DeLonghi Stilosa Espresso Machine.

Description

When it comes to budget-friendly espresso machines that stand the test of time, De’Longhi has mastered the art of balancing cost with quality.

Our team at Caffeinated Gear has spent countless hours testing their machines, and we’re consistently impressed by how they maintain durability while keeping prices accessible.

While the Stilosa primarily uses plastic components and includes some basic features like pressurised baskets, we’ve found it offers remarkable capability for its price point.

Features and Benefits

• 1 L Water Tank
• Compact size, 21cm w x 34 cm d x 26 cm t
• 150ml Stainless Steel Brew Boiler
• Pro Steam Wand (Panarello version also available)
• Comes in a range of different colours
• 51mm portafilter – pressurised

The most striking aspect of the Stilosa? It’s a proper espresso machine with a substantial 150ml stainless steel boiler and professional steam wand – all for less than £100.

To put this in perspective, consider the Gaggia Classic Pro E24. Despite its higher price tag, its brass boiler actually holds less water (just under 130ml) than the Stilosa’s stainless steel counterpart.

While boiler size isn’t everything, it’s remarkable to see such robust specifications in this price range, especially from a manufacturer known for building lasting machines.

The controls mirror the simplicity of higher-end machines like the Sage Duo Temp Pro, with a straightforward manual shot dial and minimal electronics – meaning fewer components that could potentially fail.

For coffee enthusiasts using pre-ground coffee or standard supermarket beans, the included pressurised portafilter works brilliantly. However, if you’re planning to experiment with freshly roasted beans and want more control over your extraction, you’ll want to upgrade your portafilter and basket.

Most compatible 51mm portafilter options for the Stilosa are bottomless, with popular choices including the Normcore bottomless portafilter and the stylish wooden handled 51mm portafilter from Ikape.

Bottomless portafilters offer some distinct advantages – they look fantastic when properly dialled in, accommodate taller cups, and provide visual feedback about your extraction quality. However, we should mention that they can be quite messy until you perfect your grind size and technique, potentially spraying coffee in various directions.

If you prefer a more traditional spouted design, options are more limited. However, this 51mm spouted 2 eared portafilter is fully compatible with the Stilosa and offers a cleaner extraction process.

While many coffee enthusiasts suggest upgrading to IMS or VST precision baskets, we recommend careful consideration of your grinder’s capabilities first. In our testing, most electric grinders under £300 struggle to achieve the consistency needed for precision baskets.

We’ve found that the standard basket included with the aftermarket portafilters mentioned above pairs well with entry-level grinders, making it a more practical choice for most Stilosa users.