Super-automatic espresso machines make brewing espresso shots easy. It is usually a tiresome process as you will grind the beans yourself, control the temperature, and it’s hard to perfect. Luckily, we are going to talk about super-automatic espresso machines in this article.
Today, we are comparing two super automatic espresso machines from De’Longhi – the Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe. We will first look at the De’Longhi Eletta vs PrimaDonna S Deluxe comparison chart, then we will write about their similarities and differences, then there is the pros and cons section and finally we will express our honest opinion which of these two super automatic espresso machines is better.
| De’Longhi Eletta | De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe | |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Machine Type | Super Automatic | Super Automatic |
| Material and Build | Plastic | Stainless Steel |
| Display | 2-line with icons | 2-line with icons |
| Pump Pressure | 15 bars | 15 bars |
| Temperature Control | 4 Settings | 4 Settings |
| Double Boiler | Yes | Yes |
| Cup warmer | Yes, active and passive | Yes, active and passive |
| Beans container capacity | 14.1 oz. / 400 grams | 8.8 oz. / 250 grams |
| Water Tank Capacity | 2 Liters / 68 oz | 2 Liters / 68 oz |
| Water Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Milk Jug | 14 oz / 400 mL | 14 oz / 400 mL |
| Grind Setting | 13 Settings | 7 Settings |
| “Long” Coffee | Yes | Yes |
| Programmable | Yes | Yes |
| Aroma Control | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Signal | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Cappuccino System cleaning indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Shut OFF | Yes | Yes |
| Energy-saving function | Yes | Yes |
| Cup Illumination | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Cup Height | 5.5 inches | 5.75 inches |
| Removable drip tray with level indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Removable infuser unit | Yes | Yes |
| Removable water reservoir | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 18.36 x 10.2 x 14.16 inches | 9.4 x 17.4 x 13.6 inches |
| Item Weight | 24.5 pounds | 26.5 pounds |
| Rated voltage / Frequency (V~Hz) | 220/240~50/60 | 110/120~50/60 |
| Input power | 1450W | 1250W |
| Color Variants | Black, White | Silver |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Similarities between De’Longhi Eletta vs PrimaDonna S Deluxe
Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Making espresso on your own takes a lot of experimenting and learning to get it right. When you use a non-automatic espresso machine, you must grind the beans yourself or buy them already ground. The process is tedious, especially when you just want a cup of coffee in the morning. It also takes a lot of cleaning. All of those are solved by using super automatic espresso machines like the De’Longhi Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe. Within less than a minute, your coffee starts to brew
15 Bar of Pump Pressure
Coffee enthusiasts consider 15 bars of pump pressure as the sweet spot for making espresso shots. Any less than that, the machine won’t extract as much flavor. On the other side of the spectrum, any more than that, the coffee extracted may taste bitter due to over-extraction. While 9 bars of pump pressure is the industry standard, enthusiasts still argue that coffee extracted from 15 bars of pressure is still the best. Fortunately, the De’Longhi Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe can reach 15 bars of pressure.
Water Tank and Milk Jug Capacity
All espresso machines need a tank to draw water from. The water tank on both the Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe can be loaded and unloaded from the front. The water tanks have a capacity of 2 liters or 68 ounces. You will be pleased because both of the water tanks feature a water filter inside them. Furthermore, you can attach the De’Longhi milk jug on the front if you want to make milky specialty drinks. It is removable so you can place the jug with the remaining milk in the refrigerator for future use. The spout on these milk jugs is adjustable so it can accommodate any cup height.
Differences between De’Longhi Eletta vs PrimaDonna S Deluxe
Bean Container Capacity
Aside from the capacity of the tanks that hold water and milk, there is also a bean container on the top of both machines.
De’Longhi Eletta
The bean container on the De’Longhi Eletta has a higher capacity at 14.1 ounces or 400 grams. With this higher capacity, you will put in beans less frequently than the PrimaDonna S Deluxe.
De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe
De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe’s bean container can only hold 8.8 ounces or 250 grams. Aside from the bean compartments, both espresso machines also have bypass dosers. Bypass dosers allow you to put pre-ground coffee for brewing. You need to adjust the setting to brew through the bypass dosers. This is particularly helpful when you want a decaffeinated coffee at night. With the Eletta’s higher capacity, it wins this category.
The Winner Is- De’Longhi Eletta
Maximum Cup Height
Cups and mugs come in different sizes. All coffee lovers have their favorite cups. Fortunately for you, both the De’Longhi Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe can accommodate from a small espresso shot glass to a travel mug.
De’Longhi Eletta
Both the De’Longhi Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe have a height-adjustable spout. The Eletta can only accommodate up to 5.5 inches in cup height, however. Both also have active and passive cup warmers located at the top.
De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe
The PrimaDonna S Deluxe’s spout can hold up to 5.75 inches in cup height. This may be a small difference, but this is a difference nonetheless. This small difference may determine whether your favorite travel mug fits or not.
The Winner Is- De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe
Materials
Materials can tell you its durability and overall look.
De’Longhi Eletta
Unfortunately, the De’Longhi Eletta’s outer body is made out of plastic. Perhaps, this is due to Eletta’s price. We will discuss more on that later. Eletta is available in black or white variants.
De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe
On the other hand, the PrimaDonna S Deluxe has a brushed stainless steel body. It gives the PrimaDonna S Deluxe a more premium look. Additionally, both the Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe come with a Panarello want that attaches to the same location as the milk jug. The Panarello wand is particularly useful for making specialty drinks that do not require coffee brewing like teas, or hot chocolates.
The Winner Is- De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe
Price
Price is the ultimate deciding factor for most consumers. Generally, automatic espresso machines are expensive, let alone the super automatic variants. Let’s look at their price tags.
De’Longhi Eletta
As mentioned already, the De’Longhi Eletta has a cheaper price tag. Even with a lower price, the Eletta is still a superb super automatic espresso machine. If you care more about the taste of the espressos it can brew and not the machine’s design, the Eletta is for you.
De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe
With its premium brushed stainless steel design and more heavy-duty materials, the De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe also comes with a heavy price.
The Winner Is- De’Longhi Eletta
Pros and Cons
De’Longhi Eletta
Pros:
- Super-automatic
- 15 bars of pump pressure
- 4 temperature settings
- Double boiler
- Cup warmer
- Larger coffee bean capacity at 14.1 oz. / 400 grams
- Huge front-loading water tank
- Water filter
- Milk jug for milky specialty drinks
- Auto turn off and power-saving mode
- Cheaper
Cons:
- Made out of plastic
De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe
Pros:
- Super-automatic
- 15 bars of pump pressure
- 4 temperature settings
- Double boiler
- Cup warmer
- Bean container capacity at 8.8 oz. / 250 grams
- Huge front-loading water tank
- Water filter
- Milk jug for milky specialty drinks
- Auto turn off and power-saving mode
Cons:
- Smaller coffee bean capacity
- More expensive
Final Verdict
Both the De’Longhi Eletta and PrimaDonna S Deluxe are great for brewing a tasteful and aromatic espresso shot. Aside from espresso, it can also brew other specialty drinks. At a lower price, the De’Longhi Elatto brings more value for your money because it can also do what the PrimaDonna S Deluxe does. But for people who want the best of the best, you need to get the De’Longhi PrimaDonna S Deluxe.