DeLonghi EC5 Steam-Driven 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Black

I am far from a connoisseur of coffee, but I really like this machine. Unlike the Krupps that is similar priced (FND111 Allegro), it is make much more sturdy. I played with both in a feature to feature comparison and the DeLonghi is MUCH better made.

Best : Quality, quick espresso. Easy to clean, easy to use. Very attractive in the kitchen. Pretty darn quick. Great price for the quality.

OK : Frother is very short, so you need a short, stout cup to froth with. It is good for Cappuccino, but not really powerful enough for steaming a Latte's worth of milk. To get some extra steam, run it through an extra cycle just for steam.

Bad : Not really any for the price.

Overall, I am very, very pleased. I got it for only $39.99 here on Amazon and I think that is one heck of a good deal.

I really love this little machine! It's easy to use, easy to clean and I make myself a huge 4-cupper each time. I use a soup mug for my cappuchino. It works fine and totally fits under the frother.

While this isn't one of those amazing machines, you get more than your $ worth. I use it at work and make my officemates green with envy as I brew up a triple shot and top it with freshly steamed milk. On my first one, the milk steamer was broken, so for the person who rated it badly - return yours and get a new one - I did and now I love it!



If you're a coffee snob, go spend $500, but if you just like convenient, tasty espresso this puppy is an absolute workhorse. I use it every day, my meetings go very well ;^)

This review is just an answer to the review made by someone else, complaining that they can't fit a mug into this coffee maker - this a ESPRESSO coffee maker and you are not supposed to fit a mug there simply because people don't dring espresso in mugs.

This is an alright maker. The problem is that you can not fit the glass carafe or any normal sized mug under the frother. The nozzle does not extend beyond the machine and there is simply not enough room to get a mug under let alone move it up and down to froth the milk. I regret my purchase.

I am no espresso critique, but I do love the coffee that my machine makes. Its nice and strong and no problems with froth at all. I buy starbucks coffee (medium grnd). If you want a good espresso machine under 50$ this shd be your choice...

We've used this coffeemaker heavily for 1 1/2 years. It works great - for the price, especially. Ours is slowing down now, so we are replacing it with the exact same one.


This Espresso machine is great for people who love good espresso but can't afford fancy machines. In fact, I think I like this machine better than the fancy machine my mom has. It's super easy to use and quick- I make a latte every morning before work. And in fact you CAN froth milk with the wand- it takes a little finagling but the trick is to rotate the mug around the wand. It may take a couple of tries to get a routine down but by the third time you'll get the hang of it. And may I suggest- if you're making lattes, make only one at a time to get good foam. Enjoy!

This is a perfect espresso maker for a small family of two. If you follow the directions and purchase quality espresso beans, you'll get espresso as good as you may have tasted in Europe. It's a delight and very efficient.

I'm surprised at some of the negative reviews of this product. Perhaps the reviewers ended up with the occasional lemons. I've owned two of these...one I bought for myself, and the other as a gift, and they've worked beautifully. The milk steamer is very effective (but as noted, the wand is a bit short, which would be my only complaint). It would be nice to have a separate bypass switch between brewing and steaming modes, but the lack of one is common in machines in this price range. Overall I'm very happy with mine and have had no problems at all. At the current price, I'd highly recommend purchasing one. If you want more features and better construction, then spend another $100 or more for a steam pump model, but for fast and easy coffee drinks from a functional, affordable machine, this is hard to beat.

The milk steamer wand is so short and so close to the body of the machine that steaming milk is an awkward procedure.

I bought this machine in the UK and will definitely purchase one when we are back in the US. It makes as good or better latte's than you can get at any cafe and pays for itself very quickly. I was surprised how well the milk frother works and the coffee comes out nice and strong. Everyone who I have made coffee for from this machine - has ordered one for their home as well - its that good. You won't be sorry.

I like this ok, but the steam wand doesn't really froth the milk very well. Sometimes it does, others it doesn't. Then I have to heat the steamed milk in the microwave because it is still cold. I guess I'm not having much luck with it. But after all the extra work my lattes taste good! Overall I guess it doesn't work the best.

Only half to two-thirds of water went through after the second time of use. Not reccomented.

Definitely good for your money as far as WHAT it achieves, but for HOW LONG it does that you are better off spending more on a more reputable brand. After exactly a year (how convenient for DeLonghi, warranty-wise), it started heating the water so only half to two-thirds went through, then the rest would go after a 10-minute delay. Three months later, today, it is not heating any water whatsoever. Time to go shopping for a new one. It DEFINITELY won't be DeLonghi. I was happy with the machine before, as it made good, timely espresso with a wonderfully easy froth. Now, I realize if I had just spent double, I could have had a better machine that lasted 5 years. My last $70 Krups lasted that long. [NOTE: I use my espresso machine daily.]

So good tasted café should take a quality grain product, like salvadorean or colombian gourmet.
The machine work around 5 minutes to make a coffe cup. Don't forget clean the machine each time of use.
Nice machine, stilized design, ideal to personal use.

it's just bad looking plastic. if you want expresso buy nespresso machine with capsules.

I just got this today and found it was very simple to use and made some delicious perfect espresso and cappuccino.

I do not see any rubber gaskets on it. This statement in one of the reviews is odd considering the part it mentions does not exist: "the rubber gasket which holds the screen snugly inside the filter head began to split".
There is no rubber gasket and there is no screen, and there is no filter or filter head. I see that this reviewer has about five identical reviews for all the DeLonghi Espresso Machines.
There is a cup with a smaller metal cup inside it that slides in and out of the outer cup and that is what holds the ground coffee.

It has a heavy metal cap that screws on the top after you put the water in so it can build up steam for frothing the milk.
I really only drink espresso instead of coffee and since I moved to a less sophisticated area I can't find any so I had to get something to make my own. And I was not going to spend over fity bucks either.

I recieved this today and ran some water through it a couple of times as the directions suggest to take the "new" plastic taste out of it, then made some espresso and it was delicious, better and less bitter than any I remember.
Then I made some cappuccino. To do this, you make the espresso, then hold a cup of milk under a small nozzle on the side and steam comes out and makes the milk frothy. You then spoon the frothy milk into the espresso.
It could not get any easier. To get the steam, you just turn a knob on the side of the machine.

It does not come with the two espresso cups as shown in the photo. This photo is to illustrate that you can put two cups under it and the coffee will comes out of two separate nozzles, or you can put the included glass carafe under the nozzles.

The machine makes the espresso in about two minutes.
There is nothing tricky, complicated, or difficult about using this at all. You don't need to "practice" unless you are mentally challenged. And it looks very nice on the countertop too.
I even used regular coffee in it, although I did use about two full teaspoons for two tiny cups of espresso.
I then tried using just one small teaspoonful of coffee and it was much better. Yummy actually.

I've got my Starbucks Espresso beans all ready to grind up now
for my next cup. I almost can't wait to get up tomorrow to have some more espresso from this. It was just perfect!

I live in a college dorm quad (4 girls in one appartment) and this was a wonderful addition to our dorm room! We use it several times a week during midterms and finals (or when we need to stay up to write those last minute papers!) Fast, VERY easy to use. Only problem is that the "power" button, which has a little red light when it's on, is not very bright when it is turned on... so it's very easy to accidentally leave it on when you are done! Otherwise, it's great!

I've worked at a coffee shop part-time for 8 years, so I feel I'm pretty experienced with many types of espresso machines. There are many machines I like, but this one has so many flaws.

Most machines have a way to regulate your espresso shots by pressing a specific button just for pulling shots. When you want steam, you turn a knob, or use a different button. You can usually make at least a couple drinks without having to refill the boiler.

This one has no button to specifically pull espresso shots. (except the 'power' button, which seems odd to me.) Basically all the water you put in comes rushing out with no way to regulate, other than being precise with the amount you pour into it in the first place. I wasn't able to get the thing to steam milk. (Perhaps mine was defective, but I don't think so.) The wand is really short and has very limited movement or space to put a medium sized mug. So if you want a big drink, you're out of luck. You also have to refill the boiler if you want to make more than 1 drink. So this isn't the greatest for having friends over for espresso drinks, well, unless they like waiting a long time.

The instructions are a bit confusing. They have 2 different sets integrated into one manual, one for if your machine has a 'Vario System' and for without the 'Vario System'. My machine did not have this feature, so maybe it makes a difference. Perhaps those machines with that system work better? It apparently affects how dark or light your shots come out, so that may help regulate the shots and steam?

I know you 'get what you pay for' and I didn't pay much for this machine, but there are certainly other machines within the same price range that work much better.

I love this machine! Had it a couple months now and it's still working great. Makes a good cup of espresso for the price. The wand is usable, it just takes some experimenting to get the timing right. I have no trouble getting a cup in place to froth milk. It is sturdy and has a nice well put together look and feel to it. It's very stylish, but takes up less room on the counter than my old drip machine.

I will admit there are better machines on the market, but they cost a whole lot more too. While I love my espresso I'm not a coffee snob by any means. For my needs and for the price I believe this is a great bargain. It comes with pretty specific insturctions, including cleaning instructions. I wonder if some of the people who have complained about the machine slowing down or not working have bothered cleaning the machine periodically? And like someone else, I can't find a rubber gasket on the machine period. It's just a joy to use and makes decaf drinkable.



NICE MACHINE EASY TO USE, WITH ONE EXCEPTION. THE FROTH DEVICE IS VERY HARD TO USE. NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Not a bad little machine. The frother is tough to get used to, but all in all it brews a great cup of joe.

This is an excellent machine and a great value! It does everything you need at a fraction of the cost of other espresso machines!

I believe this is my fifth espresso and cappuccino maker (I have worn out the previous four) and this DeLonghi EC5 is by far the best one. It is easy to use, easy to clean, takes up little counter space, while producing the best espressos,cappuccinos and mochas I've made using a Steam-Driven home brewing system. I don't even bother using the glass carafe anymore except to measure and pour the correct amount of water into the machine. I put my favorite cup directly under the filter when I make an expresso, latte or mocha for myself and if a friend joins me I put two cups under the double spouts of the extended filter, which sits lower, allowing me to make two at the same time while foaming the milk. It saves time, makes less mess, and warms the cups at the same time. Perfect for those cold winter mornings allowing me more time to relax and enjoy a hot beverage while visiting with a friend. Less mess, less fuss, less time, and my friends and I believe it produces the best beverage yet while allowing us more time to visit.

I love my DeLonghi EC5 Steam, funny thingis i don't drink espresso and as for cappuccino they're alright, my drink of choice is the Latte. it take a couple of tries to get the foam right but once you get it your set. I usually use less coffee and more water then specified and froth more milk for the lattes. I even use flavored creamers mixed with milk for flavored lattes mmm! great.

For you Espresso and Cappuccino fans this is well worth the money. I make Cappuccino and Lattes that will make starbucks proud or cry(i now spend less time and money in starbucks)

Althogh this machine can not fully take the place of our favorite coffee houses. It is a great supplement when you can't make the trip!

This little gem was a holiday gift and I have used it every day since I received it. I am always on the go and usually stop off at my local coffee shop for a latte before work. I've already saved money using this espresso maker, and after a little practice, can now make lattes as good as anything I've ever paid $5 a cup for. The steamer is a little awkward (which is why 4 stars vs five), but I started putting a regular sized cup under the espresso filter and using the handled glass cup for the milk frothing. The handle makes it easier to do - then I pour everything in my large to-go cup. Here's a tip - add a bit of vanilla extract to the milk before frothing. Mmmmm, vanilla latte!

My 10+ year old DeLonghi espresso maker developed a leak so I thought I'd give this one a try. I didn't want to spend hundreds and liked the looks. The feature I didn't like most was part that holds the metal basket of coffee into the machine was made of plastic. After using it about 5 times, the plastic showed wear. I returned this coffee maker.

This is the best $30 I have ever spent, however, I have never used the steamer, just the espresso making part, so can't comment on that.

All the reviews I read before I purchased this item said that the coffee maker was purchased to make lattes. Several reviews mentioned the steaming wand being difficult to use, but that they managed in the long run. Well, I feel that the wand is impossible to use as there is no way to chose between the espresso selection and the steaming selection. If you follow the instruction regarding the coffee and the water portions, you have great espresso, but if you want to steam milk, you need to put in more water, but since there is no way to select steam, you have to try and steam the milk while the espresso is brewing and you end up having watered down espresso or steam milk that is not hot enough. I have resorted to just heating my milk up in the microwave and have more of an espresso with hot milk as opposed to a latte. If you want to make lattes, I recommend looking for another espresso maker.

This is the best $30 I have ever spent, however, I have never used the steamer, just the espresso making part, so can't comment on that.

All the reviews I read before I purchased this item said that the coffee maker was purchased to make lattes. Several reviews mentioned the steaming wand being difficult to use, but that they managed in the long run. Well, I feel that the wand is impossible to use as there is no way to chose between the espresso selection and the steaming selection. If you follow the instruction regarding the coffee and the water portions, you have great espresso, but if you want to steam milk, you need to put in more water, but since there is no way to select steam, you have to try and steam the milk while the espresso is brewing and you end up having watered down espresso or steam milk that is not hot enough. I have resorted to just heating my milk up in the microwave and have more of an espresso with hot milk as opposed to a latte. If you want to make lattes, I recommend looking for another espresso maker.

My 10+ year old DeLonghi espresso maker developed a leak so I thought I'd give this one a try. I didn't want to spend hundreds and liked the looks. The feature I didn't like most was part that holds the metal basket of coffee into the machine was made of plastic. After using it about 5 times, the plastic showed wear. I returned this coffee maker.

I love my DeLonghi EC5 Steam, funny thingis i don't drink espresso and as for cappuccino they're alright, my drink of choice is the Latte. it take a couple of tries to get the foam right but once you get it your set. I usually use less coffee and more water then specified and froth more milk for the lattes. I even use flavored creamers mixed with milk for flavored lattes mmm! great.

For you Espresso and Cappuccino fans this is well worth the money. I make Cappuccino and Lattes that will make starbucks proud or cry(i now spend less time and money in starbucks)

Althogh this machine can not fully take the place of our favorite coffee houses. It is a great supplement when you can't make the trip!

This little gem was a holiday gift and I have used it every day since I received it. I am always on the go and usually stop off at my local coffee shop for a latte before work. I've already saved money using this espresso maker, and after a little practice, can now make lattes as good as anything I've ever paid $5 a cup for. The steamer is a little awkward (which is why 4 stars vs five), but I started putting a regular sized cup under the espresso filter and using the handled glass cup for the milk frothing. The handle makes it easier to do - then I pour everything in my large to-go cup. Here's a tip - add a bit of vanilla extract to the milk before frothing. Mmmmm, vanilla latte!

NICE MACHINE EASY TO USE, WITH ONE EXCEPTION. THE FROTH DEVICE IS VERY HARD TO USE. NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Not a bad little machine. The frother is tough to get used to, but all in all it brews a great cup of joe.

This is an excellent machine and a great value! It does everything you need at a fraction of the cost of other espresso machines!

I believe this is my fifth espresso and cappuccino maker (I have worn out the previous four) and this DeLonghi EC5 is by far the best one. It is easy to use, easy to clean, takes up little counter space, while producing the best espressos,cappuccinos and mochas I've made using a Steam-Driven home brewing system. I don't even bother using the glass carafe anymore except to measure and pour the correct amount of water into the machine. I put my favorite cup directly under the filter when I make an expresso, latte or mocha for myself and if a friend joins me I put two cups under the double spouts of the extended filter, which sits lower, allowing me to make two at the same time while foaming the milk. It saves time, makes less mess, and warms the cups at the same time. Perfect for those cold winter mornings allowing me more time to relax and enjoy a hot beverage while visiting with a friend. Less mess, less fuss, less time, and my friends and I believe it produces the best beverage yet while allowing us more time to visit.

I love this machine! Had it a couple months now and it's still working great. Makes a good cup of espresso for the price. The wand is usable, it just takes some experimenting to get the timing right. I have no trouble getting a cup in place to froth milk. It is sturdy and has a nice well put together look and feel to it. It's very stylish, but takes up less room on the counter than my old drip machine.

I will admit there are better machines on the market, but they cost a whole lot more too. While I love my espresso I'm not a coffee snob by any means. For my needs and for the price I believe this is a great bargain. It comes with pretty specific insturctions, including cleaning instructions. I wonder if some of the people who have complained about the machine slowing down or not working have bothered cleaning the machine periodically? And like someone else, I can't find a rubber gasket on the machine period. It's just a joy to use and makes decaf drinkable.



I live in a college dorm quad (4 girls in one appartment) and this was a wonderful addition to our dorm room! We use it several times a week during midterms and finals (or when we need to stay up to write those last minute papers!) Fast, VERY easy to use. Only problem is that the "power" button, which has a little red light when it's on, is not very bright when it is turned on... so it's very easy to accidentally leave it on when you are done! Otherwise, it's great!

I've worked at a coffee shop part-time for 8 years, so I feel I'm pretty experienced with many types of espresso machines. There are many machines I like, but this one has so many flaws.

Most machines have a way to regulate your espresso shots by pressing a specific button just for pulling shots. When you want steam, you turn a knob, or use a different button. You can usually make at least a couple drinks without having to refill the boiler.

This one has no button to specifically pull espresso shots. (except the 'power' button, which seems odd to me.) Basically all the water you put in comes rushing out with no way to regulate, other than being precise with the amount you pour into it in the first place. I wasn't able to get the thing to steam milk. (Perhaps mine was defective, but I don't think so.) The wand is really short and has very limited movement or space to put a medium sized mug. So if you want a big drink, you're out of luck. You also have to refill the boiler if you want to make more than 1 drink. So this isn't the greatest for having friends over for espresso drinks, well, unless they like waiting a long time.

The instructions are a bit confusing. They have 2 different sets integrated into one manual, one for if your machine has a 'Vario System' and for without the 'Vario System'. My machine did not have this feature, so maybe it makes a difference. Perhaps those machines with that system work better? It apparently affects how dark or light your shots come out, so that may help regulate the shots and steam?

I know you 'get what you pay for' and I didn't pay much for this machine, but there are certainly other machines within the same price range that work much better.

it's just bad looking plastic. if you want expresso buy nespresso machine with capsules.

I just got this today and found it was very simple to use and made some delicious perfect espresso and cappuccino.

I do not see any rubber gaskets on it. This statement in one of the reviews is odd considering the part it mentions does not exist: "the rubber gasket which holds the screen snugly inside the filter head began to split".
There is no rubber gasket and there is no screen, and there is no filter or filter head. I see that this reviewer has about five identical reviews for all the DeLonghi Espresso Machines.
There is a cup with a smaller metal cup inside it that slides in and out of the outer cup and that is what holds the ground coffee.

It has a heavy metal cap that screws on the top after you put the water in so it can build up steam for frothing the milk.
I really only drink espresso instead of coffee and since I moved to a less sophisticated area I can't find any so I had to get something to make my own. And I was not going to spend over fity bucks either.

I recieved this today and ran some water through it a couple of times as the directions suggest to take the "new" plastic taste out of it, then made some espresso and it was delicious, better and less bitter than any I remember.
Then I made some cappuccino. To do this, you make the espresso, then hold a cup of milk under a small nozzle on the side and steam comes out and makes the milk frothy. You then spoon the frothy milk into the espresso.
It could not get any easier. To get the steam, you just turn a knob on the side of the machine.

It does not come with the two espresso cups as shown in the photo. This photo is to illustrate that you can put two cups under it and the coffee will comes out of two separate nozzles, or you can put the included glass carafe under the nozzles.

The machine makes the espresso in about two minutes.
There is nothing tricky, complicated, or difficult about using this at all. You don't need to "practice" unless you are mentally challenged. And it looks very nice on the countertop too.
I even used regular coffee in it, although I did use about two full teaspoons for two tiny cups of espresso.
I then tried using just one small teaspoonful of coffee and it was much better. Yummy actually.

I've got my Starbucks Espresso beans all ready to grind up now
for my next cup. I almost can't wait to get up tomorrow to have some more espresso from this. It was just perfect!

So good tasted café should take a quality grain product, like salvadorean or colombian gourmet.
The machine work around 5 minutes to make a coffe cup. Don't forget clean the machine each time of use.
Nice machine, stilized design, ideal to personal use.

Only half to two-thirds of water went through after the second time of use. Not reccomented.

Definitely good for your money as far as WHAT it achieves, but for HOW LONG it does that you are better off spending more on a more reputable brand. After exactly a year (how convenient for DeLonghi, warranty-wise), it started heating the water so only half to two-thirds went through, then the rest would go after a 10-minute delay. Three months later, today, it is not heating any water whatsoever. Time to go shopping for a new one. It DEFINITELY won't be DeLonghi. I was happy with the machine before, as it made good, timely espresso with a wonderfully easy froth. Now, I realize if I had just spent double, I could have had a better machine that lasted 5 years. My last $70 Krups lasted that long. [NOTE: I use my espresso machine daily.]

I like this ok, but the steam wand doesn't really froth the milk very well. Sometimes it does, others it doesn't. Then I have to heat the steamed milk in the microwave because it is still cold. I guess I'm not having much luck with it. But after all the extra work my lattes taste good! Overall I guess it doesn't work the best.

This is a perfect espresso maker for a small family of two. If you follow the directions and purchase quality espresso beans, you'll get espresso as good as you may have tasted in Europe. It's a delight and very efficient.

I'm surprised at some of the negative reviews of this product. Perhaps the reviewers ended up with the occasional lemons. I've owned two of these...one I bought for myself, and the other as a gift, and they've worked beautifully. The milk steamer is very effective (but as noted, the wand is a bit short, which would be my only complaint). It would be nice to have a separate bypass switch between brewing and steaming modes, but the lack of one is common in machines in this price range. Overall I'm very happy with mine and have had no problems at all. At the current price, I'd highly recommend purchasing one. If you want more features and better construction, then spend another $100 or more for a steam pump model, but for fast and easy coffee drinks from a functional, affordable machine, this is hard to beat.

The milk steamer wand is so short and so close to the body of the machine that steaming milk is an awkward procedure.

I bought this machine in the UK and will definitely purchase one when we are back in the US. It makes as good or better latte's than you can get at any cafe and pays for itself very quickly. I was surprised how well the milk frother works and the coffee comes out nice and strong. Everyone who I have made coffee for from this machine - has ordered one for their home as well - its that good. You won't be sorry.

I am no espresso critique, but I do love the coffee that my machine makes. Its nice and strong and no problems with froth at all. I buy starbucks coffee (medium grnd). If you want a good espresso machine under 50$ this shd be your choice...

We've used this coffeemaker heavily for 1 1/2 years. It works great - for the price, especially. Ours is slowing down now, so we are replacing it with the exact same one.


This Espresso machine is great for people who love good espresso but can't afford fancy machines. In fact, I think I like this machine better than the fancy machine my mom has. It's super easy to use and quick- I make a latte every morning before work. And in fact you CAN froth milk with the wand- it takes a little finagling but the trick is to rotate the mug around the wand. It may take a couple of tries to get a routine down but by the third time you'll get the hang of it. And may I suggest- if you're making lattes, make only one at a time to get good foam. Enjoy!

I am far from a connoisseur of coffee, but I really like this machine. Unlike the Krupps that is similar priced (FND111 Allegro), it is make much more sturdy. I played with both in a feature to feature comparison and the DeLonghi is MUCH better made.

Best : Quality, quick espresso. Easy to clean, easy to use. Very attractive in the kitchen. Pretty darn quick. Great price for the quality.

OK : Frother is very short, so you need a short, stout cup to froth with. It is good for Cappuccino, but not really powerful enough for steaming a Latte's worth of milk. To get some extra steam, run it through an extra cycle just for steam.

Bad : Not really any for the price.

Overall, I am very, very pleased. I got it for only $39.99 here on Amazon and I think that is one heck of a good deal.

I really love this little machine! It's easy to use, easy to clean and I make myself a huge 4-cupper each time. I use a soup mug for my cappuchino. It works fine and totally fits under the frother.

While this isn't one of those amazing machines, you get more than your $ worth. I use it at work and make my officemates green with envy as I brew up a triple shot and top it with freshly steamed milk. On my first one, the milk steamer was broken, so for the person who rated it badly - return yours and get a new one - I did and now I love it!



If you're a coffee snob, go spend $500, but if you just like convenient, tasty espresso this puppy is an absolute workhorse. I use it every day, my meetings go very well ;^)

This review is just an answer to the review made by someone else, complaining that they can't fit a mug into this coffee maker - this a ESPRESSO coffee maker and you are not supposed to fit a mug there simply because people don't dring espresso in mugs.

This is an alright maker. The problem is that you can not fit the glass carafe or any normal sized mug under the frother. The nozzle does not extend beyond the machine and there is simply not enough room to get a mug under let alone move it up and down to froth the milk. I regret my purchase.