De'LonghiEcam 35020B Espresso Machine, Black 10.6oz. Touch Screen Plastic & Lavazza Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee, 1kg

This is a good, lower cost, bean-to-cup machine that is a great choice if you do not make a lot of milk-based drinks (if you do, look to upgrade to a machine with integrated milk dispenser). It suffers from having counter-intuitive controls for the more complex functions and no digital read-out to provide instructions. You will need to have your manual handy to make adjustments or manage cleaning cycles.Longer, two part review: 1) vs the k-cup machines 2) vs other superautosVs the KeurigIf you are one of those people who still use the antiquated k-cup style machines, just stop. This machine is a great alternative that will give you better coffee, save you at least $1,000 over its lifetime, and save the environment from you dumping 10,000 useless plastic containers into the trash. (See bottom for cost savings.) There is really no comparison between the coffee quality - this is VASTLY better tasting coffee. So you get better coffee for less money.Vs other SuperAutosThis is our fourth superauto machine (home and office). We have previously owned Gaggia/Saeco machines. We were looking for a simpler machine this time because we rarely make milk drinks which is the main difference between this and the more expensive models.Strengths:Simple to operate on the basic coffee making functionsVery fast warm-up timePretty good crema (not great but good)Low costLots of adjustability in temperature, grind size, coffee dosage, and drink lengthEasy clean-up with removable infuserWeaknesses:With no display screen, adjusting the settings or performing basic maintenance functions is counter-intutitive to say the least (to descale “Press and hold the [bean] icon (B8) until the [two lines with little triangles] light (B5) and the ESC and OK icons light up…” you get the idea).The manual that came with the machine was not very good – download the more complete manual from the web site (maybe ours was missing?) – to get detailed instructions on how to adjust things (be warned, the manual on the Delonghi site is missing illustrations it says it has!)If you can live with this annoyance, it makes good coffee and works well for the price.Fit & FinishOne of the reasons we went with the DeLonghi instead of the Saeco/Gaggia is that this machine fit better into the décor of the kitchen. It is maddening that nearly all other manufacturers put a white or stainless front on their machines but the rest of the appliance is gray or black. The white version that we bought is white all the way around the appliance so it does not stick out like an eyesore in our white kitchen. The machine is solidly put together and everything fits well.Cost vs K-CupsCompare the cost of 12.5 g net weight of the coffee in a k-cup which runs up to 70 cents for quality brands and 35 cents for the cheap stuff, to the cost of 12.5 g of good quality whole bean coffee at 20-25 cents (Lavazza Super Crema is our preferred daily brand). Multiply the difference by 10,000 cups which this machine should easily deliver before needing repairs (e.g. 5 cups a day for 5 years). At a 20 cents per cup savings this machine will be $2,000 cheaper over its first five years. (n.b. you will probably use less than 12.5 g per cup if you are used to K-cups because this machine is more effective at extracting the coffee.) And the coffee quality on this is MUCH better.

Makes great coffee. It replaced our 10 year old Jura that finally gave up leaking everywhere and tripping our circuit breaker.It is easy to use but we’ve grown to calling it “needy”. We get three cups before it needs water, we need to empty grounds every 6 cups or so, and needs more beans every 12-15 cups. And it needs descale process every month or so. So it needs something about half the time! All are easy steps to perform, and the coffee it makes is fantastic.

My last several years have been spent waking up, pressing the power button on the De'Longhi Prima Donna De Luxe, and starting my day. Next came COVID and a Prima Donna that was leaking water into the coffee grounds bin and it is several years old. I'd gladly get it repaired, and still may, but had to move on... for now... to this.The decision was not taken lightly. I went through all the stages of grief at least twice, tried pourover, French Press, pourover style drip, Moka Pot-- all which got me through until I could make a decision on what to do. I'm thankful this is the biggest problem in my life currently.I spent so much time researching that Amazon started offering me $50 off of one model and $200 off of this model just to make me make a decision and go away, I think. I finally did. This was the decision.I looked at all the brands in superautomatic including Philips, Miele, Saeco (Philips), Jura, Breville (which I've had great experiences with in other home appliances). Why did I choose this one?I had a really good experience with my Prima Donna De Luxe. I liked how the maintenance and cleaning were minimal, automation was maximum and it really didn't have any things due to design or functionality that "annoyed" me or that I wished I could change. We coexisted well and so with this one. So now on to the new one! It's not all good, but it is what it is. Here we go:Unboxing: Very similar experience. Premium packaging and materials, book, quick start guide and and an envelope. Enticing offer to register to get an extra year of warranty. I already bought a 3/4 year warranty with Amazon in addition so I don't end up in a situation like I did with the De Luxe.Startup / Setup: The unit is fully assembled. There are no parts that you need to figure out nor put together. The first time load of water and rinse did have a hiccup. Somehow I missed the instruction to turn the handle at the end of the rinse cycle finishing so I didn't exit the "first time rinse" cycle for three tries. I finally figured it out.Usage: While the interface on this one is visual with images and buttons and my Prima Donna De Luxe was fully a digital interface with buttons I had no problems making the jump and have yet to need to get out the book to figure out what I'm doing, even though I have a new feature here being the cold brew option. That may be the single feature that made me hop to this model from the Magnifica S or the others I was considering, which included the Philips Carina 1200, and Magnifica. Back to usage...The coffee bean fill area has a lid that is removable without a lid that closes over it with hinges, like the Prima Donna S De Luxe. I prefer this simpler design. The beans often would get stuck in the hinge area or in areas where they shouldn't be and I was constantly crushing a bean and having a mess to clean up. This simplification is either a step down standard or an improvement, and I prefer it.The drip tray is very similar to the design I had on the Prima Donna S De Luxe, though clearly the metal is far thinner. It looks fine but it's a noticeable step down in quality. Functionality is the same, though this unit is messy! The rinse water doesn't make its way nicely down through the drain holes and sometimes tends to splatter all over the grill and even onto the counter. Sometimes it's better than others and that I don't really understand and haven't had time to reserach/contact to ask about. I appreciate that the water bin is also front load, something that De'Longhi really pioneered and others followed, and while this unit holds 8 ounces less water than the De Luxe, I often found myself emptying the water out on it to refresh it. Losing the 8 ounces has not impacted my day to day routines.The "sights and sounds" and especially the sounds feel familiar. The rinsing, grinding, pre-infusion and brewing all sounds very similar. Small differences but "just like home" from a previous De'Longhi. I do notice that this unit will brew more than once for larger orders rather than a single brew on the old unit.I didn't use all of the functionality very often on the De Luxe. I never used the cup warmer, I rarely used the Latte Crema system though I enjoyed it when I did, so I struggled with where in the market that would take me-- to the very low end where you have units that don't even hold a water filter, or the very high end again like the De Luxe with a far higher price tag for features I rarely used. I did really have a hard time parting ways with the brushed metal and digital display. It had a "Cyber Truck" design before the Cyber Truck existed.I'm pleased with the taste of what it brews for me, with the feature set it has, and I do enjoy the iced coffee functionality. The taste of the coffee is significantly different than simply icing brewed coffee and pouring it over ice. I will probably still look into getting my De Luxe repaired, but in light of things I'm pleased to have made it past my mourning period, exporation of other options and to settle back in a new place. Recommended only with reservation about the messy rinse cycle situation (photo attached)I'm sure there were other good competitive models that would have made me just as happy but there's something to be said for a brand that you've had a good experience with and whose logistics and "how it works" brings value to the decision: known and trusted vs unknown. I was happy enough to go again with what I know, trust and like with De'Longhi.

Got my machine followed all instructions and it didn't work. Called for help from DeLonghi and spent an hour on the video chat line with the same result. 2 days later got an email with the return label. 2 and a half weeks later got a machine back and tried it. This time the pump turned on but water ran out the back of the unit. After 2 more times, I packed it up and sent it back to Amazon. My cheap coffee pot has worked for years.

The machine is a good value for money. I bought because I was looking for a white one. Didn't want to spend double the price or more. It is very easy to clean and operate. Everything is positive so far until you start making coffee. It is very diluted. no flavor. Even at maximum strength.I gathered, even before buying it, that most of the current reviews are fake but went ahead with the purchase .The summary is that it is a good machine as an entry level but not good enough for a coffee taster expert.

I got one for my mother as her birthday gift since she loves coffee but after 2 uses of making it, it leaks water whenever we use it! AND it looked USED as well. I was tricked into getting a used and faulty coffee machine. I wouldn't recommend this to any of my coworkers or friends from now on!UPDATE:The customer service is so low quality! I am so frustrated with them. On October 23 I called them about the return and they said they would send me an email on how to return it but when I called them today, October 29 they then told me they can not return it anymore or even exchange! I am HORRIFED with the TYPE of service I am given by these people! I wish I could give no stars. I am very upset at this type of service given and they told me they would give me an update about the return issue TODAY yet I haven't gotten a SINGLE email about it. They also wrote the wrong email at the start so I wouldn't get the email until I recalled them today! I am disgusted at this service and I will never want to buy an item like this again from this brand!.

having issues making coffee. It grinds the beans and then no coffee comes out it just makes the pulling noise but nothing comes out. Then I take the tray out and the pucks are moist whereas they should be firm and dry. I took a video of what it’s doing but I can’t see me to attach it here. I’ve only had this machine for three months and there shouldn’t be issues this early. Not too happy with this and don’t think it’s worth the value. Also the frothed is so short so you have to be really careful not to burn yourself with milk.

I had a gaggia fully automatic espresso machine before. Loved it!!!! Until it died after 11 years. I reordered the same model and when I received it, it was USED! The paper in the box said it may have grounds in it due t testing - okay... but what about the worn button??? I was disgusted that they tried to resell a used machine and pass it off as new. Anyways, I digress. So, after returning the machine, I ordered this one. Sometimes things happen in life so you can experience better things. This is a great machine!!!! From first impressions (the packaging) I knew this was a superior product. It was not placed inside another huge box. It was a box that was slipped OVER the box of the manufacturer! No need for extra extra packaging in a gigantic box. That impressed me.Coffee: comes out way hotter than the gaggia. Myself, I brew regular coffee in my machine, not espresso. That being said, I have yet to find the setting to brew a full cup of coffee. First world problems.To empty the used pucks is easy to empty and it reminds you to also empty the water tray as it comes out all together. A bonus for people that forget to empty the tray and then it overflows all over the counter.So far,2 weeks in, I am very happy with my purchase! The coffee is good and the design is AWESOME! The engineers, from the machine to the packaging, thought about everything. Now, I hope it lasts as long as my gaggia.

It’s not worth it for the price, as you could have more favorable espresso with other machines with less prices or get the higher fully automated model from delonghi.

I got my new coffee maker they other day and I love it,I have a older delonghi and makes great coffee too but this one there is no mess to clean up,And very easy to clean.And the shipping came earlier then it was suppose too,Looks great in my kitchen