DeLonghi Stilosa Review 2022: A Compact Beginner Machine!

Not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on an espresso machine. And, while more affordable options like the DeLonghi Stilosa do exist, what do they really have to offer? I’ll cover everything you need to know in this DeLonghi Stilosa review.

At just $99.95, the DeLonghi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine is one of the few espresso machines to keep its price tag under three digits. Nobody’s expecting all the bells-and-whistles for that price. But, is the Stilosa worth spending your dough on?

From its compact design to the removable water tank, we’ll take an in-depth look at the DeLonghi Stilosa Espresso Machine’s features below. 

DeLonghi Stilosa

A Compact Beginner Machine!

Affordable price tag

Compact design

Easy to use

Durable construction

A little noisy during the brew cycle

Learning curve for the steam wand

$119.95

Check price

DeLonghi Stilosa Review Overview

Besides its compact design, the DeLonghi Stilosa has a few major stand-out features. As with most espresso machines, you’ve got a manual milk frother that includes a 360° nozzle. That’s pretty much a must-have if you plan on making anything besides a basic espresso shot.

The espresso maker uses a single, stainless steel boiler. While a dual boiler is preferable, stainless steel construction is always a win. The 15 bar pump adds a sufficient amount of pressure here – and is not all that different than you’d find on machines that are hundreds of dollars more. In fact, you only need 9 bar to make good espresso.

You also get a two-level cupholder with this one. While the cup height isn’t as adjustable as some machines are, you’ve at least got a little wiggle room if you want to use a taller glass.

Speaking of things that come in two, there are two filters with this espresso machine for single or double espresso shots. There’s also auto-shutoff, which is more of a standard feature for drip coffee makers (but not unwelcome at all).

We’ll touch on more of these features below in this DeLonghi Stilosa review. For now, let’s just say that the DeLonghi Stilosa certainly doesn’t skimp on the important stuff. While you won’t get a ton of control over the brewing cycle, I’d argue that this one of the best small espresso machines if you’re on a limited budget.

DeLonghi Stilosa Features

Compact Design

You may hear people call the Stilosa a “mini” espresso machine and they’re absolutely right. The DeLonghi Stilosa espresso machine is the definition of compact. That to say, its small price tag isn’t the only small thing about it. And, if you’re looking for something that’s going to fit into a dorm room, RV, van or studio apartment, this is worthy of consideration.

The machine weighs under ten pounds, too. So, if you need to transport it on the road, it shouldn’t take a team of two or cause you to throw out your back.

Colors

Now, I know the stainless steel finish that we’re used to seeing with espresso machines isn’t an option here, but the glossy black has a timeless look to it as well. This beauty should match just about any kitchen decor and will never go out of style. You’ll still get stainless steel elements and components with this machine, just not on the exterior.

User Interface

It’s not a surprise that the Stilosa lacks a fancy touchscreen display but the tradeoff is that its simple user interface is just that – simple to use. The large knob on the front is what you’ll use to turn the machine on and off as well as control coffee and steam delivery. 

There are two lights on that same front panel. One lets you know that the machine is on and the other lets you know it’s done preheating and ready to use. 

As for controlling your steam wand, you’ll find a separate knob on the side of the machine, which you can twist when you’re ready to use your steam wand. 

Despite lacking some of the bells-and-whistles that you’d find with high-end machines, the simple user interface means that this could be a great option for beginners looking to invest in their first espresso machine – or anyone just looking for great espresso without the fuss.

Removable Water Tank

Given its compact design, the Stilosa’s water reservoir is a bit on the smaller side at 34 ounces (1 liter). The water tank is also removable, so if you need to clean it or there’s not a sink nearby to fill it up, you don’t have to worry about hauling the whole machine around.

Related to the water tank, note that there is a water level indicator on the left side of the machine. While the indicator lacks exact measurements for those of us who like to be really precise, the clear tube still allows you to see the tank’s water level just fine. What’s nice about the water level indicator is that it’s visible from the front of the machine, so it’s super easy to monitor.

Boiler

All things considered, the Stilosa doesn’t take too long to heat up. Even if you’ve completely filled the tank up, you’re still looking at less than seven minutes for this manual machine to preheat – and even less if you’re using less water for your espresso drinks. 

Portafilter

The Stilosa espresso machine includes one portafilter with two filter sizes for single or double shots. You’ve also got a two-cup function here, which can be convenient if you need to pull multiple shots. The dual spout allows you to brew two servings at once and there’s more than enough room on the tray below for two demitasse cups.

ESE Pod Compatibility

Some of you will be excited to know that the DeLonghi Stilosa is compatible with Easy Serve Espresso (ESE for short) pods, which aren’t actually pods at all. ESE’s are more or less the coffee version of a tea bag.

While I don’t encourage the use of ESE pods because of how much pre-ground coffee degrades while sitting on store shelves, I’m encouraged that they don’t contain the single use plastics found in k cups. Instead, they are just filter paper, which significantly reduces the negative environmental impact. Sometimes, you can even find ones with compostable filter paper, such as Caffe Borborne.

Milk Foam

A lot of the small manual espresso makers don’t include a milk jug and the Stilosa espresso machine is no exception. You’re going to need one if you plan on using the steam wand but it’ll need to be a separate purchase.

A DeLonghi milk pitcher will run you $16.95. However, there are numerous other brands available on Amazon that will work just as well.

There’s a manual steam wand built into the DeLonghi Stilosa that you can use to froth milk and it only takes the twist of a knob to get you started.

Cup Height

As mentioned before, there is a two-level cupholder if you’re worried that the Stilosa won’t accommodate larger cups. Just remove the drip tray and you’ll have all the extra space you need for making that latte macchiato or any other great tasting espresso based drink.

Drip Tray

Speaking of that removable drip tray, it’s a handy feature to have – even if it’s pretty standard for most espresso makers. Nobody wants to have to deal with hot water or espresso dripping all over their machine.

Auto-Shutoff

Having to manually turn your espresso maker off when you’re ready to stop using it can be a bit tedious – and it’s a recipe for disaster if you’re used to walking away from your coffee maker once it spits out your java. 

The good news here is that the Stilosa does come with an auto-shutoff feature, so all you need to worry about is making your authentic specialty drinks. 

Warranty

As is standard with most of DeLonghi’s espresso machines, the DeLonghi Stilosa espresso machine includes a one-year limited warranty. If you happen to notice any manufacturer defects or there’s a replacement part you need within a year, great!

Once you’ve had the machine for more than a year, you’re on your own when it comes to ordering replacement components for this espresso maker.

How To Use the DeLonghi Stilosa

Now that we’ve covered the features of the DeLonghi Stilosa espresso machine, let’s talk about how to use this great espresso maker. Here’s a quick rundown of how to operate this pump espresso machine. This will help whether you’re making authentic specialty drinks, pulling double shots of espresso or even crafting an authentic cappuccino. 

1. Once you’ve got it plugged into your outlet, step one is filling the water reservoir in the DeLonghi Stilosa machine. There’s a max level indicator on the side, so just make sure you don’t go over that line.
2. Next, you’ll need to grind your espresso beans. For any espresso machine, it’s best to use a fine grind size if you want great-tasting coffee. Be aware that an electric grinder capable of producing a fine grind size with even consistency may be cost-prohibitive if you’re on a tight budget. Check out my complete grinder guide for more information and suggestions at various price ranges. A hand grinder may be your best bet.
3. Once you’ve got your ground coffee in the portafilter, you can flip the switch to “on,” which will start preheating the espresso maker.
4. It’ll take a few minutes before the “Ready” light blinks, but once it does, this is where the magic happens. Turn the dial to the coffee mug icon on the user interface and your shot should begin steaming out.

For a double espresso shot, it takes around 25 seconds and single shots take even less time in this elegantly designed espresso machine. That’s all there is to it! Although espresso makers may get a bad rap for being difficult to operate (at least compared to drip coffee makers), the DeLonghi Stilosa espresso machine is easy to use – even for newbie home baristas. 

DeLonghi Stilosa Cleaning

Though the DeLonghi Stilosa espresso machine has a milk frother, it’s still designed to be easy to clean and requires minimal upkeep. While it’s recommended that you descale the machine every few months, I also recommend giving it a light clean after every use. Doing so will prolong the life of your investment.

That means watching out for ground coffee residue from the portafilter, detaching the drip tray and two level cup holder to wipe up spills and cleaning the outside of your steam wand whenever you texture milk.

DeLonghi’s EcoDecalk is great at removing unwanted mineral buildup when it’s time to descale.

On top of that, don’t forget to empty out the water tank and let it fully dry several times a week. You certainly don’t want any unwanted bacteria to grow like some mad science experiment!

DeLonghi Stilosa Specifications

DeLonghi Stilosa vs Other Espresso Machines

Of course, my DeLonghi Stilosa review wouldn’t be complete without comparing it to some of its biggest competitors on the market. So, let’s take a look at a few popular options people consider when shopping for a compact manual espresso machine.

DeLonghi Stilosa vs EC155

At $175.00, the DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Machine is one of the Stilosa’s biggest competiors, especially considering its excellent price point.

Both machines offer 15 bar of pressure to create a great cup, are compatible with ESE coffee pods and use the same water tank sizes. So, how are they different? The EC155 comes with a cup warmer and the Rapid Cappuccino System, so there’s no waiting in-between shots.

DeLonghi Stilosa vs ECP3420

The DeLonghi ECP3420 Espresso Machine comes in at $169.95. Compared to the Stilosa, the ECP3420 has a larger water tank and uses the Rapid Cappuccino System. There aren’t a lot of technical differences between the two. Both machines offer consistent performance, take up minimal counter space and provide a great espresso experience.

DeLonghi Stilosa vs Gevi GECME403-U

For $69.99, the Gevi Espresso 15 Bar Espresso Machine has a contemporary and refined exterior … So much so, that you might not expect such from an espresso machine and cappuccino maker at this price point.

Despite being more affordable than the Stilosa, it uses the same pressure and is just as capable of making authentic cappuccino and coffee.

It also comes with a few perks that we haven’t talked about in this DeLonghi Stilosa review – like a clear temperature panel and a double temperature control system.

DeLonghi Stilosa vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: DeLonghi Stilosa Review

DeLonghi Stilosa

A Compact Beginner Machine!

Affordable price tag

Compact design

Easy to use

Durable construction

A little noisy during the brew cycle

Learning curve for the steam wand

$119.95

Check price

The Stilosa might not be able to measure up to some of the high-end espresso machines. But, if you’re someone who’s just getting into the espresso game, my DeLonghi Stilosa review has proven that this affordable small manual machine could be a great pick.

You’ll get optimal pressure, a manual milk frother, a hot water dispenser, cappuccino maker and an all-around authentic espresso experience for under three digits.

DeLonghi Stilosa Review FAQ