If you want to prepare some barista-quality caffeinated beverages right at home without any skills, consider the DeLonghi Eletta vs Saeco Xelsis. Both are among the most impressive mid-priced super-automatic espresso machines on the market and are certainly worthy of your attention.
They have thermoblock technology to heat up quickly and an automatic milk frother to facilitate the preparation of a cappuccino at the touch of a button. But there are some things that set one apart from the other. The DeLonghi Eletta, for example, features an active cup warmer and can be set to turn on automatically. In contrast, the Saeco Xelsis utilizes a ceramic grinder to guard against scorching the coffee grounds, offers an extensive list of beverage choices, and has up to 6 user profiles.
DeLonghi Eletta Vs Saeco Xelsis: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
DeLonghi Eletta Vs Saeco Xelsis: Differences
I call this showdown a tie. Of course, each has its own characteristics to make it more suitable for you than the other. Continue scrolling for an in-depth comparison.
Coffee Flavour
Winner: Tie
Built-in Grinder
Right off the bat, the DeLonghi Eletta has an integrated stainless steel burr grinder, while the Saeco Xelsis boasts a 100% ceramic flat burr grinder. Their burr grinders are, no doubt, better than their metal blade counterparts since they crush the beans instead of “chopping” them, resulting in a more consistent grind.
Comparing the two, the Saeco Xelsis’s ceramic grinder has an edge for some reasons. It doesn’t risk overheating the beans, thereby protecting the beans’ aromas and keeping the bitter taste out of your espresso.
I also found it to operate significantly quieter than its steel counterpart, so your dawn coffee-making routine is certain not to rouse the household. Not to mention, it tends to stay sharp for longer than its steel counterpart. Saeco claims it can offer consistent coffee grounds for 20,000 cups without deterioration over time.
They both give you a wide range of grind sizes, giving you a significant amount of control over the flavor of your coffee.: The Saeco Xelsis has 12 grinding settings, while the DeLonghi Eletta offers 13. As a rule of thumb, the finer the grind size, the stronger and more bitter your coffee will taste – so choose a very fine setting for an espresso and a more coarse one for a longer drink.
You can adjust the grind size by twisting a dial inside the bean hopper, and always do it when the grinder is running. Also, I recommend not using oily coffee beans since the oils can clog the grinder with ease.
Heating System
Both of these machines are equipped with two thermoblock boilers instead of a single traditional boiler, so they can prepare espresso and milk froth simultaneously. Each boiler is dedicated to its specific function: one for brewing coffee and the other for heating milk. Also, since they don’t have to divide their heating capabilities between the two processes, you can expect the temperature to remain consistent and reliable for each function.
These machines offer rapid heating capabilities thanks to thermoblock technology. Unlike traditional boilers that heat and store a larger quantity of water, thermoblocks only heat the necessary amount of water required for each specific function. That way, it can reach the perfect temperature for brewing and steaming in just 20 seconds, which really reduces the amount of time it takes to make a milk-based drink.
Both have an awesome heated metallic cup warming surface on top used to preheat your cup to keep your espresso piping hot during milk frothing preparation. This welcome addition helps to reduce heat loss, thus preserving the aroma, taste, and overall quality of your espresso. Better yet, the warmer tray of the DeLonghi Eletta is actively heated and can be set to be turned on before your morning alarm chimes. That way, you’ll have some warm cups waiting for you as you stumble out of bed.
Brewing System
Both do have a pre-infusion function, while the DeLonghi Eletta doesn’t. It basically soaks the coffee grounds with hot water before brewing to let them “bloom,” meaning the grounds release carbon dioxide and expand. This helps to achieve maximum aroma extraction and reduces channeling during the brewing process. The Saeco Xelsis also allows the adjustment of the pre-infusion duration to your liking – You can set it to “Full Body,” where this process takes the longest, or turn it off if you want.
Like other high-end automatic machines, they extract espresso at a pressure of 15 bars. For those who don’t know, the required minimum pressure to brew coffee is around 9 bars, so you can expect espresso drinks to be properly extracted with them.
They both rewarded me with a full-bodied espresso topped with a rich, loverly crema – this seems uniquely achievable by the skillful hands of Starbucks baristas. Of course, this requires some practice and exploration of different settings.
Milk Frothing System
Imagine that you could brew your own cappuccino at home without going through any barista courses. It sounds wonderful, right? These machines can make that pipe dream come true with their automatic milk frothing system, bringing the joys of coffee shop-quality beverages right into your kitchen.
Let’s start with the DeLonghi Eletta – this one boasts DeLonghi’s patented LatteCrema, including a removable 0.6-liter milk carafe. Whenever you want to enjoy a milk-based beverage, just plug it into the left side of the machine and then return it to your refrigerator to keep the milk fresh until the next use.
I loved the sizable froth dial positioned atop the pitcher, which allows the customization of your milk’s froth level, ranging from non-frothy milk and medium milk froth to airier froth. Once you’ve completed preparing your drinks, just twist the dial to the cleaning position, and the machine will dispense hot water through the milk-conducting pipe and parts to expel any residual milk deposits. In addition, you can customize the quantity of milk that is poured into your cup.
The LatteCrema system is basically designed to create the perfect milk froth for any milky drink. In fact, I found it could produce thick foam for a decent cappuccino, but it failed to reach the creamy microfoam desired for latte art. If you want to have hot water for brewing tea or making hot chocolate, you can swap the milk reservoir for an included hot water spigot.
The Saeco Xelsis, on the other hand, includes a high-quality milk container that is removable for refrigerated or deep cleaning underwater. This one uses LatteDuo technology to froth the milk twice instead of once to reduce the size of the bubbles. Yes, it really could make smooth, velvety microfoam, perfect for a beautiful latte that rivals coffee shop beverages.
My only gripe is that it flushed the milk system with steam almost immediately after pouring milk into my cup for hygiene. This is not a big deal, but it would be better if the machine could wait a few more seconds so I could move my cup away first.
Design & Usability
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Dimensions, Footprint, & Weight
| DeLonghi Eletta | Saeco Xelsis | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 10.2 x 18.4 | 11.1 x 15.5 x 19.3 inches |
| Weight | 24.2 lbs | 25.8 lbs |
The visual appeal is, no doubt, an important but typically overlooked aspect of a coffee machine. After all, your espresso machine will have a permanent spot in your kitchen, so it’s ideal if it’s not only functional but also visually appealing, right? Thankfully, both really do.
Both have a sleek spaceship-like appearance, which could be the “wow” factor on the countertop of any modern kitchen. As soon as I got my hands on their sturdy and robust housing, I immediately knew they were designed for heavy use for years to come.
Regarding the control panel, the DeLonghi Eletta has a compact LCD text screen surrounded by buttons, while the Saeco Xelsis boasts an intuitive smartphone-like touchscreen. I’m not a huge fan of built-in touch screens, but considering its price tag, I’d expect the DeLonghi Eletta to have an elegant full-color display, not something evocative of 90s gaming consoles.
These bad boys are fairly bulky. They are not really as colossal as the Hulk, but finding a proper spot for each might be a big concern for those with limited counter space. Also, Their considerable weight might become troublesome for those who like to redecorate or rearrange their kitchen often.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options
| DeLonghi Eletta | Saeco Xelsis |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Caffe Latte Macchiato Cappuccino Flat White Hot Milk Hot water | Coffee Espresso Ristretto Espresso Lungo Americano Flat White Latte Macchiato Cappuccino Caffe Latte Cafe AU Lait Cortado Milk Froth Warm Milk Hot Water |
If you are after a bean-to-cup machine that can bring to the table every coffee specialty a cafe offers with a simple touch of a button, the Saeco Xelsis is the one to get. But if you, like myself, prefer sticking to just one or two caffeinated beverages, the DeLonghi Eletta won’t inundate you with an extensive array of beverage options. Both also have a hot water function and allow you to bypass the grinder to use pre-ground coffee if your guests prefer a cup of decaf.
They offer many customizable settings, so you can feel free to experiment to create the drink of your dreams. You can adjust espresso volume, aroma strength, brewing temperature, foam level, and milk dose. The Saeco Xelsis even allows you to fine-tune the interval of the pre-infusion stage and decide whether the coffee is poured first or not.
Of course, it’ll take some time and effort to adjust the settings to your exact preferences, so it would be terrible if someone inadvertently altered them. To mitigate this, the Saeco Xelsis offers up to six user profiles, so you and your loved ones can store your preferred recipes simultaneously without cross-interference.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| DeLonghi Eletta | Saeco Xelsis | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 3.6-5.6 inches | 3-6 inches |
These espresso machines have butterfly-shaped espresso spouts that can be adjusted in height to accommodate a wide spectrum of cup sizes, even mammoth-sized ones. They can also be lowered very low to avoid unwanted splatters and maintain the appealing crema intact.
They both can also brew two cups of coffee at once. This is definitely an awesome time-saver if you want to prepare more than one drink in the morning or when you need to entertain your guests. Still, the Saeco Xelsis takes the lead with the ability to prepare two milk-based drinks simultaneously.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| DeLonghi Eletta | Saeco Xelsis | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2 liter | 1.7 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.35 liter | 0.35 liter |
Their somewhat large water tanks are seamlessly integrated into the front for easy refilling – you don’t need to either move the machine or awkwardly reach around to reach the tank. I strongly recommend using fresh water as soon as possible for the best-tasting espresso.
Both come with a free water filter (DeLonghi and AquaClean water filters), which will last for one or a couple of months, depending on how often you use the machine. The filter is an option, but I highly recommend using it to remove impurities from the water and reduce the descaling of the machine. Replacing the water filter periodically may involve some ongoing cost, but the benefits it brings in terms of better-tasting coffee and the protection it offers to your machine make it a worthwhile investment.
As for their bean feeders, since the lid is airtight, you don’t have to worry about leaving beans in there since they will stay fresh for a while. The airtight cover also helps reduce the noise of the grinder significantly. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
Needless to say, maintaining these espresso machines isn’t as enjoyable as savoring a delectable cup of caffeinated delight. But it is the indisputable truth that they only treat you well if they are properly loved and cared for. Thankfully, they are really easy to clean and maintain since almost everything is automated.
When I mention “almost everything,” I mean there are still some manual tasks involved, including emptying the drip tray, discarding used coffee grounds, rinsing the milk pitcher, refilling the water tank, etc. Their brew parts are removable for thorough cleaning under the tap, and that’s the best way to prolong their working life.
Every time these machines are turned on and off, they will run some hot water through the system. Likewise, the milk frother flushes a quick jet of heated water through the spigot to clean it after the brewing of a milk-based drink.
Even if you use the water filter, these machines still need to be descaled occasionally. They will alert you when the time is right, so you won’t have to set a reminder yourself. Just follow the step-by-step instructions on the display, utilize the descaler recommended by the manufacturer, and everything will be perfectly fine.
Utilities & Other Features
Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
Auto On/Off
These kitchen appliances can automatically switch off after an adjustable interval (minimum 15 minutes) to cut down on unnecessary power consumption and contribute to your cost savings. You can also program the DeLonghi Eletta so it turns on automatically as well.
Quick Rundown Of DeLonghi Eletta
- Metal sensor touch control panel with high visibility display.
- Stainless steel grinder.
- Removable 2 Liter (67 ounce) water tank with water level indicator allows for convenient filling and easy cleaning.
- Milk menu: get access to additional milk drinks through the milk menu function. The machine automatically makes caffeelatte, macchiato, flat white and milk (hot milk)
- Coffee bean container capacity: 400 gram/14.10 ounce
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Saeco Xelsis
- With Philips Saeco Xelsis easily make up to 15 coffee varieties from common Espresso and Capuccino to specialty coffees like Flat White or Americano. Simply swipe the touchscreen to select the drink and customize it with our intuitive Coffee Equalizer.Filter type:Reusable.Power consumption stand-by : 0.5W, Drip tray capacity : 500 ml
- 15 Coffee Varieties at Your Fingertips: Explore the world of coffee - Espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, and a range of specialty drinks
- Personalized Preferences: Everyone’s custom coffee favorites can be saved in up to 6 user profiles for instant selection. Personalize each profile down to the finest detail
- LatteDuo Milk System: Prepare and enjoy single or double serving of any coffee recipe with one touch, including Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato
- Double Thermo Blocks: Dedicated for both brewing and steaming offer accurate temperature controls for every drink in your recipe book
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- DeLonghi Eletta: https://www.delonghi.com/en/ecam44-660-b-eletta-cappuccino-automatic-coffee-maker/p/ECAM44.660.B
- Saeco Xelsis: https://saeco.com/xelsis/
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.