DeLonghi - La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew (EC9255M)

Yeah, I've got a Delonghi - The old model of the EC9255 La Specialista Arte Evo I think. It's been fantastic and given it's usually just for myself more than enough. I think I'll go better next time ... if there is a next time. This thing has made so many coffees. Definitely paid for itself many, many times over. My only complaint? One of the plastic knobs broke the cover off ... still works, just looks bad.

I’ve been using the [De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo](https://x.com/BestToBuyDeals/status/1938126098836951187) for a while now, and it’s been great for making espresso at home. I mostly use medium-light roast beans (my favorite), and the espresso comes out smooth, not too acidic, which I really like. What I appreciate most is how simple the setup was. Just one button to flush it before use, and you're good to go. Cleaning is quick too, super easy to take apart the water tank and rinse everything, which is a big deal for me. I don’t want a machine that adds more work to my day.

I’ve been using the [De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo](https://x.com/BestToBuyDeals/status/1938126098836951187) for a while now, and it’s been great for making espresso at home. I mostly use medium-light roast beans (my favorite), and the espresso comes out smooth, not too acidic, which I really like. What I appreciate most is how simple the setup was. Just one button to flush it before use, and you're good to go. Cleaning is quick too, super easy to take apart the water tank and rinse everything, which is a big deal for me. I don’t want a machine that adds more work to my day.

This [De’Longhi](https://x.com/BestToBuyDeals/status/1938126098836951187) one is really convenient and easy to use. I can’t speak for other brands, but this little machine makes great coffee quickly, is easy to clean, and doesn’t take up much space on the counter.

In Ontario as well we have the Delonghi Evo got it on sale with tax for $600CAD last march Made over 1,000 milk based drinks on the machine its been very good and easy to use and to maintain We had been Nespresso Original line drinkers before and had very good reliability from Delonghi machines in the past. Its an entry level machine but makes coffee like most of the expensive models but without the fancy screen and apps. The beans you use and the settings will define the coffee you get out of these machines Video Comparison on three Delonghi models [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kGtVa8pfoc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kGtVa8pfoc)

As others have said this is daily question machines from Delonghi, Jura and KitchenAid are the ones that get the most votes. All of them when dialed in with the right beans will make a good espresso and they have machines with a steam wand so you can make a milk based drink when you need or a milk system. Wee have a Delonghi Evo with the latte crema system its entry level super but its very good If you just want the best espresso only may want to ask here [https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/)

I have the EVO ours has a few more options like over ice on the buttons but the machine is the same otherwise. We drink a lot of coffee in the house so maybe 6 drinks a day with some of those doubles and so we have made well over 3,000 drinks on the machine since 2024 most of those are milk based. Very easy to use and maintain One tip is that you need to disassemble the milk carafe (5 separate parts) and soak in very hot soapy water every 3 days as a part of the maintenance and you should have no issues. Good video review of the EVO [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXNYcTYjMEg&t=473s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXNYcTYjMEg&t=473s)

we have an Evo with the latte cream system since 2024 its been a great machine and very easy to use and maintain even new users in the house as its just has selection icons you can modify the recipes as well. we have made well over 3,000 milk based drinks in this time and many over ice as well as regular drinks you can find the Evo on sale and the upgraded next is the same machine just with a screen here is a video comparing the EVO with two other more expensive Delonghi models [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kGtVa8pfoc&t=4s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kGtVa8pfoc&t=4s)

Not really and if you not wanting to clean i would avoid a super automatic and you will find most recommendations are for Delonghi, Jura or Kichenaid machines Cleaning them is easy but its something you need to do We have a Delonghi Evo with the latte cream option and we make latte and Cappuccino drinks every day we have made well over 1,000 in the past year. Milk carafe can be topped up and put in the fridge for 3 days before cleaning - Cleaning for me is taking it apart (there are 5 separate pieces) i put them in a jug with hot soapy water and soak them for 15 minutes and then rinse with hot water let them dry and then fill up with milk and put in the fridge for next drink. You will need to empty out the puck bin every other day if you use it a lot and if not every 3 to 4 days and wash out to avoid mold. Same time as emptying pucks you will empty the drip tray this collects water that rinses the nozzles on startup and shut down and also rinses internally. Water tank will require filling every other day if you drink a lot Water tank has a filter you can replace every 2 months i use filtered water so its not a requirement and the machine can be run without filter. Depending upon the hardness of your water (You set this on the machine at the beginning) you will need to descale from either every month (very hard water) or every 6 months (Very soft Water) Every 3 months or less its up to you you will need to remove the brew group/Infuser unit (this is the unit where the puck is formed and the water goes through the puck and then the spent puck is pushed off into the puck container )and so you soak this in very hot water and rinse off and dry and then re-install. You will also need to add beans to the machine as some rate depending upon coffee shots made can be every other day or longer. wiping the outside of the machine should be done every week and cleaning of the sensor that detects the milk on the front of the machine. So No! based upon your requirements you should avoid a super automatic machine as they are all basically the same for cleaning :)

Most super automatics are focused on espresso based drinks we have a Delonghi Evo which is an entry level machine that makes good espresso and can also do long blacks. However puck is the same so its more water through same volume of coffee on a longer drink you can get one with a manual steam wand which is lower cost. We mainly drink cappuccinos our son drinks over ice long drinks and we are all happy with the output. I don't know but i assume the more you spend the potential for bigger pucks and so stronger long drinks maybe an option. Just remember whatever machine you buy the beans and the grind define the taste

I think many people feel the same and then jump into a high end machine first and in many cases are happy We have a Delonghi Evo and its been great and we drink Latte and Cappuccinos every day and our son drinks over ice it was a lot less than $1k and has the same brew group as the Eletta. Very easy to use and maintain Most of these machines you can vary the strength of the coffee and many happy people with Jura, Delonghi and KitchenAid machines. However the bean you use will define the drink and you will have to adjust to get the best tasting drink in many cases so be prepared for some learning.

Delonghi would be the one but you should look at the Evo as its a better comparison to the Philips do you need all the expensive options? Had an Evo since July 2024 its been a revelation when moving from Nespresso the coffee quality is very good and cleaning and maintenance is very easy. Most feedback will be for Delonghi, Jura or Kf7 machines as real options

We have the one with milk carafe as we like milk drinks we have made over 1,000 so far on the Evo its been awesome. We also have the over ice option which our son loves and uses everyday and he was not a coffee drinker and now he is :) The one with the wand is less money and would still give you the option for milk drinks when you want.

Yep. Remove water tank, open hatch, remove the brew group and rinse/soak it. Once in a blue moon you may have to apply a schmear of food-safe grease to exterior gears. No real disassembly or any detergent/cleaner tablets necessary.

Me too! That's why I like the Evo I actually own 😁

the specialista line definitely has mid grinders but far from the nightmare you described. it's the higher end of the range where breville throws in the baratza burrs where they pull ahead imo. I had my specialista arte evo next to my barista Express for two weeks making drinks head to head and in those models delonghi has a clear edge, mainly on the milk side. brevilles manual frothing wand is slow and weak enough it struggles to generate a vortex. espresso quality was about as indistinguishable as can be, and I like the espresso/water ratio on the specialista Americano setting as well as the convenience of not needed to use the steam wand control to dispense hot water so the breville got relegated to storage.

yeah the barista pro and touch use baratza burrs, but the express is still brevilles in house design and the only thing it genuinely has over the delonghi model is the ability to pull the hopper(admittedly extremely nice to have). I will say my specialista audibly complained when I had a dark roast grinding below a level 4

We have DeLonghi Eletta because the kids like cold brew and it had that option. We are very happy with it. If you don’t need cold brew you can def get cheaper! I would have picked Evo or Magnifica. We got our Eletta on sale for about $1500 but think they were cheaper for Black Friday. Watch for sales!

Is this a trend with semi automatic machines? I have the la specialista arte and finding it difficult to get a smooth 20-30 second extraction. I feel like the coffee needs to be finer than the grinder is allowing

Hi, here's a link about the De'Longhi Specialista Arte that I own and use. You can make very good coffee with it, but be aware that you'll need to tweak things to get the most out of specialty coffee. https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/s/afxLkxYl1MCheers!

I bought a De'Longhi La Specialista Arte in 2019 for $500. Never had an issue, has a great grinder and everything you need and simple to use

I have the same machine, it's about 8 years old now, and still going strong. I've never had an issue with it either. I've found that the freshness of the beans makes the biggest difference. Find a local roaster and try some different beans until you find one that you like. Once you learn how to froth and texture the milk (takes a bit of practice), it's dead easy to use.