Last updated: October 2, 2026
De’Longhi’s All-in-One Coffee and Espresso Maker is aimed at households that want two different coffee routines from one countertop machine. It can brew a carafe of drip coffee while also making espresso-style drinks, and its steam wand is intended for heating and frothing milk. That combination is useful, but it involves compromises that are easy to miss in product photos.
This is not a replacement for a dedicated espresso machine and a good drip brewer. It is a space-saving compromise for people who want ordinary coffee most mornings and occasional cappuccinos or lattes without buying two appliances.
Quick answer: Our top pick in 2026 is the De’Longhi All-in-One — our #1 rated choice. See the full ranked comparison, alternatives and buying advice below.
What the De’Longhi All-in-One does
The machine combines a filter-coffee side with a pump espresso side. The coffee side uses a carafe and filter basket, while the espresso side uses ground coffee in a portafilter. A steam wand handles milk for drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes.
The exact bundle and finish can vary by retailer, but the basic appeal is consistent: one appliance covers two styles of brewing. It is especially practical in a small kitchen, office, guest suite, or home where one person drinks black coffee and another prefers milk-based espresso drinks.
The espresso side is designed for convenience rather than café-level control. You do not get the same precision, temperature stability, grinder quality, or shot adjustment found on a dedicated semi-automatic machine. For a closer look at the alternatives, browse home espresso machines separately before deciding that the combination format is right for you.
Where it works well
See also: Breville Bench Saver • Rocket Espresso Coffee Machine
The main strength is flexibility. You can brew a full pot for breakfast, then make an espresso-based drink later without switching appliances. The separate coffee and espresso controls also make the machine less disruptive in a shared kitchen than a single-purpose espresso setup.
- Good for mixed households: One person can drink drip coffee while another uses the espresso side.
- Useful in limited spaces: It takes less room than two full-size machines, even though it is still fairly wide.
- Accessible entry point: You can learn basic tamping, extraction, and milk steaming without immediately investing in a high-end setup.
- Convenient for entertaining: A carafe serves several people, while the espresso side handles a few specialty drinks.
The drip side is also the less demanding part of the machine. With fresh coffee, the correct water amount, and a clean filter basket, it can produce a perfectly serviceable pot. If your household mostly drinks regular coffee and only occasionally wants a latte, that may be all the performance you need.
Important trade-offs before buying
The espresso side has a learning curve, even though the machine is marketed as an all-in-one convenience appliance. You must dose the portafilter, distribute the grounds, tamp evenly, lock it in place, and clean the group area afterward. Pre-ground coffee makes the process simpler, but a modest espresso coffee grinder gives you more control over freshness and shot quality.
Do not expect every espresso shot to taste like one from a specialty café. Common failure modes include:
- Weak, watery shots: The coffee may be stale, ground too coarse, under-dosed, or tamped unevenly.
- Bitter shots: The grind may be too fine, the coffee over-dosed, or the extraction allowed to run too long.
- Messy portafilter removal: Excessive pressure or an overfilled basket can leave wet grounds and cause splashing.
- Poor milk texture: The wand can make hot, foamy milk, but consistent microfoam takes practice and depends on using a suitable pitcher and cold milk.
- Slow switching between functions: Brewing coffee and steaming milk use different temperature requirements, so you may need to wait between tasks.
The machine’s two-sided design also means more parts to maintain. The carafe system, water reservoir, portafilter, drip tray, steam wand, and coffee basket all need regular rinsing. Milk residue is the most serious cleaning issue: purge and wipe the wand immediately after every use. Dried milk can block the tip and create unpleasant odors.
How it compares with other setups
| Setup | Best for | Main advantage | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| De’Longhi All-in-One | Households that want drip coffee and occasional espresso drinks | Two brewing styles in one appliance | Espresso quality and workflow are limited compared with dedicated equipment |
| Dedicated drip coffee maker plus separate espresso machine | People who regularly drink both types of coffee | Better performance and easier optimization for each job | Higher cost and more counter space |
| Single-serve pod machine | Speed and minimal cleanup | Simple, repeatable drinks with little technique | Higher per-cup cost and less control over coffee |
| Dedicated semi-automatic espresso machine | Espresso-focused users willing to practice | More control over grind, dose, extraction, and milk | Does not brew a normal carafe and requires more equipment |
If you already own a dependable drip brewer, buying this machine solely for espresso may not be the best value. A dedicated espresso machine can give you a better workflow and more room to improve. Conversely, if espresso drinks are rare and drip coffee is your daily habit, the cheaper option may be fine: keep your existing coffee maker and add a simple espresso appliance only if the need becomes regular.
Who should buy it?
Choose the De’Longhi All-in-One if you want one appliance for a mixed coffee household, have limited counter space, and accept that convenience matters more than maximum espresso quality. It is a reasonable choice for beginners who want to experiment with espresso and milk drinks without committing to a full setup.
It also suits occasional entertainers. The carafe handles standard coffee for a group, while the espresso side gives hosts another option for a few guests. Just remember that making several milk drinks in succession is slower and more hands-on than serving drip coffee.
Look elsewhere if you make espresso every day, care about dialing in specialty beans, or dislike cleaning equipment after each use. In that case, consider a dedicated semi-automatic espresso machine with a separate grinder. If convenience is your priority, a super-automatic espresso machine may be a better fit, though it usually costs more and offers less hands-on control.
Buying and setup advice
Check the machine’s width and allow extra clearance for the water reservoir and filter basket. A crowded counter makes filling and cleaning frustrating. Budget for a tamper if one is not included, a milk pitcher, and possibly a grinder. Fresh beans and a suitable grind matter more than decorative accessories.
Use filtered water if your tap water is hard, and follow the descaling schedule in the manual. Mineral buildup can reduce flow, affect heating, and shorten the life of the machine. Empty the drip tray before it overflows, rinse the carafe promptly, and never leave used grounds sitting in the portafilter.
FAQ
Can it brew coffee and espresso at the same time?
It has separate coffee and espresso systems, but simultaneous operation can be restricted by temperature and water flow. Treat it as a flexible combination machine rather than a high-volume café appliance.
Does it use whole beans?
No built-in grinder is typically provided, so you use pre-ground coffee or grind beans separately. A burr grinder is the better choice if you want to adjust espresso extraction.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes, if you are willing to learn basic tamping and milk steaming. The controls are approachable, but producing consistent espresso still requires fresh coffee, suitable grinding, and routine cleaning.
Is it worth buying if I mostly drink drip coffee?
Only if you will use the espresso side often enough to justify its extra size and maintenance. If specialty drinks are an occasional treat, a simpler coffee maker plus an inexpensive separate option may be better value.
Ready to decide? Our #1 pick for 2026 is the De’Longhi All-in-One.
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