What is the La Specialista Maestro?
A manual espresso machine that helps with every step, and adds cold brew.
The Maestro sits at the top of De'Longhi's La Specialista range of manual espresso machines. It is a machine for the home barista who wants to make espresso the hands-on way, with a portafilter, but with help at each stage. It grinds, tamps with a lever, lets you pick the brew temperature, and then gives you two ways to steam milk. Its other trick is De'Longhi's Cold Extraction Technology, which makes cold brew and an iced espresso in under five minutes.
The current US model is the EC9885M, the version with cold brew. The earlier EC9665M is no longer on De'Longhi's US site.
Key specs
| Model | EC9885M |
| Grinder | Built-in burr grinder, 15 settings, Sensor Grinding Technology |
| Tamping | Smart Tamping lever |
| Pump | 19 bar, with dynamic pre-infusion |
| Heating | 1 Thermoblock + 1 heating system |
| Brew temperatures | 5 (Active Temperature Control) |
| Milk | LatteCrema Hot (3 textures) and MyLatte Art steam wand |
| Presets | 8, including Cold Brew and Iced Espresso |
| Water tank | 84.54 oz (about 2.5 litres) |
| Max cup height | 5.46 in |
| Weight | 35.28 lb |
| Power | 1,600 W at 120 V |
| Price | $999.95 on delonghi.com (list $1,299.95) |
Grinding and tamping
The two steps beginners get wrong, both assisted.
The Italian-made burr grinder has 15 settings and what De'Longhi calls Sensor Grinding Technology, which keeps the dose consistent when you change the grind size. It grinds single or double doses straight into the portafilter. You then pull the Smart Tamping lever, which tamps the coffee evenly without mess. Uneven tamping is one of the most common reasons home espresso runs fast on one side and tastes sour; a lever takes that variable away.
Active Temperature Control gives five brew temperatures, so you can brew a light roast hotter and a dark roast cooler, and dynamic pre-infusion wets the puck before full pressure.
Two ways to steam milk
One-touch when you are rushed, a wand when you want control.
LatteCrema Hot is De'Longhi's automatic milk system: it froths milk at one touch, with three textures, for cappuccinos and lattes. Next to it is the MyLatte Art steam wand, a manual, commercial-style wand for pouring latte art or steaming plant milks your own way. Few machines offer both, and it makes the Maestro easy to share between someone who wants a quick latte and someone who enjoys steaming.
Cold brew in five minutes
Not true cold brew, but a quick cold coffee.
Real cold brew steeps for 12 hours or more. De'Longhi's Cold Extraction Technology uses controlled water flow, pressure and temperature to make a cold-brew-style coffee in under five minutes, and an Iced Espresso that De'Longhi describes as lighter than a normal espresso. It is a useful extra if you drink cold coffee in summer; it is not a reason to buy the machine on its own. Our guide to cold brew vs iced coffee explains the difference between slow-steeped cold brew and coffee that is simply chilled.
Living with it
Big, heavy, and best left in one place.
The Maestro weighs 35.28 lb and measures 14 x 16.5 x 18.5 inches, so plan a permanent spot with room above for the bean hopper. The 2.5 litre tank is generous for a manual machine and the maximum cup height is 5.46 inches, enough for most mugs. De'Longhi gives two years of warranty as standard and a third year if you register the machine.
Maestro vs La Specialista Arte Evo
De'Longhi's entry machine against its flagship.
The La Specialista Arte Evo costs $699.95 and has a built-in grinder and cold brew too, but only a manual steam wand, a smaller 1.66 litre tank and no tamping lever. The Maestro adds the automatic milk system, Smart Tamping, five brew temperatures and a bigger tank for $300 more. If you are happy steaming and tamping yourself, save with the Arte Evo.
Maestro vs Breville Barista Touch Impress
Two assisted machines at different prices.
Breville's Barista Touch Impress ($1,499.95) has 30 grind settings, assisted tamping with the Impress Puck System, a touchscreen and an automatic steam wand with settings for dairy, almond, oat and soy milk. It has no cold brew and only one milk system. The Maestro is $500 cheaper with two milk systems and cold brew; the Breville has a finer grind range and a touchscreen.
Is the La Specialista Maestro worth it?
At $999.95, for a household with mixed habits, yes.
It covers more drinks and more skill levels than any other machine in its price range on this site. The catch is size and weight: at over 35 lb and 18.5 inches in one dimension it needs a deep counter, and it cannot be moved around easily. Our list of the best espresso machines under $1,000 has smaller options, and our espresso machines with grinders page compares the built-in grinders.
Who should buy it (and who should not)
Buy it if
- You want to learn espresso with help at every step.
- Some people at home want one-touch lattes and others want to steam.
- You drink cold coffee and want it fast.
Skip it if
- Counter space is tight.
- You want full manual control with a separate grinder.
- You only drink black espresso and do not need two milk systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the La Specialista Maestro have a grinder?
Yes, a built-in Italian-made burr grinder with 15 settings.
Can the Maestro make cold brew?
Yes. De'Longhi's Cold Extraction Technology makes cold brew and iced espresso in under five minutes.
How much is the La Specialista Maestro?
$999.95 on delonghi.com when we checked, down 23% from $1,299.95.
What warranty does it have?
Two years standard, plus one more year if you register the machine, according to De'Longhi's product page.
What is the difference between EC9885M and EC9665M?
The EC9885M is the current US model with Cold Extraction for cold brew; the EC9665M is the earlier version, no longer on De'Longhi's US site.
