When it comes to coffee-making appliances, we’ve of course got our favorites just like the next guys. Let’s see here… there’s Breville, Gaggia, De’Longhi, Nespresso, and their VertuoPlus line, plus several others.
The capabilities and your preference to each brand might vary by your needs, their price points, and which type of coffee is your go-to. We’re partial to the De’Longhi espresso-maker brand, since it’s such a well-rounded, consistent, and fairly priced machine line.
Today, we’ll put two of De’Longhi’s most popular models head to head and find the best: the EC155 vs. the ECP3630.
We’ll also jump into how you should intelligently compare these two models, according to your own uses and preferences.
You might want a different machine based off your interests, your favorite coffee style, and how you plan to use it!
Let’s get down to the grinds…
The 8 Main Benefits We Love About the De’Longhi EC155
Let’s start off our comparison with some simple pointers about the De’Longhi EC155.
A fantastic model for making espressos and cappuccinos with steamed milk, this fits the bill. Far better than just having a warm and welcoming Espresso, Cappuccino, or even Americano waiting for you in your home kitchen at any time, explore a few of its best aspects:
1 – This De’Longhi EC155 uses convenient pods of ground up coffee beans, with its patented dual-function filter, making preparation a cinch.
This is because you get your choice between one espresso shot, a double espresso option to make two cups at a time, or using their pre-ground pods!
2 – Its included swivel jet-frother gives you the perfect level of steamed milk froth to make your ideal espresso with milk, or a frothy capuccino.
3 – Its self-priming preparation frees you from the hassle and lag-time that come with most current espresso makers, and it cuts your wait time for your much-needed morning cup of joe down to almost zero.
4 – Water and steam pressure are separately controlled, with two differing thermostats. This ensures your espresso is brewed at a perfect temperature, not too scalding hot, yet not too lukewarm.
This also intuitively prepares your espresso grounds to mix with the perfect temperature of boiling water, maximizing your high quality espresso coffee blends and getting every drop of flavor and caffeine out of them.
As you might’ve read here before, choosing the right espresso bean for the perfect shot is vital importance, and serious caffeine-heads don’t take it lightly.
5 – This De’Longhi model also contains a high quality stainless steel boiler with 15-BAR pressure pump. This ensures the unit will last in your kitchen a very long time, and continue supplying you with consistent caffeine drips at the touch of a button daily.
6 – Its capacity is 35 ounces, so for normal coffee-lovers who aren’t addicted to 10 cups per day, you’ll only have to fill it with fresh, filtered water about once or twice per week.
7 – This smaller, more compact model is much better fitted for your countertops, and saves space at the same time.
Larger models espresso makers often can’t fit on most people’s home kitchen countertops, (even if they’re big surface areas)! What good would an espresso machine do out in the garage or somewhere with more space, when you need it in your kitchen?
The smaller, more convenient size also permits long-term storage if you’ve got to stash it away for a long trip and head out somewhere else.
8 – The final point we love about the EC155 is that it’s a mid-low range product. It’s not the cheapest, however picking up an espresso machine that works consistently well (for less than $150) is almost always a steal.
Most espresso machines start at over $400 and go up even into the thousands when considering larger, coffee-shop models!
Now, onto its counterpart…
The 8 Main Benefits We Love About the De’Longhi ECP3630
Now we’ll move onto the ECP3630. This De’Longhi model is slightly “higher end”, and it’ll serve a bit of a wider variety of must-have espresso-making options.
It’s one of these machines that was made for excellence.
Its makers considered that making it out of almost entirely stainless steel would help it be less destructible. They were right.
The shiny, brushed-steel look of the machine will instantly catch your eye, and making a steaming hot espresso with Colombian Supremo or a French Roast blend will steal your heart at once. Here are our favorite espresso coffees.
Past its beautiful aesthetics and function, let’s dive into its capabilities:
1 – Firstly, the model has been designed to help you fill two cups at a time, saving you time and delivering you from extreme frustration.
If you’re having “one of those days” and you need a double-shot, you shouldn’t have to add insult to injury by waiting forever to get it! Coffee on demand has its own positive chain reaction in your life, rather than waiting in line at Starbucks for 30 minutes.
2 – Its secondary drip tray helps you expand your options for cups, mugs, and containers of different sizes.
If you have espresso shot cups for the purpose, great! If not, simply remove this tray under the De’Longhi ECP3630’s second tier and give yourself more space to work with.
3 – It boasts a 37-ounce tank of water, a couple ounces larger than that of our EC155.
While not an enormous difference, it does mean you’ll still only have to fill it about once or twice per week, which is very convenient if you forget, or are in a hurry.
4 – The stainless steel model and parts give the model an elite level of durability, resistance to scratches, stains, and splatters.
Plus, it looks like a glimmering gem in your kitchen for your guests to admire!
Imagine house guests touring through your home. When they stop and arrive at your kitchen, they come across your beautiful stainless steel De’Longhi, and you ask:
“Ah yes, could I get you a single-origin espresso from Kenya?”
5 – Getting this level of quality, durability, portability, and finished elegance for under $200 feels like an even bigger steal.
As we mentioned, most models start at $400 or more, and some range into the thousands. Getting one that does what it’s supposed to, when it’s supposed to do it, and looks fantastic while doing so is a great deal.
Click here to see current pricing on the ECP3630 on Amazon.
6 – Its slightly larger surface area and heavier weight give it a strong, sturdy base to rely on.
This really makes a difference when brewing your morning coffees, afternoon lattes, or evening espressos for your guests at dinner parties, after the main course has been served.
Just flip it on, load it up with fresh grounds, and watch it go.
7 – Perfect steam levels from the frother make it a piece of cake to use.
When you’re feeling that need for a bit of milk foam in your coffee, or you want to show your friends how to make a cappuccino better than Starbucks, it certainly comes in handy.
8 – Single or double espresso allows you to make single shots, double shots, or simply make two cups of espresso at the same exact time! One for you and one for a friend.
A mix of the best tools for making quality Espressos, Lattes, Cappuccinos and Americanos, combined with the fact that it looks great and fits right into your countertop that makes the ECP3630 a world-class coffee-making choice for your kitchen.
Now let’s briefly cover how they’re different, what’s similar about them, and which one you should choose (according to your own unique preferences).
How Do the EC155 and the ECP3630 Differ?
And What Is Similar Between Them?
The De’Longhi models EC155 and ECP3630 have a lot of unique qualities about them, and though they exist from the same line, they have many functional differences.
For starters, here’s what’s similar about them:
- You can make single-shot, double-shot, or pre-ground pod espressos with each.
- Both have milk-frothers that allow you to steam your own milk for delicious cappuccino blends, lattes, and the like.
- Each model affords you a fresh espresso at the touch of a button!
- Both water tanks are removable, meaning you can easily take it out and walk it over to the sink to fill up when you get low.
This comes in handy, rather than having to maneuver the entire machine that way every time (like on some models, surprisingly!)
- They both have twin-brewing cycles so you can make two shots at the same time, and have them come out of a double-dispenser.
- Both have a convenient, 3-in-1 filter holder that allows you to load single-shot, double-shot, and pre-ground pod espressos in an instant.
Now, here are a couple of unique differences that’ll help you decide which model to go for:
- The ECP3630 simply has a much classier, more professional, elite design with its stainless steel. Its higher price is because of its brushed metal sides and body, tray, and hardly any black plastic pieces about it.
- The ECP3630 is made of stainless steel, making it much more durable than its plastic-reliant little brother, the EC155.
- The ECP3630 holds 37 ounces in its refillable tank; the EC155 just 35.
- Of course, the ECP3630 is more expensive than the EC155 in side-by-side comparison, so if you’re on a budget, or just starting out making home espressos, you might opt for the EC155.
Conclusion: Which Model is Better in the De’Longhi Lineup?
In the end, both of these top-of-the-line De’Longhi models are great for making most of your favorite coffee styles, and make you feel as if you were sitting in a cafe.
You can whip up a quick espresso single shot, double shot, Americano, caffè latte, or cappuccino within seconds and be sipping it, happy as a clam, moments after you had the idea.
All from the comfort of your couch at home, nonetheless!
There are a few distinct differences in the models outlined here today, and we hope this was sufficient in helping you decide which is the best for your specific espresso-making needs.
Until next time, this has been Gamble Bay Coffee’s best reviews and comparisons for your brewing pleasure.
Remember to enjoy your caffeine responsibly, and give us a shout if you need something further!