The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is a premium bean-to-cup machine for people who want a wide choice of hot and cold drinks at the touch of a button. Its standout feature is rapid cold extraction, alongside two separate milk-texturing systems. A 2024 hands-on review praised its versatility and coffee results, but also flagged its high price, awkward-to-access water tank, exposed bean hopper and need to manage two milk carafes. Whether it is worth buying depends on how often you will use those extra features—and what the current local price is.
What the Eletta Explore does
De’Longhi describes the Eletta Explore as a fully automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine with more than 50 recipes, a built-in conical burr grinder and a 3.5-inch full-colour TFT display. The current US product page lists 13 grinder settings. These are manufacturer specifications; the available functions and bundles can differ by regional model.
Its two milk systems are intended for different drinks: one prepares hot milk foam, while the other makes cool foam. That gives the machine a broad menu, but it also means handling and storing two carafes rather than one. Check the exact regional SKU and listing to confirm which features and accessories are included.
Does its cold brew taste like traditional cold brew?
Not by the usual long-steep method. De’Longhi says traditional cold-brew infusion takes 12–18 hours; the Eletta Explore instead uses low-pressure, room-temperature water in a pulsating extraction process. The UK product information describes a standard 120 ml serving in under five minutes, while the US feature page says under three minutes. Those are regional manufacturer claims, and preparation time can vary with beans and grinder settings.
The Tool Desk
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- #1 Super Automatic Espresso Maker in the US*, *Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service, Unit Share, Jan. 2025 - Dec. 2025.
- 50+ ONE-TOUCH RECIPES. 50+ Hot & Cold Recipes including Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Iced Cappuccino, Iced Latte, Cold Brew and more at the touch of a button.
- BUILT-IN GRINDER. The built-in grinder delivers a precise, consistent dose of freshly ground coffee for all your favorite espresso beverages including lattes, cappuccinos, cold brew, iced lattes. With 13 grind settings, explore your favorite bean varieties and prepare them for optimal extraction.
- HOT & COLD FOAM TECHNOLOGY. Two LatteCrema Systems with Hot and Cold Foam Technology. The LatteCrema Hot System textures milk or your favorite milk alternatives to perfection for your favorite classic espresso beverages: Latte, Cappuccino, etc. The LatteCrema Cool System delivers velvety milk cold.
- COLD EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY. Enjoy cold brew in under 3 minutes with De’Longhi’s Cold Extraction Technology. This proprietary technology utilizes precisely measured water flow and pressure rates, along with specific extraction temperatures to create a delicious Cold Brew coffee in less than 3 minutes.
This is different from iced coffee, which De’Longhi describes as coffee extracted hot and then poured over ice. The machine offers both approaches, but not every cold drink on its menu is a cold-brew drink. The quick cycle is convenient if you want a cold coffee without waiting overnight; it should not be treated as proof that its result is identical to a long-steeped brew.
What the independent review found
Josephine Watson’s hands-on TechRadar review, published 5 June 2024, rated the machine 4.5 out of 5. The reviewer praised its hot-and-cold drink range, Bean Adapt feature and results, while describing it as an accomplished option for people who want automatic coffee without the time demands of maintaining a traditional espresso setup. The same review pointed to the high US price and several practical compromises. This is one reviewer’s assessment, not evidence of universal owner experience or long-term reliability.
Rank #2
- Discover a menu of 20 preset hot & iced drink recipes including espresso, drip coffee, iced lattes, cold brew, and more at the press of a button.
- 3 brewing technologies for authentic espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew unlock 20 recipes with the ideal brewing for each drink.
- Instantly froth dairy milk or plant-based alternatives into velvety smooth hot or cold foam with the included LatteCrema Hot and Cool technologies. Removable and dishwasher-safe.
- Enjoy cold brew in under 3 minutes with Cold Extraction Technology.
- The integrated conical burr grinder is built for long-lasting performance, delivering the highest standard of quality and freshness.
- Water access: The reviewer found the water tank awkward to reach, a concern if you refill it frequently or have limited clearance around the machine.
- Bean storage: The hopper is not airtight, so it offers less protection from air exposure than a sealed storage container.
- Milk workflow: Two carafes support hot and cool foam but take up storage space and require switching between them.
- Counter space: The review lists dimensions of 38.5 × 26 × 45 cm (H × W × D), so check depth as well as width and height before buying.
For the package tested, TechRadar reported a travel mug, two milk carafes, an ice tray, scoop, brush and hot-water nozzle. Accessories can vary by market and bundle, so do not assume every current listing includes that set.
Cleaning and descaling
Routine cleaning is part of owning a machine with milk components and a grounds container. De’Longhi’s UK product page describes the removable drip tray and milk carafe as dishwasher-safe; that does not establish dishwasher compatibility for every removable part.
Rank #3
- #1 Super Automatic Espresso Maker in the US*, *Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service, Unit Share, Jan. 2025 - Dec. 2025.
- Enjoy 24 one-touch or customized espresso drinks including: latte, espresso, cappuccino, flat white, iced coffee, regular coffee and more.
- Built-in conical burr grinder with 13 settings ensures freshly ground coffee with any beans of your choice.
- LatteCrema Hot System for frothing milk or milk alternatives. The automatic, customizable system delivers a creamy, rich foam leaving you with the perfect end result.
- 3.5” TFT full-touch screen, colorful display, and soft-touch buttons to quickly sort through and customize recipes.
The official Eletta Explore descaling guide gives a more involved procedure: prepare the tank with 100 ml of descaler and one litre of water, place a two-litre vessel under the outlets, and run the guided cycle. The descaling action takes about 40 minutes, followed by clean-water rinses. The guide warns that hot acidic liquid exits the spouts. Follow the machine’s prompts and the manual for your exact model; the cited guide does not establish a universal calendar interval.
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Prices and model names vary by country and can change. TechRadar’s 2024 review recorded launch/list prices of US $1,899.99, UK £999.99 and Australia AU$1,799; those are historical figures, not current offers. The official US range page listed ECAM45086S EX:4 at $1,799.95 against a displayed original price of $1,999.95 when accessed for this article. That captured promotion may no longer be available.
Rank #4
- PERSONALIZE WITH MY LATTE: Allows you to personalize and save your own recipes
- EASY TO CLEAN: Removable and dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
In the UK, De’Longhi lists distinct ECAM450.86.T EX:4 and ECAM452.67.G EX:4 variants. Do not assume a feature, finish or included accessory carries across every Explore model. Compare the exact local listing and manual before purchase.
TechRadar’s 25 March 2026 coverage calls the Eletta Ultra the successor to the Explore. That does not establish that Ultra is available everywhere or that it is better value for every buyer. Compare local prices and the specific features you will use rather than assuming the newer name means a better fit.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- #1 Super Automatic Espresso Maker in the US*, *Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service, Unit Share, Jan. 2025 - Dec. 2025.
- 50+ ONE-TOUCH RECIPES. 50+ Hot & Cold Recipes including Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Iced Cappuccino, Iced Latte, Cold Brew and more at the touch of a button.
- BUILT-IN GRINDER. The built-in grinder delivers a precise, consistent dose of freshly ground coffee for all your favorite espresso beverages including lattes, cappuccinos, cold brew, iced lattes. With 13 grind settings, explore your favorite bean varieties and prepare them for optimal extraction.
- HOT & COLD FOAM TECHNOLOGY. Two LatteCrema Systems with Hot and Cold Foam Technology. The LatteCrema Hot System textures milk or your favorite milk alternatives to perfection for your favorite classic espresso beverages: Latte, Cappuccino, etc. The LatteCrema Cool System delivers velvety milk cold.
- COLD EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY. Enjoy cold brew in under 3 minutes with De’Longhi’s Cold Extraction Technology. This proprietary technology utilizes precisely measured water flow and pressure rates, along with specific extraction temperatures to create a delicious Cold Brew coffee in less than 3 minutes.
- The Explore is a stronger fit if you will regularly make both hot drinks and cold-extracted coffee, value automatic preparation and are comfortable with the two-carafe setup and cleaning routine.
- Look at other options if rapid cold extraction is not important, your counter is shallow, frequent tank refills would be inconvenient, or the current price feels hard to justify.
- Compare the Ultra locally if it is available in your market. Check the actual feature list, workflow and price for each model rather than relying on the successor label alone.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
