For milk-drink households choosing on froth quality and convenience
Best DeLonghi for Lattes
The best DeLonghi espresso machines for lattes and milk drinks, ranked on milk automation: LatteCrema, LatteCrema Hot and Cool, and manual steam.
The short answer
For lattes, the DeLonghi Dinamica is the value pick with automatic LatteCrema milk. Households split on hot and iced should get the Eletta Explore for its dual hot and cold foam systems.
Top picks at a glance
The picks, ranked
| Product | Milk | Grinder | Pump | Water tank | Iced coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeLonghi Dinamica ECAM35020 | LatteCrema automatic system | Conical burr, 13 settings | 15-bar | 60 oz | Dedicated iced coffee setting |
| DeLonghi Eletta Explore ECAM45086S | LatteCrema Hot + LatteCrema Cool | Conical burr, 13 settings | - | 60 oz (1.8 L) | - |
| DeLonghi Rivelia EXAM44055 | - | - | 19-bar | - | - |
| DeLonghi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB | - | Conical burr, 8 settings | 15-bar | 1.5 L | - |
| DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM29043SB | - | Conical burr, 13 settings | 15-bar | 60 oz | - |
Swipe sideways to compare all picks
01Best latte value
DeLonghi Dinamica ECAM35020
The automatic-milk step up: LatteCrema one-touch milk drinks plus iced coffee.
- Milk: LatteCrema automatic system
- Grinder: Conical burr, 13 settings
- Pump: 15-bar
The LatteCrema automatic system makes one-touch lattes and cappuccinos at a mid-tier price, with the 13-setting grinder and 60 oz tank covering the rest of the routine. The value pick for households where milk drinks dominate.
Strengths
- LatteCrema automatic milk system for one-touch milk drinks
- Iced coffee setting brews over ice without dilution tricks
- 13-setting conical burr grinder, 15-bar pump
- 60 oz front-loading tank with adjustable coffee spout
Limitations
- Larger and pricier than the Magnifica models for the same core brewing
- Milk carafe needs regular cleaning to stay hygienic
- Recipe menu is shorter than the Rivelia and Eletta Explore
| Milk | LatteCrema automatic system |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Conical burr, 13 settings |
| Pump | 15-bar |
| Water tank | 60 oz |
| Iced coffee | Dedicated iced coffee setting |
Sources: DeLonghi official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the LatteCrema system for turning cappuccinos into a genuine one-touch job
- Many owners enjoy the dedicated iced coffee setting, which brews over ice without tasting watered down
- Long-term owners appreciate the 60 oz front-loading tank paired with an adjustable spout for taller glasses
- Some owners feel the step up in size and price is steep given the brewing core matches the Magnifica line
- A common complaint is that the milk carafe needs regular cleaning to stay hygienic
- Owners note the recipe menu stops short of what the Rivelia and Eletta Explore offer
Best for: Milk-drink households that want one-touch cappuccinos from an automatic.
Skip if: Your routine is straight espresso; the LatteCrema system adds cost you will not use.
02Best for hot and iced lattes
DeLonghi Eletta Explore ECAM45086S
50+ hot and cold recipes with LatteCrema Hot and Cool: the iced-drink flagship.
- Recipes: 50+ hot and cold one-touch recipes
- Milk: LatteCrema Hot + LatteCrema Cool
- Cold brew: Cold Extraction Technology, under 3 minutes
LatteCrema Hot plus LatteCrema Cool means proper hot foam and proper cold foam from one machine, backed by 50+ recipes. The pick when the household splits between hot lattes and iced lattes.
Strengths
- 50+ hot and cold one-touch recipes, the largest menu here
- LatteCrema Hot plus LatteCrema Cool for hot foam and cold foam
- Cold Extraction Technology makes cold brew in under 3 minutes
- 3.5-inch TFT full-touch display with 4 user profiles
Limitations
- Flagship price and a large 10.25-inch-wide footprint
- Two milk carafes (hot and cool) double the cleaning routine
- Complexity means more parts that need maintenance
| Recipes | 50+ hot and cold one-touch recipes |
|---|---|
| Milk | LatteCrema Hot + LatteCrema Cool |
| Cold brew | Cold Extraction Technology, under 3 minutes |
| Grinder | Conical burr, 13 settings |
| Water tank | 60 oz (1.8 L) |
Sources: DeLonghi official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the menu depth, with more than 50 hot and cold one-touch recipes to choose from
- Many owners enjoy having both hot foam and cold foam systems for year-round drinks
- Owners say cold brew in under 3 minutes has changed their summer routine
- Some owners balk at the flagship price and the wide 10.25-inch footprint it demands
- A common complaint is that two milk carafes, one hot and one cool, double the washing up
- Owners note the complexity brings more parts that need regular maintenance
Best for: Households split between hot lattes and iced drinks who want both at one touch.
Skip if: You drink only hot espresso; the cold systems add cost without benefit.
03Best personalized lattes
DeLonghi Rivelia EXAM44055
Two bean hoppers, 16 recipes, and Bean Adapt: the newest DeLonghi automatic.
- Bean system: Two interchangeable 250 g hoppers
- Recipes: 16 one-touch recipes
- Profiles: 4 user profiles
Sixteen recipes, 4 user profiles, and Bean Adapt Technology let each drinker save their latte exactly how they like it. The LatteCrema Hot system handles the milk; the profiles handle the people.
Strengths
- Bean Switch System: two interchangeable 250 g hoppers for switching beans
- Bean Adapt Technology sets grind, dose, and temperature per bean
- 16 one-touch recipes with 4 user profiles
- 3.5-inch full-touch color display with Coffee Routines
Limitations
- Premium price for features single-bean households will not touch
- 1.4 L tank is smaller than the Magnifica and Dinamica 60 oz tanks
- Newer platform with less long-term reliability data
| Bean system | Two interchangeable 250 g hoppers |
|---|---|
| Recipes | 16 one-touch recipes |
| Profiles | 4 user profiles |
| Display | 3.5-inch full-touch color |
| Pump | 19-bar |
Sources: DeLonghi official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the twin interchangeable 250 g hoppers for letting them swap beans without emptying the machine
- Many owners say Bean Adapt takes the guesswork out of setting grind, dose and temperature for each new bean
- Owners enjoy saving their drinks across 4 profiles, with 16 one-touch recipes to draw from
- Some owners admit the premium price stings if the household only ever brews one bean
- A common complaint is the 1.4 L tank running smaller than the 60 oz tanks on the Magnifica and Dinamica
- Owners note the newer platform has less long-term reliability history behind it than older models
Best for: Households that switch beans between drinks and want deep personalization.
Skip if: You brew one bean one way; the bean-switching hardware is wasted on you.
04Best manual latte craft
DeLonghi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB
Semi-automatic with grinder: 8 settings, smart tamping station, 3 brew temperatures.
- Grinder: Conical burr, 8 settings
- Pump: 15-bar
- Portafilter: 51 mm
The MyLatte Art steam wand produces genuine microfoam for drinkers who want to learn latte art. Slower than any automatic, but the ceiling on milk texture is higher in skilled hands.
Strengths
- Integrated conical burr grinder with 8 settings
- Smart tamping station for mess-free, level tamps
- 3 infusion temperature levels for roast-level dial-in
- MyLatte Art steam wand for real microfoam practice
Limitations
- 8 grind settings are coarse next to the 13 on the automatics
- Manual workflow means slower mornings than any super-automatic
- 51mm portafilter is smaller than the 58mm commercial standard
| Grinder | Conical burr, 8 settings |
|---|---|
| Pump | 15-bar |
| Portafilter | 51 mm |
| Temperature | 3 infusion temperature levels |
| Water tank | 1.5 L |
Sources: DeLonghi official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the smart tamping station for delivering level, mess-free tamps every time
- Many owners like switching between 3 infusion temperatures to suit different roast levels
- Owners say the MyLatte Art wand gives them a proper tool for learning real microfoam
- Some owners find the 8 grind settings a bit coarse when they compare them with the 13 on the automatics
- A common complaint is that the fully manual routine makes for slower mornings
- Owners note the 51mm portafilter sits below the 58mm commercial standard they may be used to
Best for: Hands-on learners who want a built-in grinder and temperature control.
Skip if: You want one-touch automation; every drink here is manual.
05Best budget latte route
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM29043SB
The modern Magnifica: color touch display and iced coffee, still with a manual frother.
- Recipes: 5 one-touch recipes
- Grinder: Conical burr, 13 settings
- Pump: 15-bar
The manual frother takes practice, but the Evo's price leaves room in the budget to learn. Five one-touch recipes cover the coffee side; you handle the milk.
Strengths
- Color icon touch display simplifies the one-touch menu
- 5 one-touch recipes: espresso, coffee, americano, iced coffee, long
- 13-setting conical burr grinder with 8.8 oz bean hopper
- 60 oz tank with removable, dishwasher-safe parts
Limitations
- Manual milk frother, like the Magnifica S
- 5 recipes is a short menu next to the Dinamica and Rivelia
- No user profiles for multi-drinker households
| Recipes | 5 one-touch recipes |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Conical burr, 13 settings |
| Pump | 15-bar |
| Water tank | 60 oz |
| Display | Color icon touch display |
Sources: DeLonghi official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
- Owners praise the color icon touch display for making the one-touch menu easy to navigate
- Many owners like having iced coffee among the one-touch recipes for warmer days
- Owners say the removable, dishwasher-safe parts take the sting out of cleanup
- Some owners wish the milk side were automatic, since the frother is still worked by hand
- A common complaint is the recipe list feeling short once you compare it with the Dinamica or Rivelia
- Owners in multi-drinker homes note the lack of user profiles for saved preferences
Best for: Buyers who want a current interface and iced coffee without paying for automatic milk.
Skip if: One-touch cappuccinos are the goal; this still steams milk by hand.
Questions, answered
What is LatteCrema?
DeLonghi's automatic milk system: it textures milk (dairy or plant-based) into foam automatically as part of one-touch milk recipes, with adjustable density on most models. LatteCrema Hot handles hot drinks; the Eletta Explore adds LatteCrema Cool for cold foam.
Is automatic milk as good as manual steaming?
For consistency, yes: every latte tastes the same. For peak texture and latte art, a skilled hand on the La Specialista Arte's or Dedica Arte's steam wand still wins. Choose consistency or craft.
Can LatteCrema froth oat milk?
Yes, the LatteCrema systems are designed to work with milk alternatives as well as dairy. Results vary by brand; barista-edition oat milks foam best.
How do I clean the milk system?
Run the auto-clean cycle after milk drinks and disassemble the carafe for washing regularly. Milk residue is the fastest route to off flavors and hygiene problems in any automatic.