If you are a newbie and want to get an entry-level to practice your skills without spending a thousand dollars on an espresso machine, Delonghi EC155 and ECP3420 are good pickings. If you wonder which will be better to select, check out my comparison of Delonghi EC155 vs ECP3420.
For me, the Delonghi ECP3420 is a better all-around selection. It can deliver good espresso extraction and milk froth. Moreover, it provides more clearance for milk steaming and a more ergonomic steam wand design, compared to its rival, the Delonghi EC155. Moreover, its removable drip tray and an included overflow indication make cleaning less tedious.
The EC155 is slightly inferior in the steaming/frothing milk because its steam wand is short and close to the counter. Additionally, the machine vibrates noticeably while pulling the espresso. However, it boasts a smaller footprint while delivering good-quality espresso pulls with decent crema. Thus, if you don’t mind the inconvenience of the milk wand, the EC155 is worth considering.
Delonghi EC155 vs ECP3420: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
DeLonghi EC155 vs ECP3420: Differences
The Delonghi ECP3420 wins 2-0 against the Delonghi EC155 for its milk system and cleaning convenience. In the other categories, their performances are comparable.
Coffee flavor & Brewing system
Tie!
Coffee input & Heating system
I can use ground coffee (pre-ground and freshly ground) and ESE pods to pull espresso shots with the Delonghi ECP3420 and EC155. When using the coffee ground, take note of the amount put in the filter basket and the grind size. It may take several trials and fails to find the right grind size for your best shot.
The two machines also have the same heating system using a single boiler with dual thermostats. Featuring the single boiler, they cannot brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously and have a relatively slow heat up time. However, with the dual thermostats, they can heat up and are ready to use within 5 minutes. I often let the machine preheat for 15 minutes for optimal heat consistency throughout the brew group.
Brewing technique
The Delonghi EC155’s and ECP3420’s included portafilter uses single and double pressurized filter baskets. The low-level espresso machines often use pressurized baskets, also known as dual-wall baskets, to increase the extraction pressure build up. As a result, it is possible to deliver a good brew even when you do not have barista skills.
To pull a good shot, appropriate tamping is an essential factor. Both machines come with plastic tampers, which I found okay to use but hard to obtain a good tamping. Moreover, the incorporated tamper of the EC155 is awkward to use because I have to push it all away up to get the coffee tamped. Meanwhile, the scooper/tamper of the EPC3420 is too light and clumsy.
Therefore, I bought separate stainless steel tampers and found that the 51-52 mm tamper worked perfectly. Besides, I tried a 49-mm tamper, and it works just fine but can help to obtain proper tamping. Additionally, do not tamp the coffee ground too tight as the water cannot go through the puck or goes too slow, causing the espresso to be over-extracted.
The Delonghi EPC3420 and EC155 possess a straightforward brewing function. Unlike high-end machines, they are not equipped with intricate programming settings or fancy technology. However, these machines allow me to pull a consistent, hot espresso shot with decent crema.
Design & Convenience
Tie!
As mentioned, both Delonghi EC155 and ECP3420 feature simple controls and do not involve any pre-program settings. You need to do all the measuring work and stop the espresso extraction manually. Therefore, be sure to observe the extraction volume to avoid overflowing your cup.
The ECP3420 and EC155 have compact designs, and their dimension difference is insignificant. Whether you opt for the ECP3420 or the EC155, you can reassure that they can fit on any small kitchen counter.
However, the lightweight factor has a small drawback: the machines vibrate when brewing the espresso, causing the cup to move on the drip tray. So, I tried putting a folded kitchen towel under the machine, and the vibration issue was addressed.
Their water tank capacity is relatively similar, about 34 – 37 oz. The feature I really like about these two machines is that I can see the water level from the front, making checking water levels hassle-free without needing to open the lids. Additionally, there is a small container next to the water tank to store the unused filter baskets.
Besides, you need to make sure their water reservoirs are properly pressed into place after cleaning and refilling. A securely attached water tank contributes to ensuring your machine functions well, preventing any mishaps that might be mistaken for machine operation errors.
Milk system
Winner: Delonghi ECP3420
The Delonghi ECP3420 and EC155 have manual milk systems. Though I’m not fond of their milk wands because they are short, I will choose the ECP3420’s milk wand over the EC155’s.
The reason I prefer the milk/steam wand of the Delonghi ECP3240 is that it is more familiar to use than that of the EC155, allowing me to have more control over the milk frothing. The milk froth produced by the ECP3420 is foamy and smooth. Besides, I prefer removing the connection milk nozzle when frothing milk to get the most velvety texture.
On the other hand, the EC155’s milk wand is kind of awkward to use. Its positioning is rather inconvenient, being too close to the counter, giving me a clumsy using experience. As a solution, I often place a book or another object with flat surfaces under the machine to create more space for frothing cups.
As I mentioned, the steam wands of these two machines are short, so it’s hard to get the wand down into the bottom of the pitcher, causing the milk froth/foam to overflow or splat easily. Thus, their milk wand works best with a small pitcher. I used a 12-oz milk pitcher, and it worked great.
Besides, their milk wands deliver water a few seconds after activation, which could cause your milk froth to be watery. Therefore, I always “purge” the milk wand until I get the dry steam only for texturing my milk froth.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Delonghi ECP3420
Though the cleaning and descaling cycles of these two machines are the same, the ECP3420 wins this round because I can detach the whole drip-tray block, and it has an overflow indicator, while the EC155 doesn’t.
The drip tray bottom of the Delonghi ECP3420 can be removed and emptied hassle-free without moving the whole machine. The included overflow indicator is useful in alerting you to empty the tray to avoid making a mess on your counter.
Meanwhile, the whole bottom tray of the EC155 cannot be detached (can only remove the inner tray), making it a bit tedious to clean the inner of the tray. It also does not feature the overflow indicator, so I forgot to empty the tray, and my kitchen counter became messy. Now, I often place a cup or bowl under its brewing spout and steam wand to hold the coffee drip and purged water.
Aside from that, both machines require the same cleaning and descaling cycles. You should clean and purge the milk wand after every use to remove all the residues and ensure the flavor of the next cups. The descaling is recommended every 3 months to help your machines work last and deliver optimal performance.
Quick Rundown of DeLonghi ECP3420
- Item Package Dimension: 14.79L x 12.79W x 10.19H inches
- Item Package Weight - 12 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - COFFEE MAKER
Last update on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of Delonghi EC155
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- EVERY CUP TO YOUR LIKING: 15-bar professional pressure assures quality results every time, and adjustable controls allow you to make modifications for your personal taste preferences.
- BREW LIKE A PRO: Whatever your preference – single or double espresso, cappuccino or latte – the machine brews authentic barista-quality beverages just like you enjoy at your favorite coffeehouse.Input power (W): 1050
- YOUR FOAM, YOUR WAY: A manual frother mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for evenly textured drinks – just the way you like them.
- ONE ESPRESSO SHOT OR TWO. The three-in-one filter holder, included with the unit, has filters for one espresso shot, two shots, and one for an easy-serve espresso pod – whatever your preference.
Last update on 2023-09-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/manual-espresso-machine-ecp3420/p/ECP3420
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/manual-espresso-machine-ec155/p/EC-155
I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.