De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine vs De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine

9.0/10 Excellent

4.5★ (6,800 owners)

Integrated grinder, 8 grind settings, manual tamping station, steam wand, compact. Hands-on espresso.

Full Review

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup

8.9/10 Great

4.5★ (8,600 owners)

2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	8.9/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (6,800)	4.5★ (8,600)
Verdict	Excellent	Great
Grinder	Integrated 8-setting	13-step
Steam	Manual wand	Manual wand

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine: Integrated grinder, 8 grind settings, manual tamping station, steam wand, compact. Hands-on espresso. De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup: 2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine

Integrated conical burr grinder with 8 settings dials in espresso grind precisely
Built-in tamping station guides consistent tamping technique
Active temperature control maintains stable extraction temperature
Manual steam wand develops genuine latte art and microfoam skill
Compact footprint for a machine with an integrated grinder

Manual machine — requires technique development unlike fully automatic alternatives
54mm portafilter rather than 58mm commercial standard
Single boiler — brief wait between brewing and steaming

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup

Under £300 — most affordable De'Longhi bean-to-cup reviewed with genuine espresso extraction
2-step brewing process makes setup intuitive for first-time bean-to-cup users
Arabica bean selector adjusts extraction profile for the most popular bean type
13-step grinder adjustment covers espresso through long coffee brewing preferences
De'Longhi's 35-year espresso heritage at the starter bean-to-cup tier

Manual steam wand requires practice — not one-touch like Magnifica Evo
Less automatic than Magnifica Evo — manual steaming suits some, frustrates others
1.8L tank frequent refilling for 4+ cup per day households

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi La Specialista or De'Longhi Magnifica Start?

Is the De'Longhi La Specialista worth the extra cost?

Yes — De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine scores higher at 9.0/10 vs 8.9/10.

Who is the De'Longhi La Specialista best suited to?

Integrated grinder, 8 grind settings, manual tamping station, steam wand, compact. Hands-on espresso.

Who is the De'Longhi Magnifica Start best suited to?

2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup.

What are the main downsides of each?

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine: Manual machine — requires technique development unlike fully automatic alternatives; 54mm portafilter rather than 58mm commercial standard. De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup: Manual steam wand requires practice — not one-touch like Magnifica Evo; Less automatic than Magnifica Evo — manual steaming suits some, frustrates others.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine sits at 4.5★ from 6,800 verified Amazon owners, and De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup at 4.5★ from 8,600.

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