For many Australians, the daily coffee ritual is sacred — and increasingly, we want that café-quality experience at home without the hassle. With more people turning to bean-to-cup machines for convenience, consistency, and taste, De’Longhi continues to stand out as one of the most trusted names in home coffee innovation.

The De’Longhi Eletta represents a new benchmark in fully automatic coffee machines, combining Italian craftsmanship with cutting-edge functionality. Designed for coffee lovers who enjoy variety, it can prepare everything from rich espressos to creamy flat whites — and even refreshing iced drinks — all at the touch of a button.

But does it live up to its premium price tag, and is it the right machine for your home? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at De’Longhi as a company, explore the Eletta’s specifications and standout features, discuss who it’s best suited for, and weigh up the pros and cons so you can decide whether this stylish Italian machine deserves a spot on your bench.

About De’Longhi

Founded in Treviso, Italy, De’Longhi has built a global reputation for combining style, performance, and innovation in home appliances. While the brand produces everything from heaters to air fryers, it’s best known for its coffee machines, which embody Italian passion for espresso and design.

De’Longhi’s approach has always been to make high-end coffee experiences accessible. By developing machines that are intuitive and versatile, they’ve helped bridge the gap between traditional espresso craftsmanship and modern convenience. Whether you’re using a compact manual model or one of their advanced fully automatic systems like the Eletta, De’Longhi focuses on giving users barista-quality results without complicated setup or maintenance.

The company’s consistent innovation — such as integrated milk frothing systems, custom drink programming, and energy-saving technology — has kept it at the forefront of the home coffee market. In short, De’Longhi isn’t just selling coffee machines; it’s shaping the way people enjoy coffee at home.

Specifications & Features of the De’Longhi Eletta Explore

What the machine is

The Eletta Explore is a high-end bean-to-cup coffee machine from De’Longhi, designed to deliver both hot and iced coffee drinks with minimal manual work. It handles everything from bean grinding through extraction to milk frothing (with separate systems for hot and cold milk) — all via a touchscreen interface. It also supports a “To-Go” feature for travel mugs, and is pitched at users who want café-style versatility at home.

Key Specifications

Here are the major specs relevant for the Australian market (or similar) that you’ll want to reference in your review:

Stand-out Features of the Delonghi Eletta 

• Hot & Cold Drink Capability: Unlike many bean-to-cup machines that focus only on hot coffee and hot milk drinks, this machine caters for iced beverages too, with its dedicated cold milk frothing system (LatteCrema Cool). That makes it especially versatile in climates like Australia’s, where iced/milk drinks are popular.
  
  
• Personalisation & User Profiles: The touchscreen interface and menu allow significant customisation (strength, volume, temperature) and multiple user profiles, meaning different members of the household can save their preferred settings.
  
  
• Travel Mug / “To-Go” Support: The ability to use your own travel mug and still get the right dosage/volume is a practical perk for busy mornings.
  
  
• Premium Build & Design: With Italian design heritage, this machine carries a premium look and feel — a selling point for those placing it on a visible bench in a modern kitchen.
  
  
• Ease of Use: One-touch operation for many drinks, clear interface, minimal manual work compared with semi-automatic machines.

Who Is the De’Longhi Eletta Explore For?

The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is made for coffee lovers who want café-quality coffee at home without needing to learn the intricacies of espresso extraction or milk texturing. It’s ideal for anyone who enjoys a wide variety of drinks — from hot cappuccinos and flat whites to iced lattes and cold brews — and prefers a push-button experience over manual controls.

Because it offers both LatteCrema Hot and LatteCrema Cool milk systems, it’s particularly suited to Australian households that enjoy cold milk-based coffee in warmer months and hot coffee in winter. It also appeals to busy professionals or families who want consistent results with minimal cleanup.

For office environments or shared spaces, the Eletta Explore’s multiple user profiles and one-touch drink options make it a practical solution — everyone can have their coffee just the way they like it. And with its stylish Italian design, it also suits those who want a machine that looks as good as it performs on the kitchen bench.

However, for users who prefer a hands-on espresso experience — such as manually adjusting grind settings or steaming milk with a wand — a semi-automatic machine may be a better fit. The Eletta Explore is designed for convenience, versatility, and comfort, not barista-style experimentation.

Pros and Cons of the De’Longhi Eletta Explore

Pros

• Hot and Cold Coffee Capability – One of the few fully automatic machines that brews both hot and iced coffee drinks. Perfect for Australia’s warm climate and households that enjoy year-round variety.
  
  
• LatteCrema Hot & Cool Systems – Dedicated milk systems for both temperature settings deliver consistently smooth froth, whether you’re after a creamy flat white or an iced latte.
  
  
• User-Friendly Touchscreen Interface – The 3.5-inch colour display is intuitive, responsive, and allows easy selection from more than 40 drink options.
  
  
• Travel Mug Functionality – The To-Go mode and adjustable height spout make it easy to brew straight into your travel cup.
  
  
• Customisation Options – Adjustable strength, temperature, and volume for every drink, with the option to save user profiles.
  
  
• Low-Maintenance Design – Automatic cleaning cycles, removable brewing unit, and dishwasher-safe parts reduce the effort of upkeep.
  
  
• Attractive Italian Design – Modern lines and neutral colours fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchens or office spaces.
  
  

Cons

• Size and Bench Space – At around 45 cm deep and over 11 kg, the machine requires a generous bench area and a sturdy surface.
  
  
• Price Point – Positioned at the premium end of home coffee machines, it’s an investment that may exceed the needs of casual coffee drinkers.
  
  
• Milk System Complexity – Having two milk systems means more parts to clean and maintain.
  
  
• Limited Manual Control – While customisable, it doesn’t offer the hands-on control that traditional espresso enthusiasts might prefer.
  
  

Buy a Delonghi Eletta Today

Benchtop Considerations & Setup Tips for the Delonghi Eletta

Before setting up the De’Longhi Eletta Explore, it’s worth taking a few minutes to plan your bench space. This machine isn’t overly bulky for a bean-to-cup model, but its depth (around 45 cm) means it needs a decent amount of room front to back. To ensure smooth daily use, here are a few practical setup tips:

• Allow Adequate Bench Depth – Leave enough space behind the machine for ventilation and to avoid the back pressing against the wall. The Eletta Explore performs best with a few centimetres of clearance.
  
  
• Water Tank Access – The water tank slides out from the side, so ensure there’s room on that side for easy refilling. Don’t wedge it into a tight corner.
  
  
• Bean Hopper Fill Space – The top of the machine houses the bean hopper and lid. Keep overhead cupboards in mind — you’ll need vertical clearance to open the lid fully and pour in beans.
  
  
• Cup Height and Travel Mug Clearance – If you plan to use the To-Go feature, make sure there’s enough space above the drip tray for your travel mug to fit comfortably.
  
  
• Power Outlet Positioning – Place the machine near a power point, but avoid extension cords where possible. The power cable is reasonably long, but the safest setup is a direct wall connection.
  
  
• Flush Alignment – Keep the machine flush with your wall or splashback, but avoid pushing it back too far — the rear vents should remain unobstructed.
  
  

A well-thought-out setup not only looks tidier but also ensures easier access for refilling, cleaning, and daily use.

Maintenance & Longevity

Like most bean-to-cup coffee machines, the De’Longhi Eletta Explore performs best — and lasts longest — with regular care. Fortunately, De’Longhi has designed this model with automated cleaning functions and easy-to-access components, so maintenance is straightforward once you get into a routine.

Daily & Weekly Cleaning

• Rinse the Milk System – Both LatteCrema Hot and Cool systems feature automatic rinsing after each use, but it’s a good idea to detach and rinse the milk carafes daily, especially after milk-based drinks.
  
  
• Empty the Drip Tray & Used Grounds Container – The machine will alert you when the tray or bin is full. Emptying these daily helps avoid build-up and keeps your bench tidy.
  
  
• Wipe External Surfaces – Use a soft, damp cloth to remove any coffee splashes or fingerprints from the stainless steel and plastic surfaces.
  
  

Monthly & Periodic Care

• Descaling – Depending on water hardness, descaling is recommended roughly every 2–3 months. The Eletta Explore provides on-screen prompts when it’s due. Use only De’Longhi-approved descaling solutions to protect the internal system.
  
  
• Water Filter Replacement – If you’re using a water filter (such as the De’Longhi DLS C002), replace it every two months or as indicated by the display. This improves both taste and machine longevity.
  
  
• Bean Hopper & Grinder – Every few weeks, run the grinder empty and wipe the hopper clean to prevent oil residue from stale beans.
  
  
• Brew Unit Cleaning – The internal brew group is removable for rinsing under warm water. Doing this fortnightly helps maintain optimal extraction and prevents coffee build-up.
  
  

Servicing & Support in Australia

De’Longhi offers comprehensive service support across Australia, including through authorised service centres such as Service Sphere. Most maintenance can be done at home, but professional servicing every 12–18 months helps extend the machine’s lifespan — particularly if you use it daily. Replacement parts and filters are readily available online and through major retailers.

With consistent upkeep, the Eletta Explore can deliver years of reliable, café-quality coffee. Many owners report excellent longevity, especially when cleaning and descaling schedules are followed closely.

Comparisons with Alternatives

To better understand where the De’Longhi Eletta Explore sits in the market, here’s a look at how it stacks up against other models — both from the same brand and competing brands. This helps clarify its value and suitability by comparison.

Comparisons within De’Longhi

• Eletta Explore vs. Eletta Explore Cold Brew: The Cold Brew variant emphasises producing true cold-brew beverages via dedicated low-temperature extraction. While both machines offer hot and iced drink capability, many reviewers suggest the standard Eletta Explore offers broader versatility — especially for users who drink both hot and cold beverages rather than specialising in one.
  
  
• If you mostly drink cold-brew or iced beverages and want the specialised feature, the Cold Brew model may be justified.
  
  
• But if you want a machine that offers strong all-round performance for hot, milk-based and iced drinks, the standard Eletta Explore is often seen as the smarter purchase.
  
  
• Eletta Explore vs. Dinamica Plus (same brand): One comparison shows the Eletta Explore offering more customisation, more drink types (especially cold ones) and more advanced milk systems than the Dinamica Plus.
  
  
• Dinamica Plus might appeal if you want a simpler interface and fewer features (and potentially lower cost).
  
  
• The Eletta Explore raises the feature bar (dual LatteCrema, more drink rec­ipes, etc), so you’re paying for versatility and premium features.
  
  

Comparisons against Competing Brands

• Versus premium brands like Jura: Some higher-end machines (e.g., from Jura) emphasise luxury build, ultra-quiet operation, very high reliability — but at a significantly higher price. For example, one reviewer says:
  
  
  “If I were going purely for flavour and money was no object, I’d buy Jura… but De’Longhi delivers excellent everyday coffee for less.” Home Coffee Expert  
• In this context, the Eletta Explore offers a “sweet spot” of high-end features at a more accessible cost.
  
  
• Versus simpler automatic machines / bean-to-cup in mid-tier: Machines that focus only on hot drinks, fewer recipes, simpler milk systems, smaller tanks/hoppers will cost less — but you also sacrifice flexibility, especially if you like milk-based drinks or iced coffee.
  
  
• If your usage is largely an espresso and occasionally a flat white, a simpler model might suffice and reduce cost or maintenance needs.
  
  

Value & Suitability Summary

• Who gets the best value here?
  
  
• Users who want: hot, milk-based, iced/cold drinks; a modern interface; good customisation; a machine that can serve multiple users with different tastes.
  
  
• Users who are willing to invest in a premium machine and also keep up with maintenance (since more features often mean more care).
  
  
• Who might choose something else?
  
  
• If budget is the main constraint and your coffee habits are limited (e.g., just espresso or just black filter coffee), then a simpler machine might deliver “enough” for much less.
  
  
• If you prioritise full manual barista control (manual steam wand, manual tamping etc), then a high-end semi-automatic machine might be more appealing than a fully automatic like the Eletta Explore.
  
  
• If you solely drink cold-brew and hardly any hot drinks, then the Cold Brew variant (or another specialist machine) may be more tailored.
  
  

In summary: The Eletta Explore holds a strong position in the market — offering a high level of versatility, modern features, and brand support. Compared to simpler machines it gives more capability; compared to ultra-luxury machines it offers impressive features at a more accessible price. The key is to match what you’ll actually use with what you’re paying for.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison table offering a clear breakdown of how the De’Longhi Eletta Explore stacks up with two strong alternatives: the Jura E8, and the **Philips 5400 Series (or very similar Philips bean-to-cup model).
This can enrich your review by helping readers see how the Eletta Explore fits into the broader market.

How this helps readers:

• If someone is in the market for versatility (hot + cold, many drinks, user profiles) then the Eletta Explore stands out.
  
  
• If someone prioritises supreme build, quieter operation and luxury feel, the Jura E8 might be the “if budget allows” option.
  
  
• If someone wants decent bean-to-cup home brewing with less complexity or cost, the Philips 5400 offers a more affordable entry into this space.
  
  

Conclusion

The De’Longhi Eletta Explore stands out as a premium, fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine that brings café-quality coffee into your home with remarkable ease. Its combination of hot and cold drink capabilities, dual milk systems, and customisable touchscreen interface makes it ideal for households with diverse tastes or anyone who enjoys a wide range of coffee beverages.

While the machine comes at a premium price point, it delivers strong value through versatility, build quality, and convenience. Users who prioritise simplicity or have minimal bench space may find simpler or smaller machines sufficient. Still, for those looking for a machine that can handle espresso, cappuccinos, flat whites, iced lattes, and even travel mugs, the Eletta Explore is a standout choice.

With De’Longhi’s established support network in Australia, including accessible servicing and replacement parts, owners can expect many years of reliable performance — provided they follow regular cleaning and maintenance routines.

In short, the Eletta Explore offers a balance of innovation, style, and functionality that suits modern Australian kitchens, making it one of the most versatile home coffee machines in its class.

FAQs – De’Longhi Eletta Explore

Q1: Can the Eletta Explore make iced coffee?
Yes. The Eletta Explore features a dedicated cold milk frothing system (LatteCrema Cool) and can prepare iced lattes, cold milk-based drinks, and travel mug “To-Go” beverages.

Q2: How often do I need to descale the machine?
Descaling is typically recommended every 2–3 months, depending on your water hardness. The machine provides prompts when descaling is required. Using a water filter can extend the interval between descaling.

Q3: Is it easy to clean the Eletta Explore?
Yes. The machine has automatic rinse and cleaning cycles, removable brewing units, dishwasher-safe components, and alerts for drip tray and used coffee grounds container maintenance.

Q4: How many coffee recipes can I make?
The Eletta Explore offers over 40 hot and iced drink options, including espresso, cappuccino, flat white, latte, iced lattes, and more. You can also customise strength, volume, and temperature for each recipe.

Q5: Can multiple users save their preferences?
Yes. The touchscreen interface allows multiple user profiles, so different household members can save their preferred drink settings for easy one-touch brewing.

Q6: Does it work well in Australian households?
Absolutely. With hot and cold drink options, user profiles, and a compact yet premium design, it’s ideal for Australian homes and kitchens. De’Longhi also provides local support and service centres for maintenance and repairs.

Buy a Delonghi Eletta Today