De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup vs Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup

9.0/10 Excellent

4.4★ (3,600 owners)

Over Ice mode, cold brew, LatteCrema Cool, 20 drinks, My drinks profile. Cold coffee specialist.

Full Review

Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine

8.6/10 Great

4.3★ (3,800 owners)

15 bar, manual steam, 1L tank, retro design, 7 colours. The kitchen statement espresso machine.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup	Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.6/10
Owner Rating	4.4★ (3,600)	4.3★ (3,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup edges ahead with a 9.0/10 vs 8.6/10. Over Ice mode, cold brew, LatteCrema Cool, 20 drinks, My drinks profile. Cold coffee specialist. That said, the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine is worth considering if 15 bar, manual steam, 1L tank, retro design, 7 colours. The kitchen statement espresso machine. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup

Over Ice mode specifically brews concentrated espresso for iced coffee directly over ice without dilution
LatteCrema Cool chills milk automatically for cold coffee drinks — unique to De'Longhi
20 drink varieties including cold brew and iced options alongside hot drinks
My Drinks personalisation saves up to 4 custom profiles
De'Longhi's engineering applied to the growing iced coffee market

£800+ — premium pricing for the iced coffee specialisation
Cold brew takes 4+ hours — the Over Ice feature is the practical everyday cold option
Less automated than PrimaDonna Soul's 21 hot drink varieties

Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine

Iconic 1950s retro Italian design available in 7 colours to match Smeg kitchen appliance sets
15-bar pressure delivers genuine espresso quality comparable to Sage alternatives
Manual steam wand allows milk frothing technique development
1L water tank on the worktop — easy to see water level and refill
Smeg's design heritage — the most aesthetically considered espresso machine available

Premium design pricing — specification doesn't match Sage Barista Express at similar cost
No built-in grinder — requires separate grinder purchase for bean-to-cup
Manual steam wand requires practice — no automatic frothing

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi Eletta Explore or Smeg ECF01 Espresso?

Is the De'Longhi Eletta Explore worth the extra cost?

Yes — De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup scores higher at 9.0/10 vs 8.6/10.

Who is the De'Longhi Eletta Explore best suited to?

Over Ice mode, cold brew, LatteCrema Cool, 20 drinks, My drinks profile. Cold coffee specialist.

Who is the Smeg ECF01 Espresso best suited to?

15 bar, manual steam, 1L tank, retro design, 7 colours. The kitchen statement espresso machine.

What are the main downsides of each?

De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup: £800+ — premium pricing for the iced coffee specialisation; Cold brew takes 4+ hours — the Over Ice feature is the practical everyday cold option. Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine: Premium design pricing — specification doesn't match Sage Barista Express at similar cost; No built-in grinder — requires separate grinder purchase for bean-to-cup.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup sits at 4.4★ from 3,600 verified Amazon owners, and Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine at 4.3★ from 3,800.

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