De'Longhi Eletta Explore: 50+ drinks with cold brew

Hot, cold and to go

The spec table lists this model as a cold brew coffee maker as well as an espresso machine, and the title promises 50+ drinks. Milk foam is made automatically with dairy or plant-based drinks, either hot or cool, which opens up iced lattes and cold foam toppings that most bean-to-cup machines cannot do.

An automatic To-Go function prepares a drink for a travel mug at one press, with clearance for mugs up to 16 cm tall. A coffee pot is also included in the box, which suggests the machine can brew a larger quantity for sharing.

Controls and personalisation

Selection is made via a touch panel with coloured icons. You can choose short, medium or long, and push the aroma stronger or smoother. The listing does not mention user profiles or give grinder settings, so personalisation is per drink rather than saved per person.

With two milk carafes included, according to the components list, you can keep one set up for hot drinks and one for cold, or one for dairy and one for oat.

Cleaning and care

Descaling, cleaning and rinsing programmes are built in. The drip tray, grounds container, milk carafe (apart from its lid) and milk tube are listed as dishwasher safe. A cleaning brush, descaler, filter and measure come in the box.

The water tank capacity is not stated; the 0.3 kg capacity figure most likely refers to the bean container. The machine is 45 cm deep, 26 cm wide and 38.5 cm high and weighs 11.3 kg, so it is a solid unit to keep in one place.

Against the Magnifica Duo and Evo Next

The Magnifica Duo also offers hot and cold carafes with 20 drinks, giving much of the iced capability with a shorter menu. The Magnifica Evo Next has three profiles and a colour display but no cold milk. The Eletta Explore is the pick when cold brew itself, not just iced coffee, is on the wish list.