De'Longhi ECP3420 Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The De'Longhi ECP3420 is a semi-automatic pump espresso machine designed for home use. This compact and stylishly designed espresso maker allows you to brew restaurant-quality espresso drinks in the comfort of your home.

The ECP3420 features a 15-bar pressure pump, a manual milk frother, and a dual function filter holder that can take both ground coffee and ESE pods. It comes with adjustable controls so you can customize the strength and amount of your espresso shots. The machine also has a rapid heating system that is ready to brew in just 45 seconds.

Overall, the De'Longhi ECP3420 offers exceptional espresso-making capabilities in an easy-to-use and relatively affordable package. Its compact footprint makes it a great choice for smaller kitchens. This review will take a close look at the key features and performance of this popular home espresso machine.

Design and Build Quality

The De'Longhi ECP3420 has an attractive stainless steel design with sleek lines and smooth, rounded edges that give it a high-end look. The machine is relatively compact at 13.4 x 11.2 x 11.6 inches, making it a good fit for most kitchen counters without taking up too much space.

The exterior housing and boiler are constructed of stainless steel, giving the machine a solid, durable feel. The water reservoir, drip tray, and parts that come into contact with water and coffee are BPA-free plastic for safety and easy cleaning.

The control panel is neatly arranged with backlit soft-touch buttons that are intuitive and simple to operate. The steam wand is easy to maneuver into different positions for frothing milk. The portafilter locks into place securely and the water reservoir is easy to access and remove for refilling.

Overall, the quality of materials and smart design make the ECP3420 feel like a premium appliance built to last. It has an elegant look that would add style to any kitchen décor.

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260BK is another excellent offering from De'Longhi. It features a compact design that is perfect for kitchens with limited space. The machine includes a 15-bar pressure pump, ensuring rich and flavorful espresso every time. The Stilosa EC260BK also includes a manual milk frother, which allows for the professional crafting of lattes and cappuccinos. The sleek black finish, combined with stainless steel accents, makes this machine not just functional but also stylish and modern, fitting seamlessly into any kitchen environment.

Brewing Performance

The De'Longhi ECP3420 delivers excellent brewing performance for an affordable super-automatic espresso machine. It operates at 15 bars of pressure, which is the ideal range for extracting rich, aromatic espresso shots.

The Thermoblock heating system maintains a consistent brewing temperature, so your shots will come out hot with good crema every time. The quality and taste of the espresso is impressive for the price - shots pour smoothly with a nice caramel hue and robust, long-lasting crema.

The integrated burr grinder does a good job of grinding beans consistently to the right fineness for espresso. This allows you to get well-extracted shots with balanced flavors. You can adjust the grind settings to tweak the flavor profile to your liking.

The ECP3420 pulls 1 or 2 high-quality shots at a time with the press of a button. It produces authentic cafe-style espresso with a nice layer of crema on top. Many users mention the rich, intense espresso flavor that this machine can deliver.

Overall, the brewing capabilities of the De'Longhi ECP3420 rival more expensive super automatic machines, making it a great choice for espresso lovers on a budget.

If you’re interested in another excellent option, consider the Gevi GECME403L-U. This machine also operates at 15 bars of pressure, ensuring optimal extraction for flavorful shots. It has a double temperature control system to adjust the water and milk foam temperature, leading to perfect-tasting coffee and creamy froth. The stainless steel body and compact design make it a durable and stylish addition to any kitchen. The Gevi GECME403L-U offers versatility in creating a variety of coffee drinks, from espresso to cappuccinos and lattes, making it a great alternative in the same price range.

Milk Frothing

The De'Longhi ECP3420 comes equipped with a pannarello steam wand that makes it easy to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The steam wand has a plastic sleeve around it with holes that helps to aerate the milk and create microfoam.

Users report that the steam wand is able to create thick, creamy, and smooth microfoam with just a short learning curve. The only downside is that the plastic sleeve can sometimes get a bit sticky and needs to be cleaned thoroughly after each use. But many users find it very easy to create perfectly frothed milk with a bit of practice.

Overall, the steam wand design makes frothing effortless for beginners while still allowing experienced users to create high-quality microfoam. The only minor inconvenience is having to clean the plastic sleeve regularly.

Ease of Use and Cleanup

The De'Longhi ECP3420 is designed to be very user-friendly, with a minimal learning curve required to produce great espresso drinks. The control panel is simple and intuitive, with dedicated buttons for espresso, steam, and hot water. The buttons have illuminated icons that make the different functions clear at a glance.

Operating the machine is straightforward. After heating up in less than a minute, you simply place your portafilter loaded with ground coffee into the group head, press the espresso button, and let the machine pull your shot. The 3-in-1 filter holder allows you to pull shots with ease and accommodate pods or ground coffee.

Steaming milk is made easy with the manual frothing wand. The knob allows you to adjust the steam output for silky microfoam. It may take some practice to master latte art, but it's simple to steam milk to the right temperature and texture.

In terms of cleanup, the parts are simple to rinse under running water. The drip tray can be removed and washed periodically to keep things hygienic. De'Longhi recommends using a water filter with this machine to reduce the need for descaling. With filtered water, you'll only need to decalcify every few months based on usage. There is an indicator light to prompt you when descaling is needed.

Overall, the ECP3420 delivers semi-automatic espresso convenience without much of a learning curve. The maintenance is minimal, making it a user-friendly option for home use.

Additional Features

The De'Longhi ECP3420 comes with several useful additional features that enhance the coffee making experience:

• Programmable options - You can program the machine to automatically start brewing at a certain time. This allows you to wake up to a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The 24-hour programmable timer is easy to set.

• Hot water spout - The machine has a separate hot water spout that can be used to make americanos by adding hot water to espresso. It can also be used to prepare hot water for tea. The water temperature can be adjusted between 185-195°F.

• Cup warming tray - The ECP3420 has a cup warming tray on top of the machine to preheat your cups. This helps maintain the optimal serving temperature of the coffee and improves flavor. The tray can fit up to 6 small espresso cups.

Noise Level

The De'Longhi ECP3420 is relatively quiet during operation compared to similar espresso machines.

• The pump operates at an acceptable noise level that is not distracting or overbearing. You can hold a conversation over the pumping noise without having to raise your voice.

• There is minimal grinding noise when the built-in burr grinder is operating. The grinder is contained and muffled so the grinding sound does not carry.

• Overall, the noise profile is lower than expected for an espresso machine with a built-in grinder. The pump and grinder are not silent, but they won't disturb you or others around you.

• Some user reviews mention the machine being slightly louder than advertised. But most agree the noise is reasonable and comparable to other espresso machines in this class.

• The noise level gets a passing grade. It's quiet enough for home kitchen use without disruption. The De'Longhi avoids being loud or high-pitched during brewing.

Reliability and Durability

This espresso machine has proven to be quite reliable and durable over time based on customer reviews. Many owners report using the machine daily for years with no issues.

The internal components and housing seem well-made and able to withstand regular use and cleaning. The stainless steel exterior resists scratches, dents, and corrosion.

De'Longhi provides a 1-year warranty on the machine which offers some peace of mind. However, most users say the machine lasts much longer than that when properly maintained and descaled.

There are very few complaints online about early breakdowns or malfunctions. When issues do arise after the 1-year mark, they seem to be relatively minor and inexpensive to repair.

Overall, this espresso machine gets high marks for reliability from owners. It's built to last for years of daily use with proper care and maintenance. For the price, it offers excellent durability.

Value for Money

The De'Longhi ECP3420 offers excellent value for the price. At around $150-$200, it is affordably priced for a 15 bar pump espresso machine. The metal and stainless steel construction give it a premium feel not always found at this price point.

It comes with two separate thermostatic stainless steel boiler systems, allowing you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. Many comparably priced models only have a single boiler, which means you have to wait between brewing and steaming.

The ECP3420 also includes a swivel jet frother for making cappuccinos and lattes. The frother produces creamy milk foam for topping your espresso drinks. Other handy accessories like a tamper, measuring scoop, and filters are also included.

When comparing to other models in this price range like the De'Longhi EC155 and Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista, the ECP3420 stands out for its dual boiler system, 3-in-1 filter holder, and premium construction. You'd have to spend significantly more to get comparable features from brands like Breville and Gaggia.

Overall, the De'Longhi ECP3420 provides an unbeatable mix of quality, performance, and value in its price range. It's a great option for beginners looking for an affordable starter machine as well as experienced home baristas on a budget.

Conclusion

The De'Longhi ECP3420 espresso machine is an excellent option for those seeking a semi-automatic machine that produces high-quality espresso and espresso-based drinks at an affordable price point.

Pros:

• Compact, elegant design that looks great on any kitchen counter
• Convenient rapid cappuccino system for easily frothing milk
• Easy to use control panel with adjustable coffee strength
• Excellent brewing pressure for rich, flavorful espresso
• Removable water tank and drip tray for easy cleaning
• Durable stainless steel boiler and quality internal components

Cons:

• Smaller water tank capacity compared to some models
• Requires daily backflushing and descaling for optimal performance
• May not have the same build quality as higher-end machines
• Frothing wand could be easier to maneuver

Overall, the De'Longhi ECP3420 punches above its weight class, delivering restaurant-quality espresso drinks at home for a reasonable price. It's an excellent home espresso machine for beginners or experienced baristas looking for an affordable, compact and capable model. For those seeking top-tier performance and maximum long-term durability, higher-end machines may be preferable despite their substantially higher costs. However, for its balance of quality, convenience and value, the De'Longhi ECP3420 earns a strong recommendation as one of the best home espresso machines available today.