Not purchased via Amazon or this seller – this is just a review of the machine.

I used to use the Breville Die Cast Espresso machine, and I actually loved it. It made good, consistent espresso (once you figured out the nuances). But it was ultimately the nuances and the manual operation that led me to seek out a good super-automatic machine.

DeLonghi was at the top of my list because of a friend of mine who owned one (this exact model, actually). He spoke highly of it, being a pretty serious coffee drinker himself. I have found that the machine has lived up to the expectations he set.

The setup was very simple – the LCD display guides you through the process (supplementing the manual, of course). Starting with all of the default settings for water temperature, grind size, and shot volume, even the very first shot from the machine was good (though the manual warns you may not be satisfied until it has produced 4 or 5). I have been increasingly impressed as I’ve pulled a few more shots (though probably less than 20 so far)

The automatic timer allows the machine to turn on and warm up at a pre-determined time. So if your morning routine is pretty consistent, you can typically walk straight up to the machine and press a button, and enjoy your coffee 30 seconds later. I’ve seen people complain that it doesn’t automatically make the shot, but this wouldn’t be possible considering how the machine works. Before you can pull a shot, it pre-rinses the internal plumbing to ensure that only fresh, hot water is used for the first shot. You wouldn’t want that water in your espresso

I can’t really review the steam wand’s operation – I’ve only used it to add hot water to make an Americano (which worked well).

Cleanup is ridiculously easy. The machine tells you that it needs to be cleaned, which requires you to

- Move the steam wand aside

- Open the door

- Remove the drip tray and waste bin together

- Dump and clean both the drip tray and waste bin

- Re-assemble

It takes like 5 minutes, and you do it once every few days. I believe they quote you 14 shots, more or less.

Overall, I haven’t found a single flaw in this machine yet. I’m very impressed.
Rating: 5 / 5

I agree with the other reviews. I have two of these, a his and hers. We drink a lot of espresso, and had an earlier model that developed a leak at the steam valve. We have had several of the Jura machines, which had short lives and were not easily user serviceable. The coffee from them wasn’t as hot and they were more expensive. And that’s the real beauty of the DeLonghis. Turn the unit off but still plugged in, open the door and squeeze the two red buttons, out comes the brewunit. So easy! Rinse it with your fingers and pop it back in. Clean everything every couple of weeks and it gives beautiful hot pulls with great crema . As with any superautomatic, it seems important to avoid oily beans. They cause trouble. And the ideal grind seems to be within one click of the midpoint on the grindcontrol, otherwise the brewfilter will start to clog if too fine, or give weak brew if too coarse. The long shot gives a good Americano. The wand makes lattes very quickly.

Other points: Even if your water is almost distilled-soft, its not a bad idea to use the Swiss Durgol decalcifier from time to time. Once you set up the hardness number, the machine will let you know when. But the manuals don’t say how much water to use. About a quarter of a tank incl cleaner seems correct. The little tape they give you to measure your hardness is tricky. It measured 2-3 yet we know the water here is very soft. In order to keep your warranty, however, you have to set the hardness by what the tape says however. Sigh.

Since I always use a double shot (“strong flavor”) the pucks need emptying every seventh time. Easy, because it tells you to. Clean the crud in the bottom of the little bucket so mold doesn’t start in. And çlean the tray, fill the water while you’re at it, then you don’t have to wait when it’s low.

With the lesser machine, we noticed trouble when the brewspigots started pulsing a little forward and there was coffee leakage behind it. Then water started appearing below the tray. Have not had those problems with the 4400. Cleanliness seems essential to longer life.

Always leave a cup under the spigot, since the automatic rinse water will fester in the tray.

Overall, it still seems to save money over the local barista, and the convenience (it is ready whenever you have it set for) and taste are terrific. I see no reason to spend more for needless features. For us, this was the machine to get.


Rating: 5 / 5

I had used a couple of smaller Espresso machines that were manual operation. Nothing too fancy, but they were pump driven at least. After my last one broke quickly I decided to seek out a very nice machine. I figured if I was going to get a machine that I should step it up to a Super Automatic Machine. It became quite tiresome to keep emptying, grinding coffee, adding and tamping when trying to create a venti iced doubleshot at home. I found this machine and I must say I am so impressed with it. It’s quality is quite amazing. The espresso it produces is incredible. Clean up is easy and maintenance is simple. The wand works extremely well and steams milk to 160 Degrees quite quickly. It’s also super easy to clean up the wand. It comes apart and allows you to clean it with just a simple wipe down. The machines I have had before you had to really put some elbow grease in because the milk would cake on it. This machine definitely carries a premium pricetag, but it is a premium machine of high quality. It is absolutely worth it if you are a cafe enthusiast.
Rating: 5 / 5

After about 10 years using a LaPavoni lever machine I tired of the routine and decided to get a superautomatic. When I first used the Delonghi 4400 I thought I had made a major mistake. However after making adjustments on the grinder and the water volumes it makes wonderful espresso with more crema than I ever got before. My only concern was the steam wand that froths the milk so fast it does not get hot enough. But I found that putting my finger on the air hole on the wand allows it to heat the milk without frothing and then releasing it results in nice hot microfoam. Still it would be nice if they offered an optional commercial wand like that on the LaPavoni Europiccolo that makes excellent microfoam and is easily wiped clean. Everything else about this machine cannot be beat. It is amazing to watch it grind, tamp, make a perfect double shot and dump the grinds at the touch of a button.
Rating: 5 / 5

We’re at the 24hr point with this model and have about a dozen espresso’s and a couple latte’s under our belt and we are very happy with the initial start up and performance of the machine. Within about 5 min we were pulling our first espresso’s and after a few to break in the machine, we tried espresso’s made on the “strong” setting and they were very good made using Starbucks beans. Next we went through the instructions to steam milk and our first forays lead us to a quick and seemingly inexhaustable amount of good, dry steam and was able to heat milk nicely to 160F.

Cleanup included rinsing the quick-detach steaming wand and having a cup under the espresso spouts while the rinse water comes out after turning the machine off. More in-depth, periodic cleaning involves emptying the ground container and rinsing and drying the bottom tray. Everyone finds their own comfort zone for cleaning, but for the 1 min it took to do the “total cleanout”, we’ll be doing that every time.

Instructions come in the form a dvd, picture guide, and text. Very easy to start up and run.

Only things I would change so far would be the length from the body of the machine that the steam wand/arm swings. A little close for steaming the larger frothing pitchers out there. No problems for 20oz and smaller.

I’ll post an update after a few months, but this looks like a machine we’ll be very pleased with.
Rating: 5 / 5