My Cheap Reviews

DeLonghi Magnifica 3300 used daily. I love it.
My 3300 is now 1 1/2 years old. A power surge from lightning damaged my first one when it was still a baby, but DeLonghi cheerfully6 replaced it after determining it could not be repaired. The replacement has been cranking out wonderful espresso and cappuccini almost every day since. It has replaced everything else as my favorite kitchen appliance. My daughter's 3300 is three years old and works harder than mine every day with no glitches.

Be sure to decalcify when it tells you to, and, otherwise, kick back with perfect espresso topped the requisite crema. It tastes just like the ones in Italy's coffee bars. (I use Illy coffee). The downer? I am bummed that it now costs 0 less than I paid two years ago.

Great espresso machine
My husband and I really love this machine. It's so easy and quick to use and makes great espresso. There are several ways to "tweak" the delivery and flavor of the espresso that you're sure to find the perfect blend. I highly recommend this espresso maker.

Great Machine
The bottom line is this machine makes a great cup of coffee with a nice crema top and can use any type of bean that suits your fancy. We have tried out quite a few and are still finding new flavors to enjoy. I have had the machine for 4 months and have calculated that by now its paid for itself by keeping me out of Starbucks, and it is more convenient. The Lattes I make could be hotter, the decalcifying is a bit of a pain at a pop, and not being able to start it automatically is a bit of a nuisance. All minor complaints compared to the end result of outstanding coffee in the house, one cup at a time (no throwing out half a pot of coffee), and the ability to make a Latte on the weekends. Glad I dropped the 0 or so, well worth it, coffee is one of the things in life to splurge on, do it, buy the machine already!!

Makes very good espresso, excellent frother
I purchased this unit after getting disappointing results with a Cuisinart model. I didn't research it much; it was on the shelf at my local retailer so I gave it a try. I really didn't have very high hopes, because the Delonghi is a little "plasticky" compared to the Cuisinart, and because I typically don't trust devices that are fully automatic.

Well, I was VERY pleasantly surprised with this model and I have been using it 2-3 times per day for about a month.

Here's a quick rundown on how the machine works. You fill the bean hopper with coffee beans, and the water tank with (obviously) water. You turn the machine on, and it takes about a minute to warm up. It drips about an ounce of water, probably to heat and flush the machine. I catch it in a mug and dump it.

To make an espresso, you put a cup or two under the spouts, and press the single or double shot button. The machine grinds, clunks and whirs, and after about 30 seconds it begins dispensing espresso, nice and warm with a good layer of crema. The espresso is robust and tastes great.

To froth milk, you switch on the frother, and catch the water that comes out with a mug. When it turns to steam (about 10 seconds), you submerge the tip into the milk and begin frothing (use a frothing thermometer for best results). This is where the machine really shines--it is a strong frother compared to the other units I've tried.

It is true that this model is mostly plastic on the outside, so it may not be the pride of the countertop for the appliance-status-conscious. On the other hand, though, it is a fully automatic unit for well under 00, and it makes great beverages. I have no regrets with this purchase.

Great Machine, sorry I did not get before
We have had a DeLonghi for about a year (slightly different model, but same internals) and not a single hitch. It just ploughs on and on and we make lots of excellent coffee cups each day.

The coffee is much cheaper than the nespresso machines ( roughly 10% of the cost) so we have handsomly paid the machine off allready. We hesitated at the cost, but have zero regrets. Nespresso is a real rip-off, cheap machine OK, but running costs .. ouch, with a quality of coffee really very similar (Froth, strength etc, once you have settled for the right kind of beans.)

True, it is a bit noisy when it grinds, but thats OK, and one has to fill up the water container often, but as we need to empty the dregs, as well it's not a problem, Easy to do both together.
When you have 20 guests, and they all want coffe simultaniously, well, it is slow, and a professional machine could be better, but here with a single punmp, it's fine for 6-8 guests.

Maintenance ? what maintenance ? - pratically none, it's very clean inside, and does not gum up, after a year of heavy use. The internals are well designed, robust and simple.