De'Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK Espresso Machine - Review 🏆

De’Longhi is an Italian brand that has been manufacturing small domestic appliances for over 100 years. The company was founded in 1902 and is now a leading global manufacturer of coffee machines, air conditioning units, heaters, and other home appliances.

De’Longhi first began producing espresso machines in the 1970s and has continued to innovate in the coffee machine space ever since. The company is known for its focus on design, user-friendliness, and convenience features. Many of De’Longhi’s espresso machines incorporate patented technologies intended to make brewing espresso easier and more consistent for the at-home user.

The De’Longhi Stilosa manual espresso machine represents the brand's more affordable and compact options while still offering quality construction and brewing capabilities. We'll take a closer look at how this model performs for making espresso and milk-based drinks at home.

Overview

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK is a 15-bar pump espresso machine that combines traditional style with modern convenience. This semi-automatic espresso maker features a sleek black and stainless steel design, making it an attractive addition to any kitchen.

Some of the key features of the Stilosa EC260.BK include:

• 15 bars of pressure for rich, creamy espresso
• Thermo block heating system for fast warm up time
• 1.4 liter removable water tank
• Traditional portafilter with pressurized filter baskets
• Steam wand for frothing milk
• Cup warming tray on top

With its simple interface and manual controls, the Stilosa aims to provide an authentic espresso making experience without too many bells and whistles. It's compact enough for small kitchens but still has a traditional espresso machine look. The Stilosa EC260.BK is an excellent choice for beginners looking for an affordable but capable semi-automatic espresso maker. It produces rich, full-bodied espresso and allows you to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

If you're looking for a more advanced model from De'Longhi, consider the De'Longhi EC9355.M. This fully-automatic espresso machine has a built-in burr grinder for fresh coffee grounds, a milk carafe for automatic frothing, and customizable drink options. The digital display allows you to easily adjust settings like coffee strength and volume. This model also has a rapid cappuccino system that can prepare two cappuccinos at the same time. With advanced technology and customization options, the De'Longhi EC9355.M takes your home espresso to the next level.

Design

The De'Longhi Stilosa has an attractive and compact design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It's made of high-quality matte black plastic that feels solid and durable. The machine measures 9.4 x 8.3 x 12.4 inches, so it doesn't take up too much space but still has a substantial footprint.

There is only one color option available - matte black. While some may prefer stainless steel, the matte black plastic has a sleek, modern look. It's not prone to fingerprints or scratches. The smooth curves and minimalist design give it an elegant appearance.

The water tank and drip tray are easy to access and remove from the front of the machine. The portafilter locks into place securely on the group head. Overall, the design is well-thought-out for functionality, visual appeal, and compact size.

If you're looking for a similar espresso machine with a compact and stylish design, check out the De'Longhi ECOV311BG. This model also has a modern matte black exterior and curved edges for a sleek look. It's only 10 inches wide, so it can fit in tight spaces. The control panel is minimalist with easy-to-use buttons. The portafilter, drip tray, and water tank are conveniently accessible from the front. At just over 9 pounds, it has a solid build quality but is still lightweight enough to move around. The ECOV311BG shares the elegant aesthetics and practical design of the Stilosa.

Both the Stilosa and ECOV311BG have compact footprints that don't take up much counter space. Their matte black finish gives them an understated yet stylish appearance perfect for modern kitchens. While the Stilosa may only come in black, the ECOV311BG is also available in stainless steel for those who prefer that look. However, the black plastic housing on both models is durable and fingerprint-resistant. If you're looking for a espresso machine that looks great and doesn't dominate your countertop, the Stilosa or ECOV311BG are excellent options to consider.

Ease of Use

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 has an easy-to-use control panel with two dials and three buttons. The left dial controls the amount of coffee dispensed and the right dial controls the steam and hot water. There are also buttons for one espresso shot, two espresso shots, and steam.

The settings are straightforward and simple to adjust. You can easily dial in the amount of espresso you want from a single or double shot. The steam dial allows you to control the steam wand for frothing milk. The buttons provide pre-programmed one and two shot volumes for convenience.

Maintenance on the Stilosa is also easy. The drip tray and water tank are removable for cleaning. De'Longhi recommends descaling every 200 coffees to keep the machine operating optimally. The descaling process is automated by the machine and takes about 30 minutes. Overall, the Stilosa provides effortless usability with its intuitive controls and low maintenance requirements.

Brewing Performance

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK espresso machine produces excellent espresso with its 15-bar pump pressure and Thermoblock heating system that quickly reaches the optimal brewing temperature between 195°F-205°F. The quality of the espresso is consistently rich, aromatic, and full-bodied with a nice crema layer on top.

The pressure is strong enough to properly extract the flavors from ground coffee yet not too high that it causes over-extraction and bitterness. The Thermoblock heating provides consistent temperatures throughout the brewing process for balanced extraction. The portafilter securely locks into place to prevent leaks or pressure loss during extraction.

Overall, the brewing performance of the Stilosa is exceptional for an entry-level home espresso machine. It's capable of crafting cafe-quality shots with thick, hazelnut colored crema and complex flavors. The espresso comes out hot and at the right temperature to enjoy immediately. The brewing process is fast, taking just 25-30 seconds to pull a single or double shot after a short heat up time.

Steam Wand

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 comes with a pannarello steam wand that makes it easy to froth and steam milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The steam wand has decent steam power that allows you to froth milk relatively quickly.

When using the steam wand, you can adjust the steam output by turning the steam knob. The pannarello attachment on the wand helps incorporate air into the milk to create froth. It takes about a minute to get the milk up to temperature and start forming froth. The froth is fairly smooth and silky, though it may take some practice to achieve optimal microfoam.

Overall, the steam wand delivers good results for an affordable home espresso machine. It provides enough steam power and frothing ability to make cafe-quality milk-based drinks. Just keep in mind there is a learning curve, so expect to spend some time practicing your milk frothing technique. But with some experimentation, you'll be able to make lattes and cappuccinos topped with creamy, frothy milk using the De'Longhi's steam wand.

Additional Features

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 comes with some nice additional features that enhance the coffee making experience.

One handy feature is the cup warmer on top of the machine. The stainless steel tray keeps cups warm before you use them, which helps maintain the optimal temperature for your espresso or coffee. No more pouring your freshly brewed drink into a cold cup!

The machine also comes with a few handy accessories including a tamper for compressing the coffee grounds, a measuring scoop, and dual wall filter baskets for single and double shot espresso. These let you dial in the perfect dose and tamp for extracting rich, aromatic espresso just how you like it.

Having the built-in cup warmer and useful accessories makes the EC260 a well-equipped espresso machine right out of the box. You get everything you need to pull consistently great shots and enjoy them in pre-warmed cups.

Noise Level

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 has a relatively low noise level compared to other espresso machines in its class. The pump and brewing operation generate minimal noise that is unlikely to disturb household members even in close proximity.

According to most reviews, the noise level hovers around 70 decibels during the brewing process. This is quieter than a standard conversation and comparable to the noise of a shower running. The steam wand produces a bit more noise when heating and frothing milk, but is not excessively loud.

Some users note the machine makes a bit of a gurgling sound when first turned on as the boiler heats up. But this noise dissipates within less than a minute. Overall, the EC260 keeps noise to a minimum so you can brew your morning espresso without disturbing others. Its quiet operation makes it well-suited for kitchens, offices, and other shared spaces.

Pros and Cons

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK has several pros and cons that are worth considering:

Pros

• Sleek and stylish design that looks great on the counter
• Easy to use controls and settings
• Consistent espresso extraction and frothing ability
• Powerful steam wand heats milk quickly
• Relatively quiet operation
• Durable stainless steel boiler

Cons

• Small water reservoir capacity at 24 oz
• No automatic milk frothing feature
• Unable to make larger coffee drinks
• Lacks more advanced features like a PID controller
• Can't customize espresso volume/shot timing
• No hot water spout for americanos or tea
• Price is higher than some competitors

Overall, the De'Longhi Stilosa EC260.BK is a capable espresso machine that produces good quality espresso and froth in a stylish package. It's easy to use out of the box, but lacks customization for more advanced users. The small water reservoir and inability to pull longer coffee shots also limit it's versatility. But if you're looking for an attractive and simple semi-automatic espresso maker, it's a solid choice to consider.

Conclusion

The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 is an excellent entry-level espresso machine that produces rich, creamy espresso with ease. It has a classic, retro design that looks great on any countertop. The controls are straightforward and allow you to pull consistent shots once you find the right grind and dose.

The machine is easy to use, even for beginners. The portafilter securely locks into place, and the steam wand makes it simple to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The brewing process is relatively quiet, without too much vibration or noise.

Overall, the EC260 delivers exceptional espresso and milk frothing capabilities considering its affordable price point. It's a great option if you want rich, barista-quality espresso drinks at home without a huge investment. The compact size also makes it ideal for small kitchens. While more advanced users may eventually want to upgrade, the De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 is an excellent starter espresso machine that consistently delivers delicious results. It's easy to recommend for anyone looking to bring cafe-style drinks into their home.