Having worked in a lot of cafes over the years, I’m confident I can recognize a good machine when I see one. Does it look sleek on the counter? Does it pull a perfectly creamy espresso shot? As such, De’Longhi has long been a brand I’ve wanted to try, and the recent release of the La Specialista Touch machine (available on Amazon) just sealed the deal.
De’Longhi’s reputation in the coffee world is for affordable machines that are easy to use for beginners, but that still offer a high-quality experience. I’ve tried and tested a few of the brand’s smaller machines, but the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch comes with a bit more foot in the game. We’re talking touchscreen control, personalized flavor settings, and much more. It’s the brand’s newest mid-range espresso machine, released in March this year, described as a semi-automatic bean-to-cup.
However, a high-tech machine often (and in this case) means a higher price tag, so as part of this review, I really wanted to compare it against some of the best espresso machines to see if it’s actually worth the almost £700 investment. Here’s how it went.
De’Longhi
De’longhi La Specialista Touch
The full retail price of this espresso maker is just shy of £700, but we’re expecting to see some sale prices within the next few days for Amazon Prime Day.
First Impressions
Though, obviously a bigger option for an espresso machine, this appliance is still fairly compact and surprisingly, doesn’t’ take up too much space on the countertop.
(Image credit: Future, Olivia Wolfe)
This machine was a beauty as soon as it was out of the box — people around the office even stopped to admire the sleek design; it’s that good.
Now, I know chrome is a fairly common finish when it comes to kitchen appliance trends, but something about a chrome espresso machine feels particularly luxe. The only downside is its proneness to fingerprints, which I found myself frantically wiping from the second it was out of its box.
Its size is misleading in a good way as well. The machine is definitely bigger than something like the De’Longhi Dedica Duo (also available on Amazon), but if coffee is important to you, you could easily make room on your counter for the La Specialista Touch.
And if this stylish machine wasn’t already getting a 10 out of 10 on first impressions, the box of extra accessories sealed the deal. Included with the La Specialista Touch machine are a ground stamping guide, a stamping pad, an espresso tray, and much more. Opening the box was like the gift that kept on giving.
Testing the Machine
The touchscreen is easy to use and easy to read. Plus, it lets you know if any corrections need to be made whether you are making a cold brew, espresso shot, or cappuccino.
(Image credit: Future, Olivia Wolfe)
I can’t lie, I was a bit intimidated testing this machine, as the last thing you want to do is break the fancy appliance you just splurged on. Would a confusing instruction manual be enough guidance to get this machine up and running?
However, my worries soon faded because the La Specialista Touch could almost be considered self-sufficient. Once you plug the appliance in and turn it on, the touchscreen starts up with a step-by-step guide directing you from set-up to your first espresso shot and milk steam. Truly foolproof and perfect for espresso lovers who are still in the beginner category.
The smart coffee maker feature l was most impressed with was the grind weight technology. The machine had you input things like water hardness and coffee bean type so it could calculate the perfect size and brewing time for the perfect espresso flavor. If a shot came out too slow, the machine would let you know and make the necessary adjustments.
It is also extremely easy to clean — each part of the base tray is removable and washable, as well as with the portafiller and its parts. Yet, just like with any espresso machine, to really get a deep clean, you will have to get your hands dirty and start unscrewing things; it’s part of the coffee maker care journey.
Quality of Coffee
The coffee only takes about five to eight seconds to brew, and if the shot comes out too short the machine will guide you through how to make a new one.
(Image credit: Future)
With all this talk of how great the machine itself is, I of course have to make sure that the coffee itself is up to par. For this, I used the same beans the Livingetc office uses every day (I am well acquainted with this coffee, of course) to see how the flavor is impacted.
Though usually you need to make a few espresso shots, before the first good one comes out on a new machine, the espresso from the La Specialista Touch tasted lovely on the first round. The crema layer was consistent on every brew and enhanced the flavor of our office beans immensely.
When it’s time to steam the milk, you can either steam it manually or the machine will do it automatically based on the drink you want. I was a bit suspicious of this, and I must admit, the automated latte milk had more of a cappuccino-level foam. Not ideal, but definitely something you could work around.
Should You Buy the La Specialista Touch?
Here is a closer look at all of the add-on that come with the machine and welcome pack.
(Image credit: Future)
So, do I think the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch machine is worth the buy? Yes, I do. The quality of this machine is well worth the price, as it’s one of the easiest-to-use espresso makers I’ve tested recently.
Similar pieces, like the Sage Barista Touch espresso machine, may rank slightly higher quality and style, but you will also have to spend a couple of hundred more. So, it’s worth deliberating on what you are willing to spend and what you are looking to get out of your espresso machine.
Being interior design-obsessed means I care about the style aspects as well. This machine may not quite hit the art sculpture coffee machine trend, but it definitely has a luxurious aesthetic and will look elevated on your counter.
Whether this is the right machine for you is a slightly different answer. If you have been considering an espresso machine for a while (beginners and former baristas alike), this is a fabulous first machine to invest in. However, you also need additional counterspace, or a dedicated coffee bar, in order to store it.
All in all, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch is a high-quality appliance worth the price and perfect for any and all coffee fanatics.
