De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew
The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew is the top espresso machine pick in this roundup for serious home baristas, tested against nearly 30 units and consistently outperforming models priced significantly higher. The boiler and steam wand heat up in seconds, eliminating the wait that frustrates many home espresso routines. The grind-and-tamp system gives genuine hands-on input over extraction, striking the right balance between user control and machine assistance. The integrated cold brew function adds a genuinely useful feature absent from most competitors — brewing smooth, naturally sweet cold coffee directly in the machine without separate equipment. The microfoam produced, even with non-dairy milk, is consistently described as smooth and café quality.
Pros
Outperforms machines priced more than double in independent testing
Fast-heating boiler and steam wand
Grind-and-tamp system for genuine user control
Integrated cold brew function — unique in this roundup
Café-quality microfoam, including with non-dairy milk
Premium build and finish
Cons
Highest price in this roundup among traditional machines
Bean hopper not removable for cleaning
Requires hands-on skill — not for hands-off users
Large countertop footprint
Technical Specifications
Item Dimensions D x W x H
37D x 38W x 44.5H centimetres
Capacity
2 litres
Item Weight
13.2 Kilograms
Human Interface Input
Buttons
Editorial Reviews (1)
B
June 27, 2026
The Espresso Machine That Beats Models Twice Its Price — Plus Cold Brew Built In
The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew earned its reputation through direct comparison — tested against close to 30 competing machines, reviewers found there was little reason to consider more expensive models priced into the thousands. The boiler and steam wand heating up in a matter of seconds eliminates the frustrating wait that affects many home espresso setups, meaning you're rarely stuck standing around for your machine to warm up.
The grind-and-tamp system is the feature that separates this from fully automatic competitors — it allows genuine user input into the extraction process rather than automating every step, appealing to home baristas who want to develop real technique rather than just press a button. The microfoam quality, confirmed smooth and café-grade even with non-dairy milk alternatives, reflects serious engineering attention to the steam system.
The integrated cold brew function is a genuine differentiator in this roundup — no other machine combines traditional espresso extraction with dedicated cold brew capability in one unit. For anyone serious about home espresso who also enjoys cold coffee, the Opera removes the need for separate equipment entirely.
The grind-and-tamp system is the feature that separates this from fully automatic competitors — it allows genuine user input into the extraction process rather than automating every step, appealing to home baristas who want to develop real technique rather than just press a button. The microfoam quality, confirmed smooth and café-grade even with non-dairy milk alternatives, reflects serious engineering attention to the steam system.
The integrated cold brew function is a genuine differentiator in this roundup — no other machine combines traditional espresso extraction with dedicated cold brew capability in one unit. For anyone serious about home espresso who also enjoys cold coffee, the Opera removes the need for separate equipment entirely.
Home & Kitchen
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew
~$$479.9/€421.50 check current price
Price may vary. Always check the store for the latest price.