Shoppers are scrambling to get their hands on Amazon’s ‘top-rated’ espresso machine that ‘brews absolutely delicious coffee’ and has garnered over 32,000 glowing reviews as the retail behemoth’s number one best-seller in its category. What’s more, its price has been slashed by 38%.
The De’Longhi Dedica Style Traditional Pump Espresso Machine typically retails at £229.99, but during the Amazon Big Deals Day sales, it has been marked down to £142.49. Outdoing Curry’s and John Lewis’ prices, it’s a saving of £80. My London reporter, Eve Rowlands has owned this exact coffee machine for several years (and still going strong), and can vouch for the aforementioned claims and affirm its quality and money-saving benefits.
She shared: “I have pretty good authority to comment on it. Having worked in a number coffee shops in my time from Starbucks to local independently run cafés – I’ve earned the right to call myself a bit of a coffee connoisseur (or snob, you decide) and so know a good cup of Joe. While I love going out to my nearest café for a flavourful, full-bodied, creamy flat white, it all adds up. But this coffee machine completely changed the game (and has saved my purse strings).
“This make and model has kept my coffee addiction afloat for years now – showcasing its durability – and is possibly my favourite kitchen appliance to date. Not just because it makes fantastic coffee, from Americanos to lattes to cappuccinos, for a relatively good price, but because it’s unbelievably easy to do so.”
Compared to some alternative brands whose prices are a little steeper, like Smeg,Sage and KRUPS, this De’Longhi model doesn’t have a gazillion buttons for the different types of coffee it can make, nor does it grind your beans; it has three buttons. One is for a single espresso shot, one is for a double espresso shot, and one is to get the steam wand ready (so you can create the frothiest or silkiest, smoothest steamed milk).
Now, as a former ‘barista’, in her humble opinion, that is all you need – why complicate it with extra fiddly bits? Of course, creating the perfect milk may take a few attempts, but once you’ve cracked it, you’re on your way to making yourself a home-brewed latte in minutes that is just as good as your nearest Starbucks (or independent alternative) – and no queue.
The machine has a coffee tamper for an evenly distributed espresso and boasts a high 15 BAR pressure. It utilises thermoblock technology to maintain the perfect water temperature for brewing your ideal espresso, and its removable water tank can accommodate at least three mugs from experience. Plus, it’s easy to clean thanks to its manual descaling system.
Coffee lovers have praised this discounted gadget for producing ‘heavenly coffee’, garnering over 22,000 five-star reviews. While it’s been lauded as ‘the best fuss-free home espresso machine for home use’, some customers have reported issues with the frother, claiming it can be unpredictable.
However, Eve pointed out a fault, and she shared: “Although this is something I’ve experienced once or twice when getting used to the machine, for the most part, I’ve personally not had any issues with it. What I will say, however, is detaching the water tank can be a bit fiddly and stiff and so you will need both hands to fill it up and clean it. That and if you fill the espresso portafilter even slightly too much, you can hardly get it on so just be mindful of overfilling it.”
In addition to making excellent coffee, it’s compact size and sleek design not only add elegance to your kitchen but also fit neatly into any space without being an eyesore – measuring 149mm in width and 330mm in depth. Coffee lovers are currently buzzing about the BREVILLE One-Touch CoffeeHouse II VCF146 Coffee Machine, now available at Currys for a tempting £169.99, slashed from its original price of £349.99, and the Lakeland 3-in-1 Espresso Maker priced at £149.99.
Another reporter. Bethan Shufflebotham put the Beko CaffeExperto Bean To Cup Coffee Machine Steam Wand, retailing at £349, through its paces and shared: “I think the Beko CaffeExperto Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine is a costly but worthy investment for anyone who appreciates high-quality coffee and wants the convenience of crafting their favourite drinks at home.
“With its impressive features, sleek design, and potential cost savings, this machine provides an in-home barista experience and quickly earned a permanent spot in my kitchen while elevating my hot drinks game.”