De'Longhi La Specialista

De'Longhi espresso machine · $799 · premium tier

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Overview

The De’Longhi La Specialista is De’Longhi’s answer to the Breville Barista Express: an all-in-one espresso machine with an integrated conical burr grinder, designed for users who want one box instead of two on the counter. It’s pitched at the intermediate user who has graduated past pod machines but isn’t building a dedicated coffee station.

The active dual-heater system is the technical pitch. Rather than a single boiler doing both brew and steam, La Specialista uses separate heaters that can stabilize independently. It’s not a true dual-boiler (no PID, no commercial group), but in real use it delivers more consistent shots than a single-thermoblock machine.

The 51mm portafilter is the strategic compromise. It’s a De’Longhi-proprietary size, which means almost no aftermarket basket or bottomless portafilter options. For users who plan to mod and upgrade, this is a blocker — and they should look at the Barista Express (54mm Breville ecosystem) or step up to a separate 58mm machine and dedicated grinder.

Pros

  • Built-in conical burr grinder with stepless dial
  • Active temperature control across two separate heating elements
  • Manual steam wand for hands-on milk texturing
  • Smart tamping station integrated into the housing

Cons

  • Non-standard 51mm portafilter limits aftermarket options
  • Integrated grinder is decent but not at Baratza or Eureka level
  • Plastic-heavy chassis at this price point

Specifications

BrandDe'Longhi
Typeespresso machine
Price (USD)$799
Price tierpremium
boiler type Dual heaters
pid false
bar pressure 19
group head 51mm
water tank l 2.5
preinfusion true
integrated grinder true
built in tamper true

Best for

  • latte
  • cappuccino
  • espresso shots
  • single-machine kitchens

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the De'Longhi La Specialista best for?

The De'Longhi La Specialista is best suited for latte, cappuccino, espresso shots. Tags: all-in-one, integrated-grinder, intermediate, milk-drinks.

How much does the De'Longhi La Specialista cost?

The De'Longhi La Specialista retails around $799 USD, placing it in the premium tier for espresso machines.

What are the main downsides of the De'Longhi La Specialista?

Non-standard 51mm portafilter limits aftermarket options Integrated grinder is decent but not at Baratza or Eureka level Plastic-heavy chassis at this price point

What is the ASIN for the De'Longhi La Specialista?

The Amazon ASIN is B07W5C7QFD. You can check current pricing and availability on Amazon directly.

Last updated: 2026-05-05