Diletta Mio Review: An Approachable Prosumer Gem

I’ve been meaning to write a Diletta Mio review for quite some time. After all, I know that quite a few of you are looking to upgrade from a beginner espresso machine to something more exciting.

As it happens, the Diletta Mio might be one of the best espresso machines I’ve seen in quite some time. Plus, you won’t have to empty your savings account to get hold of one.

I plan on testing the Diletta Mio in the Coffeeness kitchen as soon as possible. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at what makes this espresso machine so special. 

Diletta Mio Review Overview

If you’ve checked out my Diletta Bello review you’ll already know how highly I rate the brand’s espresso machines. Diletta is a partnership between Seattle Coffee Gear and Italian manufacturer Quick Mill. And you may already know that Quick Mill has a long history of producing exceptional espresso makers.

What I really appreciate is that all Diletta machines are made by hand in Milan, and the materials and components used are of the highest quality. Not only that, the manufacturer has produced an espresso machine that’s designed to be as energy efficient as possible. I’ll get into the details later in this Diletta Mio review.

While the Diletta Mio Espresso Machine isn’t quite as impressive to behold as its more expensive sibling, it’s still a very attractive machine. Personally, I really like the Diletta Mio’s compact, boxy design – it looks a little like a more grown up version of the Gaggia Classic Pro. Plus, this baby is sporting a pressure gauge and a digital PID controller, so you know you’re in business.

At this point I should mention that the Diletta Mio is far from cheap. Costing $1,349.00 on Seattle Coffee Gear, the Mio represents a substantial financial investment. However, compared to other prosumer espresso machines, I’d say the Diletta Mio’s asking price is more than reasonable.

Diletta Mio Features

Now that we’ve got a better idea of what we’re dealing with, let’s continue this Diletta Mio review by diving deeper into what makes this great machine tick.

Size and Design

As I already mentioned, the Diletta Mio is a compact espresso machine that’d be ideal for smaller kitchens. A really nice design feature is the way the Mio’s 67-ounce (2-liter) water tank is accessible from the side of the machine. This would come in especially handy if you have pesky overhead cabinets to contend with.

In terms of aesthetics, the Diletta Mio will certainly appeal to fans of boxy, minimalist design. However, those who prefer a more retro-industrial look might be better off looking elsewhere.

One thing’s for certain: the manufacturer didn’t skimp on materials when it was designing this machine. Seriously, everything is premium here, extending to the high-quality stainless steel housing and robust switches.

The manufacturer has also included thoughtful touches, including a rubber-mounted pump. What can I say – it’s the little things that really count!

Colors

I’m a total sucker for an espresso machine with a polished stainless steel finish. Still, the downside is that smudges and fingerprints show up all over that beautiful surface.

Fortunately, the Diletta Mio is available in two powdercoated options. You can get the machine in Black or White for the same price, although i wouldn’t be surprised if a more popular color becomes a little pricier.

I actually really like the black version, but I feel like the white model would get even dirtier than the stainless steel version. I guess it all comes down to how obsessive you are about your machine’s appearance!

User Interface

In keeping with the Diletta Mio’s minimalist vibe, the user interface comprises just three buttons. There’s a power switch, brew button and steam button. As I mentioned earlier, the switches are super high quality, and I also like the LED lights surrounding each button.

Elsewhere, you’ll find a small digital screen that doubles as a brew temperature indicator and a shot timer. Best of all, the Diletta Mio features a pressure gauge, which always comes in handy for monitoring your extraction. Oh, and unlike the gauges on some machines, this one actually monitors pressure at the group head rather than in the boiler.

PID Temperature Control

Now we’re getting to the really good stuff! The Diletta Mio is equipped with a PID controller, which precisely monitors temperatures in the boiler. What’s more, you can adjust the boiler temperature via the digital screen on the front of the machine.

So what does this mean for you? Well, it’s just one more level of control over your espresso shots. For instance, if you’re brewing espresso with dark roast coffee beans, you might notice superior results at a lower temperature.

On the flip side, most baristas prefer to set the temperature higher when making espresso with a single origin coffee. Either way, you’ll be able to experiment and tease out different notes from your coffee beans.

Adjustable OPV

As I’m sure you know, the ideal pressure for espresso extraction is around 9 bars. However, some folks like to play around with pressure at the group head in order to achieve different results.

What’s more, some machines are notorious for leaving the factory with the pressure set too high. The Rancilio Silvia springs to mind here – many users end up having to add OPV mods to their machine.

That’ll never be the case with the Diletta Mio, which comes with an adjustable OPV valve. Put simply, the OPV regulates pressure at the group head and you’re able to adjust it with a screwdriver. Plus, you can do this without having to take the lid off and dig around inside.

Sure, most folks will never have to worry about this feature. But true espresso nerds will be in heaven!

Portafilter

As you might have guessed, the Diletta Mio comes equipped with a professional-style 58mm portafilter. Featuring a classic dual-spouted design, the portafilter is made from durable chrome-plated brass.

While the included portafilter is pretty great, I’d still recommend investing in a .

Aside from the fact that espresso looks incredible as it’s pouring from a bottomless portafilter, it has a shorter distance to travel. That means your extraction will be more temperature stable and consistent.

Boiler

At 13.5 ounces (400 milliliters), the Diletta Mio brass brew boiler is far from large. However, a lot of careful thought has gone into the design of the thing. For instance, the boiler is insulated and mounted right above the group head. This promotes thermal stability and quick heat times.

Best of all, the Diletta Mio is equipped with a separate thermoblock circuit for milk steaming. And yes – that means you can pull a shot and steam milk simultaneously. Incidentally, you’re able to turn the 1000-watt thermoblock steam circuit on or off via a switch on the side of the machine. Again, this is a nice energy saving feature that helps save money in the long run.

Tamping

Regular Coffeeness readers will be familiar with my disgust at unboxing an expensive espresso machine only to find a plastic tamper within. Fortunately, Diletta knows better.

Actually, the espresso tamper included with the Mio espresso machine is one of the nicest I’ve seen. Featuring an elegant, ergonomic handle and a solid metal base, this tamper is the real deal.

Then again, that should be a given for all of the best espresso machines.

Milk Steaming

I could see the Diletta Mio’s manual steam wand as being the machine’s one weak spot. Sure, the steam arm features double wall construction and offers a good range of movement. However, from what I can gather the steam power on offer isn’t the best. Still, I imagine you’ll get enough oomph for creating silky microfoam. It might just take a while.

The Diletta Mio comes with two steam tips – one with a single hole and one with multiple holes. That’s all well and good, but I’d have preferred to see a milk steaming pitcher included. Hey ho, I guess you can’t win ’em all!

Eco Mode

I’ve already touched on the machine’s energy-saving features in this Diletta Mio review. However, it’s the eco mode that really helps the Mio lower energy costs. The optional eco mode works by putting the machine on standby every 10 minutes. You can also program the machine’s eco mode via the digital screen.

How to Use the Diletta Mio

For the purposes of this Diletta Mio review I won’t give you an in-depth tutorial on making the perfect espresso. Still, I will give you a quick rundown on how to use the machine.

Before using the Diletta Mio for the first time, make sure to rinse all removable parts, including the portafilter and water tank.

Next, fill the tank with filtered water, put it back in place and turn on the machine. Now you’ll have to prime the pump. Do this by pressing the brew button and letting it run for around a minute. Once that’s done, allow the machine to heat up for around 15 minutes.

Now it’s time to pull a shot! I’d recommend pairing the Diletta Mio with a good espresso grinder – after all, a burr coffee grinder is vital if you want to achieve espresso perfection. Oh, and make sure you’ve got a good coffee scale handy for dosing your portafilter and weighing your shots.

Back to pulling that shot. Start by dosing your portafilter then tamping firmly and evenly. Then, lock the portafilter into place in the brew group and place an espresso cup underneath before pressing the brew button to start the extraction.

Now’s the time to keep an eye on the pressure gauge and digital timer. With any luck you’ll see the needle go to around 10 bars before settling at 9 bars. And you should have around 2 ounces (59 milliliters) of espresso in your cup at between 24 and 30 seconds.

Now all that’s left to do is savor your beautiful shot of espresso!

Diletta Mio Cleaning

As with any home espresso machine, the Diletta Mio requires daily maintenance. However, there isn’t really that much to worry about. In fact, it’s simply a case of emptying and rinsing the drip tray, emptying and wiping out the portafilter and wiping down the machine’s metal housing. Oh, and if you’ve used the steam wand, make sure to wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Once a week, I’d recommend backflushing the group head. You can use the included blind basket for this, adding a little espresso machine detergent for good measure. Something like Cafiza will do nicely. Once that’s done, make sure to scrub the group head and filter screen.

Fortunately, you won’t have to descale the Diletta Mio. However, make sure to always use filtered water.

Diletta Mio Technical Specifications

Diletta Mio vs Bello

Costing $1,749.00 on Seattle Coffee Gear, the Diletta Bello is substantially more expensive than the Mio. However, the Bello is in a completely different league.

Obviously intended as a direct competitor to the Rocket Appartamento, the Diletta Bello is a big, beautiful statement piece of a thing. Featuring a classic E61 group head, huge heat exchanger boiler and a timeless retro-industrial design, the Diletta Bello offers a much more traditional “hands-on” experience than the Mio.

That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the experience you want from an espresso machine. For instance, the Diletta Bello has a pressurestat rather than a PID, so you’ll need to run cooling flushes from time to time. Then again, the Bello’s manual levers allow you way more control over pre-infusion of your shots.

As for milk steaming, the Diletta Bello will provide a whole lot more pressure. Plus, the machine has a dedicated hot water outlet for making americanos.

Overall, both the Bello and Mio are exceptional home espresso machines. Which one is best for you really comes down to your budget and expectations.

See Also: Diletta Bello Review

Diletta Mio vs Bello Comparison Chart

Verdict: Diletta Mio Review

Having reached the end of this Diletta Mio review, I can only say that I can’t wait to get my hands on the thing! From everything I’ve seen, this small, stylish espresso machine brings a lot to the table.

I’m particularly impressed by the care and attention that’s gone into the design and layout of the Mio, as well as advanced features like the adjustable PID.

What’s more, the Diletta Mio Espresso Machine seems like the perfect machine for those hoping to take their home espresso game to the next level.