De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Review

Espresso Quality

Generous, above-average brews, silky crema, and extraction yields on par with industry standards, influenced the solid score awarded to the La Specialista Arte for this metric. It didn't produce the best espresso we've ever tasted, but its shots certainly caught our attention.

Although tasty, the shots we pulled from the La Specialista Arte initially released slightly bitter tones, followed by a calmer sweetness. Additionally, the shots felt a little thin in comparison to their dense extraction yield.

Extraction yield refers to total dissolved solids (TDS), or how much actual coffee material is in your espresso. So, based on our results, shots pulled from the La Specialista Arte were about 20% coffee and 80% water — one of the most well balanced ratios we've encountered, considering the industry standard for TDS is 18% to 22%.

We took small samples from each shot this unit produced and then examined them through a refractometer in order to determine its TDS. We were also impressed with the volume of shots the La Specialista Arte was able to produce. It turned 19 grams of espresso grounds into 36 grams of espresso in 32 seconds. This is the highest volume of all the machines in this review.

Ease of Use

We loved that the Specialista arrived fully assembled, right out of the box. It's super easy to set up and beautiful to look at, but its control panel is a bit involved, the grinder is a little weak, and its extraction times are longer, giving it an average score for this metric.

We loved the automatic brewing features of the La Specialista Arte. We also liked its sturdy portafilter, pressure gauge, and removable 62-ounce water tank. This unit also comes with a decent-sized drip tray and a ton of accessories. The built-in, conical burr grinder is a nice touch, but it only offers eight settings, so it doesn't offer a full range of grinding options. It's also a little weak and seemed to struggle when grinding a full load.

Although the Specialista requires a little more time to produce a cappuccino, this semi-automatic machine is fairly user-friendly, making it a good choice for beginner and intermediate espresso lovers. During our timed cappuccino tests, it ranks at the bottom, but we were still happy with the end result.

The La Specialista Arte is one of the more expensive units in our lineup; however, in the long term, it offers a ton of savings compared to daily runs to the coffee shop. Based on 300 shots per year over eight years, we calculated the cost per shot over a lifetime. And, although the Specialista doesn't directly compete with all of the machines we tested, it still saves you a lot of cash.

Overall, the Specialista Arte is relatively simple to use and can complete a wide range of functions at the push of a button. Its steam wand is forgiving toward beginners as they learn to make their first batches of microfoam. This machine does have a few quirks, but it's well-made and has great curb appeal.

Ease of Cleaning

Espresso machines require a fair amount of routine cleaning and upkeep, so we rarely give above-average scores in this metric. The La Specialista Arte fell within these norms and received average marks during our ease of cleaning tests.

Using the Specialista comes with the typical chore list: dump the filter basket, rinse the portafilter, purge and wipe down the steam wand. The daily hose-down of this machine is simple and straightforward. However, we were a little disappointed by the lack of instructions specifically focused on weekly and monthly cleaning routines and maintenance. For descaling, the manufacturer insists on using a specific Delonghi descaling solution (Ecodecalk). The entire process is fairly self-contained, but it does require supervision and takes nearly 40 minutes — one of the longer times of the whole bunch. One thing we did like was the water hardness test strips included with the Specialista. They make it easy for the user to program the machine according to the actual hardness of their water supply.

Milk Steaming

All-things-milk is what the La Specialista Arte does best, earning it one of our best scores during our milk-steaming tests. Specifically, this unit's steam wand is perfect for beginners looking to boost their steaming skills.

Our in-house baristas were able to produce excellent, cafe-grade microfoam with the La Specialista Arte. It poured like paint and made great latte art. This machine's steam wand pivots well, maintains temperature, and produces consistent, gentle pressure. The result is evenly steamed and frothed milk that is less likely to scald. It's a perfect feature for newbies, but the added time may be annoying for the more experienced.

Machine Customization

The La Specialista Arte offers a slew of automated features, earning it above-average scores during our customization tests. We love that its programmable functions make it easy for beginners, but they also can be adjusted to suit espresso enthusiasts with more know-how.

Depending on your roast, the Specialista offers three infusion temperature profiles (198°F, 201°F, or 205°F). It also allows the user to adjust the volume of the pre-programmed drinks, or go rogue, and pull shots manually on those mornings when more caffeine is mandatory. The Specialista also offers three pre-infusion settings (none, 1 second, 2 seconds) if you prefer to wet your puck before pulling a shot. Additionally, we really love the preset options, which deliver a single or double espresso shot, Americano, or dispense ~8 ounces of hot water — all at the touch of a button. Our favorite feature is the ability to control the descaling frequency by adjusting the water hardness setting to soft, medium, or hard.

Should You Buy the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte?

We can't give every machine an award, but if it were possible, the La Specialista Arte would certainly be a candidate. This is a solid machine that performs well in the areas that matter most: espresso quality, milk steaming, and machine customization. This unit offers more automated features than any machine in our current lineup, making it perfect for beginners or latte lovers who simply want push-button convenience.

What Other Espresso Machines Should You Consider?

If you'd like to compare the Specialista to a similar machine, we suggest researching the Breville Barista Express. It functions like the Specialista but scores higher in some areas. If you're a pro who doesn't believe in automation, the Rancilio Silvia may be more your style.