De'Longhi
La Specialista
Smart features that actually help, at a price
4.4
By Priya Natarajan
- Category
- Espresso Machines
- Brand
- De'Longhi
- Price
- $799.95
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5
De'Longhi's La Specialista is an impressive piece of engineering. The Sensor Grinding Technology accurately doses by weight, and the active temperature control kept our shot temperatures within one degree across a back-to-back pull of six doubles. The smart tamping station is the standout feature - it genuinely helps beginners land consistent pucks. It is not a commercial machine, and at $800 you are paying a premium, but it delivers cafe-quality drinks with substantially less technique than a traditional prosumer setup.
What we liked and didn't
Pros
- Smart tamping station delivers consistent pucks
- Excellent temperature stability shot-to-shot
- Handsome stainless steel housing fits any kitchen
Cons
- Grinder is adequate but not enthusiast-grade
- Premium price for a prosumer-adjacent machine
