De'Longhi Magnifica S vs De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
Quick take: The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte heats up faster (40 seconds).
| Spec | De'Longhi Magnifica S | De'Longhi La Specialista Arte |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Milk Frother, Programmable, One-Touch, Adjustable Strength | Steam Wand, Manual Tamping Kit, Active Temperature Control |
| Approx. price | ~$700 | ~$700 |
| Type | Super-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 60 oz | 56 oz |
| Warm-up time | 45 seconds | 40 seconds |
| Steam wand | Panarello | Manual |
| Basket type | — | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Beginners | Beginners |
| Dimensions | 9.4 x 17.1 x 13.8 in | 11.2 x 14.4 x 15.9 in |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs | 18.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
De'Longhi Magnifica S
- ✓Easy one-touch operation
- ✓Built-in grinder
- ✓Compact for a super-auto
- ✓Good value
- ✗Basic milk frother
- ✗Not true barista-quality espresso
- ✗Plastic build
- ✗Limited customization
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
- ✓Included tamper, mat, and dosing funnel teach real technique
- ✓Three infusion temperature levels adapt to the roast
- ✓Good built-in grinder
- ✓Competitive price vs Barista Express
- ✗Thermoblock limits steam
- ✗Busy control panel
- ✗Proprietary portafilter size
- ✗Build quality not as premium as Breville
What owners say
De'Longhi Magnifica S
The Magnifica S is De'Longhi's perennial entry-level super-automatic — a bean-to-cup machine with a built-in conical burr grinder, an automatic brew unit, and a manual milk frother. It's one of the most-recommended 'I just want to press a button and get coffee' machines because it's compact, affordable for the category, and famously reliable, with a removable brew group you can rinse under the tap. Full owner insights →
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte
La Specialista Arte is De'Longhi's compact all-in-one with a built-in conical burr grinder, a 51mm portafilter, a manual tamping station, and a manual steam wand — aimed at people who want a single machine that grinds and brews with a more hands-on, 'barista' workflow than a super-auto. It positions itself as a step toward real technique while keeping everything in one unit. Full owner insights →
De'Longhi Magnifica S vs De'Longhi La Specialista Arte: common questions
Is the De'Longhi Magnifica S or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte easier to use day to day?
They are different classes of machine: the De'Longhi Magnifica S is a super-automatic that grinds, doses and brews at the touch of a button, while the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte is a semi-automatic you dose, tamp and time yourself. That difference matters more than any single spec on this page — it decides how much of the shot you control and how much the machine handles for you.
Which heats up faster, the De'Longhi Magnifica S or the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte?
The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte is ready sooner — 40 seconds against 45 seconds for the De'Longhi Magnifica S. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.