De'Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM38085
45ptsFully automatic espresso machine with 13-setting conical burr grinder, 24 recipes, four user profiles, 3.5-inch touchscreen and automatic LatteCrema milk frothing.
#46 of 115 overall · #10 among super-automatic machines Super-automatic GrinderAuto milk$$$
Why the De'Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM38085 is better than average
- More one-touch drinks24 vs. 5 on average
- Built-in grinderonly 42% of the machines we compare have this
Specifications
From the manufacturer’s website (delonghi.com) where it states a value, otherwise from the Amazon listing. “Not stated” means neither source says, not that the feature is missing. Tap the question mark to see why a spec matters.
Built-in grinderFresh grinding right before brewing matters more for taste than almost anything else. A built-in grinder saves buying a separate one. |
Yesdelonghi.com |
|---|---|
Grind settingsMore steps let you fine-tune extraction for different beans. Below about 15 steps, dialing in espresso gets hard. |
13delonghi.com |
Heating systemDual boilers and heat exchangers can brew and steam at the same time with stable temperature. Thermoblocks heat fast but drift more. |
Not stated |
PID temperature controlA PID controller holds brew water within about one degree. Unstable temperature is the most common cause of sour or bitter shots. |
Not stated |
Adjustable brew temperatureLight roasts like hotter water, dark roasts cooler. Without adjustment you are stuck with one setting. |
Not stated |
Pre-infusionWetting the coffee puck at low pressure before full pressure evens out extraction and forgives small tamping mistakes. |
Not stated |
Portafilter size58 mm is the café standard with the widest choice of baskets and tampers. Smaller sizes work, but accessories are scarcer. |
Not stated |
Pump pressureEspresso is brewed at about 9 bar. Higher numbers on the box are maximum pump ratings and do not make better coffee, so we do not score them. |
15 bardelonghi.com |
Pressure gaugeA gauge shows whether your grind and dose are right while the shot runs. |
Not stated |
Brews two cups at onceHandy when you make coffee for two. |
Not stated |
Milk frothingA manual steam wand gives the best microfoam for latte art but takes practice. Automatic systems are easier but less flexible. |
Automatic milk systemdelonghi.com |
|---|
Heat-up timeHow long you wait from switching on until the first shot. Under a minute feels instant, over 15 minutes means planning ahead. |
Not stated |
|---|---|
Water tankA bigger tank means refilling less often. For two milk drinks a day, about 60 oz lasts several days. |
60.9 ozdelonghi.com |
Bean hopperHow many beans the built-in grinder holds. |
8.8 ozdelonghi.com |
One-touch drinksPreset recipes such as latte or cappuccino at the push of a button. |
24delonghi.com |
Hot water outletFor Americanos and tea without a kettle. |
Not stated |
Cup warmerWarm cups keep espresso hot longer. |
Not stated |
App controlRemote start and recipe settings from your phone. |
Not stated |
HeightMeasure the space under your kitchen cabinets. Many machines need a few extra inches on top to refill the water tank or bean hopper. |
13.7 inAmazon listing |
|---|---|
Counter spaceWidth times depth, the area the machine takes up on your counter. |
157 sq inAmazon listing |
WeightHeavier machines stay put when you lock in the portafilter. Lighter ones are easier to move and store. |
21.7 lbsAmazon listing |
PowerHigher wattage usually means faster heating, but it says nothing about coffee quality. |
1,250 Wdelonghi.com |
|---|
Does it pay off for you?
Compared with buying the same drinks at a coffee shop.