#1: DeLonghi Eletta Explore
- Cold Brew Feature
- Customizable Settings:
- App Integration
#2: Dinamica Plus
- Simple Operation:
- App Connectivity
- Reliable Espresso Quality
As a coffee lover who has tried and tested both machines firsthand, I understand how hard it can be to pick the right one. When I first started my search for a fully automatic coffee machine, I wanted something that would provide me with café-quality coffee at home. After weeks of use, comparisons, and tweaking both machines, I can confidently say that the DeLonghi Eletta Explore comes out ahead of the Dinamica Plus—and here’s why.
If you’re like me and you enjoy a variety of coffee drinks, both hot and cold, the Eletta Explore will quickly become a trusted part of your daily routine. Let me walk you through my experiences and what makes the Eletta Explore a slightly better choice.
My First Impressions: Setting Up Both Machines
The setup process for both machines was straightforward, which I really appreciated. DeLonghi understands that not everyone is a tech wizard, and they’ve kept the process simple. The Dinamica Plus took me around 10 minutes to unbox, set up, and make my first coffee. The touchscreen made it easy to follow instructions and select my desired drink.
However, when I unboxed the Eletta Explore, the experience felt just a little more polished. Its modern design, well-laid-out parts, and intuitive display made the setup even smoother. I noticed the machine comes with two separate carafes for milk, which immediately caught my attention. For someone who often switches between regular milk and plant-based options like almond or oat milk, this small detail was a big plus.
Hot and Cold Coffee: A Game-Changer for My Routine
One of the main reasons I lean toward the Eletta Explore is its ability to make both hot and cold coffee drinks. I live in a place where the summers can get unbearably hot, and sometimes I just crave an iced coffee or a cold brew instead of a steaming cappuccino.
The Dinamica Plus is excellent for hot drinks, but it doesn’t offer cold brew functionality. This is where the Eletta Explore truly stands out. Its "Cold Brew Mode" delivers smooth, refreshing iced coffee in under 5 minutes. Compared to traditional cold brew methods that take hours, this is a total time-saver.
For someone like me who loves variety, having access to both hot and cold drinks from one machine has been an absolute game-changer. Whether it’s a creamy latte to start my day or a cold espresso tonic as an afternoon pick-me-up, the Eletta Explore delivers consistently.
Latte Art at Home: My Experience with Milk Frothing
If you’re someone who loves milk-based coffee like lattes or cappuccinos, the LatteCrema System on both machines will impress you. The Dinamica Plus froths milk beautifully, creating rich and creamy foam that’s almost café-level. For my cappuccinos and flat whites, the results were consistently excellent.
The Eletta Explore, however, gives you a bit more freedom with its dual milk system. Being able to switch between two milk carafes—one for regular milk and another for almond or oat milk—has been incredibly convenient. As someone who occasionally prefers plant-based milk, I was thrilled to see that the Eletta Explore still delivers perfectly frothed, creamy results.
For example, when I used almond milk in other machines, I often struggled to get the right texture—it would either be too thin or fail to froth entirely. With the Eletta Explore, I had no such issues. My almond milk lattes came out smooth, with just the right level of microfoam.
Customization: How I Made My Perfect Cup
One thing I appreciate about DeLonghi machines is how easy they make it to customize your coffee. Both the Dinamica Plus and the Eletta Explore allow you to adjust coffee strength, temperature, milk froth levels, and even the grind size of your beans.
While the Dinamica Plus delivers plenty of options, the Eletta Explore gives you even more room to experiment. I found myself tweaking my drink settings until I discovered the perfect cup of coffee for my taste. Once I nailed down the combination, I saved it to the machine so I could replicate it every time.
For example, I like my cappuccino with slightly less milk and a bit stronger coffee flavor. Using the Eletta Explore, I customized the ratio and saved it under my user profile. Now, every time I press the button, my coffee comes out exactly the way I like it.
Cleaning and Maintenance: The Less Effort, the Better
If there’s one thing I don’t enjoy, it’s spending too much time cleaning my coffee machine. Luckily, both machines are designed with easy maintenance in mind. The Dinamica Plus has an automatic rinse cycle, and the milk carafe is easy to clean with a quick rinse.
However, the Eletta Explore simplifies the cleaning process even further. The machine gives clear prompts when it’s time to clean or descale, and the dual milk carafes are easy to disassemble and rinse. Additionally, the coffee spout and drip tray are both removable, making cleanup quick and effortless.
This ease of maintenance means I spend more time enjoying my coffee and less time worrying about keeping the machine in perfect condition.
Noise Levels: A Subtle Difference
Both machines operate quietly, which is a major plus for me. I often brew coffee early in the morning, and I hate waking up the rest of the household. The Dinamica Plus is relatively quiet during grinding and brewing, but I noticed that the Eletta Explore operates just a bit more quietly.
It’s a subtle difference, but it does add to the premium experience that the Eletta Explore provides.
Who Should Choose the Eletta Explore?
After using both machines extensively, I think the Eletta Explore is perfect for anyone who:
- Enjoys a variety of coffee drinks, including iced coffees and cold brews.
- Wants the flexibility of using plant-based milk without sacrificing milk foam quality.
- Values ease of use, premium build quality, and intuitive customization.
- Wants a machine that delivers café-style drinks effortlessly at home.
The Dinamica Plus is an excellent option if you’re focused on hot coffee drinks and want a slightly more budget-friendly option. It’s still a fantastic machine, but for me, the Eletta Explore’s additional features give it the edge.
Final Thoughts: Why the Eletta Explore Wins
The DeLonghi Eletta Explore feels like an upgrade in every sense—design, functionality, and versatility. It allows me to enjoy hot and cold coffee drinks, customize my settings to perfection, and switch between different types of milk effortlessly.
While the Dinamica Plus is a solid competitor and will satisfy most coffee lovers, the Eletta Explore offers a more complete coffee experience. It’s the machine I turn to every morning, whether I’m craving a velvety cappuccino, an intense espresso, or a refreshing cold brew.
If you’re looking for a coffee machine that delivers quality, convenience, and variety, the DeLonghi Eletta Explore is absolutely worth considering. It has made my daily coffee routine not just easier, but also more enjoyable—and I’m sure it will do the same for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the main differences between the DeLonghi Eletta Explore and the Dinamica Plus?
A: The primary differences are in features and versatility. The Eletta Explore offers both hot and cold brew coffee options, while the Dinamica Plus focuses only on hot drinks. The Eletta Explore also includes a dual milk system, making it easier to use both traditional and plant-based milks. Additionally, the Eletta Explore has a slightly more responsive touchscreen and a quieter operation.
Q: Does the Eletta Explore really make good cold brew coffee?
A: Yes, the Eletta Explore’s cold brew functionality is excellent. It prepares a refreshing and smooth cold brew in under 5 minutes, which is a huge time-saver compared to the traditional cold brew method that takes hours.
Q: Can I use plant-based milk with the DeLonghi Eletta Explore?
A: Absolutely! The Eletta Explore’s dual milk system makes it perfect for plant-based milk like almond, oat, or soy. It froths plant-based milk exceptionally well, creating creamy, well-textured foam similar to what you get with regular milk.
Q: Which machine is easier to clean and maintain: the Eletta Explore or the Dinamica Plus?
A: Both machines are relatively easy to clean, with automatic rinsing systems and removable parts. However, the Eletta Explore simplifies the cleaning process even more with clear prompts and an easy-to-disassemble dual milk carafe system.
Q: Can I save my favorite coffee recipes on the Eletta Explore?
A: Yes, you can! The Eletta Explore allows you to save customized coffee recipes under user profiles. You can adjust coffee strength, temperature, milk froth levels, and more, and save these preferences for future use.
Q: Is the Eletta Explore worth the higher price compared to the Dinamica Plus?
A: If you value features like cold brew options, dual milk carafes, and greater versatility, the Eletta Explore is worth the extra investment. It offers more drink options and a slightly more premium experience overall.
Q: How loud are these machines during operation?
A: Both the Dinamica Plus and Eletta Explore are relatively quiet during operation. However, the Eletta Explore operates slightly quieter, especially during the grinding and brewing process.
Q: Can both machines handle different grind sizes for coffee beans?
A: Yes, both machines allow you to adjust the grind size to suit your coffee preferences. This helps you get the most flavor out of your coffee beans, whether you’re making espresso, cappuccino, or other drinks.
Q: Does the Eletta Explore take up more counter space than the Dinamica Plus?
A: While both machines are relatively compact, the Eletta Explore is slightly larger due to its additional features, like the dual milk system and cold brew capability. However, the difference in size is minimal and won’t take up much extra space in your kitchen.
Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee with these machines?
A: Yes, both the Eletta Explore and Dinamica Plus allow you to use pre-ground coffee in addition to whole beans. This is a great option if you’re in a hurry or prefer pre-ground blends.