Last updated: October 2, 2026
What the Icona Is (and Isn’t)
The DeLonghi Icona ECO310 is a small, 15-bar pump espresso machine built to look good on a counter and make a decent shot without a learning curve. It’s not a prosumer machine and it’s not trying to be. Think of it as a step above a moka pot and a pressurized pod machine, but well below a Gaggia Classic or Rancilio Silvia in terms of control and shot quality ceiling.
Under the retro 50s styling, it’s a fairly simple single-boiler thermoblock system with a pressurized filter basket set, a panarello-style steam wand, and a 3-in-1 filter holder that accepts ground coffee and ESE pods. You get a 1.4L removable water tank, a small drip tray, and a self-priming system. No PID, no pre-infusion control, no 58mm commercial portafilter. The Icona uses a 51mm pressurized basket, which is forgiving but limiting.
If you want to see current pricing and bundle options, check the DeLonghi Icona on Amazon – prices fluctuate a lot and it often goes on sale for less than DeLonghi’s list price.
Design, Footprint, and Daily Use
See also: Breville Bench Saver • Rocket Espresso Coffee Machine
The Icona’s selling point is design. The curved body, chrome details, and color options (black, white, beige, red) are more considered than most budget DeLonghis. It’s narrow at about 24cm wide, so it fits where a Dedica would, but it’s taller and a bit deeper because of the rounded back.
Build is mostly plastic with metal trim. It feels solid enough for the price, but it’s light. You’ll need to hold the machine when you lock in the portafilter or it will slide. The cup warmer on top is passive – it gets lukewarm at best, not hot enough to actually preheat cups. The water tank pulls out from the back, which is awkward if you have it under cabinets. The drip tray is small and fills quickly if you purge the steam wand often.
Controls are dead simple: a dial for on/off and brew, a button to switch to steam, and a separate dial for steam/hot water. There are indicator lights that tell you when the thermoblock is at temperature. Heat-up is fast, about 60-90 seconds from cold to brew-ready, and steam is ready about 30 seconds after that. That’s the advantage of a thermoblock over a traditional single boiler.
What Kind of Espresso It Actually Makes
With the stock pressurized baskets and pre-ground coffee from the store, the Icona makes a drinkable, creamy-looking espresso with fake crema. It will be consistent, but flat and a bit thin compared to a proper non-pressurized shot. The pressurization does the work for you, so grind size and tamping matter less. That’s good for beginners, bad if you want to improve.
If you buy a burr grinder suitable for espresso and switch to a depressurized basket (you can buy a 51mm non-pressurized basket separately), you can get better shots, but the Icona still holds you back. Temperature is not stable and not adjustable. It runs hot, and there’s no way to temperature surf precisely like on a Gaggia. Shots tend to be a little bitter if you don’t manage it by flushing a bit of water before brewing.
The flip side: it is very forgiving. You can use an inexpensive blade grinder or supermarket pre-ground and still pull something that looks like espresso for a latte. For milk drinks, that’s often good enough.
Steaming and Milk Drinks
The panarello wand is the other compromise. It injects air automatically, so anyone can make foamed milk. You get a big, airy foam suitable for cappuccino with almost no technique. You will not get true microfoam for latte art without modification. If you remove the outer panarello sleeve, you can get a bare steam pipe underneath, but it’s short, underpowered, and hard to position.
Steam pressure is weak compared to larger machines. It takes 45-60 seconds to texture 120ml of milk, and you need to keep the volume small. Trying to steam a large 350ml pitcher for two lattes at once will give you lukewarm, bubbly milk. For one small cappuccino at a time, it works.
Hot water for Americanos comes from the same wand. It’s slow and sputtery, but functional.
How the Icona Compares
The Icona sits in a crowded $100-$250 segment. Here’s how it stacks up against the two other DeLonghis shoppers cross-shop most often:
| Machine | Boiler / Heat | Portafilter | Steam Wand | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icona ECO310 | Thermoblock, 15 bar pump | 51mm pressurized (ESE compatible) | Panarello, auto-frothing | Style-first buyers who want simple milk drinks |
| Dedica EC680/685 | Thermoblock, 15 bar pump | 51mm pressurized, slim 15cm wide body | Panarello, adjustable, stronger steam | Small kitchens, slightly better temperature control and self-priming |
| Stilosa EC260 | Boiler, 15 bar pump | 51mm pressurized, includes manual frother option | Panarello, removable sleeve | Tight budgets who want the cheapest entry point |
In practice, the Dedica steams a bit faster and has a more responsive thermoblock with separate thermostats. Many buyers prefer it if counter space is critical – it’s significantly narrower. The Stilosa is cheaper and makes essentially the same coffee as the Icona, but build quality and styling are a step down. If you don’t care about the retro look, the cheaper option is fine and the money is better saved for a grinder.
If you want to compare the narrow alternative, look at the DeLonghi Dedica side-by-side – for straight espresso quality they are nearly identical, the differences are workflow and footprint.
Common Failure Modes and Annoyances
These machines are reliable for 3-5 years with light home use, but there are predictable issues:
1. Loss of pressure / weak shots: Usually scale buildup in the thermoblock or a clogged pressurized basket. The Icona needs descaling every 2-3 months in hard water areas. If you ignore it, the pump gets louder and shot volume drops. Use soft water if you can.
2. Steam valve leaking: The steam dial uses a small rubber O-ring. After a year or two of daily use it can weep or drip from the wand even when closed. Replacement is cheap but fiddly.
3. Portafilter handle cracking: The plastic handle can develop play where it meets the metal basket holder, especially if you overtighten. Don’t reef on it; a quarter turn past resistance is enough.
4. Inconsistent temperature: Thermoblocks overshoot. If your shots taste burnt, run 2-3 seconds of water through the empty portafilter before locking in and brewing. This temp-surfing trick stabilizes it a bit.
None of these are dealbreakers, but they are why this class of machine isn’t a buy-it-for-life purchase. Plan on keeping it clean and not expecting commercial durability.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy the Icona
Buy it if you want an easy, good-looking machine for occasional cappuccinos and lattes, you use pre-ground coffee or ESE pods, and you don’t want to learn grind dialing and tamping. It’s also a good fit for a small office or guest kitchen where simplicity matters more than shot quality.
Skip it if you already own a decent burr grinder and want to get serious about espresso. In that case, your money goes further with a Gaggia Classic, or a Dedica paired with a non-pressurized basket and a temperature control mod. You’ll outgrow the Icona quickly if your goal is to taste origin differences or pour latte art.
Also skip it if you make back-to-back milk drinks. The single thermoblock means you have to wait between brewing and steaming, and recovery is slow. For two or more drinks in a row, it feels tedious.
Bottom line: The Icona trades control for convenience and style. For milk-based drinks with supermarket coffee, it does the job with minimal fuss. For straight espresso lovers who want to improve, the pressurized system and weak steam will feel limiting within months, and a cheaper Stilosa or a slimmer Dedica will give you the same result for less or in less space.
FAQ
Can the Icona make real espresso without pods?
Yes, with the pressurized basket and ground coffee. It will look like espresso and work well in milk, but the flavor is less complex than cafe espresso because the pressurized basket creates artificial crema. For true espresso you need a non-pressurized basket and a good grinder, and even then the Icona’s temperature control is limited.
Do I need a separate grinder?
Not with the stock setup. Pre-ground coffee or ESE pods work fine. If you want to upgrade shot quality later, a burr grinder that can grind fine enough for espresso is required – a standard drip grinder won’t work.
Is the Icona better than the Dedica?
Not for coffee quality – they brew nearly identically. The Icona wins on retro styling, the Dedica wins on compact size, slightly faster heating, and a better laid-out water tank. Choose based on looks and counter space, not taste.
How often should I descale it?
Every 2-3 months with regular use, more often in hard water. Use DeLonghi’s descaler or a citric-acid based solution, not vinegar, and run the full descaling cycle. Regular descaling prevents pressure loss and extends the life of the thermoblock.
