Home espresso has exploded in popularity, largely due to the availability of espresso machines that are reasonably affordable while still producing quality espresso. It used to be that you needed to spend a few thousand dollars to get a machine that could make decent espresso- now you can find one for less than one thousand.
De’Longhi has been leading the way in home espresso for years. Their machines are well made and produce quality coffee, with different models to suit many different budgets. In this De’Longhi EC9335 review we’ll take a look at one of the best De’Longhi espresso machines.
Features That Make It Stand Out
Sensor Grinding Technology
One of the trickiest parts of espresso is getting the grind right. Most grinders can’t even grind coffee for espresso (including most of the ones that claim they can). Espresso demands a very fine, very even grind to avoid off-flavors, and the dosing needs to be precise.
This De’Longhi espresso machine takes all the guesswork out of the grind. The built-in grinder delivers a consistent grind and the sensors measure the dose accurately so you get the perfect grind and perfect amount of coffee, each time.
Smart Tamping Station
Another process that’s tricky, especially for beginners, is tamping. Tamping the grounds is essentially for ensuring that the water pressure is within the right range and it also ensures that the grounds are evenly saturated. Too much or too little pressure when you tamp can ruin your shot.
The smart tamping station senses the amount of pressure being applied, and it stops tamping once the correct pressure has been achieved. Once again, it removes all the guesswork and makes quality espresso effortless.
Dual Heating System
One of the most common complaints about home espresso machines is the heating system. Typically, once you pull your shot, you have to wait a while for the boiler to bring the water back to temperature before you can begin milk frothing or dispense hot water for an americano.
The La Specialista espresso machine has a dual heating system- one for brewing espresso and one for milk frothing and hot water. If you want, you can steam your milk while your espresso is brewing.
Advanced Latte System
DIfferent drinks require different densities of foam in the steamed milk. Normally, this is a technique you have to master through trial and error. But the La Specialista espresso machine can do this automatically.
All you have to do is place your cup under the frothing wand and select flat for hot milk or foam for forth- that way you have total control over the ratio of milk to foam without having to worry about doing it manually.
Active Temperature Control
Because of the fine grind, high pressure, and quick extraction time, espresso is a bit more sensitive to temperature difference than brewed coffee. It can be tricky to maintain the right water temperatures, but the De’Longhi espresso machine has automated the process.
The active temperature control is always working to keep your water at the ideal temperature for coffee extraction, which yieldsa better shot every time.
1-Second Quick Start
One of my biggest frustrations with home espresso machines has been that once I turn it on, I have to wait for it to warm up. Sometimes that can be as long as 30 minutes!
So my personal favorite feature of the La Specialista espresso machine is the quick start. Turn the machine on, and by the time you’re done grinding and tamping, the machine is ready to pull a shot. That’s going to revolutionize my morning espresso!
Customizable Settings
With customized settings it’s dead simple for you to play around with coffee strength, milk texture, and temperatures. And once you’ve got everything dialed in just the way you like, the La Specialista espresso machine will deliver coffee to those specifications every time.
Hot Water Spout
I’m an outlier- I don’t like milk drinks nearly as much as I like a good americano. So, I consider a hot water spout an essential feature on any espresso machine. The La Specialista delivers! And since it has a dual heating system I don’t have to wait for hot water after pulling my shot.
You can also use the hot water for tea when you’re just not in the mood for espresso. Or, if you want to get really crazy, you can use it for cooking! No more waiting forever for your pasta water to boil. Is that a bit odd? Sure, but we won’t tell if you won’t.
Durable and Aesthetic Design
Frankly, the La Specialista just looks good. The stainless steel gives it a nice, sleek look and if you want to really spruce up your kitchen Amazon sells a red version that gives off major Italian sport car vibes.
But it’s not just pretty- all those stainless steel components mean this machine can take a beating and keep going. It’s built to last a lifetime.
Comparing to Other Brands
The clearest competitor to the De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigia is the Breville Barista Express. Breville is one of De’Longhi’s biggest competitors in the home espresso market, and we’ll have a full review the Barista Express up soon. For now, we’ll give a brief comparison.
The Breville is a bit cheaper, but it also lacks some of the De’Longhi’s features. There’s no smart tamping station, for instance. And the Breville’s steam wand is all manual, so there’s no automated assistance to help you nail the foam texture.
The Breville has a similarly fast heat up time, but it lacks the dual heat control of the De’Longhi. And while it has a built-in grinder, you’ll have to control the dosing yourself.
Overall, they’re similar, but the Breville is likely to have a bit more of a learning curve since some of its features are less automated. For some customers, that’s a plus. For others, it’s not. We’ll leave that for you to decide. They’re both capable of producing superb espresso at home for less than $1,000.
Who Should Consider Buying This?
Anyone who loves espresso and wants to make it at home! This machine is suitable for beginners since it automates some of the trickiest parts of espresso, but the quality of the espresso makes it good enough to satisfy more experienced home baristas as well.
Final Verdict
The De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigia is an incredible machine. It provides just the right amount of help for beginners to master espresso quickly while still giving you a lot of control over the process. And most importantly, it pulls a delicious shot.
Conclusion
This De’Longhi espresso machine makes home espresso a convenient, fast option on busy mornings. It’s ready to brew as soon as you turn it on, it takes all the guesswork out of grinding and tamping, and you can steam your milk while your coffee is brewing.
If you’ve been considering a home espresso machine, this would be an excellent choice. It makes quality espresso every time. It makes the process of pulling a shot much simpler, too. Overall, it’s a great machine for beginners and experienced baristas alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the sensor grinding technology enhance the shot?
Mainly, by providing accurate dosing. It ensures you have the right amount of coffee in the portafilter, and by automating the process it allows for repeating your results.
Can I customize milk texture with the Advanced Latte System?
Definitely! By allowing you to choose whether to create flat or foamy milk you have much more control over the texture of your milk.
How long does it take for the machine to be ready to use after switching on?
It takes about a second. Turn it on and it’ll be ready before you’re done grinding and tamping.
Is the De’Longhi EC9335 suitable for making both espresso and Americano?
Yes! It has a hot water spout built in!
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