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De’Longhi La Specialista Contact: two-minute overview
The De’Longhi La Specialista Contact is among the best espresso machines for these taking their first steps into the world of espresso and wanting a guiding hand alongside the best way. It is probably the most inexpensive fashions round with a built-in grinder, and is surprisingly compact contemplating simply what number of options are on supply. Do not let its small plastic chassis idiot you – it is a severely good espresso machine.
De’Longhi’s Good Bean system helps tailor brew settings to fit your most well-liked beans, with out the necessity for any specialist information, whereas the sensible dosing and tamping system will see you create a well-measured, even puck with none channelling or cracking, which might result in poor extraction.
The outcomes are reliably wonderful, and tinkering is inspired as soon as you have constructed up some confidence, with room for 9 customized drinks alongside the intensive menu of customizable choices.
The steam wand is one other standout characteristic, with choices for guide and automated milk texturizing. Its built-in temperature probe helps new customers keep away from overheating their milk when steaming freehand, and the auto frother consists of choices for each dairy and plant-based milk.
The one actual drawbacks I discovered involved cleansing and upkeep. After some time, the grinder began to really feel a bit sticky when dialling in settings, however De’Longhi’s guide and tutorial movies do not present methods to disassemble and clear it (they solely present cleansing the outside). There additionally would not appear to be an choice to flush the group head after brewing an espresso.
The chilly brew operate is ok, however would not produce such a well-rounded and full-bodied drink because the Jura J10 I reviewed just lately. Nevertheless, this machine is a fraction of the value of the J10, and geared toward a really totally different person. When you’re contemplating investing in your first espresso maker, the La Specialista Contact is unquestionably price your consideration.
De’Longhi La Specialista Contact: value and availability
- Launched in March 2025
- Prices £699.99 / $1,099 (about $900)
- Not but obtainable within the US
The De’Longhi La Specialista Contact launched in March 2025, and has an inventory value of £699.99 / AU$1,099 (about $900). On the time of writing, it is not but obtainable within the US.
The worth places this espresso machine in the midst of the La Specialista vary, costing lower than the La Specialista Opera and Maestro, however lower than the La Specialista Arte, Arte Evo and Arte Compact. Because the identify suggests, what differentiates this machine from the others is its touchscreen, which makes it tremendous simple to function and particularly properly suited to novices.
De’Longhi La Specialista Contact: specs
|
Title |
De’Longhi La Specialista Contact |
|
Sort |
Semi-automatic |
|
Dimensions (W x H x D) |
17.5 x 15 x 14.6in / 44.5 x 38 x 37cm |
|
Weight |
23.8lbs / 10.8kg |
|
Water reservoir capability |
1.8qt / 1.7 liters |
|
Milk frother |
Sure (guide and automated) |
|
Bars of strain |
15 |
|
Person profiles |
1 |
De’Longhi La Specialista Contact: design
- Compact and light-weight, with a metallic-finish plastic case
- Massive touchscreen and user-friendly interface
- Consists of instruments to help with dosage and tamping
The De’Longhi La Specialista Contact is compact for such a completely featured semi-automatic espresso machine. In truth, it’s the smallest within the La Specialista vary, measuring simply 17.5 x 15 x 14.6 inches / 44.5 x 38 x 37cm. I ought to word that the images on this overview have been shot in TechRadar‘s roomy check kitchen, not my small house. Its case is made principally from plastic with a metallic silver end, which retains the load down significantly in comparison with chrome steel, and is simple to wash with a humid material.
It’s operated through a vivid 3.5in colour touchscreen, which is responsive and surprisingly immune to fingerprints. The interface is properly designed, with menus supported by diagrams and illustrations, and extra info obtainable at each stage through a “Assist me” button, which supplies new customers further steerage with out including visible muddle.
The water tank slots neatly onto the again of the unit, and the machine is equipped with a testing strip so you’ll be able to configure it to go well with the hardness of water in your space (that is vital, as a result of limescale build-up can have an effect on the efficiency of the probes that detect the water stage within the espresso machine’s boiler). The tank is simple to fill and carry because of its built-in deal with, however you’ll want a long-handled brush to wash inside; it’s too slim for all however the smallest of fingers.
The portafilter deal with feels reassuringly weighty within the hand, and I notably preferred the knurled steel on the finish. It’s equipped with two non-pressurized, single-walled baskets: one for single pictures and one other for doubles.
Not like another machines on this value band, the La Specialista Contact doesn’t have a pull-down tamper that can add simply the correct amount of strain to your espresso grounds. You need to take issues into your individual fingers, however there’s a set of instruments to make that much less daunting for brand spanking new customers.
These embody a dosing and tamping information that attaches above the basket earlier than grinding to funnel grounds neatly into the basket; a rubber tamping mat that sits in your work floor and retains the filter deal with regular; and an “superior tamper” that permits you to see once you’ve achieved the proper dosage, and whether or not it’s good to add or take away some floor espresso. If it’s good to take away some, there’s a useful dose adjustment software that you could place on high of the basket and twist to take just a little off the highest.
It’s a wise system that reduces the danger of person error by eliminating the necessity to weigh something, though it’s additionally price noting that you could’t use the grinder with out the information in place.
The La Specialista Contact is designed to accommodate different-sized cups, with just a little platform that you could place on high of the drip tray when utilizing espresso cups. This helps to keep away from splashing and protect the crema as you pull your shot.
On the right-hand aspect you’ll discover the steam wand, which has each guide and automated settings, and is partnered with a temperature probe to assist new customers keep away from creating custardy, overheated milk. There are automated settings for each dairy milk and plant-based substitutes, which is a welcome addition. Issues are altering, however some machines are nonetheless arrange solely for dairy.
The one accent I would have appreciated is a knock-box for disposing of used pucks, since new customers can simply knock the basket out of the deal with and into the bin – however that’s a small want. Every thing equipped right here feels stable and reliable.
The drip tray can also be notably properly designed. It’s principally enclosed till you select to disassemble it for cleansing, with a pouring spout on the again for simple emptying.
De’Longhi La Specialista Contact: efficiency
- Guided brewing with auto changes for various beans and roasts
- Milk texturizing is superb (guide and automated)
- Rinsing and cleansing options could possibly be higher
The De’Longhi La Specialista Contact guides you thru the method of brewing an ideal shot of espresso one step at a time, serving to you obtain the constant outcomes which might be the hallmark of an excellent espresso maker. The Bean Adapt Expertise system mechanically recommends ultimate grinding and dosing settings to fit your chosen espresso, and takes the thriller out of organising the optimum brewing course of.
After loading your beans into the hopper, you’ll be requested a couple of fundamental questions on what you’re utilizing: arabica or robusta, and the roast. The machine then makes use of this info to regulate the water brewing temperature and pre-infusion size (how lengthy the grounds are allowed to soak earlier than the shot is pulled).
Many different machines cease there, however the La Specialista Contact goes additional, supplying you with a hand with dosing your beans as properly. While you’re prepared to begin, twist the tamping information onto the basket, then push it underneath the grinder till it hits a button behind the machine and maintain it nonetheless till grinding stops mechanically.
As soon as the dose has been disbursed, you’re prompted to make use of the “sensible tamper” to press down evenly (utilizing the rubber mat for stability) and make an observation of the place the information line finally ends up. If it reads +1 or +2, you could have an excessive amount of espresso and wish to make use of the dosage adjuster to trim just a little off the highest. This twist-on software is superb, and lets you take away just some grounds with out disturbing the entire espresso mattress.
Picture 1 of 2
If the sensible tamper reads “OK” you then’re able to proceed to the subsequent step, and if it reads -1 or -2 then it’s good to high it up just a little. Push the deal with underneath the grinder once more to dispense some further espresso, then tamp once more. Dosing beans by quantity reasonably than weight appears unusual for those who’re used to utilizing scales, nevertheless it’s a sound methodology of dosing and the instruments equipped with the La Specialista Contact make it fairly foolproof.
While you’re achieved, simply enter the identify of your beans utilizing the on-screen keyboard, and also you’re all set. Experimenting with totally different beans is a part of the enjoyment of coffee-making, so I respect the power to create a number of profiles for various beans.
The machine’s grinder has 15 settings, and when brewing every drink, you’ll be prompted to dial it in. Your preset choices are:
- Espresso
- Cappuccuno
- Chilly brew
- Latte macchiato
- Latte
- Flat white
- Scorching milk
- Lengthy black
- Americano
The machine can even dispense sizzling water, and along with customizing any of the presets, you may as well create profiles for 9 private recipes. You’re not bombarded with choices, however you might be inspired to tinker and experiment with brewing instances and grind sizes to attain the style you favor.
I used to be curious to check the chilly brew operate, notably after experiencing the spectacular outcomes of the Jura J10, which was in a position to create a drink with a strikingly related taste profile to espresso brewed chilly the normal method, in a single day.
Earlier than beginning the chilly brew course of, the De’Longhi La Specialista Contact will run chilly water by way of its circuit to deliver the temperature down (a good selection), then the water is handed slowly by way of the freshly floor espresso at low strain. This machine doesn’t use the identical “pulsing” brewing methodology because the J10, as you’ll be able to see from the regular dripping within the video beneath.
The ensuing chilly brew americano (on this case) was clean, however didn’t show the richness of the identical drink made utilizing the J10, with a thinner mouthfeel. It was okay, however not on the identical stage as historically cold-brewed espresso.
Nevertheless, milk texturizing was wonderful, with the Auto LatteArt system making ready your milk in line with the drink you’ve chosen from the menu. Merely fill the pitcher to between the “most” and “minimal” traces, then choose the choice for dairy or an alternate. Subsequent place the pitcher underneath the wand, modify the wand to the angle marked “A” and also you’re prepared to start. The wand will mechanically incorporate air into the milk, then warmth it to the right temperature.
Reaching totally different textures for various drinks will be tough, and I used to be impressed by how properly the Auto LatteArt system managed to create totally different proportions of froth and steamed milk for varied drinks. I’d say that the froth on my latte macchiato was a bit too aerated for my liking, however cappuccinos and caffe lattes turned out persistently properly.
I additionally appreciated the temperature probe for guide steaming. Strictly talking, it is not needed (I often simply use my hand on the aspect of the pitcher to guage temperature), and there’ll at all times be a level of latency earlier than temperature modifications within the pitcher register on the machine’s show. Nonetheless, it’s a considerate addition for a machine designed to present new customers a serving to hand.
The one space the place the De’Longhi La Specialista Contact appears to be missing is upkeep. After a while I discovered that the grinder was changing into trickier to regulate – an indication that it had began to gather particles and occasional oils, and due to this fact required cleansing. De’Longhi’s instruction guide and cleaning video solely describe cleansing the hopper and out of doors of the grinder utilizing the comb equipped with the machine, so I’ve contacted the corporate to search out out whether or not it’s potential to disassemble the grinder to entry the burrs. I’ll replace this overview as soon as I’ve heard again.
Having browsed by way of all of the menus, I additionally have not discovered a setting for rinsing the groupset between brews, and there’s no button to purge previous grounds from the grinder for those who’re altering the grind dimension – each of that are stunning.
Do you have to purchase the De’Longhi La Specialista Contact?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
Sits in the midst of the La Specialista vary, and much more inexpensive than many rival touchscreen semi-auto espresso machines. |
5/5 |
|
Design |
Compact, light-weight, and beginner-friendly. A thoughtfully designed machine. |
5/5 |
|
Efficiency |
Helps even new customers create persistently good espresso drinks, breaking down the method into manageable steps. Simply missing a couple of cleansing/upkeep options. |
4.5/5 |
Purchase it if
Do not buy it if
De’Longhi La Specialista Contact: additionally contemplate
How I examined the De’Longhi La Specialista Contact
I used the De’Longhi La Specialista Contact with my favourite Burundi and Panama Winter Mix from native espresso store Mokoko, recent that week. I examined the water within the TechRadar check kitchen (arduous) and configured the machine accordingly throughout the startup course of. I used recent water every time I started utilizing the machine, and emptied the tank on the finish of the day.
I used the Bean Adapt Expertise system to configure the machine for my espresso, and dialled within the grinder so an espresso shot was extracted in about 28 seconds.
I examined the milk frother utilizing unhomogenized complete milk, freshly purchased the identical day and fridge-cold.
First reviewed March 2025