Dinamica Series Review: De’Longhi ECAM 350.55, 350.35, 350.15 and 350.75 flagship

I`ve finally got around to speak about a new series of coffee-machines DeLonghi Dinamica, which could fully replace a couple of the out-of-date ones that have «23.ххх», «25.ххх» articles. Since autumn of 2016 exactly “Dinamica” has taken the middle class in the large variety of other machines of the brand.

A little part of history: since 2016 De’Longhi has replaced a couple of other models. And if earlier the article consisted of 5 numbers, that were devided by a point on the principle 2+3 signs (f.e. 23.210), then now the same 5 numbers are devided on the principle 3+2. As far as I concerned, In the nearest future all of the coffee-machines, and, maybe even coffee-makers, will take the same number system.

There were 3 models in the collection De Longhi Dinamica in the moment of writing that article, but in the summer 2017 a flagman was added, so I renewed the text so as it could be up-to-date.

• DeLonghi ECAM 350.75.S – “The eldest” model with an automatic caper in the form of complete jug of the system LatteCrema. Maximal amount of the recipies— 12. Has replaced Delonghi ECAM 25.462.
• DeLonghi ECAM 350.55.B – a middle model with an automatic caper in the form of complete jug of the system LatteCrema. The main difference from the flagman of the collection is the absence of buttons the straight preparation of drinks in one touch on a panel of control – LONG (for americano, a little later about this) and «hot milk». Theese drinks are made with a couple of presses throughout Drink Menu. In addition, there aren`t cappuccino+ and espresso macchiato, so, 10 drinks all in all. Has replaced Delonghi ECAM 23.460.
• DeLonghi ECAM 350.35.W -a middle model with a hand caper – panarello, with mechanic regulator, that lets you warm milk without whipping. Has replaced Delonghi ECAM 23.420.
• DeLonghi ECAM 350.15.B – “The youngest” with a simple panarello without any control and with character screen. Has replaced Delonghi ECAM 23.210.

This coffee machine is not available for purchase at this time. We offer to purchase its analogue – Delonghi ECAM23260SB

What is the difference between the new and the old series ECAM 23.xxx?

• Body was changed. Front panel became a little more modern, “the nose” became more solid. This has led to the lessening of the room for cups, not very much, but still. Now maximum 135 mm height cups are suitable. But according to the feedback, such design is liked by buyers.
• Even if average height of the coffee-machines hasn`t changed much, the upper court caught up with the cap of the grain tank, so, actually, the machine became a little bigger. But the producer was able to enlarge the grin tank from 250 to 300 grams.
• Control became sensory, mechanic buttons and round circular switches were removed, which. As for me, is not very good. I like clarity, you know. But there`s nothing to do with modern technologies. On the other hand, early models has a problem with circular switches, that were slipping past concrete function and maybe touch screen could be much better. The screen became bigger and a little bit more informative.
• A special program for better Americano called LONG appeared. It was earlier, but in other models. The coffee machine reduces the pressure in the infusion chamber by intermittent activation of the pump. The same approach allows hot water to pass slowly through the coffee tablet, simulating the filtration method of brewing. One cup is prepared in two grinds.
• Earlier there were an ability to program your favorite volume of coffee, but only for one cup. In addition, there were 4 fixed volumes and now you can set volume for all drinks that are set from the control panel. For each program the volume button is different, for black coffee it could be from 20 ml (ristretto) to 250 ml (LONG). Earlier the maximum was 180 ml.
• Now programming you can save a strength (one of the five) separately for each drink. Earlier, the setting of the strength was the same for all drinks and was always regulated separately from the volume.
• The producer improved sound insulation. Now it almost doesn`t give way to top models with metal cases such as Delonghi 45.764.
• The on timer was removed. And I think It was a right decision. Because it only turned on the machine at a certain time, but didn`t make any drinks, so as a result, it was giving only a minute or two of saved time.

WHAT IS THE SAME:

• Steel mill grinder with 13 ways of grinding. What is the difference between a steel coffee grinder and a ceramic coffee mill – read in FAQ.
• CRF brewing unit with pre-wetting and simple extraction for rinsing under running water.
• 15-power (pump outlet pressure – 15 bar) pump.
• 1450 Watts flowing thermal block.
• A 1.8-liter water tank, it is taken from the front.
• A container for coffee wastes for 14 servings, comes from the front.
• Cappuccinators are the same as the installed on previous versions of the series 23.xxx. LatteCrema on a dairy machine, panarello attachments are set by hand. So, they whip milk exactly the same as the early models.

And now let`s go in details:

DeLonghi ECAM 350.75 VS Dinamica от ECAM 25.462:

An analogue of this coffee machine available for purchase: KRUPS EA89

• New body and with it – the maximum height of the cups and the capacity of the grain tank. Control became sensory, a circular volume control was removed.
• A special program for americano called LONG.
• A separate program DOPPIO + – double espresso appeared. The program made at the factory uses 14 grams of coffee and 120 ml of water. The volume is adjustable. This program has been met earlier, f.e., in the Delonghi Eletta series.
• 6 keys to start recipes: espresso, coffee, LONG, cappuccino, latte macchiato, milk.
• A button “Drink Menu” was added – more recipes: lungo, ristretto, DOPPIO +, latte, Flat White, cappuccino +, espresso macchiato, 2 espresso, 2 lungos, 2 ristretto, hot water. Compared with the machine, 25.462 is definitely a step forward, because there was one program for direct calling a cappuccino milk drink plus 3 milk drinks through the Milk Menu and one memory cell for black coffee. By the amount of recipes 350.75 surely wins. Apart from hot milk / water and double portions (there are 12 of them) only one recipe less than in the premium Delonghi ECAM 510.55. And frankly speaking, in 510.55 this one recipe is a trump card – the correct cappuccino (milk in coffee).
• The “My Menu” button was added – alternative, favorite recipes. This can be taken as a profile for another user. Here you can set another set of drinks with their own parameters (strength and volume): espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, lungo, ristretto, LONG, DOPPIO +, latte, Flat White, cappuccino + and espresso macchiato. In other words, the coffee machine has two profiles for 12 drinks each.
• As in the whole series, the algorithm for programming beverages was changed. Now you can adjust the volume for all drinks that are set from the control panel. For each program, the button of the volume is different, it could be from 20 ml (ristretto) to 250 ml (LONG). Earlier, the maximum was 180 ml. Also, when programming you can set each drink to your own strength.
• Unlike early models Delonghi ECAM 350.75 doesn`t have active cup heating (there is only passive heat from the fuser unit) and backlighting. I suppose that these disadvantages are more than offset by pluses.

DeLonghi ECAM 350.55 Dinamica VS ECAM 23.460

• The body, and it`s maximum height of the cups and the capacity of the grain hopper. Control became sensory, a circular volume control was removed.
•  A special program for americano LONG.
• The DOPPIO + program. It allows you to get a double espresso with a single click of the highlighted button. The program made at the factory uses 14 grams of coffee and 120 ml of water.
• 4 buttons to set the recipes: espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato
• Added the “Drink Menu” button – additional recipes: LONG, DOPPIO +, latte, Flat White, hot milk, lungo, ristretto, 2 espresso, 2 lungos, 2 ristretto, hot water. Compared to the 23.460, this is a big step forward, because there was one cappuccino program and one memory cell for black coffee. By the amount of recipes 350.55 yields 350.75 two positions, there`s no Cappuccino + and Espresso macchiato. Apart from hot milk / water and double portions (there are 10 of them) similar to Saeco PicoBaristo.
• The “My Menu” button was added – alternative, favorite recipes. This can be taken as a profile for one more user. Here you can set another set of drinks with their parameters (strength and volume): espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, lungo, ristretto, LONG, DOPPIO +, latte, Flat White. In other words, the coffee machine has two profiles for 10 drinks of black coffee each.
• Just like in the whole series, the algorithm for programming the drinks was changed. Now you can set the volume for all the drinks that are set from the control panel. For each program, the button of the volume is different, you can choose from 20 ml (ristretto) to 250 ml (LONG). Earlier, the maximum was 180 ml. Also, when programming you can set each drink to your strength.

DeLonghi ECAM 350.35 Dinamica VS ECAM 23.420:

• The body, and it`s maximum height of the cups and the capacity of the grain hopper. Control became sensory, a circular volume control was removed.
•  A special program for americano LONG.
•  The DOPPIO + program. It allows you to get a double espresso with a single click of the highlighted button. The program made at the factory uses 14 grams of coffee and 120 ml of water.
• Added 4 buttons to set the recipes of black coffee: espresso, coffee, LONG, DOPPIO +.
• Added the “Drink Menu” button – additional recipes: steam preparation, lungo, ristretto, 2 espresso, 2 lungos, 2 ristretto. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Delamhi ECAM 350.35 has to go through this extra menu to get to the steam and double portions.
• Added the “My Menu” button – alternative, favorite recipes. This can be taken as a profile for one more user. Here you can set another set of drinks with their parameters (strength and volume): espresso, coffee, LONG, DOPPIO +, lungo, ristretto. In other words, the coffee machine has two profiles for 6 drinks of black coffee each.
• Just like in the whole series, the algorithm for programming the drinks was changed. Now you can set the volume for all the drinks that are set from the control panel. For each program, the button of the volume is different, you can choose from 20 ml (ristretto) to 250 ml (LONG). Earlier, the maximum was 180 ml. Also, when programming you can set each drink to your strength.
• Passive heating of cups disappeared. It wasn`t very useful in the previous model.

DeLonghi ECAM 350.15 Dinamica VS ECAM 23.210:

• The new body – the height of the cups is lower by half of a centimeter, but the grain tank is now 300 g.
• Special program for the right americano LONG.
• Touch control with 4 direct buttons to start recipes for black coffee: espresso, lungo, coffee, LONG.
• As in the whole series, the algorithm for programming the drinks changed. Now you can set the volume for all four drinks, that are started from the control panel. Also, when programming you can set each drink to your strength.
• The number of temperature settings has increased from 3 to 4. This can be safely ignored.
• Passive heating of cups disappeared.

My feedback on the new models Delonghi Dinamica

So, for now we have that improvements (and this is a real step forwards) come to changing the body and developing management with more flexible customization and saving your recipes. Plus, a special program for the American (LONG) was added, which can be really cool for some people. But double espresso (DOPPIO +) could be done in one click earlier (two regular espresso in one cup). Mechanical parts and, most importantly, the final tastes of espresso and cappuccino remained the same.

Now (at the end of 2018), when the new models are mostly “recommended retail producer prices” (that is, 60, 70 and 90 thousand rubles, respectively), I think the surcharge is not worth it.

But when the new items will replace the old ones completely and take their places in the price niche, it will be a better purchase. I especially pay attention to Delonghi 350.35 – this one is perhaps the coolest in programming for various drinks of black coffee, a grain automatic machine with a manual cappuccinator – panarello. It can be programmed independently of each other 12 recipes of black coffee, not counting double portions. But it`s interesting only at a price less than 40 thousand rubles.

The Delongi 350.55 model is an extremely advantageous offer, but only if you`ll find it for 45-50 thousand rubles. In fact, you will have two user profiles with a wide range of recipes for milk and coffee drinks. For such a price – an excellent offer.

The newcomer flagship represented by Delonghi ECAM 350.75.S for its current typical price (around 60 thousand rubles) is not a good purchase. To pay for 2 additional call keys and 2 additional recipes for cappuccino + and espresso macchiato about 15 thousand rubles seems silly.

On the other hand, old models can still be sold for a long time from stock warehouses, and then it will be a good reason to save money if you don`t pay attention on a new design and could be satisfied with one personal program along with a small set of pre-installed at the factory.P.S. At the start of sales, each model is presented in only one-color solution: DeLonghi ECAM 350.75.S – silver, DeLonghi ECAM 350.55.B – black, DeLonghi ECAM 350.35.W – white, DeLonghi ECAM 350.15.B – black. Maybe later other options will be added. «Ancestors» were all made in both colors, and some of them even in red.