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Verdict: The DeLonghi Autentica Cappuccino ETAM 29.660.SB is an older, compact bean-to-cup machine designed for one-touch espresso and milk drinks. Its strongest case is convenience: an integrated grinder, a menu covering both black and milk-based coffees, and an automatic milk carafe wash cycle. Its main uncertainties are equally important: the model is marked discontinued in CHOICE’s Australian catalogue, the manufacturer’s specifications are regional, and publicly accessible CHOICE material does not show the independent taste, temperature, usability or milk-frothing scores.
That makes it a sensible candidate only when a locally supported machine is available at a reasonable price. Treat the published pressure and feature list as specifications, not evidence of superior extraction or foam. Confirm voltage, warranty, parts and the condition of any used unit before buying.
What the ETAM 29.660.SB is
The ETAM 29.660.SB is the exact model identified on De’Longhi’s official support centre as part of the Autentica Cappuccino range. It is a fully automatic bean-to-cup appliance: beans go into an integrated grinder, the machine doses and brews automatically, and the milk carafe handles programmed milk recipes. You select a beverage rather than manually tamping a portafilter or steaming a jug.
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This format suits households that value repeatable, low-effort preparation over hands-on espresso technique. It is particularly relevant if several people want different drinks, because the menu includes straight coffee, milk beverages and hot water. It is less compelling if you want to dial in a traditional espresso recipe, use a separate steam wand, or evaluate a machine primarily on independently measured cup quality; the publicly visible evidence does not establish those outcomes for this model.
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Drinks and one-touch functions
De’Longhi’s Hong Kong product listing names the following recipes:
- Espresso for a short coffee serving.
- Long coffee for a larger black-coffee style drink.
- Doppio+, the machine’s programmed double-style coffee option.
- Cappuccino, combining coffee with a larger proportion of frothed milk.
- Caffelatte, a milk-forward coffee with comparatively less foam.
- Flat white, a shorter milk drink with a finer layer of microfoam in traditional preparation.
- Hot milk without a coffee portion.
- Latte macchiato, a layered milk-and-coffee presentation.
- Hot water for tea, instant drinks or rinsing-related tasks.
The listing describes these as selectable recipes, but it does not provide independent measurements of serving temperature, beverage volume, extraction time or foam texture. Names should therefore be read as the programmed drink styles, not as a guarantee that every cup matches a café’s recipe.
Specifications: what is documented
| Specification | Published value | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Water reservoir | 1.4 L | Listed by both De’Longhi’s regional product page and CHOICE. Actual refill frequency depends on drink size, rinsing and milk-system cleaning. |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar stated | A manufacturer/catalogue specification, not a measured pressure at the coffee puck and not proof of extraction quality. |
| Dimensions | 195 × 340 × 477 mm on De’Longhi’s Hong Kong page | Regional manufacturer dimensions; the page does not establish the orientation of each axis in the captured listing. |
| Dimensions | Approximately 34 × 20 × 48 cm in CHOICE’s catalogue | Australia-specific catalogue data. The small difference from the manufacturer figure may reflect rounding or a different measurement convention. |
| Weight | 9.82 kg on De’Longhi’s page; 9.8 kg in CHOICE | Consistent rounded values from the two listings. |
| Grounds container | “12” on the De’Longhi listing | The captured listing does not identify the unit, so do not treat it as a confirmed bean or waste capacity. |
| Electrical rating | 220–240 V, 1450 W | Applies to the regional listing. Voltage must match the electrical standard where you live. |
| Strength adjustment | Five coffee-strength settings in CHOICE’s listing | Strength steps are not the same as a laboratory measurement of dose or caffeine. |
| Water hardness | Programmable | Useful for maintenance prompts, but the correct setting depends on your local water and the regional instructions. |
These figures describe the appliance, not the quality in the cup. A larger pressure number, for example, cannot by itself tell you whether the grinder, dose, temperature control and extraction produce balanced espresso.
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Integrated grinder
De’Longhi lists an integrated grinder with an adjustable grind level. That lets you move coarser or finer as beans, roast level and age change. The listing does not state the number of grind positions or provide a recommended starting point, so use the regional manual and make changes gradually rather than assuming a particular dial position is universal.
Aroma, quantity and pre-ground options
The machine is described as offering custom aroma and quantity settings. It also accepts pre-ground coffee, which is useful for decaffeinated beans or for testing a different coffee without emptying the hopper. The exact sequence for loading pre-ground coffee and the maximum scoop amount should be taken from the manual for your market; overfilling a bypass chute can cause errors or leave coffee in the mechanism.
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Twin-shot preparation
A twin-shot function is listed. This is a convenience feature for making a stronger or double-style beverage, but the available material does not say whether every recipe can use it or how the machine divides the dose. Consider it a programmed option rather than a guarantee of a particular extraction ratio.
LatteCrema Hot and automatic washing
De’Longhi describes the ETAM 29.660.SB as using its LatteCrema Hot system and an automatic milk carafe. The listing says milk-contact parts are washed automatically after each beverage and that the carafe has an auto-clean function. Those are manufacturer claims about the design and cleaning cycle; no independent test was available to verify foam quality, consistency or how completely the cycle removes residue.
Automatic washing reduces the number of steps after a cappuccino, but it does not make the milk system maintenance-free. You still need to follow the regional instructions for storing the carafe, rinsing removable parts, emptying containers and running any deeper cleaning or descaling programme.
Setting up the machine
Exact button names and screen prompts can vary by regional edition. Use the model-specific manual on De’Longhi’s support centre for the definitive sequence. The following workflow reflects the documented functions without assuming undocumented menu labels.
- Verify the electrical requirement. Check that the machine’s rating matches your local supply before connecting it. The Hong Kong listing is for 220–240 V equipment, so do not import that version into a different-voltage region without an approved solution.
- Provide clearance and a stable surface. Leave enough room to open the bean hopper, remove the water tank and access the milk carafe. Measure the counter and any overhead cabinets before unpacking; the published dimensions differ slightly between regional listings.
- Rinse and fill the water tank. Use fresh drinking water and stay within the tank’s indicated maximum. If your manual specifies a filter for the regional model, install only a confirmed-compatible cartridge.
- Set the water-hardness level. Use the supplied test method and the manual’s menu path. This setting controls maintenance prompts; it is not a taste-strength control.
- Load beans or prepare pre-ground coffee. Fill the hopper with suitable whole beans, or use the bypass route only as described in the manual. Keep the grinder dry and never add liquid or flavoured material to the hopper.
- Attach and prepare the milk carafe. Fill it with chilled milk to the marked level, fit it securely, and run the machine’s initial rinse or milk-system preparation if requested.
- Make and evaluate a first drink. Start with a moderate strength and quantity, then adjust one variable at a time. Record which setting produced the balance and volume you prefer rather than changing grind, aroma and quantity simultaneously.
De’Longhi’s model-specific how-to video, published on 23 December 2015, covers use, cleaning and cappuccino preparation. It can help with the physical workflow, but its publication date does not establish that current regional menus or parts are identical.
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Daily use and cleaning responsibilities
Before making coffee
- Check the water level and refill with fresh water when needed.
- Confirm that the bean hopper contains enough beans and that no condensation or foreign material is present.
- If using milk, fill the carafe with chilled milk and return unused milk to refrigeration according to your food-safety practice.
- Place a cup under the outlets and allow any automatic start-up rinse to finish.
After milk drinks
Use the carafe’s auto-clean control or cycle as instructed by the manual immediately after a milk beverage. Automatic washing addresses the internal milk path, while removable external parts can still collect milk. Wipe visible residue and wash detachable components at the intervals specified for your model.
Routine machine care
Empty the drip tray and coffee-grounds container before they become overfilled. Keep the dispensing area clear so coffee does not build up around the outlet. Follow the machine’s descaling prompt and use a descaler approved for the regional appliance. A water filter may be applicable, but compatibility and replacement timing must be confirmed from the official manual rather than inferred from a generic accessory listing.
Counter space and capacity in practice
The ETAM 29.660.SB is compact for a bean-to-cup machine, but compact does not mean shallow clearance is irrelevant. The manufacturer and CHOICE list different rounded dimension sets, and neither captured source explains the measurement orientation. Measure the actual machine or obtain the local fiche if your counter has a tight side or overhead limit.
The reservoir size is adequate for ordinary home use, yet each rinse, coffee and milk-cleaning cycle consumes water. A household making many long coffees or frequent milk drinks will refill sooner than the nominal capacity suggests. Place the machine near a sink if possible, but not where steam, splashes or heat can damage cabinets or electronics.
What independent evidence does—and does not—show
CHOICE’s public catalogue confirms several physical specifications and lists five strength settings, but its detailed expert rating and separate taste, ease-of-use and milk-frothing scores are behind its members-only page. There is therefore no defensible basis to say CHOICE rated this machine highly or poorly. The absence of an open score is an evidence limitation, not a positive or negative result.
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Likewise, De’Longhi’s descriptions of the grinder, LatteCrema Hot system, automatic washing and programmable controls establish what the company says the machine includes. They do not independently demonstrate temperature stability, crema persistence, acoustic noise, grinder uniformity, milk texture or long-term reliability. A buyer who cares about those outcomes should seek a local hands-on demonstration or a credible test that identifies its methods and the exact regional model.
Availability, price and support
CHOICE labels the ETAM 29.660.SB a “Discontinued model” in its Australian catalogue. That status is specific to the catalogue and region; it does not prove that every country has stopped selling the machine. De’Longhi continues to host a model support page with instructions, safety information, a product fiche and routes to authorised service. A support page confirms documentation, not new-product stock.
CHOICE’s catalogue shows A$1,649 and a 24-month warranty. Those are Australia-specific catalogue details with no year stated on the captured page, so do not treat them as today’s global price or as a warranty promise in another country. Before paying, confirm whether the unit is new, refurbished or used; whether the seller is authorised; which voltage version is supplied; and whether local service, seals, carafe parts and descaling supplies are available.
For a discontinued model, parts support can matter more than a low purchase price. Ask specifically about the milk carafe, brew group, grinder components, water tank, drip tray and electronic serviceability. Keep the serial number and regional model code, because similar-looking Autentica variants may not share every component.
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How to compare it with another automatic espresso machine
Compare the ETAM 29.660.SB on the factors below rather than using pump pressure as a shorthand for quality.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
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| Comparison question | Why it matters | What to verify locally |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint and access | A machine can fit its counter area but still be difficult to refill or remove for cleaning. | Published dimensions, measurement orientation and clearance for tanks, hopper and carafe. |
| Drink menu | One-touch milk recipes are valuable only if they match the drinks your household actually orders. | Which recipes are available in your regional firmware and whether each supports strength or volume adjustment. |
| Milk maintenance | Automatic rinsing saves time, but residue still requires user care. | Carafe disassembly, dishwasher guidance, replacement parts and cleaning prompts. |
| Water capacity | Refill frequency affects convenience and placement. | Tank volume plus rinse behaviour in real use. |
| Cup performance | Temperature, flavour balance and foam quality cannot be inferred from specifications. | Independent tests that identify methods, beans, settings and the exact model. |
| Total ownership cost | A cheap discontinued unit can become expensive if parts or service are unavailable. | Current price, warranty, service network, filters, descaler and carafe costs. |
Common pitfalls and practical fixes
Importing the wrong voltage
The regional listing specifies 220–240 V. Buying a machine intended for another electrical standard can create a safety risk and may void warranty coverage. Confirm the rating plate and local support before purchase.
Assuming “15 bar” predicts better coffee
The 15-bar figure is stated pump pressure. It is not an extraction-pressure measurement at the coffee puck, and it says nothing by itself about grind consistency, dose, water temperature or flavour.
Treating the auto-clean cycle as complete sanitation
The automatic milk wash is useful after each drink, but visible milk residue and removable parts still need the care described in the manual. Skipping those steps can create odour, blockage or hygiene problems.
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Accessory compatibility varies by regional machine. Confirm the exact model and manual instructions before fitting a cartridge or choosing a descaler; do not rely solely on a search result or a photograph of a similar unit.
Buying on an old catalogue price
The A$1,649 figure and 24-month warranty are catalogue details, not a current universal offer. Check the seller’s dated terms and local consumer protections at checkout.
Who should consider it
- Good fit: households wanting espresso, long coffee and several milk drinks from one appliance; users who value an integrated grinder and automatic milk-carafe washing; buyers who can verify local service for an older model.
- Think twice: anyone needing a current, widely stocked machine with guaranteed parts availability; shoppers in regions where the listed voltage is incompatible; users seeking independently documented performance rather than convenience features.
- Look elsewhere: enthusiasts who want manual steaming, detailed extraction control or a large evidence base of measured temperature and flavour performance.
Final verdict
The DeLonghi Autentica Cappuccino ETAM 29.660.SB remains a feature-rich compact automatic on paper, with a broad drink menu, adjustable grinding, pre-ground support, twin-shot programming and a milk carafe that can run an automatic wash cycle. Those capabilities make it attractive for convenient home drinks.
Its purchase decision depends on context rather than specifications alone. CHOICE’s Australian catalogue marks it discontinued, its detailed test scores are not publicly visible, and De’Longhi’s available product information is regional. Buy only after checking the exact local version, voltage, stock status, warranty, parts and service route. If those checks pass and the price reflects an older model, it can be a practical one-touch machine; if they do not, the convenience features do not compensate for uncertain support.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
