Product · De'Longhi
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte: built-in tamping lever
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The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte is for the beginner who wants to make espresso with a portafilter but worries about getting the dose and tamp right. Its standout is the Smart Tamping Station, a lever that tamps the coffee inside the machine with the right pressure, keeping the process tidy and consistent.
- Tamping help
- Smart Tamping Station
- Milk
- Frother with Flat and Foam
- Heat-up
- Not stated
- Baskets
- Not stated
- Grinder
- Built in, sensor
In its favour
- The Smart Tamping Station tamps at the right pressure with a lever, without mess.
- The sensor grinder delivers a consistent dose for each shot.
- The Latte System gives a simple choice of Flat for hot milk or Foam.
Good to know
- This listing does not state the number of grind settings.
- The milk frother is not automatic, so you still hold the jug.
Our take
Sensor grinding
The integrated grinder uses two sensors to deliver a consistent dose, according to De'Longhi. Grind settings let you adapt to different beans, although the listing does not state how many settings there are. Both whole beans and ground coffee can be used.
Smart Tamping Station
Rather than tamping by hand on the counter, you pull a lever and the machine tamps the dose. De'Longhi says this avoids mistakes and mess because everything happens inside the machine. It is one of the clearest ways to remove a common source of inconsistent shots.
For a household where more than one person makes coffee, that consistency matters: each shot starts from a similarly compressed puck, so differences in taste come from the beans and grind rather than from who did the tamping.
Temperature and milk
A Thermoblock heats the water, and temperature profiles help bring out flavour from different beans. Heat-up time is not stated.
For milk, you place the cup, choose FLAT for hot milk or FOAM for frothed milk on the frother, and wait. The listing does not describe whether the frother is automatic, so expect to hold the jug while it works.
Using FLAT for a latte and FOAM for a cappuccino is a simple split that covers most everyday milk drinks.
Size, tank and power
The water tank holds 2 litres, the largest of the beginner machines in this group. The machine measures 36.5 cm deep, 27.5 cm wide and 40 cm high, weighs 8.8 kg and draws 1450 watts. It is listed as suitable for home and office use. Baskets are not described.
Against the Barista Express Impress and Ninja Luxe Premier
The Sage Barista Express Impress uses intelligent dosing and assisted tamping with 25 grind settings and a Temp Control Milk Jug. The Ninja Luxe Premier has a built-in scale, assisted tamper and an automated froth wand with cold froth. The La Specialista Arte offers the most hands-off tamping of the three.
Verdict
Buy the La Specialista Arte if you want a built-in grinder and lever tamping that removes the mess, with a large 2 litre tank. If you want a stated grind range and smarter dosing, the Sage Barista Express Impress is the alternative, and if automatic milk and a scale appeal, look at the Ninja Luxe Premier.
Compared with alternatives in: Best espresso machines for beginners
Amazon listing title: De'Longhi La Specialista Arte - Espresso Machine 3 Preset Drinks Black