De'Longhi Stilosa EC260

Nearly 14,000 ratings at 4.2 stars tell you what the Stilosa is: a cheap machine that does what it says. The pressurised portafilter is the whole story. A normal espresso basket needs a good grinder and correct technique or it gushes; the Stilosa's basket has a restrictor that builds pressure for you, so a first-time buyer using pre-ground supermarket coffee still gets a thick, if slightly foamy, crema. That is why reviewers who "just want coffee" love it and reviewers chasing a proper shot move on within a year.

What you give up is every variable that matters later. No PID means brew temperature is whatever the thermostat happens to be doing. The panarello wand aerates milk rather than texturing it, so latte art is off the table. And because the basket is pressurised, buying a better grinder later barely changes the cup — the restrictor is still in charge.

Treat it as a trial membership. If in six months you are reading about grind size and puck prep, you have outgrown it and lost very little money finding that out. If you just want a strong morning cup that beats a pod, it will do that for years.

Positive reviewers consistently frame it as excellent value and a good first machine, several noting years of daily use. The recurring criticism from more experienced buyers is that the pressurised basket limits how good the espresso can get, and that milk steaming with the panarello is weak. A few reviews mention it becomes a stepping stone to a better machine within a year.