De'Longhi Eletta Explore Review: Hot and Cold in One (October 2026)
The De'Longhi Eletta Explore suits homes that want one-touch hot and cold drinks, including cold brew and cold foam. Its 50-plus recipes and separate hot and cool milk systems make it more flexible than the Rivelia, which focuses on hot milk drinks.
On this page (6 sections)
- What does the De'Longhi Eletta Explore do well?
- How does its drink menu compare with other De'Longhi machines?
- Are the hot and cold milk systems useful?
- Does the Eletta Explore have enough controls for personalization?
- What should you know about its size and upkeep?
- Should you choose the Eletta Explore or an alternative?
The De'Longhi Eletta Explore is a strong fit if you want hot and cold drinks from one automatic espresso machine. Its 50-plus one-touch recipes include espresso, cappuccino, iced latte and cold brew, with separate systems for hot and cold milk foam.
That flexibility comes with a broad menu and a deep footprint. If you mainly drink traditional hot espresso drinks, a simpler machine may suit you better.
What does the De'Longhi Eletta Explore do well?
The Eletta Explore stands out for making cold drinks as central to its menu as hot drinks. It combines a built-in grinder, hot and cool milk systems, cold extraction and a full-touch display.
De'Longhi Eletta Explore: Best for hot and cold drinks
- 50+ one-touch recipes
- Hot and cold milk foam systems
- 13 grind settings
- 3.5-inch full-touch display
A flexible automatic machine for households that regularly switch between espresso drinks, cold foam drinks and cold brew. Its broad menu and app options matter most if you'll use more than a few daily recipes.
Pros
- Hot and cold foam systems
- Cold brew extraction in under 3 minutes
- 13 grind settings
- Custom recipes and profiles
Cons
- Large footprint needs careful measuring
- Many options may be unnecessary for a simple coffee routine
De'Longhi says its Cold Extraction Technology makes cold brew in under 3 minutes. The machine also offers cold foam through the LatteCrema Cool system, so iced drinks can have a different texture from hot milk recipes.
The built-in grinder has 13 settings. Bean Adapt Technology guides you through adjusting the setup for your chosen beans, while the Coffee Link app supports custom recipes and profiles.
Who is this Eletta Explore review for?
This review is for people comparing automatic machines who want more than standard espresso and hot milk drinks. The Eletta Explore is especially relevant if you expect to make iced lattes, cold foam drinks or cold brew at home.
It may be a poor fit if you want a compact machine or a short list of familiar drinks. Its dimensions are 22.05 inches deep, 11.81 inches wide and 19.69 inches tall, so measure your counter and cabinet clearance first.
How does its drink menu compare with other De'Longhi machines?
The Eletta Explore offers more preset recipes than the two alternatives here, while each machine targets a different routine. The PrimaDonna Aromatic adds drip coffee, and the Rivelia makes switching bean types a key part of its design.
De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic: Best for a wider drink menu
- 38 hot and iced recipes
- Espresso, drip coffee and cold brew modes
- 5-inch touch display
- Hot and cool milk textures
Consider this if drip coffee alongside espresso and cold brew is a priority. It has fewer preset recipes than the Eletta Explore, but adds a dedicated drip coffee mode.
Pros
- Three extraction methods
- Bean Adapt and Adaptive Grinding Technologies
- Hot and cool milk textures
- 5-inch display
Cons
- Fewer preset recipes than the Eletta Explore
- Still needs counter space for a full-size automatic machine
The PrimaDonna Aromatic has 38 hot and iced recipes, with dedicated espresso, drip coffee and cold brew extraction methods. Its 5-inch touchscreen is larger than the Eletta Explore's 3.5-inch display.
De'Longhi Rivelia: Best for switching bean types
- 18 preset recipes
- Two interchangeable bean hoppers
- 13-setting burr grinder
- Hot milk foam
A better fit if changing beans is more useful than having cold foam and cold brew built in. Its interchangeable hoppers let you rotate between two bean types.
Pros
- Two removable bean hoppers
- 13-setting grinder
- Personalizable drink strength and size
- Automatic hot milk frothing
Cons
- Cold foam requires a separate accessory
- Smaller menu than the Eletta Explore
The Rivelia has 18 preset recipes and two removable 8.8 oz bean hoppers. It includes a hot milk system; De'Longhi offers its cold foam accessory separately through its own site.
| Machine | Menu focus | Milk and cold drinks | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| De'Longhi Eletta Explore | 50+ hot and cold recipes | Hot and cold foam; cold brew | Broad one-touch menu |
| De'Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic | 38 hot and iced recipes | Hot and cool milk textures; cold brew | Espresso, drip coffee and cold brew modes |
| De'Longhi Rivelia | 18 preset recipes | Hot milk foam; cold foam accessory sold separately | Two interchangeable bean hoppers |
For more model-by-model context, see our guide to which De'Longhi espresso machine is best. It can help you decide whether a broad menu, a particular feature or a simpler routine should guide your choice.
Are the hot and cold milk systems useful?
The Eletta Explore's separate hot and cool systems make sense if you regularly prepare both hot milk drinks and cold foam drinks. The LatteCrema Hot system textures milk or milk alternatives for drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes, while LatteCrema Cool makes cold foam.
The distinction matters for a household that likes iced drinks with foam, not just coffee poured over ice. If you rarely make cold drinks, those extra options may not add much to your routine.
Automatic milk systems still need regular care. Read our guide on cleaning a De'Longhi milk frother before you decide how much maintenance the setup involves.
Does the Eletta Explore have enough controls for personalization?
The Eletta Explore supports custom recipes, profiles and bean guidance for people who like to adjust their drinks. Its display provides touchscreen controls, and the Coffee Link app adds another way to save preferences.
Bean Adapt Technology guides you toward settings for the beans you choose. The machine has 13 grind settings, so the grinder has a range of adjustment without requiring manual grinding.
Those options are useful if more than one person uses the machine or you change beans often. If you prefer to press one familiar button each morning, a large menu and app may feel unnecessary.
What should you know about its size and upkeep?
Measure your counter before choosing the Eletta Explore because it is about 22 inches deep and nearly 20 inches tall. Those measurements make counter depth and overhead clearance worth checking, especially under low cabinets.
The machine includes a carafe, drip tray and water tank. De'Longhi describes an auto-clean function and detachable, dishwasher-safe parts, but regular cleaning still belongs in the routine.
Check the manual for care instructions for each removable part and the milk systems. A machine with more drink options can also mean more components to keep track of after use.
Should you choose the Eletta Explore or an alternative?
Choose the Eletta Explore if cold drinks, cold foam and a large one-touch menu are the reasons you're shopping. Its combination of more than 50 recipes, a 13-setting grinder and hot and cool milk systems makes it the most versatile choice of these three for hot and cold drinks.
Choose the PrimaDonna Aromatic if drip coffee is important alongside espresso and cold brew. Pick the Rivelia if switching between two bean types matters more than having cold foam built in.
If you're also comparing other De'Longhi lines, our Rivelia vs Dinamica Plus comparison looks at two machines aimed at different preferences. For a closer look at another automatic option, read our De'Longhi Dinamica Plus review.
The Eletta Explore earns an 8.4 score for its mix of hot and cold drinks, useful grinder range and customization. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Pick it if you'll use the cold menu and milk options often. If your routine is mostly hot espresso and cappuccino, compare simpler models in our De'Longhi machine guide before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is the De'Longhi Eletta Explore worth it?
The Eletta Explore is worth considering if you'll use its hot and cold drink options, including cold foam and cold brew. Its 50-plus recipes and app personalization add flexibility, while the machine's size and wide menu may be more than you need if you mainly drink a few hot coffees.
Can the Eletta Explore make cold brew?
Yes. De'Longhi says its Cold Extraction Technology makes cold brew in under 3 minutes.
It also offers cold drinks such as iced lattes and iced cappuccinos, with cold foam from its LatteCrema Cool system.
What is the difference between the Eletta Explore and Rivelia?
The Eletta Explore emphasizes hot and cold drinks, with more than 50 recipes, cold brew and hot and cold foam systems. The Rivelia has 18 preset recipes and two interchangeable bean hoppers, so it suits people who want to switch between bean types and mostly make hot drinks.
How much counter space does the Eletta Explore need?
The Eletta Explore measures 22.05 inches deep, 11.81 inches wide and 19.69 inches tall. Leave room for the machine to sit comfortably and for access to its removable parts, then measure the route into your kitchen before delivery.
