The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo EC9255 is a manual espresso machine with an integrated grinder and a distinctive single-dose cold-brew function. It suits buyers who want to adjust their coffee and prepare milk by hand; it is less compelling if you expect automatic frothing, assisted tamping, or a machine that does most of the work for you.
Make sure you are looking at the EC9255
The model code matters: Tom’s Guide distinguishes the cold-brew-capable EC9255 from the EC9155, which does not have that feature. Check the complete suffix on the listing, because regional variants can differ in specifications and what comes in the box. The official page cited here is for the EC9255.M. Tom’s Guide’s model distinction and De’Longhi’s EC9255.M product page are useful checks.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What the EC9255 offers
De’Longhi describes the EC9255.M as a manual espresso maker with an integrated grinder. Its listed drink functions are espresso, Americano/Long Black, and cold brew. The page also lists grinder and temperature settings, a manual milk system, a metal tamper, and a milk jug. These are details for the EC9255.M page, not a guarantee that every regional EC9255 variant has identical specifications or accessories.
| EC9255.M specification | Value listed by De’Longhi |
|---|---|
| Pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Water tank | 1.7 litres |
| Input power | 1450 W |
| Heating system | Thermoblock |
| Dimensions | 285 × 365 × 400 mm |
| Listed product weight | 11.7 kg |
Those figures come from De’Longhi’s current EC9255.M product page, accessed in 2026. Check your local listing for the exact model, voltage, dimensions and included tools before purchase. In particular, measure counter depth and allow practical access to the water tank and controls rather than treating the listed dimensions as the full clearance requirement.
#1 Best Overall
- #1 Worldwide Espresso Machine Maker* *Independent Research Institute, Sales Leader, Full Year 2025
- BUILT-IN CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Delivers a precise, consistent dose of freshly ground coffee with 15 grind settings for single or double espresso and cold brew drinks.
- COLD EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY: Enjoy cold brew in under 5 minutes using De'Longhi's proprietary technology, developed with the Specialty Coffee Association for optimal flavor.
- POWERFUL STEAM WAND: Commercial-style wand heats up quickly and delivers the right steam pressure to create consistently smooth micro-foam, perfect for latte art at home.
- ACTIVE TEMPERATURE CONTROL & IDEAL PRESSURE: Choose from 3 temperature settings and benefit from a 15-bar Italian pump that ensures optimal 9-bar pressure during extraction.
How the cold brew feature works—and what to expect
Cold brew is the EC9255’s clearest distinction from the EC9155. De’Longhi says the machine uses room-temperature water and advertises a single-dose cold brew in under five minutes. That is the manufacturer’s claim, not an independently established guarantee of preparation time or taste. De’Longhi’s product description explains the feature.
TechRadar’s reviewer found the cold-brew option needed adjustment to get the result they wanted. That is a useful caution: a quick cycle does not mean every bean, grind or personal preference will produce an ideal cup without experimentation. The publication’s observation is not a controlled comparison or a promise about every user’s results. TechRadar’s coverage describes its experience.
Rank #2
- BUILT-IN BURR GRINDER. The conical burr grinder delivers a precise, consistent dose of freshly ground coffee for a single or double espresso and cold brew drinks. With 8 grind settings, explore your favorite bean varieties and prepare them for optimal extraction.
- POWERFUL STEAM WAND. This commercial-style steam wand heats up quickly, delivers the right steam pressure needed to create consistently smooth micro-foam, optimal for latte art right at home.
- COLD EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY. Enjoy cold brew in under 5 minutes with De’Longhi’s proprietary Cold Extraction Technology. This innovative technology, developed in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association, utilizes precisely measured water flow and pressure rates, along with specific extraction temperatures, to create delicious single Cold Brew coffee in less than five minutes.
- BARISTA KIT. The professional barista toolkit makes your experience mess-free and easier than ever with the dosing and tamping guide and tamping mat. With these tools, applying the right pressure on each grind is easier than ever for consistent extraction results, every time.
- IDEAL PRESSURE. La Specialista Arte Evo has a 15 bar Italian pump that delivers perfect pressure, which is essential during the whole brewing process, from low pressure during pre-infusion, to the optimal 9 bar of high pressure during extraction.
Espresso, grinding and milk are hands-on
The integrated grinder keeps grinding and espresso preparation in one machine, while the adjustable grind and temperature settings give the owner room to experiment. The trade-off is that the workflow is not automatic: you prepare the puck, tamp it, lock in the portafilter, pull the shot and texture milk yourself. Tom’s Guide describes a tamping collar and separate tamper, which can help contain grounds during manual tamping but does not turn tamping into an automated step.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Review observations should be read with an important qualification. Tom’s Guide says the Arte Evo it tested was the non-cold-brew TrueStart Edition, not the EC9255. Its comments on espresso, grinder and steam performance therefore are not hands-on EC9255 cold-brew test results. The reviewer liked the built-in grinder, espresso extraction, steam-wand power and tamping collar, but reported that the wand sits low, the grinder is not removable, and the wand does not automatically purge. The reviewer also used grinder settings 3 and 4 with medium-roast beans during that particular test; those settings are not universal recommendations. Tom’s Guide’s review identifies the tested version and its observations.
Rank #3
- MANUAL HAND-TEXTURED MICROFOAM: The powerful steam wand on this cappuccino maker and latte machine is designed to quickly turn milk into smooth, flavorful microfoam for creating latte art at home
- PRECISE DOSE GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder on bean-to-cup espresso machine grinds on demand to deliver correct amount of freshly ground coffee directly into portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and draws out all the flavors evenly during the extraction for a balanced-tasting espresso, latte or cappuccino
- RECEIVE 2 FREE BAGS OF SPECIALTY COFFEE: Included when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T&Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature regulation (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, so espresso coffee maker allows for precise espresso extraction
TechRadar describes the controls as approachable and the steam wand as effective, while also reporting that it took effort to remove the portafilter after brewing. These are reviewer experiences, not outcomes every owner should expect. For someone new to espresso, the machine’s controls may make experimentation accessible, but learning to dose, tamp, extract and steam milk remains part of the deal. TechRadar’s review coverage provides that perspective.
Who should buy it?
- Consider it if you want one counter-top machine with an integrated grinder, prefer to control espresso and milk preparation yourself, and are curious about quick cold brew.
- Look elsewhere if you want automated milk drinks, smart tamping, or minimal involvement between loading beans and getting a drink. The Arte Evo’s manual milk system and tamping process are central to its design.
- Think through cleaning access if removing the grinder for cleaning is important to you; Tom’s Guide’s reviewer reported that it was not removable on the version tested.
- Compare your actual counter space with the regional model’s measurements and account for the room needed to use and maintain the machine.
How it compares with nearby options
These distinctions reflect Tom’s Guide’s stated models and publication-time context, not a current market ranking. Compare the exact regional versions and prices available to you.
Rank #4
- Crafted by You. Perfected with Guidance: The La Specialista Touch semi-automatic espresso machine grinds, doses, brews, and froths your favorite coffee drinks at home, offering real-time guidance so you can enjoy hands-on espresso making with confidence.
- 10 Preset Drink Recipes + Endless Customization: 10 preset recipes including espresso, americano, long black, cold brew, cappuccino, latte, latte macchiato, flat white, hot milk and hot water - all customizable to your preferences.
- Interactive Guided Experience to Dial In Your Machine: Our innovative Bean Adapt technology assists you in setting the ideal grind, dose level, pre-infusion, and brewing temperature with a visual, interactive guide. With helpful tips, recommended adjustments, and immediate feedback, achieve the ideal extraction, and explore different bean and roast varieties with ease.
- Conical Burr Grinder for Freshly Brewed Coffee Every Time: The Italian-made conical burr grinder delivers a precise, consistent dose of freshly ground coffee for a single or double espresso and cold brew drinks. With 15 grind settings, explore your favorite bean varieties and prepare them for optimal extraction.
- Automatic Milk Frothing: The automatic steam wand adjusts between 5 froth levels and 4 temperature settings based on your drink selection and milk preference (dairy or plant-based) to create velvety smooth microfoam. The additional manual setting allows you to master your hands-on frothing to achieve the perfect microtextured milk foam for creating latte art.
| Option | Workflow difference | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| La Specialista Arte Evo EC9255 | Integrated grinder, manual espresso and milk preparation, cold brew function. | Fits buyers who want hands-on control and the cold-brew option. |
| La Specialista Opera | Tom’s Guide describes it as retaining cold brew while adding smart tamping. | Consider it if tamping assistance matters; compare current regional features and price. |
| Bambino Plus | A separate espresso machine that requires a separate grinder. | Consider whether separate equipment better fits your grinder preferences and counter setup. |
Tom’s Guide’s review page displays $699 and £429 in its pricing section, while TechRadar’s 2026 roundup lists $699, £549 and AU$699. These are publication-time prices from different sources and markets, not verified current offers or a like-for-like price comparison. Check local retailers for current price, warranty and availability.
Setup, upkeep and regional checks
Before buying, verify the complete model suffix, local voltage, included accessories, warranty and support terms on the listing for your market. De’Longhi’s US support center provides instructions, quick-start guidance, product information, setup, espresso, latte-art, descaling, care and maintenance, and cold-brew guidance. Use the support page that matches your exact unit; do not assume US instructions or terms apply everywhere. De’Longhi’s US EC9255.M Support Center provides those resources.
Best Value
- PERFECT GRINDING 8 grind settings means all of your bean varieties are optimally prepared for extraction. The conical burr grinder delivers a precise, consistent dose of freshly ground coffee for a single or double espresso
- ACTIVE TEMPERATURE CONTROL Because different types of coffee beans require different temperatures to extract the best flavors, La Specialista Arte comes equipped with 3 infusion temperatures for ideal water infusion temperature. Once selected, the chosen temperature will stay stable during the brewing process for optimal extraction and flavor.
- MY LATTE ART PERFECT FOAM The My Latte Art wand not only stays cool-to-the-touch after steaming, but also delivers consistently silky milk foam perfect for creating custom “latte art.” Now, you can practice and share your homemade latte masterpieces on social media every morning.
- SAVES SPACE, SAVES TIME Like all De’Longhi manual coffee makers, La Specialista Arte has been designed to simplify maintenance routines. Its compact, stylish design is ideally suited to smart, modern living spaces. Savour the fun of making and sipping your favourite beverage as you let the dishwasher do the rest thanks to detachable and dishwasher safe parts.
- GET STARTED WITH 3 PRESETS Each machine features 3 convenient pre-set coffee recipes--Espresso, Americano, and Hot Water--to dial-in and personalise your perfect beverages.
Routine ownership includes cleaning and descaling according to the instructions for your regional machine. De’Longhi’s service manual identifies itself as covering EC9255 INT–AU/NZ and carries a revision date of 1 September 2023; it should not be treated as universal instructions for every market. The EC9255 INT–AU/NZ data sheet and service manual is specific to that scope. An espresso scale with a timer is an optional aid for experimenting with dose and yield, not a stated requirement or tested accessory.
Verdict
The EC9255 is best understood as an integrated-grinder machine for people who want to take part in making their coffee, with cold brew as an unusual extra rather than a reason to expect one-touch convenience. Its appeal depends on whether manual espresso and milk preparation sound enjoyable to you. If automatic frothing, assisted tamping or a low-effort routine is the priority, its hands-on workflow is a poor match.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
