Customer Ratings & Reviews

As an experienced technology product reviewer with a penchant for gourmet coffee, I was eager to try out the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine. Here’s an in-depth look at my experiences with it, aiming to uncover whether it truly stands as a beacon for budding baristas at home. Unboxing and First Impressions - Unboxing was straightforward; The accessories, including a tamper, dosing funnel, and a milk frothing jug, were well-packaged, and setup instructions were clear albeit a bit repetitive across the manuals. Design and Build Quality - The machine itself boasts a robust build, with a sleek stainless-steel finish that looks both elegant and expensive on the countertop. Weighing over 21 lbs., it's hefty enough to feel sturdy but not overly cumbersome. The design integrates the water reservoir at the back, which can be a nuisance to refill if placed under low-hanging cabinets. The built-in grinder, steam wand, and barista toolkit enhance the overall functional appeal, though the plastic handle of the grinder felt a tad flimsy. Getting Started with Brewing - Starting the brewing process was an adventure. As someone not professionally trained as a barista, there was a definite learning curve, particularly in figuring out the right grind settings and tamp pressure. The machine features a conical burr grinder with 8 settings that are straightforward to adjust for different beans and desired drink strength. The 15 bar Italian pump facilitates a precise espresso extraction, noticeable with the perfect crema on top of each shot. Exploring the Beverage Options - The La Specialista Arte Evo offers four preset beverage options: espresso, Americano, cold brew, and hot water. Making an espresso or Americano was simple once I dialed in the correct settings. The espresso shots were rich and full-bodied, with the grinder and temperature controls working in harmony to extract the best from the beans. Transitioning to cold brew, I was impressed by De'Longhi's proprietary Cold Extraction Technology which delivered a refreshing brew in under 5 minutes—a stark contrast to the overnight process usually required. Steam Wand Performance - The steam wand on this machine is a high point, heating up rapidly and producing consistent steam pressure needed for silky micro-foam. This feature is essential for latte art and elevates the home coffee-making experience to mirror professional outcomes. The learning curve here too was steep but rewarding, especially once I mastered the technique for the perfect froth. Ease of Cleaning - Cleaning the La Specialista Arte Evo is fairly straightforward. Most components are detachable and dishwasher safe, although I preferred hand washing to maintain their finish. The drip tray and water tank are easily accessible, which simplifies the daily rinse-out process, although the machine's design complicates drying and reassembling a bit. Advanced Features and Usability - Among its more advanced features, the Active Temperature Control with three settings to match the bean’s optimal extraction temperature was particularly useful. The machine’s interface, devoid of an alphanumeric LCD panel, relies on intuitive button layouts and dial turns which give a satisfying click feedback—streamlining the brewing process after the initial setup. Practical Considerations - This machine is ideal for individuals who relish the craft of coffee making and are willing to invest time in learning its functions. The initial setup and calibration might deter some users, but the quality of the beverages it produces justifies the effort. The large water tank, while practical, does mean the machine will occupy a significant amount of counter space. Comparative Advantage and Value - Priced on the higher end, the La Specialista Arte Evo justifies its cost through its quality, durability, and the exquisite coffee it brews. It’s less suited for those looking for a quick, push-button coffee solution and more for those who appreciate the nuances of making espresso, Americano, and cold brews at home. Overall, the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo impresses with its functionality and the quality of drinks it produces. The cold brew feature is a standout, providing a quick and tasty brew that is perfect for hot days. The robust build and thoughtful design details suggest it will be a durable and aesthetically pleasing addition to any kitchen. For coffee enthusiasts who value precision and versatility in their brewing process, this machine is an excellent choice, though the investment in time (and countertop space) should be considered.

This espresso machine is a fairly nice piece of kitchen kit for the coffee lovers out there. It's very shiny and if the light hits it just right it might blind you a bit. It's also rather large so be prepared to set aside a fairly sizable part of you kitchen counter space. Construction wise it has a solid build quality that indicates it's not some "fly by night" construction . That being said I do find it odd the placement of the water tank on the back of the machine. This requires me to pull the entire unit out to fill it up with water. Given how big this is it means I need to set aside even more counter space to accommodate this thing. The included instructions for setup could be better written but between those instructions along with pictures and the occasional video online you can figure out the setup. The built in grinder really gets your coffee beans just right. Steaming milk is easily accomplished and does a great job getting your beverage just right. One thing that bugged me was the online registration, It requires you to contact a foreign number. No go for me which means missing out on warranty support. Overall this is a fine addition to my kitchen and I'm happy enough with it.

This new De’Longhi La Especialista Arte Evo is an excellent espresso machine! What I love about it, besides making really good espresso & Americano, is that it can make really good cold brew as well. I always thought cold brew was just a gimmick cafés and other places that serve coffee just made up to trick people into spending more money. However, when I tried it myself, I was able to taste the difference between a cold brew and an iced coffee. Now, I always get a cold brew whenever I prefer to drink “a cold one“, pun intended. Since this is my first espresso machine with a tamper, it’s quite an adjustment from just pressing a button, and it was pretty frustrating using it the first few times. It’s hard getting the brew to the optimized zone. It took me a whole weekend to adjust it until I finally got it right. However, once I got it there, I gotta admit, it was really good. After tasting / drinking every batch made in adjusting it, I was able to tell the difference between the first batch and the batch that reached the optimized zone. Was the difference significant? For me, not really. All of the batches I brewed were, honestly, pretty good. It’s just that the batch that reached the optimized zone was the best one. Opening one of these makes it look like I’m a coffee connoisseur. Just the way it looks intimidated me at first because it looks fancy. However, reading the instructions made it easier for me to make a cup, whether it be an espresso, an Americano, or a cold brew. Again, the only challenging part was getting the brew to the optimized zone for the best tasting cup. Until now, it’s still a challenge to get it there consistently, but fortunately all the cups I brewed so far were pretty good. I love how you can adjust the quality and amount of grind into the tamper to your liking. This is great if you don’t need the brew to reach the optimized zone. In comparison with my other espresso machine, making a cup gets you more involved with the process. Instead of just putting in the capsule and pressing a button, you now have to adjust the quality and amount of grind. Then, you have to hold the container of milk to froth it. Is it worth doing the work? If you love drinking a great cup of espresso, then yes, I think it’s worth it. Would I do it 10 times in a row to serve my guests? Probably not. Overall, I think if you’re one of those who really appreciate the quality of espresso you’re drinking, then this machine would be a good one for you, especially if you drink cold brews. Is it pricy? It is. However, I think what De’Longhi is trying to sell is not just the machine, but the quality of product it produces, and it tastes great. I’m glad I have one of these so now I can try to perfect getting all my brews to the optimized zone.

The Delonghi La specialista saves money. Sure its not as convenient as pulling through a drive through but at $8 -$12 per cup plus waiting in a long line, This will save you time and money. The unit is very sturdy and well built, the included tools (Porta filter, dosing funnel, coffee filter, pitcher, tamper and mat) are built to last, great quality. The specialista covers all your special coffee bases, from cold brew, Espresso, Americana, to hot water settings. This machine does it all. After cleaning and testing with water, I was ready to dive in to some coffees I hadn’t tried before. First up was the Americana. I filled the bean hopper with beans of my choice, set the grind level (they provide a chart for you on which to level to use for each bean type.) Note: the selector is plastic. I feel that care should be used each time you move it. It felt a little cheap and in time may break. I was surprised at this since the rest of the unit is almost bullet proof. Once the Dosing funnel and portafilter were in place. A slight push starts the grind. When finished you move it over to the other side and it will lock in to place. Choose your dosing level (chart provided) and start, within minutes the coffee is ready. The Americano was spot on, lots of flavor. I then tried the cold brew, same great result after mixing with my favorite creamer. If you would rather have froth milk, the Specialista has a steam nozzle that will increase the volume of milk 3 times adding that perfect mix to your favorite brew. The Espresso was the best yet, I love Blended mocha with espresso, yes it takes a bit more, but is as good as the store bought ones. I added espresso to my ice, condensed milk, and mocha flavoring and blended it. Perfection!! According to many coffee snobs, you need to watch your gauge to ensure a perfect pour. The area you need to point to is the 10 to 2 o’clock pressure level. To obtain this adjust your dosing level and grind with fresh beans. In conclusion, the Delonghi offers many options for all type of coffee lovers, the quality of the La Specialista is top notch for the most part. The taste of all of the coffees I have made so far is very good to great. Sure it’s not as convenient as going to a drive through, but to save time and money this unit is hard to beat. When buying a drink someone else makes, you get an average drink that can be different every day. But with the La Specialista you can adjust everything to your liking and get above average, consistent drinks. So it is a win win for you and your drinkers. I would recommend this to family and friends

The De'Longhi - La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew is a state-of-the-art Coffee Expresso machine that will make you feel like you stepped into a Star Bucks in your own home. Opening the box is very easy. Pull the tabs on either side of the outer box and you will be able to slide out the machine from either side. Once out of the box, you will then pull off the two carboard holders on either side of the machine and remove the plastic shipping bag. In the middle is a small box containing the Barista Tools to make your Expresso adventures more fun and mess free. Included are the Tamping Mat, Steel Base Tamper, Cleaning Brush and Steamer Cleaning Pin. Setup is straight forward. Set the machine on a flat surface and plug into the outlet. The water reservoir is very conveniently placed at the rear of the machine. Lift up and fill with cold water to the water level mark. Next fill the top bean grinder container with your favorite coffee beans. (Note – Medium Roast Beans are the recommended strength, as Dark Roast Beans will leave an oil film residue coating on the internals) Power on the machine with the power button located at the lower left-hand side. Once powered on, you can start your adventure with a perfect cup of Espresso, Latte or Cold Brew. At the bottom of the coffee bean grinder container is the 8-point grinding lever. This allows you to fine tune the coffee bean ground ratio. On the Front Panel you will find the Dosage (flavor strength) dial on the left-hand side. To start with, set the dial at 20 for the best results. By default, the water temperature will be set to Level 3 which is best for Espresso. The second button on the front panel is for a 1 or 2 shot setting. Next grab the ground holder and place the funnel (Black Circle) on it. Place this in the left side holders and push it in to start the grinding. Once the grinding has stopped, remove the ground holder from the machine and remove the funnel. Place the ground holder on the tamping mat and press down on the coffee grounds with the tamping tool until a nice firm puck is formed underneath the inner rim of the steel base cup. Next, place the ground holder in place on the right side of machine and pull-on hand to the right to lock in place. Place the included mini drip catch base in the two holes in the main drip base. Place your espresso cup on the mini base underneath the two nozzle holes on the ground's holder. Press the Ok button and your espresso will start to brew. This will take a few times and practice to perfect to your liking, however you will soon be enjoying a hot refreshing and flavorful espresso. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to make a mistake. That is the beauty of a manual espresso machine, you get to try all sorts of ways to make that perfect brew. Be sure to register your machine for the extended warranty and take advantage of the live demonstration video chat with a De'Longhi Representative. They will walk you through on how to operate your new Espresso machine and prepare you for your next adventures in being your very own Barista in no time!

When I first unboxed it, it was very daunting. There are so many parts. If you follow along with the instructions provided, it is easy to put together. I want to note, you cannot use it right away. The instructions recommended cleaning all the parts. I had to look up some recommended YouTube videos from the pamphlet to finish some of the setup. I could not find this particular model on their YouTube channel but I found a similar one. I tried their recommendation in the pamphlet on how to grind dark roast. On my first try, it did come out well. I followed what they recommended. The pamphlet shows even shows how it should look. On my second try, it did come out right. I had to tweak the settings from what they recommended. I like that it comes with a water hardness test, a cleaning needle and came with a cleaning kit. My other expresso machine does not come with these extras. This is not my first time using an expresso machine however with the instructions they provide, and their YouTube channel you can make great coffee.

Used it for handful times and it works like a charm. Very user friendly, 5 starts

We are liking our new countertop coffee maker. Nice that you can make 1 cup at a time. That was important to us. Still a far cry from our built in Miele but not bad for the price.

Construction seems to be moderate quality. The grind selection especially seems to be cheap, but the rest is built sturdy. This machine is very hard to dial in. Part of the problem is the grinder has large steps, resulting in ground that's either too coarse or too fine. The pressure dial is pretty useless, you can be in the "optimal" zone and have the coffee be all over the place. In fact, I'm writing this review drinking some extremely over extracted espresso. I don't drink cold brew so I can't comment on that front.

We love this coffee maker! Smell so great! Taste so much better!! We enjoy every morning!! And anytime we want!!

Great but too manual, Need more automation please. Now

I had this machine for 3 years. Many issues and recently the grinder stopped working and right after the all machine was dead ! I contacted the DELONGHI assistance for our area and they said that they repair ALL Delonghi machines BUT NOT THIS ONE. SO I will have to toss it... I spent almost 900$ 3 years ago and it is a real shame.