Best For
- You want the cheapest sensible way into espresso.
- You can find a used one for very little.
- You are happy to spend more on the grinder than the machine.
De'Longhi Stilosa Review: What a Budget Espresso Machine Gets Right, and Where Owners Outgrow It
Quick take
The De'Longhi Stilosa is a budget espresso machine that can pull good shots once you get the hang of it: a former barista has been happy with theirs for two years, and one budget setup ran for more than four. Its limits show as you go further: a small basket that caps the dose, and parts that wear within a few years.
Entry-level pump espresso machine with a manual steam wand and a compact 51 mm portafilter.
Buyer-facing pick with a clearer everyday fit
Strengths and Common Complaints
Good shots are possible for very little money, and some owners keep it for years.
Owners outgrow the small basket, run into worn parts, and one found its coffee merely average next to a moka pot. • Total evidence snippets: 9 • Updated Oct 12, 2026
Strengths
- Good shots for very little money: A former barista of almost five years has been happy with theirs for a couple of years without weighing anything; a used unit bought for €30 still pulls great shots; and three months in, a beginner pulled a first shot that looked decent and tasted pretty good using pre-ground coffee made for home machines.
- Years of service in a budget setup: Paired with an Oxo conical grinder, a Stilosa bought for $99.99 worked wonderfully for more than four years before its owners upgraded.
Common Complaints
- A small basket that caps the dose: The stock 51 mm basket will not hold 18 g for an owner pairing it with a Fellow Opus 2, so they pull 14 g shots and are looking for other baskets, and another owner can only fit about 10 g in the 'double' basket.
- Parts that wear within a few years: After about three years, one owner's basket rubber seal began breaking down and they could not source a genuine replacement; after almost two years, another's machine sent water through the steam wand but not the group head, and extra cleaning was their first step.
- Merely average next to a moka pot, for one owner: An owner who switched to escape the faff of a moka pot finds the Stilosa's coffee merely average by comparison, while admitting their beans are not expensive.
Who Should Buy De'Longhi Stilosa — and Who Should Avoid It
Fit comes down to whether you see it as a starter or a keeper, and how big a dose you want.
Not For
- You want to pull 18 g doses.
- You want a machine to keep for many years.
- You need easy access to genuine spare parts.
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Check local offer Affiliate link — supports the site at no extra cost.Discussion Mention Counts
Sentiment across 9 product mentions. Mentions are not a count of unique owners or threads.
User Impression
−11%
Leaning Negative Sentiment Mix
9 mentions
4
0
5
Quick actions
Evidence From Public Buyer Discussions
These examples show the repeated buying signals behind De'Longhi Stilosa. Use them to check strengths, complaints, and buyer fit before treating isolated comments as full reviews. • Updated Oct 12, 2026
Pro Positive Discussion Reports
The positive reports range from a beginner's first good shot to a former barista and a four-year budget setup.
Like a €30 used unit still pulls great shots 2026-09-08
https://preview.redd.it/fj9v8jjwuxnh1.jpeg?width=979&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b821365d9f50cb2bd12d007744f9ae82f923f1ae rocked this setup 2011 - 2023 it was very capable until i discovered that i really started liking super light roasts. heck even my used stilosa pulls great shots and it was €30 used. grinder, water and beans are more important sweet setup OP. you could probably do a flow control mod on that machine if you wanted right? with a needle valve?
Like four-plus years of service in a budget setup 2026-08-29
we had this set up for 4+ years before upgrading and it worked wonderfully: Oxo brew conical for grinder (was around $70 in 2019) Dilonghi stilosa in black (it was $99.99 in 2021)
Like pulls decent shots once you get the hang of it 2026-08-25
Am I pulling good espresso shots, or is there anything to improve? (Delonghi EC230.BK Stilosa) I am very new to this. Have this machine for about 3 months, and for the first time the pull looks decent not watered down. Tasted pretty good too. Some suggested buying bottomless porta filter and a grinder, but from where I am these are hard to find and pretty expensive. I bought pre ground coffee beans specifically for home espresso machines from a local coffee brand, and for the first time the shot is not watered dow
Like two years of shots that satisfy a former barista 2026-06-20
Own a DeLonghi Stilosa, would a Breville Bambino or Gaggia Classic Pro be an upgrade or lateral move? A little background: I was a barista for almost 5 years, and I certainly do appreciate a great cup of espresso, but I don't get as technical or detailed about my process as some folks. For example, I don't bother with weighing my grounds or pulls - eyeballing both always gets me what I want. I purchased a DeLonghi Stilosa a couple of years ago, and it works great for my needs. Also have a decent burr grinder.
Con Critical Discussion Reports
The critical reports are about dose size, wear after two or three years, and one disappointed moka-pot convert.
Complaint Steam wand pushes water instead of steam after two years 2026-09-22
Keep Stilosa or upgrade? Budget [300-500€] Keep Stilosa or upgrade? Based in Europe (Belgium). I have a Delonghi Stilosa EC235 in Black. This version in Europe comes with a proper steam wand, and not the panarello steam wand. For my grinder, I have a Eureka Mignon Manuale. Lately I've had issues with my Stilosa (which I have owned for a year and 9 months - so almost 2 years). Water would come out of the steam wand but not the espresso group head. I've done more proper cleaning on it now and to be honest, I prob
Complaint Basket rubber seal wore out in three years with no genuine replacement to be found 2026-09-16
Replacement for a DeLonghi Stilosa? [budget £250-£300] I'm based in the UK and have a Stilosa that I've had for about three years. The basket in the portafilter has that annoying rubber seal which has started to break down. I've ordered a replacement pressurised basket but I'm pretty sure it won't fit and I'm fed up with trying to source a genuine replacement. I'm thinking of saving up for a better machine but I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on an upgrade? I was thinking the DeLonghi Dedica?
Complaint Stock 'double' basket only holds about 10 g 2026-08-16
I'm using a DeLonghi Stilosa machine and Baratza Encore espresso grinder. … I've been using 7-7.5 grams of coffee in the single basket but can only fit ~10g in the "double" (hence the quotation marks lol.)
Complaint Stock setup makes merely average coffee next to a moka pot 2026-08-02
I bought a De’Longhi Stilosa machine because I was done with the faff of a moka pot … However, my coffee tastes rubbish compared to the moka pot. Granted I don’t use expensive beans, but what’s gone from being delicious moka pot coffee is now bang average
Complaint 51 mm basket limits doses to about 14 g 2026-06-29
De'Longhi Stilosa basket/portafilter recommendations [no budget] Hi, I currently have a De'Longhi Stilosa EC230 paired with a fellow opus 2 grinder. The Stilosa comes with a 51mm basket as standard and I normally have to pull shots of 14g instead of 18g as I seem to not be able to fit all of the coffee into the basket. Just wondering if anyone has had the same issue and has some recommendations on different baskets/portafilters that would fit? I'm from the UK so preferably from some UK retailers. TIA De'Long
View all retained evidence snippets (9)
Complaint Steam wand pushes water instead of steam after two years 2026-09-22
Keep Stilosa or upgrade? Budget [300-500€] Keep Stilosa or upgrade? Based in Europe (Belgium). I have a Delonghi Stilosa EC235 in Black. This version in Europe comes with a proper steam wand, and not the panarello steam wand. For my grinder, I have a Eureka Mignon Manuale. Lately I've had issues with my Stilosa (which I have owned for a year and 9 months - so almost 2 years). Water would come out of the steam wand but not the espresso group head. I've done more proper cleaning on it now and to be honest, I prob
Complaint Basket rubber seal wore out in three years with no genuine replacement to be found 2026-09-16
Replacement for a DeLonghi Stilosa? [budget £250-£300] I'm based in the UK and have a Stilosa that I've had for about three years. The basket in the portafilter has that annoying rubber seal which has started to break down. I've ordered a replacement pressurised basket but I'm pretty sure it won't fit and I'm fed up with trying to source a genuine replacement. I'm thinking of saving up for a better machine but I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on an upgrade? I was thinking the DeLonghi Dedica?
Like a €30 used unit still pulls great shots 2026-09-08
https://preview.redd.it/fj9v8jjwuxnh1.jpeg?width=979&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b821365d9f50cb2bd12d007744f9ae82f923f1ae rocked this setup 2011 - 2023 it was very capable until i discovered that i really started liking super light roasts. heck even my used stilosa pulls great shots and it was €30 used. grinder, water and beans are more important sweet setup OP. you could probably do a flow control mod on that machine if you wanted right? with a needle valve?
Like four-plus years of service in a budget setup 2026-08-29
we had this set up for 4+ years before upgrading and it worked wonderfully: Oxo brew conical for grinder (was around $70 in 2019) Dilonghi stilosa in black (it was $99.99 in 2021)
Like pulls decent shots once you get the hang of it 2026-08-25
Am I pulling good espresso shots, or is there anything to improve? (Delonghi EC230.BK Stilosa) I am very new to this. Have this machine for about 3 months, and for the first time the pull looks decent not watered down. Tasted pretty good too. Some suggested buying bottomless porta filter and a grinder, but from where I am these are hard to find and pretty expensive. I bought pre ground coffee beans specifically for home espresso machines from a local coffee brand, and for the first time the shot is not watered dow
Complaint Stock 'double' basket only holds about 10 g 2026-08-16
I'm using a DeLonghi Stilosa machine and Baratza Encore espresso grinder. … I've been using 7-7.5 grams of coffee in the single basket but can only fit ~10g in the "double" (hence the quotation marks lol.)
Complaint Stock setup makes merely average coffee next to a moka pot 2026-08-02
I bought a De’Longhi Stilosa machine because I was done with the faff of a moka pot … However, my coffee tastes rubbish compared to the moka pot. Granted I don’t use expensive beans, but what’s gone from being delicious moka pot coffee is now bang average
Complaint 51 mm basket limits doses to about 14 g 2026-06-29
De'Longhi Stilosa basket/portafilter recommendations [no budget] Hi, I currently have a De'Longhi Stilosa EC230 paired with a fellow opus 2 grinder. The Stilosa comes with a 51mm basket as standard and I normally have to pull shots of 14g instead of 18g as I seem to not be able to fit all of the coffee into the basket. Just wondering if anyone has had the same issue and has some recommendations on different baskets/portafilters that would fit? I'm from the UK so preferably from some UK retailers. TIA De'Long
Like two years of shots that satisfy a former barista 2026-06-20
Own a DeLonghi Stilosa, would a Breville Bambino or Gaggia Classic Pro be an upgrade or lateral move? A little background: I was a barista for almost 5 years, and I certainly do appreciate a great cup of espresso, but I don't get as technical or detailed about my process as some folks. For example, I don't bother with weighing my grounds or pulls - eyeballing both always gets me what I want. I purchased a DeLonghi Stilosa a couple of years ago, and it works great for my needs. Also have a decent burr grinder.
Compare Alternatives
Products frequently compared alongside De'Longhi Stilosa:
De'Longhi Dedica
The upgrade one Stilosa owner is weighing
Gaggia Classic Pro
One of the two upgrades a former-barista Stilosa owner was weighing
Buying Questions About De'Longhi Stilosa
Quick answers to the main review, complaints, buyer-fit, and comparison questions shoppers ask before choosing De'Longhi Stilosa.
Is a used De'Longhi Stilosa worth buying?
It can be. A commenter says even their €30 used Stilosa pulls great shots, adding that the grinder, water and beans matter more than the machine.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in a De'Longhi Stilosa?
Yes, as a start. A beginner got their first decent, non-watery shot from pre-ground coffee sold for home espresso machines; a grinder and a bottomless portafilter were suggested next, but were hard to find and expensive where they live.
What is the difference between the Stilosa EC230 and EC235?
According to an EC235 owner in Belgium, the European EC235 comes with a proper steam wand rather than the panarello wand. Nothing here compares the two models' shots.
What should I upgrade to from a De'Longhi Stilosa?
Owners moving on mention a De'Longhi Dedica on a £250-£300 budget, a €300-500 budget for a European owner weighing whether to keep theirs, and a former barista asking whether a Breville Bambino or Gaggia Classic Pro would be a real upgrade or a lateral move. Nobody here reports the result of an upgrade yet.
How We Analyze Buyer Feedback
These insights come from public owner discussions, grouped into recurring praise, complaints, and buying patterns to make the page easier to scan. Every quote links to the thread it came from.
Evidence snippets are selected from public discussions and grouped into themes. Counts represent how often a theme appears in the available evidence, not a survey or rating.