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In today’s review, I’m going to be talking about the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB. This nifty machine is quite the eye-catcher, but is it worth buying?
Before you make your decision, here is what I learned by testing the espresso maker out.
Quick Rating
Easy To Get Your Head Around
One of the biggest problems I find with espresso machines is how complicated they are to use. And the majority of the time, the instruction manuals are confusing and have been clearly translated poorly.
Thankfully, I didn’t experience this with the De’Longhi. Setting everything up was straightforward, and making sure everything worked properly was too.
All the buttons were clearly labeled, and it was crystal clear what they do. So I think this machine is a good choice for beginners that don’t want to be overwhelmed.
Great Coffee Results
I used the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte to make a variety of hot drinks, some coffee types and some others. The espresso shots that I made, in particular, were fantastic.
The consistency was just right which made them very enjoyable – and packed with that all-important caffeine boost!
I also made a lot of cappuccinos and lattes with the machine.
I’ve noticed a running trend with a lot of espresso makers that involve them performing well for the first week and then the quality dropping; however, I did not experience this issue with the EC9155MB (what a name, aye?).
In terms of other hot drinks I made, I used hot water for green tea and hot chocolate.
The tea turned out fine, but I decided to swap over to using the steaming wand to make hot milk for the hot chocolate, which was much better.
The point of me telling you this is to say that the espresso machine is handy if you have non-coffee drinkers in the house.
They can make a variety of other hot drinks easily without having to wait around for hot water to boil. Or, if you fancy a change, you always have the option.
Decent Grinder
A big part of getting an espresso right is having consistent coffee grounds.
I played around with the grinder, making both fine and coarse grounds. Every time I changed the setting, there was a little inconsistency, but as soon as I left it alone and ran it a few times, it was perfect.
I’ve used the grinder for about 3 weeks now, and it is still it performing well. So I can’t really complain about the grinder quality with this machine. With that being said, I definitely could with some of the other machines I’ve tried out!
Added Features
I think one of the best reasons to get this espresso maker over similar ones on the market is its tamping kit. Unlike others that are very basic, you get an almost barista-level tamping kit that can be used with ease.
It’s surprising how a good tamping kit can turn a good espresso into a marvelous one. So, the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte gets two thumbs up from me in this department.
Also, I’d like to mention how it comes with a milk jug. Obviously, the milk jug isn’t anything special, but nearly every machine I’ve reviewed has not included a jug.
So instead of having to make an additional purchase if you didn’t have one already, you can benefit from the De’Longhi providing it.
Speed
The machine heated up very quickly, which is great if you’re rushed for time and want a quick drink.
I cannot state how many times I’ve got frustrated with espresso makers taking forever to heat up or them only being able to heat to lukewarm temperatures.
The Design of the EC9155MB
In my opinion, the machine looks very stylish and professional. The stainless steel and silver plastic make it suitable for the majority of kitchens, no matter their theme.
The one thing you need to be careful about is its size. The machine is quite big, so you’ll need to make sure there’s plenty of room for it.
If you haven’t got the room, I would suggest looking at espresso machines that don’t include a grinder. This way you can purchase a standalone one that you can tuck away in a cupboard when you’re not using it.
A good espresso machine without a grinder that I loved using was the Sumsaty. It’s worth checking out!
Cleaning The Espresso Maker
If you’re new to the coffee world, you’ll need to know that espresso makers do require some maintenance.
Although a somewhat boring task, this machine does make the job easier. All you need is some espresso machine cleaning solution and warm water, and you’re good to go.
Specs
Ending Thoughts
Thanks for reading my review of the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB! Personally, I think this is a fantastic machine that produces quality coffee. Typically you see machines like this at a much higher price, so I definitely think you get a lot of value for your money.
With that being said, remember to check if you have enough room, as this is one big machine!