The DeLonghi ECP3420 pressurized portafilter comes with an attachment making it compatible with espresso pods.
Not Nescafe or Nespresso pods mind you, but rather the E.S.E. soft pods available by companies like Lavazza. These are the ones.
The pressurized portafilter is great for novices as it helps ensure optimal pressure for a rich creme, even when using the E.S.E. pods.
The departure from a capsule system necessitates the use of a real frother for cappuccinos, lattes and other specialty beverages, and the DeLonghi ECP3420 comes with one built-in.
More complicated than capsule-based foam? Sure.
Better? You bet.
Add in the stainless steel plated exterior and internal boiler plate, the ability to brew two espresso shots at once and the stainless steel plated exterior and boiler plate (did I say that twice?) and you get a pretty nice machine for an appealing price.
I know what you’re thinking:
“Bryan, this machine sounds so great! Why is it ranked fifth?”
Two reasons.
First, while the machine itself is competitively priced you’ll need to shell out a little extra to purchase some necessary, yet not included, accessories:
Second, the frother sometimes fails to froth. It got my milk nice and hot, but sometimes the foam wasn’t as foamy as I’d like.
