My Opinion

Unboxing the De’Longhi La Specialista I immediately noticed that it was slightly thinner than many of the other home espresso machines that I have tested before although I’d say what it lacks in width it makes up for in length and the water tank does add a few cm on the back of the machine so make sure you’ve measured up your countertop before purchasing.

Overall I loved using the De’longhi La Specialista, I was apprehensive at first about a couple of the more unusual elements that came along with the machine such as the ‘Smart Tamping station’ which is a sort of extra basket that is locked into the portafilter basket when grinding the coffee (see below) but I was eventually won over.

The setup was super simple and I was pouring my first latte art tulip in minutes.

Dialling in the coffee grinds take a bit of getting used to but by simply adjusting the grind size underneath the hopper and then carefully adjusting the dose by changing the timing dial it was pretty straight forward.

The pressure gauge is a great indication of the optimal dose/grind size that letrs you observe as the shot is extracted.

I found that there are some really cute add ons that kind of make the La Specialista well quite special - alongside the tamping station, there was also a raised platform to pull espresso into smaller cups and I really liked the storage compartment on top of the machine.

Ratings

Coffee Quality ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Build Quality ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Ease of Use ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10

Details

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 365mm x 275mm x 400mm

• Price Range: £450 - £600

• Colours/Styles: Black, Green, Titanium, White, Yellow

• Features: Grinder, Cup warmer, Removable water tank, Removable drip tray,

• Accessories: Milk Jug, Coffee Tamper

Design

The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte dazzled me with its sleek and modern look. Its finish adds a stylish touch to any kitchen, complementing various decor styles depending on the colour.

The machine itself feels robust and well-built, which boosts my confidence in its durability.

The layout is intuitive, making it easy for me to navigate through the controls and settings.

It's not just about functionality here; the tactile feel of the buttons and levers adds to the premium experience.

However, the machine does take up a bit of counter space, which could be a concern for those with smaller kitchens.

The inclusion of simple, clean lines in its design makes it easy to wipe down and keep looking pristine. Overall, the La Specialista Arte merges style with practicality, making our coffee-making process both efficient and enjoyable.

The Grinder

I was particularly impressed by how this machine effortlessly adapts to the type of coffee I was using.

The two sensors in the grinder made sure to get the perfect coffee dose every time, which means no more bitter surprises or wasted beans.

The eight grind settings are a dream, letting you experiment with different beans to find the perfect grind size.

That said, it did take a bit to figure out the grind size initially, especially when I was grinding new coffee. But once I nailed it, the consistency was spot on. It's this kind of versatility and precision that makes using this coffee machine such a satisfying experience.

Smart Tamping Station

I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive when trying out the smart tamping station for the first time. Having worked as a barista, I had my efficiency cap on and I envisioned that attaching and then detaching an extra piece to the portafilter would be tedious.

However, after using it and actually taking the perspective of a home barista (we don’t have to be that efficient hey) it soon grew on me.

Active Temperature Control

Extracting an espresso requires precise temperature, and De'Longhi ensures consistency with this feature.

The control maintains stable heat during the extraction, which really helps in getting that perfect shot.

I noticed a few times when the temperature seemed slightly off, especially when making back-to-back brews (this is common place in coffee shops too). Nevertheless, the temperature adjustment is quick and mostly reliable.

Here are a few places you can pick up the De’Longhi La Specialista:

• Buy now on Amazon

• Buy now at De’Longhi