RATING: 3.5/5 stars – Best ultra-budget espresso machine for beginners wil...
RATING: 3.5/5 stars – Best ultra-budget espresso machine for beginners willing to learn basic technique
Let’s cut through the hype. The DeLonghi Stilosa is cheap. It looks cheap, it feels cheap, and at $100-150, it is cheap. But here’s the surprising part – it actually makes drinkable espresso. Not amazing espresso, not cafe-quality shots, but legitimate espresso that’s better than you’d expect from a machine that costs less than dinner for two.
I tested the Stilosa for three weeks specifically to figure out if budget espresso machines are worth buying or if they’re just expensive disappointments. The answer is more complicated than yes or no.
The Stilosa is DeLonghi’s entry-level manual espresso machine. At this price point, everything is stripped down to basics. You get a 15-bar pump, a single stainless steel boiler, a manual steam wand, and pressurized filter baskets. That’s it. No PID temperature control, no pre-infusion, no programmable settings, no digital displays.
The build is almost entirely plastic with some stainless steel accents. The portafilter is lightweight aluminum. The drip tray is removable, which is good because you’ll be emptying it frequently. The water tank holds 34 ounces (1 liter), removable from the top for easy filling.
What surprised me is that underneath the cheap plastic exterior, the core components are actually functional. The pump generates real pressure, the boiler heats water adequately, and the system can produce espresso that meets the basic definition of espresso rather than just strong coffee.
PRICE & AVAILABILITY:
PROS:
CONS:
KEY SPECS:
USAGE PERIOD: 3 weeks of daily testing plus extensive user review research
Heat-up time takes about 5-7 minutes. The instruction manual says 40 seconds, which is laughable. Let it heat for at least 5 minutes, then run a blank shot to warm the group head, or your first espresso will be lukewarm. This isn’t a quick morning machine unless you remember to turn it on while you’re still in the shower.
Pulling shots requires patience. The pressurized baskets compensate for mediocre grind quality, which means beginners can get acceptable results without perfect technique. This is both good and bad – good because you’ll succeed early on, bad because you’re not learning proper espresso fundamentals. If you upgrade to non-pressurized baskets later (which you’ll need to buy separately), there’s a steep learning curve.
The espresso quality is acceptable. Using decent pre-ground coffee or freshly ground beans, you’ll get shots with some crema, reasonable body, and recognizable espresso flavor. It’s not nuanced, it won’t showcase the subtle notes of expensive single-origin beans, but it tastes like espresso rather than burnt water.
The steam wand is the Stilosa’s weakest point. It’s short, doesn’t articulate much, and produces weak steam pressure. Frothing milk takes twice as long as it should, and achieving proper microfoam requires serious technique. If you’re making milk drinks daily, this limitation gets old fast.
The steam wand also drips and spits before producing steady steam, so you’ll be wiping up water regularly. Some users wrap a towel around it during the initial purge. It works, but it’s not elegant.
For straight espresso drinkers, the weak steam wand doesn’t matter. For latte lovers, it’s the main reason to consider spending more on a better machine.
The Stilosa fills a specific niche. It’s for people who want to try real espresso at home without committing hundreds of dollars to find out if they even like making it. At $100-150, it’s an experiment you can afford.
It’s also solid for anyone who primarily drinks straight espresso or Americanos and doesn’t care about perfect milk frothing. If you’re making one or two shots a day for yourself and you’re okay with a 5-minute heat-up, it works fine.
College students, small apartments, RVs, office break rooms – anywhere the budget is tight and counter space is limited, the Stilosa makes practical sense. It’s also good as a backup machine or for occasional use.
Skip this if you’re serious about espresso quality, make multiple milk drinks daily, or want something that looks and feels premium. The Stilosa is functional, not aspirational.
At $99-110 on sale, the Stilosa is legitimately good value. At full retail $149, it’s competing with machines that offer better build quality or more features, which makes the decision harder.
The hidden cost is a grinder. You’ll want a burr grinder capable of fine grinds, which adds $50-150 to your real investment. Factor that in when comparing to pod machines or super-automatics that handle grinding internally.
After three weeks of testing, I’d buy this as a starter machine or backup but not as a primary espresso setup for serious daily use. It does what it promises – make basic espresso cheaply – without pretending to be something it’s not.
RETAILERS:
ALTERNATIVES:
The DeLonghi Stilosa proves that cheap espresso machines don’t have to be trash. It makes legitimate espresso for under $150, which seemed impossible a few years ago. The plastic construction and weak steam wand are real compromises, but the core function works.
Would I recommend it? Depends on expectations. If you want cafe-quality drinks and slick operation, spend $300-400 on something better. If you want the cheapest possible entry into real espresso and you understand the limitations, the Stilosa delivers surprising value.
This isn’t the machine you’ll use five years from now, but it’s a reasonable first step into espresso that won’t completely waste your money if you decide it’s not for you.
Yes, within its limitations. Using decent coffee and proper technique, it produces acceptable espresso with crema and reasonable flavor. It’s not exceptional, but it’s legitimately espresso rather than just strong coffee. Perfect? No. Drinkable and recognizable as espresso? Yes.
About 5-7 minutes despite marketing claims of 40 seconds. Let it heat for at least 5 minutes, then run a blank shot to warm the group head. Rushing this produces lukewarm espresso. Plan accordingly for your morning routine.
Barely. It produces weak steam pressure that takes 45-60 seconds to froth milk versus 20-30 seconds on better machines. Achieving microfoam is possible but requires practice. If you primarily make lattes or cappuccinos daily, consider spending more on a machine with a better steam wand.
The cheap plastic construction and weak steam wand. The machine feels flimsy and looks budget. For straight espresso, it’s fine. For milk drinks, the steam wand limitation becomes frustrating. No temperature control means you can’t dial in extraction precisely.
Yes, unless you’re using pre-ground espresso. The pressurized baskets are forgiving with grind consistency, but fresh-ground coffee still tastes significantly better. Budget at least $50-100 for a decent burr grinder that can produce fine, consistent grinds.
Any coffee works, but espresso roasts typically taste better. The pressurized baskets compensate for grind inconsistencies, so you have more flexibility than with non-pressurized systems. Fresh-ground beans at medium-fine to fine consistency work best.
Different purposes. Pod machines are more convenient and consistent but more expensive per cup and limited to available pod flavors. The Stilosa requires more effort and technique but uses any coffee you want and costs less per drink long-term. Choose based on whether you prioritize convenience or control.
Easier than non-pressurized systems but still requires learning. Expect mediocre results for the first few attempts while you figure out tamping pressure, grind size, and timing. The pressurized baskets are forgiving, so you’ll get acceptable espresso within a week of practice. Not instant success, but achievable.
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