De'Longhi EC9355.M Espresso Machine - Review 🏆

De'Longhi is an Italian manufacturer known for its wide range of kitchen appliances, including coffee makers. The De'Longhi Specialista Prestigio EC9355.M is one of their premium espresso machine models designed for home use.

The EC9355.M features a built-in conical burr grinder with 13 adjustable settings, allowing you to grind beans right before brewing for optimal freshness. It has a manual milk frothing wand to help you create creamy cappuccinos and lattes. The digital display lets you adjust grind size, shot volume, and temperature. Other highlights include a rapid steam boiler, adjustable spouts, and a removable drip tray. Overall, the Specialista aims to bring cafe-quality espresso and milk drinks into your home.

Design and Build Quality

The De'Longhi EC9355.M Specialista Prestigio has a sleek and modern design that looks great on any countertop. It has a durable die-cast metal body with stainless steel and plastic accents. The machine weighs in at 23.8 pounds, making it substantial enough to stay put during the brewing and steaming process.

The machine comes in a stylish matte black finish that gives it an elegant look. The metal portafilter handle, dispensing spouts, and steam wand also feature a matte black coating that matches nicely with the body. The plastic water reservoir and bean hopper have a smoother finish and the stainless steel drip tray provides an accent. Overall the aesthetic is clean, minimalist, and refined.

The machine feels very sturdy and solidly built. The metal body does not flex or creak under pressure. All parts fit together precisely with tight tolerances. The buttons have a satisfying click and the portafilter locks into the group head with a sturdy snap. This gives confidence in the build quality and durability of the machine.

Attention to detail and quality of construction are evident throughout the Specialista Prestigio. The portafilter has a commercial-style spout and a substantial weight and balance. The articulating steam wand makes it easy to texture milk. The 58mm chrome-plated brass portafilter and stainless steel brewing unit are made to last through years of daily use.

With a 3.5 inch color TFT display, programmable menu settings, and Bluetooth connectivity, the Specialista Prestigio has the kind of tech features you'd expect in a high-end super automatic espresso machine. Yet it retains the familiar manual process that espresso traditionalists love. This blend of modern technology and hands-on espresso brewing creates an ideal user experience.

De'Longhi has a reputation for making quality kitchen appliances that perform well and look great. The EC9355.M Specialista Prestigio fits right in line with that reputation. It has a clean, elegant design backed up by commercial grade internals. With proper care and maintenance, this machine can last for many years of daily home use. If you're looking for a durable and well-crafted manual espresso machine with modern conveniences, the De'Longhi EC260BK Specialista Prestigio is a great choice.

Grinder

The De'Longhi EC9355.M Specialista Prestigio comes with a built-in conical burr grinder, allowing you to freshly grind coffee beans right before brewing your espresso. The grinder has 13 adjustable grind settings, so you can fine-tune the grind size to suit different coffee types and achieve the right extraction.

The grind settings are clearly marked from extra-fine for lighter roasts up to coarse for darker roasts. Adjusting the grind size is simple - just turn the hopper dial to the desired setting. The burrs are made from hardened steel for durability and a consistent grind.

The grinder has a generous capacity of 120g of beans. That's enough to make several espresso shots in one session before you need to refill the hopper. The hopper also has an airtight lid to help keep your beans fresh.

Overall, the built-in grinder is a real highlight of this espresso machine. With 13 grind settings, solid steel burrs and generous capacity, it gives you flexibility and convenience for grinding beans on demand. The ability to freshly grind beans right before extraction is key to making high quality espresso.

Having a built-in grinder on your espresso machine is very convenient, as it allows you to grind beans to the ideal size for your preferred roast and extraction method. However, there are some limitations to built-in grinders compared to standalone grinders. The grinders on espresso machines tend to have smaller burrs, less power, and fewer grind settings than standalone grinders. This can limit their versatility, especially for brewing methods other than espresso.

If you plan to only brew espresso drinks, a built-in grinder like the one on the De'Longhi Specialista Prestigio will serve you well. It has ample grind settings and capacity for day-to-day espresso making. But if you want to explore other brew methods like pour over or French press, you may find a standalone grinder offers more flexibility. Popular standalone grinders include the Baratza Encore and Baratza Virtuoso, which have 40+ grind settings for both espresso and filter brewing.

When shopping for an espresso machine with a built-in grinder, be sure to check the grind settings, burr material, and hopper capacity. You want steel or ceramic burrs, at least 10 grind settings, and a hopper that holds 100g+ of beans. The De'Longhi Specialista Prestigio fits these criteria nicely. Just keep in mind that a standalone grinder may be a better choice if you want maximum versatility for other brew methods.

Using freshly ground coffee is key for making delicious espresso drinks. Pre-ground coffee quickly loses its aromas and flavors. With a built-in grinder, you can grind whole beans right before extraction to enjoy the freshest taste possible. But don't underestimate the difference a quality standalone grinder can make too. A good grinder with steel burrs and precise grind settings can elevate your coffee game.

When it comes to noise level, built-in coffee grinders are not usually as quiet as standalone grinders designed for home use. The grinders built into espresso machines have smaller burrs and motors, so they tend to make more noise when grinding. Standalone grinders from reputable brands like Baratza put more engineering into dampening noise and vibration.

However, the grinders on quality espresso machines like the De'Longhi Specialista aren't terribly loud either. The noise level is comparable to a small food processor running. You'll hear the whir of the grinder for about 10-20 seconds while you grind a dose of beans. It's not disruptive enough to be a dealbreaker. Just don't expect the same ultra-quiet operation as a high-end standalone grinder.

Cleaning and maintenance are important for any coffee grinder. Luckily, the process is fairly straightforward on most built-in espresso machine grinders. De'Longhi recommends cleaning the burrs and hopper monthly to keep the grinder running smoothly. Simply use the included brush to sweep out any old grounds stuck in the burrs. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe down the hopper and sweep out any debris.

Proper cleaning removes old coffee residue that can negatively impact flavor and grind consistency. If you notice the grinder output slowing down or getting clumpy, it's a sign it's due for a cleaning. With regular monthly cleaning and maintenance, the built-in grinder on the De'Longhi Specialista Prestigio will deliver fresh, flavorful grounds for years.

Brewing

The Specialista Prestigio utilizes De'Longhi's advanced thermoblock brewing system to heat the water and optimize espresso extraction. The brewing unit is precisely engineered to reach ideal water temperatures up to 96°C.

Brewing pressure is electronically controlled up to 19 bars to saturate the coffee grinds and extract the oils and flavors from the beans. This level of pressure allows you to make rich, aromatic espresso with thick crema just like a café.

A unique flow control feature lets you manually adjust the pre-infusion time to dampen the coffee grounds before full pressure extraction. Pre-infusion helps enhance the flavor profile and balances acidity and bitterness.

The brew time is programmable in 3 steps - short, standard, and long. This gives you flexibility to customize the contact time between water and coffee based on the blend and roast level, allowing you to fine-tune the taste of the espresso.

Overall, the Specialista Prestigio gives you professional-level control over key brewing parameters like pressure, temperature, and time to craft specialty coffee drinks.

Steam Wand

The De'Longhi EC9355.M comes with a powerful steam wand that heats up quickly, reaching steaming temperature in under 30 seconds. This allows you to steam milk and create frothy microfoam with ease.

The steam wand provides excellent control over milk texturing. It produces smooth, silky microfoam that transitions beautifully from airy foam to velvety steamed milk. With some practice, you can create stunning latte art with intricate fern designs or rosetta patterns. The consistency of the microfoam makes it easy to pour and draw in the cup.

Overall, the steam wand delivers commercial-grade performance for home use. The fast heating, power, and precise control allow you to texture milk like a pro and create cafe-quality milk drinks. Latte art is certainly achievable for home baristas with the EC9355.M steam wand.

Ease of Use

The De'Longhi EC9355.M Specialista is designed to be easy to use for both beginners and experienced baristas. The control panel features an intuitive layout with buttons for programming your shots, steaming milk, and adjusting grind settings.

The machine allows you to program two separate espresso profiles to customize shot volumes and extraction times. You can adjust the grind size right on the machine's display using the integrated grinder's dial. This makes it simple to tweak your grind for optimal extraction without guesswork.

Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward with this model. The drip tray, water tank, and other removable parts can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The machine also features an automated cleaning cycle and descaling program to maintain performance. The burrs are removable for deep cleaning of the grinder when needed.

Overall, the Specialista combines automation and customizable options in an easy-to-master machine. Novices can rely on the presets and experienced users can fine-tune shots to their exact preferences. The simple interface and maintenance make it a convenient choice for daily use.

Additional Features

The De'Longhi EC9355.M has some nice additional features that enhance the coffee making experience:

• Cup Warmer: The machine has a cup warming tray on top that keeps your cups or mugs nice and warm before you make your coffee drink. This helps maintain the optimal temperature when the espresso or milk drink is poured in.

• Water Reservoir: The 60oz water reservoir is conveniently located on the front left of the machine. It has an integrated water filter and is easy to access and refill. The generous capacity means you can brew many cups before needing a refill.

• Accessories Included: This espresso machine comes with 2 filters (1 cup and 2 cup), as well as a tamper, measuring scoop, and cleaning brush. The tamper helps you properly press and compact the ground coffee in the portafilter for optimal flavor extraction.

Taste of Espresso and Milk Drinks

The De'Longhi Specialista produces espresso with an excellent, balanced flavor and a nice, thick crema on top. The espresso shots have a rich, intense taste without any bitterness.

The milk steaming wand on the Specialista does an exceptional job of producing silky smooth milk foam. It's easy to get the milk to the ideal temperature and consistency for making cappuccinos and lattes. The machine is capable of making cafe-quality milk drinks with a nice microfoam texture.

The milk drinks like cappuccinos and lattes made with the Specialista taste amazing. The espresso blends beautifully with the frothed milk. The temperature and ratios are easy to get right every time. Overall, the Specialista makes espresso and milk drinks that rival high-end cafe beverages.

Pros and Cons

Summary of positives

• Sleek and stylish design that looks great on any countertop
• High-quality stainless steel and chrome accents make it feel premium
• Built-in conical burr grinder grinds beans right before brewing for maximum freshness
• Digital display and menu system is intuitive and easy to navigate
• Makes cafe-quality espresso with excellent crema and rich flavor
• Steaming wand froths milk quickly and evenly for velvety microfoam
• Many advanced features like shot timer, temperature control, etc.
• Easy to use and maintain overall

Summary of negatives

• Very expensive, especially for a home model
• Requires some learning curve to master all features
• Built-in grinder may still not satisfy espresso aficionados
• Takes up a lot of counter space
• Steam wand pours milk out quickly making latte art challenging
• Cleaning and descaling can be time consuming

Conclusion

Overall, the De'Longhi Specialista Prestigio EC9355.M is an excellent semi-automatic espresso machine that produces café-quality espresso and milk drinks at home. It has a sleek, modern design with stainless steel accents that will look great on any kitchen counter.

The built-in burr grinder grinds beans right before extraction, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor. The digital display and menu system make it easy to customize your shots and milk steaming. Espresso pulls have excellent pressure and richness, while the steam wand creates silky, creamy milk foam.

For espresso enthusiasts who want more control than super automatics but don't want the hassle of a manual lever machine, the Specialista hits a nice sweet spot. It's simple enough for beginners but has features advanced users will appreciate.

Overall, if you're looking for exceptional home espresso with customization options, the De'Longhi Specialista Prestigio is an excellent choice worth the investment. It will allow you to make cafe-quality drinks at home for years to come.