De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine vs Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso (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

Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso

9.4/10 Excellent

4.7★ (980 owners)

Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine	Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	9.4/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (6,800)	4.7★ (980)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso edges ahead with a 9.4/10 vs 9.0/10. Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home. That said, the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Espresso Machine is worth considering if Integrated grinder, 8 grind settings, manual tamping station, steam wand, compact. Hands-on espresso. 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

Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso

Flow profiling paddle controls water pressure during extraction for advanced espresso technique
Dual boiler PID allows precise simultaneous brewing and steaming temperature control
E61 group head thermal stability is the professional extraction standard
Italian manufactured by Lelit — family espresso equipment brand since 1993
Flow profiling unlocks extraction variables that fixed-pressure machines can't access

£2,200+ — flow profiling is an advanced feature requiring espresso skill to benefit from
Flow paddle requires technique development to extract meaningful improvement

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi La Specialista or Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual?

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

The Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

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 Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual best suited to?

Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home.

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. Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso: £2,200+ — flow profiling is an advanced feature requiring espresso skill to benefit from; Flow paddle requires technique development to extract meaningful improvement.

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 Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso at 4.7★ from 980.

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