The Italian company DeLonghi hardly needs additional advertising among coffee lovers and has long been considered one of an innovative industry leader. Its history began in 1902 with a small workshop in the small town of Treviso. The first Delonghi Bar coffee maker was released in 1990 and immediately gained immense popularity in the market. Today Italian giant successfully competes with German Bosch/Siemens, Dutch Philips/Saeco, Swiss Jura and other world leaders in this industry. Unlike its main competitors, Delonghi manufactures coffee machines in its own facilities. Today, this list includes a plant in Italy, two in China, three plants in Romania, and a stake in a joint venture with TCL Group in China.
The Italian company’s product range covers all price segments. Specifically, its partial list includes:
– Clessidra drip coffee makers;
– compact Rivelia;
– semi-automatic La Specialista with a ultra-stylish steampunk design;
– the legendary Magnifica series with a superb price-quality ratio;
– the phenomenally popular Dinamica series, models of which have been on the bestseller lists for several years.
Of course, the company doesn’t forget about the premium segment, which today includes PrimaDonna Soul and Eletta Explore series. This year, DeLonghi introduced the new flagship Eletta Ultra (ECAM 470.85) as an improved continuation of the Eletta Explore line (ECAM 450.55S).
In turn, the DeLonghi Eletta Explore series was introduced in 2022 as the flagship continuation of the premium Eletta series. It features unique Cold Extraction technology (refreshing coffee drinks brewed with cold water in under 5 minutes), LatteCrema technology (creating the perfect, thick foam for both hot and cold milk – based coffee drinks), and a To-Go function for thermoses up to 16 cm high).
Eletta Ultra vs Eletta Explore
The DeLonghi Eletta Ultra (ECAM 470.85) was officially unveiled on March 26, 2026, and is now available in most regions. In fact, it’s a premium version of the Eletta Explore (ECAM 450.55S) with an impressive list of improvements (Eletta Ultra vs Eletta Explore):
– 50+ vs 40+ customizable programs;
– 2 jugs (LatteCrema Hot and LatteCrema Cool for whipping hot and cold milk foam) vs 1 universal LatteCrema Hot/Cool jug;
– Silent technology with a 65% reduction in noise vs standard level up to 70 dB;
– Bean Adapt technology optimizes the grind for the coffee bean via the app vs not;
– full-color TFT display – 4.3″ vs 3.5″;
– redesigned brew unit with a faster heat-up time vs traditional brew unit;
– improved touch menu, Wi-Fi vs touch panel + icons, Wi-Fi;
– bean hopper – 280 grams vs 300 grams;
– size and weight – (9.25 x 17.9 x 15 inches)@24.1 lbs or (23.5 x 45.5 x 38.0 cm)@10.95 kg vs (10.25 x 17,5 x 15,1 inches)@24.7 lbs;
– design – metal vs plastic with metal elements.
Unfortunately, the price has also changed. The Eletta Ultra ECAM 470.85 costs about $ 1,500 to $ 1,900 (€ 1,400 to € 1,600). The older Eletta Explore ECAM 450.65 is available between $ 700 and $ 1,200 depending on the region.
Both models are equipped with a 19-bar pump, a cold brew system (low-temperature Cold Extraction), a 1.8-liter water tank, support smartphone control via the Coffee Link app and Over Ice for making iced coffee. Additionally, both models support the popular ‘To-Go’ function, which allows the use of tall travel mugs up to 6.3″ / 16 cm. Furthermore, some Explore models come with a tall, signature thermal mug.
DeLonghi LatteCrema
The company first introduced its patented automatic LatteCrema milk frothing system in premium models in 2014, including the Eletta series. Coffee lovers praised the quality of the thick milk foam, ideal for making cappuccino or latte. In 2023, the company introduced the next generation of this system in the premium Eletta Explore line. It includes the LatteCrema Hot jug for hot milk foam in traditional milk-based coffee drinks and the LatteCrema Cool jug for frothing cold milk.
LatteCrema Hot and LatteCrema Cool differ in their milk foam temperature settings and jug design. Specifically, LatteCrema Hot produces hot, dense, velvety milk foam at a temperature of approximately 60–65°C. It’s ideal for classic Cappuccino, Latte, and Flat White.
LatteCrema Cool froths cold milk. This foam is ideal to create a smooth, airy foam, for example, in summer coffee cocktails, iced latte, or iced frappuccino.
Physically, the jugs differ in the way they aerate the milk to create foam. LatteCrema Hot uses steam to create thick, hot foam, while LatteCrema Cool froths chilled milk.
The flagship models of the Eletta Explore and Rivelia series implement this system using two different jugs, automatically recognizing the type installed.
The LatteCrema Hot is essentially a classic jug with a steam block, which uses the hot steam from the coffee machine to mix milk and air. It is typically double-walled to retain heat. Most models have a 3-position switch for selecting the milk foam density.
The LatteCrema Cool uses a special patented mechanism that froths milk mechanically or by pressure, without the use of hot steam, by forcing air through the milk at a temperature of ~ 20°C. The jug is typically additionally equipped with a mechanical regulator for adjusting the height and texture of the foam.
DeLonghi Cold Extraction
Of course, most coffee lovers prefer traditional hot espresso with a fragrant smoky aroma above the cup. But on a hot summer day, the appeal of cold coffee increases dramatically.
Given high demand, many manufacturers have long equipped their coffee machines with this function. Its simplest embodiment involves adding ice.
For example, DeLonghi calls this Over Ice program. Essentially, the coffee machine brews the drink using a special algorithm with a higher extraction temperature and a richer flavor to compensate for the increased wateriness caused by melted ice. Today, this option is available even in inexpensive coffee machines from many brands.
Cold Extraction technology solves this problem more technologically. Several years ago, industry leaders developed and implemented this technology for preparing cold brew beverages at room temperature. Specifically, the temperature in the cup is 30°C – 35°C.
For reference, this method was invented by Dutch merchants. They were very fond of coffee, but the lack of hot water on ships at the time deprived them of the opportunity to prepare the popular drink. To solve this problem, sailors invented cold brewing, which involves steeping very coarsely ground coffee for up to 24 hours.
Today, this technology has been developed and successfully implemented by several companies, including:
– Delonghi Eletta Explore/Eletta Ultra, PrimaDonna Soul, and La Specialista Opera EC9555;
– Jura Z10, J10, and commercial professional GIGA 10/W1, X10/X10c;
– Nivona (Chilled Brew in NIVO 8107 and 9 series);
– Philips Cafe Aromis LatteGo Pro 8000 EP8757/20.
Delonghi developed its own version in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association. It uses more precisely controlled pressure and a slower flow of water through the ground coffee, which compensates for the lower extraction temperature. Moreover, the brewing time does not exceed several minutes.
Conclusion
The Italian giant has once again successfully confirmed its place among the industry’s innovative leaders. The new series incorporates virtually all popular technologies, including Cold Extraction, LatteCrema system with cool and hot jugs, Bean Adapt technology, the popular ‘To-Go’ function, and improved noise protection. More than 50 programs, a large 4.3″ full-color TFT display, the Over Ice program, and an all-metal body are added bonuses.
Unfortunately, everything comes at a price, and the improvements to the Eletta Ultra are no exception. Currently, with prices ranging from $ 1,500-$ 1,900 or € 1,400-€ 1,600 vs $ 700-$ 1,200 (depending on the region and discounts), it’s almost twice as expensive. Of course, a traditional launch price adjustment could correct this ratio. But for now, its price seems too high. However, it is unlikely to stop progressives with a good budget.
The video showcases the new flagship DeLonghi Eletta Ultra ECAM 470.85.MB coffee machine.