De'LonghiDedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine with Automatic Steam Wand for Latte, Cappuccino, Coffee, Stainless Steel, EC950M

Making great espresso drinks is definitely a journey with a learning curve. That said, I'm just getting started but knew what I wanted in a machine that I could grow in to and the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus delivers. I'll jump into it:- Build Quality & Design: Sleek, sturdy, and doesn't take up much counter space at all. While some of the tools that you get in the box are on the cheaper side, the portafilter, baskets, tamper, and milk pitcher are solid and great to learn on. You can pull some good shots right out of the box that are as good and potentially better than what you'd get at a coffee shop. The machine is weighty, the buttons are crisp and tactile, and overall I do think this will last years to come with no issues.- Features: The thermoblock has you ready to go in about 30 seconds. Even quicker if you leave it on in standby mode. You can brew at 3 different temps to accommodate different roasts. While there are default settings for single and double shots, you're able to program the volume of water for each to have the coffee to water ratio of your liking (you'll need a good scale to get this right). The automatic milk frother works well, and I think serves its purpose for those who just want foam and aren't too worried about coffee shop level microfoam. That said, you can achieve a silky microfoam steaming manually, but I'm still working on it. The included double-walled baskets are best for pre-ground coffee that might not be as fresh because they do a good job at creating "crema".- Disclaimers: If you only plan on using pre-ground coffee, then you can certainly get by with what's in the box and not having to purchase extra accessories. If you want to use fresh, whole bean coffee and pull shots that have depth, different flavor profiles, actual crema, and compete with your favorite coffee shop, you'll need a good burr grinder and a scale to weigh out your beans and shots. That means spending more money, but can always be spaced out when you're ready to upgrade and take on the hobby.- Bottom Line: The De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus, while a bit pricey, has features that make brewing good espresso drinks easy, and great espresso drinks possible and the price can be justified for that reason. If you want to pick your own grinder, opt for this vs. the La Specialista. I'm happy with the purchase and look forward to many delicious drinks to come!

To say I am a novice coffee maker is an understatement. I started off my coffee journey making coffee in a mason jar overnight and turned to instant coffee when life got too busy. I have never made a cup of coffee in a coffee maker, let alone used an espresso machine. When I opened the box of the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus, I was slightly intimidated. So many pieces, so many buttons! I gave the user guide a quick overview and got to work. This machine is so much easier to use than I thought it would be. I was a little nervous about locking in the autofilter into place at first, but it is a perfect fit. My self ground coffee must be just right, because the drip I get is beautiful. The espresso is so smooth and not even the slightest bit bitter. The steamer takes a little while to get going, and it is a little noisy, but it heats up my almond milk perfectly. It is fun trying my hand at making Latte Art as well. Being able to adjust the amount of foam with the push of a button gives you the ability to create fun patterns on top of your cup of espresso. The size of the machine is perfect for my small counter top. The water tank is easy to refill and remove for cleaning. The indicator light on top that alerts you when teh water level is low is very helpful. The only very slight issue I have had with the machine is trying to pull the rubber gasket out of the double lined filter after removing the coffee grounds. I have found the best way to do this is by rinsing out any grounds, completely drying the rubber gasket and my hands, and then it is easy to pull out. This espresso maker is for making a drink to slow down and enjoy. It brews a delicious cup of smooth, lazy Sunday morning coffee.

Within an hour of making my first cup today the power on/off button failed. Can’t turn on machine. I wish I’d read reviews. It seems this is a common problem and even replacement units deliver with same issue. It’s clearly defective component. Their testing or quality assurance process is not working. I’m returning this product and looking for a different manufacturer. It’s a shame. I liked the fit and finish and small footprint but after just the first use, it’s not a good choice when I read so many others experienced the same issue, even with replacement units.

A little history first. I was using another machine I purchased for around $100. It served me well enough but the espresso never seemed to taste as good as I could buy at a shop. I kept using it out of convenience. Using the Dedica Maestro Plus has proven to me it is possible to make great quality espresso at home. The box includes everything you need except a grinder. I already have a grinder so I was ready to go. The instruction state you could use pre ground beans so even if you don’t have a grinder you are all set. The instructions included are very clear and when followed you will be able to make a great shot, or two, of espresso. I can also adjust the size of each shot so all I have to do is hit the double shot button and the espresso will stop where I programmed it. This is a major plus over my other machine where I had to watch it so I can turn it off. The milk frother is also easy to use. I tried it using the automatic setting with the included metal milk pitcher. The milk came out perfectly steamed with a froth on top. This was used to make a cappuccino. I’m not an artist but there is a setting to get the right consistency for art work. There are three temperature setting for the espresso and the milk. I tried all three. I prefer the lowest setting for espresso and the middle temp for the milk. The Maestro Plus is also the first time I had ‘pucks’ that weren’t wet and runny. I would highly recommend this machine to anyone looking to get into espresso and espresso drinks. I have been extremely satisfied with my drink results but I do admit I could still learn more on how to prepare more drinks. I would absolutely purchase again. The Maestro Plus is a great espresso maker.