DeLonghi All-In-One Review - Coffee Combo King?
As a kid, my dad always warned me against getting combo tools and machines.
After all, how could they effectively do the job when they eternally compromise between two functions?
I resisted for years - until I saw the De'Longhi All-In-One BCO430 coffee maker.
DeLonghi All-In-One Review – My Ratings & Top Features
Key Features
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Things I Like
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Things I Don’t Like
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Why Should You Buy The DeLonghi All-In-One Espresso Maker?
Overall, I would rate the De'Longhi All-In-One combination coffee maker BCO430 a solid 4.8 out of 5 stars.
I like its flexibility and reusable filters but do not love the tamper or lack of jug and grinder.[1]
- Espresso maker and drip coffee maker
- Front loading for easy access
- 24-hour programmable timer
- Removable drip tray
- Cup holder
- 15 bar pump
- Button user interface easily split between espresso and drip coffee functions
- Two water tanks
- Dual heating system
- Reusable coffee filter
- Bold setting to make stronger coffee
- Milk wand for easy steamed milk
- Spill-proof glass carafe makes up to ten cups of coffee
- Generous cup height
- One year warranty
- Plate warmer
- Lightweight and compact for a combination coffee machine
Who Should Buy The DeLonghi All-In-One Espresso Maker?
The De'Longhi combination coffee machine is a great option for those with busy households or cramped spaces that yearn for variety.
This model is also a good option for people who host dinner parties regularly.
Why I Decided To Review The De'Longhi All-In-One
While staying at an AirBnB, I discovered the wonders of the combination DeLonghi machine.
After only a couple of days with this machine, I knew I just had to review this model for you.
Testing Conditions
Days Tested |
30 |
Cups Brewed Per Day |
2 |
Level Of Experience Needed |
Beginner |
Reviewer Background |
Home brewing enthusiast who started with a simple cafetiere collection and is on a journey to up their game. |
Environment Tested |
Home |
Money Saved Per Year |
$2700 |
Favorite Drink To Brew |
Drip coffee and cappuccino |
What’s It Like To Live With The DeLonghi All-In-One
What’s In The Box?
The box is quite large and required some maneuvering to get inside (pivot!), but it was manageable.
A small touch I appreciated was that the tray and other moveable parts were taped down.
This may seem minor, but this prevents them from getting damaged in transit and from getting dropped while unwrapping the espresso machine.
The various accessories were all packed in cardboard and covered in plastic to prevent tarnishing during transit.
Accessories included are:
- Measuring spoon with tamper
- Portafilter
- Pressurised double wall baskets - single, double, pod
- Gold-tone reusable filter
- Ten-cup capacity glass carafe
- Instruction manual
- Charcoal filter
- Descale solution
It does not come with a built-in grinder, so you will need to use your own or make an additional purchase.
I recommend getting your own milk pitcher at the same time if you do not own one already.[2]
The setup was incredibly simple, thanks to the manual.[3]
Pulling My First Espresso Shot
The user interface was simple, with clear divisions between drip coffee and espresso. While the removable water tank had no fill marks, I found using a jug easier.
I’m usually a purist when it comes to portafilters, but I saw the appeal of this space-saving multitool.
I was skeptical about the pressurized baskets but followed the manual’s instructions for medium-grind untamped beans.
The machine heated up in a couple of minutes, and pulling the shot was easy. However, the result tasted more like strong coffee than true espresso, likely due to the pressurized baskets.
I also tested finely ground tamped beans, which worked great.
Pre-ground espresso and ESE pods were decent but didn’t match the quality of freshly ground beans.
The generous cup height and removable drip tray were a bonus, perfect for my big cappuccino cups - big win in my book!
First Time Making A Pot Of Coffee
After my espresso experiments, it was time to test the drip side. It’s simple - add a scoop of grounds, fill the water tank, and turn it on.
I recommend using the carafe to measure the water since there are no markings on the tank.
The machine brews up to ten cups, and you can choose between a 1-4 cup or 5-10 cup option. The smaller setting gently soaks the grounds for better flavor, which I appreciated.
Brewing a full pot took about 9-10 minutes, and there’s a warming plate that keeps the coffee hot for two hours.
I’m not a fan of these plates since they tend to overcook the coffee, but thankfully, you can turn it off.
For stronger coffee, there’s a bold setting, but be careful - it can lead to bitter, over-extracted coffee, so some experimenting with ratios is key!
How Much Control Do You Have Over The Machine?
This De’Longhi coffee machine is more of a simple coffee maker, letting you handle the necessities, such as:
- How many cups of drip coffee to brew
- Clock and timer
- Coffee boldness
- Espresso extraction time
- Espresso or drip coffee
- Steam function
- Hot water or hot milk
How Does It Handle Different Roasts?
As there is no built-in grinder, most beans will make flavorful coffee with this coffee machine.
I threw everything I had at it, and all of my coffee and espresso drinks turned out well enough - with some tinkering.
The only nitpicky points come when you consider the coffee grounds themselves.
It typically recommends medium-size grinds, but I have found that fine works well on the espresso side, too.
Look, Feel, and Size Of The Machine
My first impression of the DeLonghi combo coffee maker was mixed.
It has a practical, no-frills design that prioritizes function over style.
While some people appreciate that simplicity, I missed the flair of other machines I’ve used.
At less than 15 pounds, it’s easy to move, and despite seeming large at first, it’s surprisingly compact when you remember it combines two machines in one.
The height, just under 13 inches, fit perfectly under my cupboards, and the width and depth (just over 11 and 14.5 inches) make it a solid space-saver for what it offers.
What Drinks Can It Make?
Since there are no pre-programmed drinks beyond drip coffee and espresso, there is a fair amount of flexibility in the drinks department.
Alongside the obvious, the steam wand allows for even more options.
For starters, you can make:
- Espresso
- Drip coffee
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Americano with water
- Iced coffee
I even used the steam wand to make chai lattes and the hot water wand to make soup in a pinch when the kettle broke.
All you need is a bit of imagination and prep, and you can make essentially whatever drink you want with this coffee maker.
How Easy Is It To Use?
Admittedly, this DeLonghi All-In-One machine can be a little intimidating at first.
However, getting into the instructions shows it is not as complicated as everything first seems.
There are only a few intuitive buttons to remember, with half dedicated to the espresso side of things and the other to the coffee maker side.
The brewing process is simple for both sides - the hardest part is experimenting with the size and amount of grounds to use for an easy-serve espresso and pot of coffee.
How Long Does It Take? (From Heat Up To First Sip)
The time to your first cup depends on what you're making.
For espresso or cappuccinos, it takes a few minutes to heat up, and then just a minute or two to brew or froth.
Brewing filter coffee can take up to 10 minutes, depending on the amount. You can even brew espresso and coffee simultaneously, which is a bonus when hosting guests.
In total, you can have both espresso and coffee ready in under 10 minutes, which is impressive compared to machines that take up to half an hour to heat up.
Does It Have A Water Filtration System?
There is a water filter system available with the DeLonghi All-In-One combination coffee maker.
These come in the form of a gold reusable one on the drip side and a charcoal one on the other.
I am happy to have more eco-friendly reusable filters built-in to the machine rather than something you dump and replace in the water-fill compartment.
How Hard Is It To Clean and Descale?
Despite how large this machine is, cleaning and descaling is pretty simple.
This model comes with a descaling solution, and an alert will show every couple of months to remind you to do that.[4]
Cleaning involves hand washing many removable parts like the carafe, water tank, and drip tray, as well as wiping down the chassis and steam wand with a damp cloth.
You must also regularly dump used coffee from the filters and rinse or put them in the dishwasher.
The manual cleaning and descaling instructions are simple to follow and the cleaning solution is easily available on De’Longhi’s website for a fairly reasonable price. [5]
Related Article - Best Espresso Machines Under $1000
My Favorite Parts About The DeLonghi All-In-One
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Dual heating system heats fast and brews simultaneously. You can brew cappuccinos and make a pot of coffee at the same time.
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Good value and compact for a combination coffee maker. When you consider that you are getting an All-In-One combination coffee maker that is good at both sides of the coffee equation, this is a good deal.
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Variety of drink and grounds options are available. The sky is the limit when you have some coffee grounds and cold milk at your side.
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24 programmable timer keeps up with busy schedules. Rushing out the door is a little easier with a homemade coffee available on schedule.
- Reusable filter cleans water and protects the earth. Multiple filters help save the planet and keep your coffee tasting fresh.
My Least Favorite Parts
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No milk jug means a potential additional purchase. If you do not have a milk jug of your own, you will need to order one at the same time.
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Tamper is flimsy and could be better. It gets the job done, but you do not quite get the right tamping power.
- No built-in grinder presents another additional purchase. If you do not have your own coffee grinder, you will need to buy your own as well as the machine.
DeLonghi All-In-One Vs Similar Machines
DeLonghi All-In-One vs DeLonghi COM532M
It’s a battle of the De’Longhi - who comes out on top?
At first glance, it would be easy to assume that the De’Longhi All-In-One and COM532M were the same model.
They share a similar aesthetic as well as a similar size and weight.
However, the COM532M features a three-button espresso control system and a digital touchscreen to control the drip coffee side.
A digital display shows off the timer, and there is a more advanced steam wand that can switch between cappuccino and latte modes.
As expected, however, fancier features do mean that the COM532M comes with a higher price tag than the De’Longhi All-In-One.
DeLonghi All-In-One vs Espressione EM1040
I love the sleek and aesthetic style of the Espressione EM1040. The all-stainless steel chassis and unique button and switch interface appeal to me.
Its 19 bar pressure and Thermoblock heating system for rapid 25-second warm-up are also lovely features.
That being said, this is a much heavier machine than the De’Longhi All-In-One. It also lacks the digital display and programmable timer that I like in the De’Longhi All-In-One.
DeLonghi All-In-One vs Galanz GLEC02S3CT14
The Galanz GLEC02S3CT14 is another machine that brings a little style to the espresso and drip coffee makers market.
Featuring a sleek black and silver compact design, the Galanz focuses on providing a four-cup carafe to bring versatility while saving on space.
This model is also much cheaper than the DeLonghi All-In-One while still maintaining a simple button and digital display interface.
DeLonghi All-In-One vs De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro
To be completely honest, I always think of George Clooney sipping on a tiny espresso glass when I hear about Nespresso - props to the marketing team there.
However, I do find it a little odd that this is the model people often pit against the De’Longhi All-In-One.
The Nespresso Lattissima Pro is a pod-style machine that also allows you to steam milk using a steam wand.
It can make specialized drinks from Nespresso pods like ristretto, lungo, espresso, latte, and macchiato, which makes it much more varied than the De’Longhi All-In-One.
There are certain features that I like here, including the Thermoblock heating system and the 19-bar pump.
You can program the timer and water hardness setting. The drip tray folds to fit a latte macchiato glass, and there is even an auto-clean system.
These are all excellent features, but you will have to consider if you like them enough to pay double the price for them over the cheaper De’Longhi All-In-One.
Related Article - De'longhi La Specialista Reviews
FAQs
Can I make both espresso and coffee at the same time?
Yes, you can make both espresso and coffee at the same time.
How do I make a cappuccino on the DeLonghi All-In-One?
You can make a cappuccino in minutes on the De'Longhi All-In-One by locking in an espresso and frothing milk using the steam dial and wand.
Does the DeLonghi All-In-One come with a tamper?
The De'Longhi All-In-One comes with a tamper on the end of the plastic scoop provided.
Does the DeLonghi All-In-One come with a milk frothing pitcher?
The De'Longhi All-In-One does not come with a milk frothing pitcher. I recommend ordering a new pitcher and tamper alongside your machine from De'Longhi’s website.[6]
Is The De'Longhi All-In-One Worth Your Money?
Overall, there is a lot to love about the De’Longhi BCO430.
It is a great option for those who want to save space and money instead of picking up two different machines.
This model also works well in busy homes where caffeine is a need rather than a want.
Check Latest Price |
DeLonghi All-In-One
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Resources:
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/all-in-one-coffee-and-espresso-maker-cappuccino-latte-machine-plus-advanced-milk-frother-bco430/p/BCO430
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/milk-frothing-pitcher-stainless-steel-12-oz-dlsc060/p/DLSC060
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/manuals/all-in-one-coffee-and-espresso-maker-cappuccino-latte-machine-plus-advanced-milk-frother-bco430/p/BCO430
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/descaler-universal-eco-friendly-descaling-solution-for-coffee-and-espresso-machines-16-90-oz-5-uses-ecodecalk/p/DLSC500
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/eco-multiclean-coffee-and-espresso-machine-cleaning-solution-milk-parts-8-5-oz-dlsc550/p/DLSC550
- https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/professional-coffee-tamper-stainless-steel-dlsc058/p/DLSC058