De’Longhi Just Released an Espresso Machine That Has Only 5-Star Reviews—and It’s Under $400

As an espresso lover, I occasionally — and begrudgingly — shell out the increasingly and all-too-common $6 for a latte. But that adds up, and coffee shop prices aren’t slowing down any time soon.

I’ve dabbled in a few budget semi-automatic espresso machines over the years, and I love my Technivorm Moccamaster for drip coffee, but I’ve been looking to upgrade my espresso set-up — without the steep price tag that typically comes along with it. 

So, when I was offered the opportunity to try out De’Longhi’s new Dedica Maestro Plus, I jumped at the chance. After using it for a few weeks, I can say I would’ve easily spent the $399 if I knew it would be this great. 

De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine

The beginner-friendly machine offers a far less intimidating experience for espresso-curious people who want to invest in a quality machine from a known brand like De’Longhi without spending upwards of a thousand dollars. The newly launched machine is priced at $399 and is an upgrade to the brand’s Dedica Arte Pump Maestro Machine. From the moment I unboxed it, its quality was evident, and it was up and running within minutes.

As an apartment dweller, my limited countertop space is prime real estate. The Dedica Maestro Plus is only 8.5 by 13 inches deep, which is actually thinner than my already-compact Nespresso machine. Its sleek chrome exterior looks sharp next to my Moccamaster, and I love that it’s not the main focal point of my kitchen by being overly bulky or deep.

Besides its small footprint, the best thing about this machine is that it offers a semi-automatic and a manual experience, so I can either get really into dialing in my espresso, or just be super lazy with it depending on my mood. The machine heats up quickly (within seconds) and has a powerful 15-bar pressure and a three-holed steam wand. While I’m still dialing in my preferred grind size and amount, each shot has been better than the last, and I found that pre-ground espresso beans still pull a fantastic shot. 

To toggle between settings, you simply pull the side lever back and forth. When frothing in manual mode, an ultra-convenient light will indicate when the milk has reached optimal temperature, making it nearly impossible to burn the milk. I’m no barista, and I’ve often struggled with hitting the sweet spot when it comes to reaching the perfect temperature when frothing, but not with this machine. 

On weekdays or quick mornings, the automatic mode has been my go-to. Even in this setting, the machine offers a pretty customizable experience that feels indulgent. Depending on whether you use nut milk or dairy milk, you can choose between three different temperatures and foam textures, which is not a luxury I’ve had with previous machines. Oftentimes, standard preset temperatures will burn almond and other non-dairy milk, but I’ve found that a cooler temperature setting really does make a difference when steaming my oat milk.

Despite the machine’s smaller size, the removable 54-ounce water tank holds more water than typical machines of its size (translation: less back and forth trips to the sink!), and it has slits on each side, which provide an ergonomically clever way to make pulling the tank out to fill a bit easier. The wide drip tray comfortably holds the milk pitcher when auto-steaming, and it comes with an espresso lift that is easily perched on top of the drip tray when just pulling shots. This is all to say, the machine is very well designed when it comes to the details. 

For first-time espresso machine owners, it comes with everything you need to complete your station, including single and double-wall filter baskets for the portafilter, a tamp, and a coffee scoop for perfect portions. It even comes with a tool to clean the steam wand if the wand holes get clogged and has a small compartment on top to keep the filter baskets in one place.  Disassembling it is easy, and most pieces can be thrown in the dishwasher. It also indicates when it’s time to descale. 

Of course, no machine is perfect. Some machines I’ve used have typically had a hot water spout, which was convenient for making hot teas or Americanos. It’s also loud when frothing, so be prepared to wake up your household when it’s time to turn it on. 

But even with those small downsides, the convenience and quality of the Dedica Maestro Plus make this a great purchase whether you are just starting your espresso journey or are already a seasoned pro. 

At the time of publishing, the price was $399.