So you’re trying to decide whether Delonghi EC702 or EC155 delivers superior espresso flavor? Check out my review for the debate of Delonghi EC702 vs EC155, and you will surely be able to pick a good starter for your home-barista experience.
The Delonghi EC702 is a good option and is similarly the most expensive one. But it’s a reasonable price for espresso and cappuccino machines that fall into the same category as this one. The steam wand, which constantly produces creamy milk foam, helps the machine win the race. Additionally, it sports a larger water tank that needs fewer refills.
Regarding the runner-up, I advise consumers with little prior coffee maker expertise to try the Delonghi EC155. It is a powerful, versatile, and small machine. The milk frother can also deliver fluffy foam for a good cup of latte, despite its less ergonomic design. In all cases, this is a cheaper choice if you don’t want to spend extra on your very first machine.
Delonghi EC702 vs EC155: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi EC702 vs EC155: Differences
The Delonghi EC702 wins 2-0 against the Delonghi EC155 regarding convenience and milk system. They tie in the coffee flavor and brewing system category. Find out more details below!
Coffee flavor & Brewing system
Tie!
Coffee input
I can use pre-ground coffee or freshly ground coffee from beans for the Delonghi EC702 and EC155. However, as they come with pressurized portafilters, you should not grind your coffee beans too fine unless you will choke the filters and get undesired extraction. Besides, you can use ESE pods for these machines if you want a quick-making espresso without dealing with any coffee mess on a hustle day.
Heating system
The Delonghi EC155 and EC702 all utilize the single-boiler heating system. This means they take quite a time to switch between brewing espresso and steaming milk. Their heat-up time is relatively quick, about 1-3 minutes in my case.
Brewing system
- Portafilter & Tamper
These machines come with single and double portafilter baskets, and their portafilters are the pressurized type. The use of pressurized portafilters will provide more pressure to the extraction of espresso. This is especially useful for low-level espresso machines as their pressure buildup is not comparable to the higher-level espresso machine line. In this way, we can get more crema but limit control over our brewing process.
Regarding the tamper, they all have a built-in plastic tamper. However, I do not into their built-in tamper because I have to do the tamping all the way up, which is not a good way to obtain a good tamp, in my opinion. Therefore, I prefer using a separate stainless steel tamper.
There is one thing I do not like about the portafilter design of both Delonghi EC702 and EC155: their filter holder. Their filters do not have anything to get firmly snapped in places. The brand designed a flip-up tab on the portafilter handle to hold the filter baskets when dumping out the extracted coffee ground, which is kind of awkward to use.
- Espresso extraction
The espresso brewing technique of the Delonghi EC702 and EC155 is “by default”, meaning that they do not offer any programable options like the higher-level machines. The espresso flavor is not truly deep or nuanced, compared to the shot I got using the Breville Barista Express or Dual Boiler. But overall, the taste is decent and not bad for milk-based espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
Besides, these two espresso makers do not feature pressure release valves, so the puck, after brewing, can be wet and kind of messy to be dumped. My tip is that once finishing pulling my shot, I do not remove the portafilter immediately and let the dripping continue for a minute. This way, the excess water in the coffee grounds can be removed so that the puck becomes dry and easier to clean out.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Delonghi EC702
Capacity & Dimension
The size of the Delonghi EC155 is smaller than that of the EC702, but in general, both are compact and light and do not take up much space on your counters. Because they have small footprints, their cup clearance just fits the small espresso cup size of ~2-4 oz.
Regarding capacity, the Delonghi EC702 is the winner because it boasts a larger water tank. Specifically, the EC702’s water reservoir is about 44 oz, while that of the EC155 is ~35 oz. The water reservoir of the EC702 is located on the side, which is easy to slide out and get filled. It has a little yellow ball in the water tank to show the water level, which can be observed from the front.
The water reservoir of the Delonghi EC155 is smaller and located in the back of the machine. Though it does not have the yellow sphere like the EC702, you can also see the water amount from the front without having the lid opened to check. However, you should ensure that its water tank is firmly attached in place after being taken out for filling, if not, the machine won’t work!
Drink options & Programmability
Both machines have no drink presets, meaning there is nothing to program. The control is basic buttons and dialing knobs. Though they have single and double portafilter baskets, the espresso extraction does not automatically stop, so I have to manually stop the process when getting the desired shot volume in the cup. Such simple control is nice for some people who just want to brew espresso without getting confused in programming the cup or anything.
Milk system
Winner: Delonghi EC702
For the milk steaming, I like the Delonghi EC702 more than the EC155. Though both of them feature Panarello steam wands, the design of EC702’s milk wand is more similar to that of a traditional milk wand. Thus, EC702’s steam wand allows me to have more control over the milk texturing process. Though the milk temperature cannot be adjusted, I got good and smoothy milk foams for my cappuccino. And this took me several tests to capture the proper frothing technique.
On the other hand, the milk wand of the Delonghi EC155 has a completely different design. Its milk wand features little holes on the top to allow more air to be infused into the milk. Therefore, the milk frothed will be foamier. Though it is a good way to make milk foam, it limits your control over the texturing process. Besides, the EC155’s steam wand is ridiculously short, even shorter than the wand on the EC702.
When steaming, I noticed that these machines’ steam wands release water into the milk jug before actually steaming or frothing. This amount of water is not significant but can make your milk froth watery and thin in texture. Thus, I recommend you purge the steam wand to get all the excess water in a separate cup before putting the wand into your milk jug.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Tie!
The cleaning and maintenance processes of the Delonghi EC702 and EC155 are the same. Both of them come with the descaling liquid in the package for you. Besides, you should clean the drip tray, which is removable on both machines, the portafilter, and the steam wand after every use.
For the steam wand cleaning, remember to use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the milk on the wand, followed by manually steam purging to remove the milk residues. Additionally, you can remove the milk tube of the EC702 to get it thoroughly cleaned.
Other things you should remember for your machines to have a longer lifespan and deliver better results are: following the instructions for the descaler and using a water filter to avoid mineral accumulation.
Quick Rundown of DeLonghi EC702
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
Last update on 2023-09-21 / 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 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Delonghi EC702: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/manual-espresso-machine-ec702/p/EC-702
- Delonghi EC155: 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.