With a relatively hefty price tag De’Longhi aims to bring a semi professional machine to your household to get you close to your homebound barista dreams. With a wide array of features and pretty much everything you could want for a variety of hot brews you can’t deny the comprehensiveness of the package.
A fresh new addition to the scene in 2019 with sights on dominating the market. How close does it get to that high bar of a machine that would be comparable to what you’d find at your local coffee shop? Is it worth the investment for a centerpiece for any coffee drinkers kitchen? As it often does the answer will depend on what you are looking for, especially with some stiff competition in its price range. A grinder and espresso maker in one this dynamic machine that can do just about everything you need might be the one you want as well.
Where the La Specialista really shines is with its long list of perks to match its price tag around 750 usd. Starting at the top you have an integrated grinder and tamper. This allows you to pick up fresh beans grind and press them at home. It isn’t completely automated as you will have to move around the holder each time you want to make a fresh batch.
De’Longhi promises a consistent cup and the tamper helps with that by regulating its pressure so that no matter how much you use the pressure is limited to a desirable level. When it comes to the espresso maker you have the first issue with it being called semi professional though at the same time they help improve the ease of use. With a thermoblock and auto dosing the heating source isn’t quite stable enough for professional use. On the other hand it does produce more hot water and steam allowing for bigger brews than your standard espresso cup. This heating element also allows it to heat up quickly in under a minute and you can adjust it for three different settings. It even has the ability to remember your drink size so you can save your recipe. With an independent heating element for frothing you can make multiple cups at once without the delay that can come with some machines overheating.
Perhaps the most functional feature is a hot water outlet under the portafilter that will help you broaden the drinks you can make into teas and many other options. With just a press of a button you can make an Americano espresso to speed along your morning process. All these features combine together to give you a pristine blend that should match what you’re looking for even if the machine lacks the versatility to take the experimentation to the next level.
The pressure gauge will allow you to see all the information you need to tell what your favorite settings are though the pressurized filter baskets take most of the guess work out of the way so you won’t need to worry. You can also expect to find a high quality full metal body that should be a stylish addition to any kitchen counter without taking up too much space. A second retractable cup stand adds another layer to the simplicity of this espresso maker especially when making cups for multiple people by helping to prevent spilling.
Ease of Use
With such a large list of features you won’t be surprised to find that this is one of the easier to use models on the market. As a combo build with grinding and espresso making functionality the process of moving from a bag of beans to a delicious cup is quite simple. It won’t be very long for most users before making the morning brew will be an easy opportunity to relax and create a tasty cup in just a couple minutes. It isn’t fully automated however the issue of moving your grounds around a bit isn’t much of a problem. All around you won’t find many machines that will do more as easily.
Pro’s and Con’s
Pro’s
- Integrated grinder and tamper
Con’s
- Expensive
- Heating source isn’t quite stable enough for professional use
De’Longhi EC9335M La Specialista Espresso Machine Manual
- De'Longhi EC9335M La Specialista Espresso Machine
Summary
The ease of use belies the gift and the curse of this espresso machine from De’Longhi. As it attempts to reach the upper echelon of espresso machines it fails due to its focus on ease and flexibility. It is pretty nice to have an espresso maker that can make multiple cups and grind your coffee for you for sure, but it isn’t enough to call this a semi professional machine or an exceptional value. With its price tag reaching over $700 you can definitely find machines that will make a similar level of coffee for a cheaper price.
Will you still be getting grinding capabilities along with a reliable tamper, and quick espresso or tea options makes the question much more difficult. As nice as the complete package is, you are kind of left wanting a bit more.
