the routine

A little regular care is easier to keep up with than a big clean after everything has built up. Refresh the water, empty the grounds and drip tray, and follow the cleaning prompts for your machine.

Milk needs attention after each use. Wipe and purge a manual wand as directed, or run the carafe’s cleaning function and wash its removable parts at the intervals in the manual. Only put parts in the dishwasher when the instructions say you can.

For a removable infuser, follow the shutdown and removal steps carefully. De’Longhi advises rinsing it with water and avoiding detergent. Descaling is a separate job: use the recommended product, set the water hardness correctly and follow your model’s procedure.

You’ll find EcoDecalk in a 500ml bottle as well as the smaller size. The De’Longhi Coffee Machine Care Kit is another option to look at; check the contents and compatibility against your machine before buying.

A few questions before you choose

Which De’Longhi is easiest for a beginner?

For convenient brewing, start with a Magnifica. Pick an automatic Milk version if cappuccino is your regular drink. If you’re keen to learn espresso preparation, Stilosa or Dedica Duo gives you a hands-on starting point.

Can I make a flat white?

The Magnifica Plus ECAM320.60.B includes a flat white recipe. With a manual steam wand, you prepare the espresso and texture the milk yourself. Check the exact menu on other automatic models before buying.

Will it work with oat milk?

Check the guidance for the specific milk system. Suitable LatteCrema systems support plant-based alternatives, but results vary between drinks and brands. It can take a little experimenting to find the texture you like.

Does a bigger drinks menu mean better coffee?

It means more preset choices. The beans, grind, drink size and cleaning all play a part in how your coffee tastes. If you mostly drink espresso and cappuccino, make sure those are easy to prepare before paying for lots of other recipes.

What if my coffee tastes weak?

Start with the selected intensity, drink volume and freshness of the beans. Change one thing at a time. If you need to adjust an automatic machine’s manual grinder dial, follow the instructions for your model; De’Longhi specifies adjusting these dials while the grinder is running.

What should I measure before ordering?

Width, depth and height, plus room to refill the hopper and water tank. Allow space to remove the drip tray and use a milk jug. If your favourite mug is tall, check the cup clearance too.

Let’s find your everyday coffee

Picture the coffee you’ll make most often, and choose a machine you’ll enjoy using for it. That might be a one-touch cappuccino, a carefully prepared espresso or a fresh pot shared over breakfast.

Explore our De’Longhi coffee machines, then pick some coffee beans or filter coffee to get started. If you’re torn between models, ask the Redber team. Tell us what you drink, how many cups you make and whether you’d like to steam the milk yourself, and we can help you narrow it down.