Customer Ratings & Reviews

This machine is larger and heavier than it appears online . It does fit on the counter but it’s a tight squeeze . Beautiful machine with solid construction . A joy to operate and the espresso is perfect .

The De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine may look intimidating at first glance however don't let all those bells and whistles fool you. I'll start off by saying I've never had an espresso machine of this caliber before but have used them in the past. Because of the amount of work and clean up they typically take, I have been without one for several years until I came across this work of art. That being said, I am, by no means, a barista. However, after reading the directions and watching a few short videos prior to deciding on this machine, I did a few trial runs and I was very pleased with the results not only of the quality of the espresso shots but of how simple the machine is to use... now I consider myself a Barista in the making. Regarding the the machine itself, it is quite large so I would also ensure you have the proper counter space for it. Once it's in place, it really is a beautiful and well made machine that should impress anyone with a coffee addiction, like myself, or who appreciates and acknowledges kitchen appliances as a part of your decor. After figuring out what all the buttons and knobs do, I will do my best to explain in a few easy steps how simple it is to make espresso shots that make for a good drink. Assuming your machine is clean, filled with water and espresso beans, you will select what size shot you want, single or double. Once you insert the size cup you want into the detached handle and select how much ground espresso you want packed in there using the far left knob, you simply insert the handle below where the beans are ground and it will automatically start grinding the beans into the handle without any push of a button. Once the beans are ground and in the handle, you just pull down on the handle on the left side a few times to pack the ground beans into the handle. Pull the handle out and insert it in the brew side of the machine, ensure the correct setting for what brew you want (Espresso, Americano, or Coffee), ensure the x2 button is pressed and lit up if you have a double shot in, ensure you have a cup or shot below the brewer and press the okay button. Voila, you have a perfectly brewed espresso shot. If you want to steam your milk, that is very simple as well and it heats up to perfect temperature in less than a minute with just the right amount of foam. I typically do iced lattes so I'm not using the steam feature that often after doing the trial runs and saving my wife a trip to the pricey coffee shops. Arguably the best feature of this machine is the clean up, or lack thereof. With the past two machines I used at home, that, for me, was the biggest drawback. The way this machine was designed was clearly to avoid that as the ground beans are packed before the handle is moved over for brewing so there's no fear of upsetting the cup while packing. One thing you may hesitate on prior to considering this machine is the price point. However, I have seen espresso machines in this league at much higher prices and I think this is just the right price point for average every day use at home. If you drink coffee often, I could see you making the money back within a year or so especially if there are more than one of you in the household. Therefore, I would highly recommend this machine to anyone in the market. The best advice I have is to watch the videos on how simple it is to use and decide for yourself before pulling the trigger.

The first thing you realize when you get the La Specialista is the size of the box! This machine is huge and heavy, just under 40 pounds. Never fear however, getting it out of the box will be the most difficult thing you will have to do to get excellent coffee drinks from this machine. The build is stainless steel and somewhat commercial looking. This is a quality machine that you should expect to last for years. Speaking of that, De’Longhi has a 2 year warranty which if you register the machine with them, will be extended to 3 years. Generally anything over 90 days is unheard of, let alone 3 years! The next hurdle you will have is finding counter space for it; the La Specialista is just over 17 inches tall with the bean hopper. Once you get it placed and plugged in, place the bean hopper and fill with beans and fill the 2 liter water tank. Flip the power switch in the back of the machine next to the plug and push the power button on the front of the machine. It will do a pre-flight system check and prompt you to prime it by pushing the tea button. Once the machine is primed you’re good to go. Making espresso is as easy as grinding, tamping and pressing a button! Once you find the right combination of grind coarsness and portafilter fill level, you simply place the filter into the grinder head and turn the handle to the right, the grinder begins and stops automatically. Next, and what I think is the BEST feature of the De’Longhi La Specialista is the tamping handle. Give it a pull and your coffee is tamped, no mess on your counter! Remove the portafilter and move it to the brewing head and push ok. That’s it. Along with the espresso selection, there is also a coffee, (a long espresso) and an americano selection, (a long espresso with added hot water). The great thing about the La Specialista is the separate heaters so when you draw an americano, there is a separate spout that tops off the hot water. If you prefer cappuccino, frothing and steaming milk is just as simple. Pour some milk into the included frothing pitcher, select flat or foam on the steaming wand, put the pitcher under it and turn the knob. This is a professional grade espresso maker built for your kitchen, not a Keurig, and there is no comparison between the two. I’ve had many espresso machines, from the sub $50 range to $1200+ fully automatic models and I have to say that once I got the settings perfected, the De’Longhi La Specialista is by far the best machine I’ve ever used! A few things to be cautious of. First, the size of the machine, at over 17 inches high, it may not fit where you want it. Second, the placement of the water tank is in the rear. You will need to have access to the rear of the machine to refill the water and will have to pull it out to accomplish this. Third, this machine uses 1450 watts of power. If it’s on the same circuit as a toaster oven or larger microwave, you may blow a fuse or circuit breaker. Fourth, this is a technical machine and does have a slight learning curve while you get the settings just right, work through it, the result is worth the practice. At this price point, this machine is an investment and not for everyone. If you like coffee shop drinks and like the idea of making them easily in your home, this machine is for you. My only complaint about this machine is that it did not include a knock box. At this price point, including the $30 item with the frothing pitcher would go a long way. Yes, I would recommend this to all coffee drinking friends!

It is pricey and big. But overall easy to use and you get a good quality of espresso.