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Delonghi EC155
- Brews authentic espresso, cappuccino, and latte
- Allows users to enjoy each step of the brewing process
- Easy to clean
- Low maintenance
- Compact design
If you’re the kind of person who loves a good espresso and enjoys the feeling of traditional brewing, you’re probably partial to a manual espresso machine. They may not be as convenient or easy-to-use as an automatic espresso machine, but they do brew flavorful, authentic cups of coffee.
The DeLonghi EC155 15 Bar Pump is an affordable espresso machine that has a simple design, is user-friendly, and can brew both creamy espressos as well as cappuccino. It has a built-in frother, a dual-function filter holder and fast-brewing technology to ensure that you won’t be waiting for drinks.
It’s also easy to clean and can brew two cups of espresso at a time. It may not be as flashy or packed with as many features as a super-automatic espresso machine, but for those who like to take their time and brew just like a barista, the Delonghi EC155 Espresso Maker is an excellent choice.
Special Features
Specifications
- 0.68 pounds
- 8 x 11 x 10 inches
- 15 Bar Pump
- Stainless Steel Boiler
- Cup Warmer
Manual Frother
The Delonghi EC155 has a manual frother that allows you to make latte and cappuccino in addition to espresso. You’ll have to use your pitcher for milk, but the steam nozzle on the frother does yield some fluffy foam that adds a lot of texture to your drinks. You’ll just have to turn the dial to the frother setting, and then hold your milk under it until you get the desired consistency.
It’s also easy to clean too. The nozzle comes off and can be cleaned using warm water and a small object like a needle to remove any residual foam.
Three-In-One Filter Holder
Included with the espresso machine, you’ll get a three-in-one filter holder. It can hold a single espresso shot, a double shot and also handle coffee pods for even faster brewing time. We found that this added an unexpected level of versatility to the machine, mainly because it made it perfect for single use, but also for parties or small gatherings.
Whether you’re using it by yourself after a meal, or you’re brewing coffee for friends, the three-in-one filter holder made brewing much more comfortable, faster and versatile.
Rapid Cappuccino System
The machine also contains the Rapid Cappuccino System, so there is very little waiting between brewing espresso shots. The Rapid Cappuccino System maintains a constant temperature for your preferred drink so all you’ll have to do is replace your coffee grounds and you’ll be ready to make another cup.
The machine also has a self-priming operation that ensures that the element and boiler reach the right temperature as quickly as possible.
Easy Cleaning
The Delonghi EC155 is also easy to clean. It has a 35-ounce removable water tank and indicator light to let you know when it needs to be cleaned, as well as a removable drip tray. Each component comes apart quickly and, overall, the machine requires very little maintenance.Although there are a lot of benefits to this machine, some of the drawbacks are:
- Small water tank
- No grinder
- No storage for grounds
- Messy, dripping frother
- Non-adjustable handle
Is It Worth Your Money?
Considering how convenient it is to use and the quality of the coffee is brewed, the Delonghi EC155 is undoubtedly worth the money. It’s a lot less expensive than some other coffee machines on the market, but still makes a variety of quality drinks. [1]
In a way, this machine isn’t necessarily for the average coffee drinker who lives a busy lifestyle but is somewhat suited to those who like to take a hands-on approach to brewing. We found that its lack of automatic features was an upside since it allows you to take part in the actual tamping of your grinds.
Automatic machines, while straightforward to use, do most of the work with the push of a button and can sometimes be limiting when it comes to making fresh, customized drinks. You’ll need a separate grinder for your beans to use the EC155, but for someone who enjoys a few extra steps in brewing, this could be considered a bonus.
Our Verdict
DeLonghi Silver Lattissima Plus
Overall, we liked the Delonghi EC155, but would only recommend it for those who have the time to use it. If you’re the kind of person who wants to take it slow in the morning, it’s an excellent choice.
You’ll be able to enjoy every part of the coffee-making process with this machine, adding to the overall user experience.
However, for those that need a coffee machine that is always ready to go, the EC155 may not be the best choice. It isn’t as simple as just pushing a button and requires a little bit of work on the user’s part to brew a cup of espresso. The coffee it brews can undoubtedly rival those of a more sophisticated, automatic machine but the process is a little bit more tedious.
While this is an awe-inspiring, affordable machine, your choice to keep one in your home will depend on your lifestyle. If you have the time to go through the extra steps and enjoy the feeling of being your barista, we’d highly recommend it, but if you find yourself rushing out the door, grasping for your morning jolt on the way, you may want to see something a little more self-sufficient.
Other Alternatives
The Delonghi EC155 is undoubtedly a high-quality machine that comes at a sub 100 dollar price point, but if you’re looking for another comparable option, the Capresso 117.05 Stainless Steel Pump Espresso machine is worth a look. It’s only slightly more expensive than the EC155 but comes with a more substantial water tank, a self-locking filter holder, as well as a metal warming platform to keep cups hot before brewing.
We also thought that it rivaled the EC155 in usability. The front of the machine consisted of a single dial with just three clearly-labeled options. It did everything that the Delonghi EC155 did as far as brewing different drinks, and was just as easy to maneuver. As an alternative to the Delonghi EC155, we’d recommend checking out the Capresso 117.05. Learn more about the many more types of Espresso Machines.
