Price: $899.95
(as of Nov 04, 2024 12:44:10 UTC - Details)

Craft espresso effortlessly with the intuitive La Specialista Opera from De’Longhi. Created for the at-home barista, this stylish machine equips you with the tools to craft custom espresso drinks all while keeping you in control of the process. The Italian-made burr grinder has 15 precise grind settings, developed to expertly grind all bean varieties in a single or double dose, ensuring a precisely brewed espresso, every time. The La Specialista Opera comes equipped with Smart Tamping technology, helping you achieve an even tamp and consistent extraction eliminating the guesswork and the mess. The Active Temperature Control allows you to select one of 3 temperature settings to match water infusion temperature to beans for optimal extraction, allowing you to get the best flavor. De’Longhi’s proprietary Cold Extraction Technology allows you to enjoy the refreshing cold brew and espresso cool recipes in under 5 minutes. This innovative technology utilizes precisely measured water flow and pressure rates, along with specific extraction temperatures, to create a delicious cold brew beverage. Finally, the powerful, commercial-style steam wand heats up quickly, delivering the right steam pressure needed to create consistently smooth microfoam for latte art. Save time with the five beverage presets - espresso, americano, cold brew, espresso cool, and hot water. Craft espresso at home, effortlessly, with La Specialista Opera from De'Longhi.
Perfect, consistent grinding with a built-in grinder with 15 precise settings that ensure optimal single or double dose and grind size.
Powerful, commercial-style steam wand heats up quickly, and delivers the right steam pressure needed to create consistently smooth micro-foam for latte art.
La Specialista Opera has a 19 bar Italian pump that delivers perfect pressure, essential throughout the whole brewing process, from low pressure during pre-infusion, to the optimal 9 bars of high pressure during extraction.
Smart Tamping Technology eliminates the guesswork and mess when tamping. Simply pull the lever to tamp and achieve an even tamp and consistent extraction every time.
With 3 infusion temperatures, Active Temperature Control provides stability and control in the brewing process. Customize temperature settings at the touch of a button to match water infusion temperature to beans for optimal extraction.
Reviewer: Dave
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Love it!
Review: This thing is simply great. The built in lever tamper makes it not only so much easier, but there is zero mess. Between my old grinder and tamping, the counter was always covered in espresso grinds. The ability to click and get an americano, instead of having to add an extra step, the whole experience is just great. I spent 15 years with cheaper machines and this is simply luxury. I'm very glad I got this instead of the lower model that was half the price.

Reviewer: Dianne L.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent espresso machine (and cold brew)
Review: I've been looking for a high end espresso machine for a long time. I'm extremely happy and impressed and haven't gotten coffee out at a coffee stand for the past week (I used to go once or sometimes even twice a day).This machine came fast, 1 day shipping. It's packaged extremely well with no damage. Detailed and quick guide instructions included as well as various parts for making espresso shots. Multiple shot and style sizes included.I followed the quick guide only and had an iced Americano with cream and flavor completed and better, yes BETTER, quality than most of the coffees I buy at stands. I'm so impressed still even after almost a week. The grinder and press works so easily, the quick guide states the settings for various coffee shot strengths and types. For the novice like me it made it super easy, for a more experienced batista, this machine has every option the ones in the stands have. It's not a cheap $200 to $500 machine where you wonder if it'll keep working, the espresso can be inconsistent, etc.. It's like having a commercial machine at home. I literally have not gotten coffee out since, I feel bad for my daily baristas, but I already make it better and in proper order than them.Just as an example, I turn on the machine, put the portafilter on the grinding and press, hit the 2shot button, pull the lever. Move that to the shot side, hit "Okay" and two creamy coffee shots in seconds. I do that twice and have a 4shot flavored and iced Americano after I pour the espresso on the flavor, mix, add cream, mix, add ice. Turn off machine. It's that easy.I haven't experimented with the cold brew as much yet, it's fascinating and works easily as well. The machine is already worth the price to me just for espresso shot making ability alone. I spend $210+ a month on coffee, considering the cost of my own supplies I've estimated I can make about 15 iced coffees including plastic cups, lids, cream, flavor for the price of one at coffee stand. 4 shot iced coffees. So more if you use less coffee. For me personally, the machine will pay itself off in less than 1 year and I'm more happy than ever with a great coffee that's consistent daily.The machine looks so sharp and good, I had a spot for it, but I moved it so it's more visible in the kitchen. It comes with a couple descaling and cleaning packets. Detailed instructions for that. It's very easy to clean daily, seconds.I can highly recommend this espresso machine. Even without the additional types of coffee it can make, it's already more than worth it to me. With those it's just over the top. It really does look and feel like a commercial machine. I've had 0 issues or errors so far.One last thing, it's so fun and cheap, I've been making coffees for the family as well haha. I'm starting to look up accessories already, it's exciting to have this new power in my own kitchen.Very, very happy with this product. This is the longest Amazon review I've ever given. I just want someone who is wondering about it or is maybe on the edge of debating if it's worth it to know - even without the extra abilities I think it's worth it, so if you include those it's not even a hesitation.- signed Home Barista

Reviewer: ShailaR
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Now a home barista! Best machine
Review: Wow, best one yet. Now I can make coffee from start (grind) to finish (added touch). I do have one about the same size with less features from 9 years ago. And my cousin has the top most from this brand. But I love this! This one takes my game up a notch and adds more fun. The machine might look intimidating but it is easy to learn in a few minutes, even if you never used one of these before. It makes great hot or cold expresso or brew. Froth milk in no time. Try different settings for temperature, bean grinding, dose level, etc. Try different syrups. Alternate with cold if you had too much or have reflux issues as cold is lower acidity. You will always get better coffee in your own machine vs the burnt stuff from many commercial places. You can also learn good vs burnt and make it better as you go.Great design. Starts with a bean grinder that powers on at press of x1 or x2. I use x2 mostly at dose 20. Smart tamper is a plus. I press it 2x. It comes with 4 baskets for portafilter. The smallest one is handy but not used so much. The portafilter turns smoothly and easily on the brew side. At a press of the ok button, it drips. There are no coffee grounds in the cup. Then froth with milk halfway or less in the steel cup. The steamer pipe seems to be insulated as it does not get much heat to touch. It is flexible but could use a bit more. Either way, love this upgrade. Wipe clean as soon as frothing is finished to prevent build up. I also only use filter water in the machine to prevent hard water issues or scale buildup in the removable water compartment. It does come with a descaler solution for maintenance.Overall, this machine does make noise but much quieter than expected. Definitely will not wake up anyone. It comes with all the accessories required to get started. Just keep a couple cups ready. Try various coffee beans here to make your own signature beverage. As I mentioned earlier that my relative has the fully digital version and it has a milk bottle jug insert, this one lets you do more customization. I have to play with the submenus next. It is also easy machine once you follow the 10 minute startup from the quick guide or instruction booklet for first use. Then follow the color pictorial quick guide. It only takes minutes to make a fresh brew to go. The machine auto shuts off. This new espresso machine is here to stay.

Reviewer: Prime Ninja
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I always wanted a more serious espresso machine after having used a variety of automatics from different manufacturers. I've had great experiences with De'Longhi coffee makers so I was really excited to give this a try. This machine felt like a really good entry machine that didn't feel intimidatingly manual -- offering a number of automatic features like presets. I really like machines that can go automatic but give you control if you want it.The machine itself looks awesome and (in my opinion) quite impressive on the counter top. With the grinder, it does stand quite tall at almost 17.5". I had issues with it being too tall for the under cabinet lighting valance on my normal counter-tops. It weighs about 28 pounds so it's a fairly hefty machine but it also features a nice sturdy stainless steel body.The design is practical, with a generous removable water tank and a layout that I found intuitive to use. You can see all the controls at a glance, making it easy to get started even if you’re new to espresso machines.One of the standout features is the built-in conical burr grinder with 15 settings, giving you a range of grind options to suit different beans and brew styles. The really cool feature is its "smart dosing" technology that automatically adjusts the grind and volume based on the bean type and freshness. This is supposed to make it easy to get consistent results with different beans. I'm not sure if my taste buds are discerning enough to notice subtle differences, but I found the coffee produced with La Specialista Opera to be very good and consistent.The integrated tamping station is another highlight. It applies 44 pounds of pressure to evenly tamp your coffee grounds. If you prefer, you can still tamp manually using the included tamper, but I personally have no reason to choose that option.The steam wand is great for frothing milk. I've used it to make both lattes and cappuccinos. It heats up quickly and delivers the perfect steam pressure for some nice smooth foam. The wand seems really well insulated as it always stayed cool to the touch. I was even more impressed that the machine came with a stainless steel milk jug too so it was all set for steaming right away.In terms of versatility, the La Specialista Opera goes beyond the basics with preset beverage options like Cold Brew and “Espresso Cool.” Although apparently not a true cold brew, it can produce something similar in under five minutes. I'm not a cold brew fan so I'm not the best judge. The “Espresso Cool” feature brews the espresso at a lower temperature to preserve the beans’ flavours without bitterness and is intended to be ideal for iced coffees. For those of you who want fine control of your brewing process, this machine offers three adjustable temperature settings.Maintenance is straightforward, with many dishwasher-safe parts and a simple cleaning routine. The steam wand just needs a quick wipe-down after each use. The machine itself will require a periodic descaling like most other machines. For deeper cleaning, the group head, bean hopper, and water tank are all easy to access.Overall, the DeLonghi La Specialista Opera offers a great balance of automation and hands-on control. I think this makes it ideal for both beginners like me as well as more experienced espresso enthusiasts. It's an impressive machine that makes great coffee. It has enough automatic and manual options to keep me experimenting and having fun with the process for a while! I'm enjoying and having fun with my new at-home barista role!

Reviewer: Hydropsyche
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This thing is a battleship of flavor, so make sure you have the counterspace.I like good coffee and always had top notch coffee makers. I had a Bonavita for years until it recently gave up the ghost. I replaced it with a Technivorm Moccamaster ($450) and an Ode Gen 2 flat burr grinder ($450). Since I went down the coffee rabbit hole, I started to do cuppings, and I even roasted some beans. I discovered the difference between a good and bad cup of coffee.Enter this thing. I hesitated because of the size but when I measured the space the Moccamaster and grinder took up, this is only about an inch wider in either direction. Then there is the cost. This is only about $300 more. So here are the reasons I put my Moccamaster away and now use this exclusively.Its easier to make coffee. The Moccamaster is a batch brewer, and the grinder is a dose grinder. I had to weight the beans, grind them, grab a filter and load the Moccamaster, fill it with water, brew it, replace the carafe lid and clean the filter/carafe later. That is a lot of work. With this, you push a button, tamp, transfer the portafilter, hit another button and you’re done (minus the occasional cleanup/water refill). Its almost as quick as a Keurig but a lot more environmentally friendly, tastier and cheaper in the long run.Because its so simple to use, everyone in the house knows how to make their own cup, what they want, when they want. Since you can make any kind of coffee, and they are all as delicious as any you would get in a coffee shop, this totally changed our appreciation for what you can do at home. Cold brew? That was never on the menu. BTW, each double shot weighs around 19 grams, so you will go through more coffee in general, but its well worth it.If there is one thing I really, really wished they changed was the fact you can NOT change the beans. 😭 I would sooooo much love to be able to switch over to decaf coffee for an after-dinner treat. Alas, I still have to use my Ode grinder and Aeropress for that. At least I can use this to froth the milk.There are a lot of reviews on how easy it is to dial this in and use, so I won’t repeat all that here. I just wanted to let you know that compared to batch brewing or instant cup Keurig like makers, this will top those any day. The cost may shock you, but I think in the long run, if you really appreciate coffee and are considering the more expensive brewing choices out there, seriously consider this instead. I don’t think I’ll ever go back, its that good.

Reviewer: Alicia
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: **I want to preface this review by stating that this is the first espresso machine that I have used. I have only ever used a Keurig, Tassimo, or manual coffee makers before (e.g. French press, Chemex, moka pot) this.**The De'Longhi specialista opera espresso machine is a relatively compact coffee/espresso maker with several built in functions to get the most out of your coffee beans. This is a pricier machine but it does come with many features that make it worth the money if you are a coffee lover. The Specialista Opera can grind your beans with 15 coarseness settings from fine to coarse, has smart tamping to reduce additional equipment and mess, and can brew both hot and cold coffee including espresso, Americano, coffee, and cold brew (still recommend you add ice). This all-in-one machine reduces the need for multiple different coffee related appliances as it is all built in - you don't need a separate Burr grinder, milk frother/warmer, scoops etc. This machine came with additional accessories that you can use for making coffee such as additional filters for hot and cold coffee, descaler, and a frothing pitcher. The water tank in the back is also relatively large so you don't need to refill often - it is also detachable so that you can take it right over to your sink for refills instead of using a pitcher.There are several indicator lights found on the front of the machine with a detailed guide found in the user manual and on the De'Longhi website. It is a bit daunting for first time baristas to troubleshoot the issues initially, but I did get used to how I'm supposed to use the machine after 3-4 uses. I would highly recommend that first-time users check out the De'Longhi YouTube page for instructional videos.Overall, the espresso brewed from this machine is far superior in taste and flavour than other methods of coffee brewing that I have used previously. With the extraction process, I can actually taste the flavours listed on the coffee bean's label (e.g. fruity notes, nutty notes etc.). In comparison to the Chemex and the moka pot, the flavours drawn out by the Specialista Opera are much deeper and full-bodied. It is well worth the price if you want to upgrade your at-home coffee system. With this machine, I don't anticipate that I will ever need to go to an actual cafe when I can make the same, or better, coffee at home.Pros:- Multiple settings available for those who want the optimal brew (ground coarseness setting, depth, 1-2 shots, smart tamping, temperature etc.)- Built in coffee grinder with 15 coarseness settings from fine to coarse- Ability to brew several types of hot and cold coffee including espresso, americano, cold brew, or regular coffee- Built-in milk steamer/frother that is easy to use and heats up milk very quickly (under 30-40 seconds)- Additional accessories included (frothing pitcher, descaler, additional tamping cups)- Super easy to tell whether your dosing funnel is locked into place (clear labels on the machine)- Instruction manual is helpful for setting your grind coarseness, temperature etc. based on the type of coffee machine that you're using- Relatively compact size to fit on a small coffee cart or small countersCons:- If you're a beginner at-home barista, you will likely need to look up some videos on how to use this machine to its full potential; De Longhi offers a lot of helpful YouTube videos- Lots of indicator lights and silly reasons as to why they're on (e.g. if you leave the dosing funnel in the machine before adjusting the settings, one of the light turns red and you won't be able to use the grinder)- Lots of troubleshooting required if you're a beginner, but will probably get used to it over time

Reviewer: Reviewed in Canada
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I'll start by telling you why I didn't give it 5 stars: lazy engineering.I paid $900 for a DeLonghi espress maker many years ago, and it definitely paid for itself compared to constantly buying pods. However, it suffered a premature death out of warranty because I had had to make a cross-country move in the winter. The water in the boiler/lines froze and broke a plastic conenctor.The repair would have cost me half the value of a used machine, so I ended up going the DIY route; but of course they don't let you buy the replacemnt plastic piece and o-rings, so I had to get them mailed to me from a kind repair shop in Australia. I managed to rescue the machine, but I ended up buying a Jura E8 in the mean time because it took a long time to diagnose the proiblem, find the parts, and do the repair.I wrote it off as a learning experience, and took note that next time I'll definitely want to drain the machine..... and that brings us to why I dropped a star (and feel like dropping it 2). I used the live chat feature on the site to ask about making a winter move (it's an amazing service; it's fast to link you with an expert, and the experts they link you up with are quite knowlegeable). Their answer? Still no way to drain the machine, and when a repaired machine is mailed in the winter they tend to be mailed with a long-lasting heat pack in the box to prevent freeze damage.People are going to move, people are going to have to store their things in storage, people will have to ship machines for repair -- it's very reasonable to think these are going to see freezing temperatures. To still, many years after my first machine died, have no way of draining the system is irresponsible. My Jura has a procedure for flushing -- run a cleaning cycle, remove the water and run a few short brew cycles, then leave the steam system open for a week before the move to allow residual water to evaporate out.----Now that I've gotten my complaint out of the way, on to the flattering part.It does a great job grinding beans and offers a ton of flexibility in terms of grind size and dose size. Tamping is incredibly simple and fast. It offers great advice for starting points given your roast type.My dark roast espresso was delightfully bitter, and the first americano I made with the machine tasted better than the expensive cups at McDonalds.Even though it's a manual (as opposed to the Super Automatics I usually use like the Jura E8) the effort required is negligable and low skilled. It's incredibly quick to grind, tamp, and draw -- maybe 2 or 3 minutes from power on to drink in hand -- and after some trial and error perfecting the settings for your beans and tastes, the results are perfectly reproducible every time.I'm sure I made well over a thousand cups with my first DeLonghi before the harsh Canadian winters ruined it, and now that I know how to keep this one safe, I'm sure I'll be enjoying coffee from it for many years to come.The quality of the drinks is top notch, cleaning is incredibly simple and quick, and the machine looks amazing!I've spent at least $5,000 on high end machines throughout my lifetime, and I don't regret any of it. Compared to wasting time in a drive through paying a few dollars a day, or buying expensive pods, I'm sure I've saved more than I've spent.

Reviewer: Mirn
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Insanely good and as you know, a good espresso machine doesn't come cheap but quality doesn't always match the price. This machine definitely matches its price tag and does more than what I'd expect. I think the difference-maker here is that it's easier to use than most "professional" style espresso machines. It has presets, it has a built-in grinder, and it even makes it easier to tamp. A lot of these things are usually off-putting to coffee lovers and it's what stops them from buying something more expensive. These functions easily makes it more than worth it for someone like me who's been trying to make better coffee but confused at where to start.I will say it's initially intimidating and does require reading more than what you'd typically see out of something like a coffee pod machine, but it'll be worth it in the end. The many options is a great thing as you may not always want the same cup of coffee. I personally love the cold brew for those hotter days when I just want to cool down. It's getting colder now so I'm a little sad I won't be using it for a while, but the other options for hot coffee make up for it.Another thing I must mention is that I'm in love with the built-in grinder. One of the pain points of my previous machine is that while it performed decently, I always had to lug out a separate grinder and it got annoying after a while. The grinder here not only works great because of convenience, but actually has decent options for grind size with 15 settings.I personally haven't had to do a deep clean yet but general maintenance is a breeze. They make all the parts accessible and easy to remove and reattach so I'm not suffering when cleaning. Obviously you will still have to descale as you'd expect, but every machine has to go through that process eventually.Other things like the milk frother and large water tank just add on to an already amazing machine.Overall, this is more than worth the price tag as it's extremely practical and functional. It makes it a lot easier to brew a nice cup of coffee than the espresso machines of old while still allowing you to have tons of customization options. If you're looking to take your coffee game to the next level, this will do that and more.