The DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio is a hybrid espresso machine designed to bring the café experience into your home. With a combination of automatic features and manual control, it promises a blend of convenience and craftsmanship. In this review, we will dive into the features, performance, and overall value of the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio, helping you decide if this machine is right for you.
- The machine consistently produces café-quality espresso with rich flavors and balanced crema.
- The steam wand creates creamy, dense microfoam, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
- The stainless steel construction ensures durability and a premium feel.
- The minimalist control panel is easy to navigate.
- Both the grinder and brewing process are remarkably quiet, making it suitable for early mornings.
- New users might find it challenging to dial in the perfect settings for grind size and tamping.
- With only eight grind settings, fine-tuning the grind for different beans can be difficult.
- Regular descaling and cleaning are required to maintain performance.
- At around $850, it is an investment, though it offers good value for its features.
Features and Design
Size and Design
The DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio boasts a sleek, stainless steel housing with a modern control panel, offering an aesthetically pleasing addition to any kitchen. Its robust build weighs in at nearly 30 pounds, ensuring it sits solidly on your countertop. The machine’s design is divided into two workstations: the left side for grinding beans and the right side for brewing espresso and steaming milk. This intuitive layout makes it easy to switch between grinding and brewing, streamlining the process of making your favorite coffee drinks.
User Interface
Unlike many modern espresso machines with digital displays and touchscreens, the La Specialista Prestigio uses a minimalist control panel. Rotary dials and buttons allow for adjusting coffee volumes and selecting different brew options. The simplicity of the interface makes it user-friendly, even for those who may not be technologically inclined. You can easily choose between single or double shots, and there are dedicated buttons for hot water and milk frothing, providing versatility in drink preparation.
Grinder and Tamping
The integrated grinder comes with eight grind settings, which, while fewer than some competitors, deliver a consistent grind quality suitable for espresso. The Smart Tamping Station is a standout feature, ensuring a consistent tamping pressure with each use. This semi-automatic tamping system reduces the guesswork involved in manually tamping the grounds, though it does require some practice to achieve the perfect tamp. The tamper lever must be pulled with the right amount of force to avoid over- or under-tamping the coffee, a skill that becomes easier with experience.
Brewing and Pre-Infusion
The machine features an automatic pre-infusion function, which allows a small amount of water to saturate the coffee grounds before full extraction. This pre-infusion step ensures a more even extraction, resulting in a balanced and flavorful shot of espresso. The built-in pressure gauge is another useful tool, helping users monitor the pressure during extraction. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who want to fine-tune their brewing process and achieve the best possible results.
Temperature Control
Active Temperature Control with a digital PID system maintains consistent brewing temperatures, which is crucial for optimal espresso extraction. Users can select from three temperature settings to match different coffee roasts. For example, a higher temperature may be preferred for darker roasts, while a lower temperature might better suit lighter, more delicate beans. This flexibility allows users to experiment with different beans and find the perfect temperature for each.
Milk Frothing
The professional steam wand on the La Specialista Prestigio excels in producing high-quality microfoam, ideal for latte art. Thanks to the dual thermoblocks, users can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously, a feature that saves time and enhances convenience. The steam wand’s performance is impressive, creating velvety milk foam that is perfect for cappuccinos, lattes, and other milk-based drinks. The wand’s design also makes it easy to achieve the right texture and temperature, even for those new to milk frothing.
Performance
The DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio delivers on its promise of high-quality espresso and milk-based drinks. The espresso shots are rich and well-balanced, with a thick crema and complex flavor profile. The pre-infusion and pressure control features ensure that each shot is extracted to perfection, highlighting the nuances of the coffee beans. The steam wand produces excellent milk froth, even with non-dairy alternatives like soy or almond milk. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of users, regardless of their milk preferences.
Achieving the perfect shot may require some trial and error, particularly for those new to espresso machines. The process of dialing in the grind size, adjusting the dose, and finding the right tamping pressure can be challenging at first. However, once you become familiar with the machine’s features and capabilities, the results are consistently impressive. The La Specialista encourages users to engage with the brewing process, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy the artistry of coffee making.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Maintaining the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio is relatively straightforward, though it does require regular attention to ensure optimal performance. The machine needs to be descaled periodically to prevent mineral buildup, a task made easier by the descaling indicator light. This light alerts users when it’s time to run the descaling cycle, helping to prolong the life of the machine and maintain the quality of the espresso.
Cleaning the grinder and portafilter is also essential to prevent clogs and ensure consistent performance. The Smart Tamping Station helps minimize mess, but coffee grounds can still accumulate in and around the portafilter. Keeping a small pin or brush on hand to clean out the pinhole of the portafilter is a good practice to prevent clogs.
The water tank, with its generous 67.6-ounce capacity, is easy to remove and refill. Regularly rinsing the tank and other removable parts, such as the drip tray and bean hopper, helps keep the machine in top condition. The machine’s components are designed for easy disassembly and cleaning, making routine maintenance a manageable task.
User Experience
Users of the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio generally report a positive experience, praising its performance and build quality. Many appreciate the machine’s ability to produce high-quality espresso and milk-based drinks that rival those from their favorite cafés. The combination of automatic and manual features allows users to customize their drinks while still enjoying the convenience of automation.
The learning curve associated with the machine’s more manual aspects is often mentioned, but most users find it rewarding once they master the process. The tactile experience of grinding, tamping, and extracting espresso provides a sense of accomplishment and engagement that fully automatic machines may lack.
Verdict
At around $850, the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio is an investment, but it offers good value for its features and performance. The combination of high-quality espresso, excellent milk frothing capabilities, and durable construction makes it a worthwhile purchase for coffee enthusiasts. The machine’s ability to produce a wide range of coffee drinks, from espressos to lattes, adds to its versatility and appeal.
In conclusion, the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio is a fantastic choice for those who appreciate the art of espresso making and are willing to invest time in perfecting their skills. It offers a balanced mix of automation and manual control, allowing users to feel like true baristas. While it requires regular maintenance and has a bit of a learning curve, the high-quality results and robust build make it a worthwhile investment for coffee enthusiasts. If you are in the market for a hybrid espresso machine that delivers café-quality drinks and you don’t mind a bit of hands-on effort, the DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio is an excellent choice. Its combination of performance, design, and durability makes it a standout option in its price range.
DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine Specifications
- Manufacturer: DeLonghi
- Model Number: EC9335
- Product Category: Hybrid espresso machine
- Housing Material: Stainless steel
- Color Options: Black, Metallic, Red
- Milk Frother: Professional steam wand
- User Interface: Buttons and dials
- Portafilter Size: 51 mm
- Tamping: Automatic Smart Tamping Station
- Removable Water Reservoir: Yes
- Water Reservoir Capacity: 67.6 fl oz (2.0 liters)
- Number of Boilers: 2 (dual thermoblocks)
- Pump Pressure: 19 bar
- Maximum Cup Height: 12.0 inches (30.5 cm)
- Grinder: Stainless steel conical burr grinder
- Grind Adjustment Levels: 8 settings
- Bean Hopper Capacity: 8.8 oz (250 grams)
- Specialty Drinks: Espresso, Coffee, Americano
- Pre-Infusion: Automatic
- Adjustable Coffee Temperature: Yes
- Adjustable Milk Foam Temperature: Yes
- 2-Cup Function: Yes (non-milk drinks only)
- Hot Water Function: Yes
- Milk Foam Only Option: Yes
- Water Filter: Included
- Power Consumption: 1450 W
- Weight: 29.7 lb (13.5 kg)
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 15.0 x 14.5 inches (44.5 x 38.1 x 36.8 cm)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Included Accessories:
- Portafilter and baskets
- Stainless steel milk pitcher
- Descaling agent
- Water hardness test strip
- Cleaning brush
1 thought on “DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine Review”
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