De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup vs Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (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

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Eletta Explore Bean-to-Cup	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.4★ (3,600)	4.5★ (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 8.8/10. Over Ice mode, cold brew, LatteCrema Cool, 20 drinks, My drinks profile. Cold coffee specialist. That said, the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is worth considering if Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. 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

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi Eletta Explore or Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup?

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 8.8/10.

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 Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

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. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results.

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 Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker at 4.5★ from 3,800.

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