De'Longhi Eletta, Fully Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, Cappuccino and Espresso Maker, ECAM 44.660.B, 2 liters, Black

Product Information

As you would expect from such a pricey machine, the build quality is also high. With a thermal milk jug and the option of using pre-ground coffee, some serious thought has gone into the design. I found that there is a slight cooling effect when the milk is added, which is at 55c. This will obviously lower the overall temperature of the coffee, which is just below boiling when first brewed. Is there Warranty and Guarantee? The ease of use is also a huge selling factor. I consider myself to be a coffee fanatic – I love being hands on when it comes to making coffee. Sometimes, though, it is just nice to press a button and let a machine do all the work – especially when the drinks taste as fantastic as these do.

While these are some of the best Delonghi coffee machines, they aren't the only bean-to-cup models the company produces. Others include: All in all I can honestly say this is an awesome machine and would be a great addition to any kitchen. As coffee machines go, the Delonghi Eletta is capable of producing smooth consistent espressos as well as a range of other coffees such as Latte, Macchiatos and Cappuccinos. De’Longhi is one of the most well-known companies in the realm of high-quality espresso makers, and for good reason- they know how to make a great coffee maker, and the Eletta is no exception.This also serves as an ECAM44.620.S review too – the difference is this Eletta Plus model doesn’t include the milk carafe so won’t make the lattes and cappuccinos out of the box. If you’re looking for a budget bean-to-cup coffee machine for espresso (but not cappuccino), the Beko CEG5301X is an excellent option. It’s an easy-to-use model that’s a proven hit amongst coffee lovers across the UK, mainly due to its simple design and excellent espresso. It might not be as advanced as some of the popular Delonghi bean-to-cup coffee machines, but it provides great value. The machine will also only grind the exact amount needed for each drink so that you’ll never waste a single coffee bean. This, in turn, keeps the beans fresh and helps them maintain their flavour profile in a whole-bean form.

The grinder in question here is a burr conical grinder – these are the best grinders, much better than the metal blade ones which ‘chop’ the beans. A burr grinder will crush the beans, meaning you get a more even grind. It is also adjustable so you can select a different grind size for different drinks and for different types of bean. This can be fun to experiment with.

Staying on the milk theme a little longer, it’s worth noting that the milk container (or as Delonghi call it, milk carafe) is a removable chamber that is designed to be simple to move to the fridge for storage.

Then it will be time for a step by step walkthrough of what it is like to use the De’Longhi Eletta – to give you a clear picture of what to expect if you were to buy one, and then the crucial taste test – does it really make great coffee? We will then deliver our final verdict and suggest who this machine might be suitable for. The ECAM 44.660.B boasts 15 bar pressure to maximize flavour extraction from your coffee beans. Offering 2 in 1 versatility, you can use ground coffee or grind beans in the integrated burr grinder. Energy efficiency is a hot topic in the home appliance world, which is why the Gaggia comes with an energy saving standby mode. After one hour the machine automatically enters standby. While in this mode, it uses less than 1kW each hour. Like most bean-to-cup burr grinders, the Eletta allows you to adjust the coarseness of the grind. While many people will just leave this on its default setting, it’s a useful feature depending on the type of bean and coffee settings you’re using.

When it comes to espresso, the Gaggia can make a decent cup – especially if you use ground coffee. The cappuccinos are also appetising with the frothy milk combining well with the espresso. You can customise the output using the control panel and the ceramic grinder is designed to retain the coffee’s aroma (the coarseness can also be adjusted). A handy feature is that the ground coffee compartment allows you to brew a different coffee blend without removing the beans. Everyone has their own coffee tastes and preferences. There are also many coffee machines that produce cold, weak or just poor-quality coffee. This can make choosing the best bean-to-cup coffee machine a more difficult task than it first seems. Like most bean-to-cup coffee machines, theECAM22.110.B can be used with either ground coffee or fresh beans. This is a useful option if you enjoy the occasional cup of decaf or just want to try some new blends. The bean container also comes with a cap for saving the aroma. Overview of Features