Last updated: October 2, 2026
The De’Longhi EC155 is one of the most recognizable cheap espresso machines, and for many years it has been a common first step into home espresso. It is compact, inexpensive, and easy to find. It also has clear limitations that matter once you start caring about shot quality, milk texture, or daily convenience.
These De Longhi EC155 reviews focus on the buying decision rather than nostalgia. The EC155 can make a pleasant cappuccino without taking over your counter, but it is not a miniature café machine. Whether it is a good purchase depends mainly on how often you make coffee, whether you already own a grinder, and how much hands-on work you will tolerate.
What the De’Longhi EC155 does
The EC155 is a compact manual pump espresso machine. It uses ground coffee or compatible ESE espresso pods, has a small removable water tank, and includes a steam wand for frothing milk. Its filter baskets are pressurized, which means the machine can produce some crema even when the coffee grind and tamping are less than perfect.
That design is useful for beginners. You do not need to master every variable before producing a drinkable espresso-based beverage. The trade-off is that pressurized baskets limit control. They are forgiving, but they do not give an experienced user the same ability to fine-tune extraction as a traditional non-pressurized basket.
The machine is also narrow and relatively light. It heats through a thermoblock system rather than using a large boiler. This keeps warm-up time reasonable and helps the EC155 stay affordable, but temperature consistency and steam power are modest compared with more expensive machines.
Espresso and milk performance
See also: Breville Bench Saver • Rocket Espresso Coffee Machine
With fresh coffee, a suitable grind, and a properly filled basket, the EC155 can make a satisfactory small espresso. The pressurized system is particularly forgiving with supermarket pre-ground coffee. It may produce a thicker-looking crema than the coffee deserves, however, so crema alone is not a reliable measure of flavor.
The biggest flavor improvement usually comes from using freshly ground beans. If you do not own a grinder, budget for a coffee grinder for espresso. A cheap blade grinder is a poor match because it produces an uneven mixture of fine dust and large particles. A basic burr grinder is more useful, though the grinder can cost as much as the machine.
The steam wand can froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes, but it is not especially powerful. You will need patience, and the included wand is better at producing airy foam than the smooth, glossy microfoam needed for detailed latte art. The machine may also need a pause between brewing and steaming. Trying to switch tasks too quickly can result in weak steam or a long wait.
For one drink at a time, this is manageable. For several lattes in succession, the EC155 feels slow and limited. If milk drinks are your main reason for buying an espresso machine, consider a manual espresso machine with a stronger steam wand instead.
Main advantages and drawbacks
| Area | What works well | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Low-cost entry to espresso-style drinks | A grinder and accessories can erase the initial savings |
| Ease of use | Pressurized baskets are forgiving of basic mistakes | Less control for dialing in excellent espresso |
| Size | Small footprint suits apartments and occasional use | Small tank requires more frequent refilling |
| Milk drinks | Can make cappuccinos and simple lattes | Steam wand is slow and foam can be coarse |
| Maintenance | Removable parts are relatively simple to rinse | Scale, blocked baskets, and a dirty wand can cause poor results |
Common EC155 problems and failure modes
A frequent complaint is watery or weak espresso. This can come from stale coffee, an overly coarse grind, too little coffee in the basket, or brewing before the machine and portafilter are warm. Because the EC155 has limited adjustment, it cannot correct every coffee or grind combination.
Another common issue is inconsistent flow. Coffee oils and fine particles can block the basket, while mineral scale can restrict water movement inside the machine. Rinse the portafilter and baskets after use, wipe and purge the steam wand immediately after steaming, and descale according to the manual and your water conditions.
Leaks should not be treated as normal. A little water around the drip tray is expected, but water escaping from the portafilter during brewing can indicate that the basket, gasket, or locking surfaces need cleaning or replacement. A machine that leaks from the body, makes unusual electrical noises, or repeatedly fails to heat is a poor candidate for continued home repair.
The EC155 also has a learning curve despite its beginner-friendly price. A tamp that is inconsistent, a basket filled beyond its capacity, or a steam wand left clogged with milk can quickly make the machine seem broken. Some of these problems are user maintenance issues rather than defects.
How it compares with other buying options
The EC155 makes the most sense when price and compact size matter more than speed or maximum flavor control. A newer compact manual machine may offer a better wand or more convenient controls, but it will not automatically make better espresso unless the coffee, grinder, and technique are also improved.
For someone who wants the simplest possible morning routine, a pod system is easier. It produces repeatable drinks with less cleanup, though the ongoing pod cost and packaging waste may be higher. A drip coffee maker is also the better choice if you usually drink a full mug rather than espresso, cappuccino, or latte.
If you already have a good burr grinder and want to develop espresso skills, look for a machine with a non-pressurized basket and more useful temperature or pressure control. That category costs more and exposes mistakes more clearly, but it offers a better upgrade path. Browse semi-automatic espresso machines with non-pressurized baskets if control matters more than the lowest purchase price.
Who should buy the EC155?
The EC155 suits an occasional espresso drinker, a small kitchen, or a shopper who wants to test whether manual espresso is worth pursuing. It is also a reasonable choice when the alternative is spending substantially more on a machine that will be used only on weekends. For basic lattes made with pre-ground coffee, the cheaper option is often fine.
It is less suitable for a household making several milk drinks every morning, someone who wants café-quality microfoam, or an enthusiast already frustrated by limited control. In those cases, put more of the budget toward the grinder and a machine with stronger steaming and more stable brewing. If convenience is the priority, compare super-automatic espresso machines, but expect a much higher price and more complicated servicing.
De Longhi EC155 verdict
The De’Longhi EC155 is a basic, compact espresso machine that can make enjoyable drinks when its limitations match your expectations. Its strongest points are affordability, small size, and forgiving pressurized baskets. Its weakest points are the modest steam wand, limited extraction control, and the extra work required to get consistently good results.
Buy it if you want an inexpensive introduction to espresso and are comfortable preparing one drink at a time. Skip it if you need fast milk steaming, repeatable café-style shots, or a machine that can grow with serious espresso experimentation. The purchase is most sensible when paired with fresh coffee, a capable grinder, and realistic expectations.
FAQ
Does the De’Longhi EC155 use coffee pods?
Yes. It can use ESE espresso pods as well as ground coffee, provided you use the appropriate filter arrangement. Pods are convenient, but ground coffee offers more choice and usually better freshness.
Does the EC155 include a grinder?
No. You need pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder. A burr grinder is the more useful option if you want to improve flavor and consistency.
Can the EC155 make lattes?
Yes, using its manual steam wand. It can make simple lattes and cappuccinos, but steaming is slower and less refined than on machines with stronger wands.
Is the EC155 good for beginners?
It is beginner-friendly because the pressurized baskets tolerate imperfect grinding and tamping. It still requires cleaning, basic dosing, and patience, and it offers limited room for advanced espresso tuning.
