DELONGHI EC155 REVIEW: A PERFECT INTRO TO ESPRESSO

Read my Delonghi EC155 review to find out if it’s the right model to begin your espresso journey.

Being new to espresso culture can leave your head swimming. From the array of possible features to the huge range in pricing, it’s hard to figure out where to start.

Well, let me make it easy for you. The Delonghi EC155 is a great starting point. With a low price tag, easy-to-use interface, and compact design, this is the machine I most often recommend to beginners. 

The Full Delonghi EC155 Review

The De’Longhi EC155 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker brings the local coffee shop home, allowing you to craft rich and satisfying coffee shop drinks in the comfort of your kitchen. Its small footprint, easy-to-use interface, and affordable price tag make this my favorite espresso machine for beginners looking to dip their toes in the world of espresso for the first time.

Note: Delonghi discontinued the EC155 in 2023, but you can still find it in many online marketplaces. It was replaced with an updated model, the Delonghi Stilosa, which I reviewed here.

How We Rated It

• Brewing Capability
• Coffee Flavor
• Ease of Use
• Milk Frothing
• Cleaning and Maintenance
• Build Quality

3.8

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Brewing Features And What They Mean

Delonghi advertises the EC155 as a manual espresso machine, but that’s not technically correct. It’s a semi-automatic espresso machine, which is good news for you. The pressure needed to pull a shot is produced by the in-built 15-bar pump – not by hand.

I was surprised and delighted to find that the EC155 uses a little stainless steel boiler instead of a thermoblock. The one boiler has two thermostats to independently manage the different temperatures for brewing and steaming. This is exceedingly rare in budget machines, and it yields a more stable brew water temperature, a key component of pulling a great espresso (1).

The trade-off to a boiler versus a thermoblock is that it takes a little longer to heat up. You can get away with pulling a shot when the temperature indicator light comes on. But in my experience, it pays to let the EC155 warm up for at least ten minutes for the temperature to stabilize.

What is the pressure of the Delonghi EC155?

The Delonghi EC155 has a 15 bar pump, which is powerful enough to extract a proper espresso with a rich layer of crema. The recommended extraction pressure for an espresso shot is 9 bars. 

Contrary to popular belief, extraction pressure comes from the force of water against the puck of ground coffee. So properly preparing your portafilter is more important than whether your espresso maker has a 15-bar or 19-bar pump.

How To Use The Delonghi EC155 To Make Espresso

The Delonghi EC155 is a semi-automatic espresso machine, meaning you control the whole brewing process. I like this style of coffee maker because it teaches you the barista skills and workflow involved in crafting an espresso (2). But don’t let that intimidate you. Delonghi adds some nice user-friendly features to help you along the way.

First, you’ll need to prepare the coffee puck. To do this, I use a burr grinder to grind 12 grams of coffee to a fine consistency. I add the grounds to the portafilter, distribute them evenly, and tamp as hard as I can. In my experience, it’s nearly impossible to over-tamp.

Even if you don’t get the grind size or distribution just right, it will still deliver a tasty, crema-capped shot. However, I highly recommend upgrading to a non-pressurized basket (they cost about $10 on Amazon) once you feel confident in your skills. It yields a sweeter and more nuanced shot.

Slot the prepared portafilter into the machine. To start a shot, turn the knob clockwise to turn on the pump and begin the extraction. Watch and wait. After about 30 seconds, turn the dial back to center to stop the shot. Easy as that!

What size tamper does Delonghi use?

Delonghi famously uses very small filter baskets with a 51 mm diameter. The EC155 comes with a plastic tamper built-in next to the group head, but I have nothing good to say about it. The awkward placement and lightweight plastic make it impossible to achieve a proper tamp. So I definitely recommend accessorizing with a 51-mm metal tamper. 

How do you use ESE pods in a Delonghi espresso machine?

The EC155 includes a special 3-in-1 portafilter, used for a single shot, double shot, or ESE pods (easy-serve espresso pods). ESE pods look like teabags but are filled with pre-ground coffee. Just pop one in the portafilter and slot it into the group like normal. 

ESE pods definitely don’t taste as good as freshly ground coffee beans, but they eliminate puck prep – guaranteeing consistent results and a quicker morning routine.

How Do The Shots Taste?

The shots I’ve pulled with the EC155 range from good to very good without quite hitting excellent, which is what I expect at this price.

The beginner-friendly design makes it easy to pull a good espresso. Even using pre-ground coffee and the awful built-in tamper, my shots were smooth, full-bodied, and topped with crema. But they weren’t particularly interesting or flavorful. The best results I’ve had used freshly ground beans with a medium-dark or dark roast. 

The small filter basket of the EC155 limits the quality of espresso. These days, a typical cafe double shot has between 18 and 20 grams of coffee grounds, but I struggled to pack more than 12 grams into the 51-mm basket. This caps the flavor intensity if you want a shot larger than about an ounce and a half (3).

Why Cappuccino Fans Love This Machine

The stainless steel boiler has advantages over a thermoblock for steaming milk. It produces higher steam pressure and drier steam, so you can quickly and easily prepare back-to-back capps.

The EC155 is equipped with a stainless steel manual steam wand capped with a plastic aerator, which Delonghi calls the swivel jet frother. Like the pressurized filter basket, it has pros and cons. 

The frother helps incorporate air during the steaming process, making it easier for a novice barista to create a lovely, airy milk froth for a cappuccino. The downside is that creating the creamier, silky microfoam needed for a latte is more difficult. 

I never had any luck pouring latte art with this system. If that’s on your to-do list, I suggest upgrading to the Delonghi Dedica Arte, which has a professional-style steam wand.

Thoughts On Build Quality And Maintenance

Delonghi espresso machines are reliable and well made, a consequence of the brand’s long history and expertise. Unlike many espresso machines, the EC155 is nicely compact and won’t require a huge commitment of counter space. It measures 10.5 inches tall by 7 inches wide by 8.25 inches deep and includes a 1-liter removable water reservoir.

Remember, the Delonghi EC155 is a budget espresso machine, so keep your longevity expectations reasonable. It’s mainly plastic, except for some metal parts like the drip tray, steam wand, and stainless steel boiler.

Delonghi backs this model with a 1-year warranty, and I’d anticipate 3 to 5 years of use, provided you treat it well – great value given its price point. In my experience, after three years, you’ll either decided that espresso isn’t for you or that you’re ready to upgrade your machine anyway.

Delonghi EC155 Cleaning

Keeping your espresso machine clean is the easiest way to extend its life and is not difficult. All I do daily is rinse the drip tray and portafilter, wipe up any obvious spills, and run hot water through the group. If you use the steam wand, purge it before and after use and wipe off any milk foam immediately.

Once a week, I’ll give the drip tray a proper wash with soap and water, or you can run it through the dishwasher.

Descaling needs to be performed every 3 to 6 months, depending on the hardness of your water. Conveniently, the EC155 has a cleaning light to let you know when it’s due, so there’s no need to track this yourself. The descaling process isn’t automated, but the removable water tank makes it easy, and it’s well-explained in the manual.

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