If you fancy barista-style, artisan coffee without going to your local coffee shop, then you can make it all from home with the Delonghi Primadonna Soul automatic coffee machine.
It’s a high-end coffee machine with innovative features such as bean-to-cup adapt technology, touch screen operation and wait for it….wifi capabilities. So you can literally make your favourite cuppa at a press of a button, without even leaving bed! What more would you need in a coffee machine?
But while it may be one of the ‘big boys’ of coffee machines, can it produce a great tasting beverage to rival the coffee shops? I put it to the test to find out if this luxury machine will make my coffee breaks a breeze!
- Take a look at the best coffee machines for more tried and tested options
Setting up
Unboxing and getting the coffee machine out was a bit of a chore to lift out as it’s rather heavy. It’s also HUGE so just be sure to have enough worktop space to place it on.
Admittedly, I tend to skim over instruction manuals, but there are different parts and attachments so it’s worthwhile reading, just to find out where everything goes.
The water reservoir at the side for example, is camouflaged within the seamless, chrome design, so it wasn’t particularly obvious. Plus it can be a little tricky to slide back in once you’ve removed to fill, so make sure you have it on the correct side.
Once you’ve filled and inserted the water reservoir, (you can either opt to add the water filter), simply switch on the power button at the back to get started. It takes a little while to power up before the stylish TFT touch colour display turns on.
Setting up is straightforward by simply following the step-by-step instructions on the screen which are all self-explanatory. At the top of the machine is where you pour your coffee beans into, and beside that compartment is the slot for granule coffee, should you decide to opt for that.
Before making coffee, the machine needs to automatically descale the water, so it’s best to leave a container in the holder to avoid messy spills. It’s also advisable to let the machine flush out with a few ‘test’ coffee runs before making your actual coffee brew.
How easy is it to use?
If you’re pressed for time, and just want your favourite coffee in minutes, the Delonghi Primadonna Soul coffee machine is really simple to use. Fully automated, the colour touch screen shows you pretty images of the beverage menu. You simply scroll through to choose whichever takes your fancy, and tap the screen. It literally has everything including espresso and americano to creamy cappuccino mix, caffelatte and a good ol’ tea function!
I decided to try the cappuccino + to begin with using my aromatic, lightly roasted coffee beans. On the screen, you can select your size of cup, bean ‘aroma’ and it even tells you what levels to adjust your milk frother. Within seconds my beverage was ready without fuss. Not only did it look great but tasted just as delicious as my local coffee shop creation.
And with the LatteCrema system, it works well to provide that barista-style frothy top.
Next up, I downloaded the Coffee Link App to connect remotely to the coffee machine. Just how easy was it to make a coffee from the other room? The app offers the same menu of beverages, but with extra specialty recipes if you’re feeling adventurous!
I hit the cafelatte button this time, and with ‘preparation underway’ on my phone, it did prepared the tasty beverage in no time. Impressive! Other drinks worth trying are the espresso macchiato and doppio, where you can really taste the rich, bean-to-cup freshness.
The only suggestion I’d have is an indicator to let you know when the coffee beans are nearly finished. Instead it would stop mid-way whilst making a drink, before telling you on the screen to fill the beans container. However, this is a minor grumble in the grand scheme of things and easily resolved by just topping up regularly.
Features
Do bear in mind that the dimensions of the Delonghi PrimaDonna Soul coffee machine are on the large size. So this may not be ideal for bijou kitchens or ones limited on worktop space. I had trouble fitting it all the way under my cabinetry, so had to place it slightly towards the edge of the worktop to easily get to the coffee bean dispenser located at the top. However, it’s sturdy and looks sleek and modern.
Cleaning
One thing I hate about complicated gadgetry is the cleaning up afterwards. However, this is surprisingly easy to clean. Perhaps the best feature is the milk container’s integrated clean function.
Simply switch the dial to ‘clean’ after each milk-based drink is made, and it automatically self-cleans all parts using hot water. This will eliminate any horrid milk build-up and is more hygienic, just be sure to keep a cup or container under the wand while it’s cleaning. Generally, all removable parts are easy to clean, and the machine itself just needs a simple wipe down.
REAL HOMES VERDICT: SHOULD YOU BUY THE De'Longhi Primadonna Soul?
Whether you’re a keen coffee aficionado or a fan of milky coffees (like myself!), you’ll simply love the convenience of the Delonghi PrimaDonna Soul coffee machine. The touch display is stylish and very user-friendly, with a huge menu of beverages than you will ever need! The fact that this does bean-to-cup in seconds is impressive, and you can really taste the difference in your espressos. Best of all, it has a handy app that does all the work for you at just a tap of a button!
It does come with an eye-watering price tag at £1,199.99. However, if you’re after a coffee machine with all the bells and whistles, the Delonghi PrimaDonna Soul coffee machine will certainly be a good investment if you make use of all the features. Bear in mind though, it’s huge and heavy to move around, so probably not ideal for small worktops. But once you’ve tried this big boy out, you may never buy another coffee machine again!
- Take a look at the best bean to cup coffee machines
ABOUT THIS REVIEW – AND OUR REVIEWER
Cynthia Lawrence is a freelance lifestyle and homes/interiors journalist, and writes for various national publications. With an unhealthy obsession for all things homes and gardens, she also has an interior design blog. When she’s not spending time surfing online for decor inspiration to revamp her 1930s home, she is busy reviewing some pretty awesome home appliances.
A regular contributor to Real Homes, she has written for Livingetc., Gardeningetc., Ideal Home, T3.com, Top Ten Reviews and House Beautiful amongst others.
The Delonghi PrimaDonna Soul coffee machine was tested extensively over a period of 10 days. This was while Cynthia and her husband were working from home which meant it got plenty of use with regular (and much needed!) coffee breaks. Although her preference is the milky variety such as cappucino and lattes, she enjoyed testing the various espresso recipes the machine had to offer.