De'Longhi EC260BK Espresso Machine - Review 🏆

De'Longhi is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to home espresso machines. Founded in 1902, the Italian company has over a century of experience in manufacturing high-quality coffee makers and other small kitchen appliances.

While De'Longhi offers a range of super-automatic, automatic, and manual espresso machines at various price points, the EC260BK is one of their more affordable semi-automatic models. This makes it a great option for beginners looking to brew cafe-quality espresso drinks at home without breaking the bank.

The De'Longhi EC260BK espresso machine features a sleek, compact design with stainless steel accents. But does its performance match its stylish looks? This review takes an in-depth look at the key specs, ease of use, brew quality, and overall value offered by the De'Longhi EC260BK.

Product Overview

The De'Longhi EC260BK is a compact and stylish espresso machine designed for home use. This model features a 15-bar pump pressure system and a manual milk frother to produce espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.

The EC260BK has a sleek black and stainless steel finish that will look elegant on any kitchen countertop. It has a compact footprint, measuring just 11.02 x 7.87 x 12.2 inches, so it doesn't take up too much space. The water tank has a 35oz capacity, which is decent for a home espresso maker.

Some of the highlights of the De'Longhi EC260BK include:

• Model Number: EC260BK
• 15 bars of pressure for rich espresso extraction
• Manual milk frother to make cappuccinos and lattes
• Sleek black and stainless steel finish
• Compact 11.02 x 7.87 x 12.2 inch footprint
• 35oz removable water tank

Overall, the EC260BK is a conveniently sized espresso machine with solid pressure and customization for brewing quality espresso drinks at home. The De'Longhi EC260BK is an excellent option for someone looking for an affordable, entry-level home espresso maker. It delivers good espresso and steamed milk at a reasonable price point. However, more advanced users may want to consider upgrading to a machine like the Sage BES875UK. The BES875UK is a premium model with more power, precision and flexibility for making cafe-quality espresso drinks. It has a 1600W thermocoil heating system, digital temperature control, and microfoam steam wand. The built-in grinder allows you to grind beans right before extraction for optimal flavor. With the Sage BES875UK, you can fine-tune the grind size, shot volume, and milk texture to customize your espresso creations. The EC260BK is best for beginners, while the BES875UK is ideal for experienced baristas who want more options to craft specialty coffee drinks at home.

The EC260BK has a simple and straightforward design that is easy to use out of the box. It comes with pressurized filter baskets which help optimize the extraction regardless of grind size or tamping pressure. This makes it more forgiving for beginners who are still dialing in their espresso skills. There are also single and double shot filters included. The EC260BK has just one programmable brewing button and on/off switch. The manual frother wand allows you to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes. However, you have to hold the pitcher and immerse the wand yourself, so the foam quality depends on your technique. The machine automatically shuts off after 9 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy.

In contrast, the Sage BES875UK has a much more advanced set-up with dual stainless steel boilers, digital PID temperature control, and electronic shot timer. You can adjust the grind amount in 0.2 second increments to customize shot volumes. The automatic steam wand enables you to steam milk hands-free at the touch of a button. There are also preset options on the touchscreen to make common drinks like espresso, latte, and cappuccino at the ideal temperatures. Given the increased pressure, power, precision, and flexibility of the Sage, it allows experienced home baristas to have complete control over the variables for crafting true espresso-house quality drinks.

Design and Build Quality

The De'Longhi EC260BK espresso machine features a sleek and modern design with stainless steel accents that will look great on any kitchen countertop. The machine body is made of high-quality black plastic that feels sturdy and durable.

The stainless steel front panel and drip tray give it a premium look and feel. The controls are well-laid out and easy to use. Overall, the build quality feels solid - the portafilter locks into place securely, the steam wand is sturdy, and the buttons have a nice tactile feedback.

While mostly plastic, the metal accents and paneling make the EC260BK look and feel more expensive than its price tag would suggest. The matte black and stainless steel color scheme is classy and understated. So if you're looking for an affordable espresso machine that still looks great, the EC260BK delivers on aesthetics.

The SWAN SK22110BN espresso machine is another great option to consider in this price range. It features an elegant design with stainless steel housing and black accents. The metal construction gives it a sturdy, premium feel. The SK22110BN model comes with a steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos. It has an adjustable temperature control, allowing you to customize the brewing process. The easy-to-use dial controls and LED indicator lights add to the appliance's user-friendliness and visual appeal.

In terms of aesthetics, the SK22110BN rivals more expensive machines with its gleaming stainless steel exterior. The smooth lines and curved edges give it a contemporary, sophisticated look. But beyond looks, SWAN put effort into making this a high-quality, durable espresso maker. From the stable pump pressure to the stainless steel boiler, the SK22110BN is built to last. So if a stylish, sturdy stainless steel espresso machine is what you're after, the SWAN SK22110BN is an excellent choice.

Ease of Use

The De'Longhi EC260BK espresso machine is designed to be simple and intuitive to use. The control panel has just a few buttons that are clearly labeled, including the on/off button, 1-cup and 2-cup buttons, and buttons to adjust the steam and coffee volume.

The steam and coffee volume buttons make it easy to customize the amount of espresso or milk froth dispensed. The machine remembers your volume settings, so you don't have to adjust it every time. The dual spouts accommodate both small espresso cups and taller coffee mugs.

The portafilter securely locks into place with a simple twist, and the water tank and drip tray are easy to access and remove for cleaning. The steam wand swivels for convenience when frothing milk. Overall, the interface is streamlined and user-friendly for both beginner and experienced baristas.

Brewing Performance

The EC260BK delivers excellent brewing performance for an entry-level espresso machine. It uses 15-bar pressure to extract rich, aromatic espresso shots from ground coffee. The thermoblock heating system ensures the water is heated to the optimal temperature of around 200°F consistently.

The steam wand on the EC260BK produces steam at 1.5 bars of pressure. This is sufficient for frothing and texturing milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The panarello attachment on the wand makes it easier to incorporate air into the milk while frothing to create microfoam. However, the steam power is not as strong as in higher-end machines, so it may take slightly longer to texture milk to the ideal consistency. But for an espresso machine at this price point, the steam performance is very capable for home use.

Overall, the brewing pressure, temperature control, and steaming ability of the EC260BK can produce cafe-quality espresso-based drinks. It has the necessary performance capabilities expected from a quality entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine.

Customization

The EC260BK offers a good degree of customization through its programmable options and adjustable settings. You can program the length of your shot, with options ranging from short ristretto style shots to longer 2 ounce shots. The manual dial on the front allows you to adjust the coarseness of the grind to dial in the perfect texture for your beans. The machine also has an adjustable spout to accommodate different cup sizes. One downside is that you cannot adjust the brew temperature, which is fixed at the ideal espresso temperature. However, overall the EC260BK provides sufficient personalization to pull your preferred shot. The programmable shot volumes and manual grind adjustment give you the control you need to optimize the machine for your specific taste preferences. While more expensive models offer greater tweakability, the customization of the EC260BK is impressive for its price point.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The De'Longhi EC260BK espresso machine is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Here are some key aspects:

• Descaling - This machine alerts you when it needs descaling. The descale process is straightforward, you just need to fill the water tank with descaling solution and run it through the machine according to the instructions. The whole process takes 15-20 minutes.

• Removable parts - The drip tray, water tank, portafilter and brewing group are all removable for easy cleaning. The drip tray can go in the dishwasher. The portafilter and brewing group can be rinsed under running water. Wiping down the exterior with a damp cloth keeps everything looking shiny.

• No auto-cleaning - There is no automated cleaning or "self-cleaning" function on this model. But the manual cleaning is quick and simple.

• Longevity - Overall the De'Longhi EC260BK is designed for reliable, long-term use. As long as you descale it regularly and follow the cleaning guidelines, it should provide many years of service. The maintenance is minimal for an affordable home espresso machine.

Noise Level

The De'Longhi EC260BK espresso machine runs at a reasonable noise level for a pump espresso machine. The noise produced comes mainly from the pump and steaming wand.

When brewing espresso, the noise level hovers around 70-75 decibels. This is comparable to the volume of a regular conversation and should not disturb most home environments. The pump cycles on and off during the brewing process, so the noise is not constant.

Steaming milk with the wand produces more noise at around 80 decibels. This approaches the volume of a garbage disposal. The steaming function runs continuously rather than cycling on and off. Some hissing and sputtering sounds accompany the steam rushing through the milk pitcher.

Overall, the EC260BK is not the quietest espresso machine but produces noise levels typical for this class of machine. The pump and steam noises are noticeable but should not be disruptive in most home kitchens. Users in small apartments or who want minimum noise disturbance may prefer a model with quieter operation.

Value for Money

The De'Longhi EC260BK espresso machine offers excellent value for money given its features and performance. At around £150, it sits at the lower end of the market for pump espresso machines yet still delivers quality espresso and milk frothing.

For the price, you get a compact and stylish stainless steel design with a 15-bar pump for proper espresso extraction. The machine can produce single and double shot espressos, as well as cappuccinos and lattes with its manual milk frother. It has a 1.4 liter removable water tank and comes with dual wall pressurized filter baskets for pre-ground coffee.

While more expensive machines may have additional capabilities like a built-in grinder or automatic milk frothing, the EC260BK focuses on the core essentials. It's a great entry-level option if you want authentic espresso and milk drinks without breaking the bank. The combination of features, ease of use, and performance make this machine a worthwhile investment for home use.

For those on a budget who still want quality espresso, the De'Longhi EC260BK hits a sweet spot between price and performance. You get excellent value without having to compromise too much on features or quality.

Summary

Overall, the De'Longhi EC260BK is a solid mid-range espresso machine that offers good value for money.

Pros:

• Sleek and compact design takes up minimal counter space
• Easy to use control panel with programmable options
• Consistently pulls rich, flavorful espresso shots
• Froths milk well for cappuccinos and lattes
• Removable water tank and drip tray for convenient cleaning
• Relatively quiet operation

Cons:

• Single boiler means you can't pull espresso and steam milk simultaneously
• Small water tank may require frequent refilling
• No automatic milk frothing option
• Plastic exterior feels less premium than some models

The De'Longhi EC260BK is a great choice for beginners looking for an affordable, entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine. It's simple to operate and can produce café-quality espresso drinks at home. The compact size also makes it a good option for small kitchens or apartments. More advanced users may want a dual-boiler machine for simultaneous brewing and steaming, or may prefer a higher-end model with more customization options. But for the price, the EC260BK delivers excellent espresso and milk frothing with minimal hassle. It's easy to recommend for anyone looking for an everyday home espresso maker that doesn't break the bank.