DeLonghi - Eletta Explore ECAM45086S

I rarely make milk drinks, but I like having the option from time to time and for guests. My Eletta explore with local beans makes outstanding espresso. I love it.

I'd recommend a DeLonghi, but I am bias as my experience with my DeLonghi Eletta Explore has been fantastic. It does all types of milk extremely well.

You’re going to get people who swear by both brands, because both brands are good. I researched both endlessly and ended up with a Delonghi Eletta Explore and it’s been my favourite appliance ever since. I’m sure there are people who chose the KA and feel the same way.

Delonghi eletta explore has been great. The milk jawn can be done in dishwasher top rack every 3 or so days. After each milk drink, it flushes it and you can put back in the fridge. Incredibly low maintenance and dishwasher friendly have been great.

Went with the eletta explore a few months ago as well ...came from Nespresso to 2 different Philips super automatics and can say that the consistency and the drinks are a good bit better than the Philips. More ability to dial in settings and adjustments - plus the flip up tray that can accommodate yeti travel mugs is something I have not seen on any other machines. The ability to have the two different milk carafes (one hot and one cold) is nice but I wish the lids were secured - you just have to get used to that if you transfer them from the fridge to the machine like I do. All in all, I know it's not a Jura, but I can say between the EE and the Philips (still a great machine) go with the EE, you will not be disappointed.

I am not personally aware of a superautomatic that does pourover. The delonghi eletta explore milk system has a tube but only as part of the carafe. The milk never enters the actual machine, steam forces it from the carafe to the cup so I find it pretty easy to clean. Its more of a short straw than a long tube.

I think the only time my Eletta Explore will do multiple shots on its own is making Americanos or coffee. But plenty of times I’ll just hit the espresso shot button after the drink is made to make my own double. It’s easy enough to do myself that I wouldn’t worry about getting a certain machine specifically for that feature.

I got a DeLonghi Eletta Explore some months ago. I wanted espressos and to get rid of the pod machine we used to have. I was considering a manual route, BUT, I know my wife could never be assed with it, so compromised with the super auto. I don't really feel like I've compromised - no fuss, makes consistently fine plus a bit more (am sure manuals are better but much more involved) and the milk system works imo. And, for OP, one machine on the counter and not a whole setup. DeLonghi is expensive if (s)he's in the states but I find them to be the best looking machines too.

First off to clarify, I mean it makes better than fine espresso shots at least for my taste and whoever else I’ve made coffees for. Cleaning is a breeze. The brew unit comes out really easy and just needs a rinse and wipe dry. I do think you need to be on top of it and not leave it for weeks and weeks or I’d imagine you get those mold problems you hear about. I just use filtered water and there’s 0 lime scale in the tank, so can’t imagine it’d be inside either. Milk systems come apart easily, all parts are dishwasher safe so just throw them in there like twice a week (subject to use of course). All in all, a 9/10 experience for people like us who can’t be bothered spending 10 minutes to get a 10/10 coffee. 9/10 in two minutes does the job and then some

I’ve had mine for a few months and I love it. My wife can use it easily, and it makes good cold drinks which I like for the summer. It’s great but man… double up price compared to EU is crazy. Still amazing everyday machine. Bonus for nice design imo

Delonghi eletta explore makes everything you mentioned and does cold brew as well. We use any water filter that fits, but we do use delonghi branded descaler.

We've had several delonghis - our Eletta Explore is by far our favorite. It makes very consistent shots and drinks. The fact that it accomodates a 20oz yeti rambler is great. It's easy to clean and tells you very explicitly what to do and how to do it, from descaling to changing the water filter. It makes great cold drinks. For what its worth, we bought ours from Williams Sonoma who tried to steer us to Jura. For what I wanted ( everything ), the price of Jura was too steep for us ( we had just gotten used to the idea of the cost of the Eletta ). We've had espresso drinks at home every morning for 15 years now; our Eletta has changed how I look at everything from buying better beans ( we're thrilled with LaVazza and local roasters ), to using delonghi branded descaler and filters ( we've always used filtered water in our machines, but i want to maximize the life of this one ). If I had it to do again from 9 months in, I'd make the same choice. We did call ahead when we went and specifically ask them do demo the Dinamica and the Eletta, which they did - the deciders for us were the number of drinks, the fact that it stores presets per user, so her flat white can be different from mine in strength and amount of milk, slightly better espresso (same beans from the same bag), accomodation of yeti, and the app ( which i have to say is a gimmick ). The "bean adapt" feature works very well to help you dial in the espresso you want.

There's some things like build quality, the cup tray is made out of metal and the hopper lid has rubber sealing, the milk carafe is bigger in The EE and also the bean hopper, EE has the cold brew and more programs which also pushes the price. Otherwise they are the same from the inside.

Second this, Eletta explore

We've had our Delonghi Eletta Explore for several months and couldn't be happier. With the very rare exception, I drink espresso only. It makes a great shot for a super. Other users use it for milk drinks and enjoy them very much.

We very much enjoy our Delonghi Eletta Explore.

Here's another vote for the Magnifica Plus. I've had a Magnifica for about 9 years, and I've loved every minute. The espresso really is quite good for a superautomatic (i.e., better than what you get in a lot of places in the USA). While Jura has a better reputation, you don't have to look around much to find many who prefer DeLonghi. In other words, if you really aren't concerned with milk drinks under any circumstance, then choosing the Magnifica Plus or Jura E4 pretty much comes down to personal taste. I'm actually replacing my beloved machine, but it's not because it's been any problem at all. They've just made so many other improvements over the years that I've finally been sold on pulling the trigger. I'm going with the Eletta Explore, but the only reason I chose it over the Magnifica Plus is because my wife enjoys cooler drinks. The Eletta is far better at that than the Magnifica. If it were just me, I'd go with the Magnifica Plus. On top of the quality of the espresso, I'll echo that maintenance is so very easy, and it's nice to know that you can replace the infuser if you ever needed to (I never have). I probably clean it more and more often than I need to, but that's largely because it's so easy to do. And, hey, the thing has lasted 9 years without a single problem (knock on wood). Regarding milk drinks, you should consider getting something that can do it. Even though I only drink espresso except for the off-hand cappuccino once or twice a year, it's nice to be able to offer milk drinks to others. Sure, you can do the milk part yourself, but that largely defeats the purpose (and the Magnifica Plus is priced pretty much along the lines of the E4).

We've had one for six months and love it. It replaced a Magnifica that we had for nearly 10 years. We made that upgrade for the new features, and we are happy that we did.

We've had two DeLonghi machines, a Magnifica that we bought about 10 years ago and the Eletta Explore that replaced it. We replaced the Magnifica only because we wanted updated features rather than because of any malfunction. Both are incredibly easy to clean. I'm pretty sure just about any superautomatic is, but DeLonghi is even easier. No tablets or cleaning cycle required. Just pull out the brew unit, rinse off any stuff that's on there (no soap), and wipe out the rest. You do have a do a descale from time to time, but that's the case with any SA machine. For DeLonghi, you will need a machine that connects to the app in order to really fine tune your drink down to the ml on volume. I don't know about the KA in that respect. I do know that any DeLonghi or KA gives strength options, though. Your husband's best bet when it comes to just having a "plain cup of coffee" will be to make an Americano or use his own drip coffee maker. While some machines have a "regular cup/pot of coffee" function, that just isn't what an espresso machine is made to do. It's kind of like trying to use a race car as a farm tractor, or vice versa. Frothing is available with plenty of machines in your budget. We've enjoyed how DeLonghi handles milk frothing (although no SA in your range will do the job of a separate frother, but we aren't that picky). I don't know how "quiet" the machine needs to be. They all make noise. That's just part and parcel to the pulse pump they all employ. Your budget number is a tricky one, frankly. There are loads of machines in the $1200-1500 range, but then it pretty much jumps up to $2000 unless you can find something on sale. I must say that stretching to the Eletta Explore would be worth it if you want the cold brew function. If not, then go with the Rivelia or the version of Magnifica that has the features you want. The Eletta and Rivelia both have 19 bar pumps and similar dosing, so their espresso will be similar. Lower models have 15 bar pumps (although I haven't checked them all). I believe it's the Magnifica Plus that also can dose high.