In the face-off between the Delonghi La Specialista vs Dinamica, it becomes clear that the Dinamica emerges as the ultimate winner. Why?
The Delonghi Dinamica features more grind settings, a dual-thermoblock heating system, an amazing automatic frothing system, and a long list of one-touch drinks. The Delonghi La Specialista is also a fantastic choice, especially for those who love to have hands-on control over the entire brewing process.
Delonghi La Specialista Vs Dinamica: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi La Specialista Vs Dinamica: Differences
The Dinamica comprehensively won 4-0 against the La Specialista. Without further ado, let’s compare them in detail!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Delonghi Dinamica
Built-in Grinder
Both are fitted with a stainless steel conical burr grinder, which is unbelievably quiet. Even when running them all day, I wasn’t even slightly worried about the neighbors starting a petition against my coffee habits.
Now, let’s dive into the grind settings. The Dinamica boasts 13 settings, while La Specialista sits at 6. Different beans and brews require different grind sizes, and finding that sweet spot is key to unlocking the best flavor. With more settings on the Dinamica, you get more room to experiment and tailor the espresso to your liking.
Heating System
Both the Delonghi La Specialista and Dinamica both come equipped with twin thermoblocks, so they can steam milk and prepare espresso simultaneously. In my opinion, it’s this dual heating system feature that really sets them apart from the crowd.
Beyond the convenience of simultaneous preparation, the dual heating system also ensures consistent temperature control. The machine doesn’t have to play a juggling act between brewing and steaming, which means less fluctuation in temperature and more stability in your coffee’s taste and quality.
Brewing System
As you’d expect from high-end, sophisticated coffee machines like these DeLonghis, pre-infusion is a standard feature. Before the main event of extraction, a small amount of water is gently released onto the coffee puck.
This pre-infusion step is crucial for a more complex and well-rounded shot of espresso. By wetting the coffee grounds first, the pre-infusion process helps to evenly saturate them, which in turn allows for a more uniform extraction. This means you’re less likely to get those bitter or sour notes that can come from uneven extraction.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Delonghi Dinamica
Dimensions & User Interface
| Delonghi La Specialista | Delonghi Dinamica | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 13.5 x 16 inches | 9.3 x 14 x 17 inches |
| Weight | 26 lbs | 20.9 lbs |
The La Specialista is a shorter but wider option, while the Delonghi Dinamica is taller and narrower. The La Specialista is also significantly heavier than the Dinamica.
Delonghi La Specialista really catches the eye with its stainless steel housing wrapped around a chic black control panel. The Dinamica looks sleek and modern and its housing is mostly plastic- Yes, plastic isn’t quite ideal, it helps keep the cost down and, anyway, this machine still feels sturdy and well-built.
The La Specialista features a minimalist control panel with a series of buttons that cover everything from a double dose of grounds, rinsing, and kick-starting the brew to dispensing hot water and more. And let’s not overlook the pressure gauge sitting front and center, offering you the chance to really dive in and take control of your brew.
The Dinamica features an easy-to-read text display, a contrast to the touchscreen displays you might find on the high-end, super-automatic Delonghi machines. I’m as much a fan of touchscreens. I mean, just looking at our smartphones can leave us in awe of the crazy tech we have in our hands. But when it comes to a coffee machine, I’m all for a simpler user interface like one on the Dinamica.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Delonghi La Specialista | Delonghi Dinamica | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 5 inches | 3.5-5.5 inches |
As a super-automatic coffee machine, the Delonghi Dinamica comes equipped with a height-adjustable dispenser. So you position the dispenser as close to your cup as possible to minimize those annoying splashes and, more importantly, preserve the precious crema in your espresso.
The La Specialista doesn’t have such a height-custom spout, but it does offer cup clearance spacious enough to fit any espresso cup and even a few standard latte macchiato glasses. It has a built-in small cup raiser to reduce the gap between the dispenser and smaller cups to, once again, preserve the crema layer.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Delonghi La Specialista | Delonghi Dinamica | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2.5 liter | 1.8 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.25 kilogram | 0.3 kilogram |
The La Specialista’s water tank is more generous, but it’s located at the back of the machine. So removing it to refill is a bit more awkward than the Dinamica’s tank, which slides out effortlessly from the front. What’s more, the Dinamica comes with a water filter to soften the water, which not only means better-tasting coffee but also reduces the need for frequent descaling.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Delonghi Dinamica
The La Specialista features a Panarello steam wand for frothing milk. What’s special about this wand is its versatility in frothing styles. Move the ring up for ‘flat’, and you get warm, smooth milk – no bubbles, just silky liquid warmth, perfect for those who like their milk sans foam. Or, if you’re in the mood for something frothier, slide the ring down for ‘foam’, and voilà, you get that fluffy, cloud-like froth ideal for a classic cappuccino.
Switching over to the Dinamica, here we have an automatic frothing system that includes milk carafes. No dealing with fiddly tubes or external containers – it’s all neat and self-contained. Plus, you can remove the carafe and store it in the fridge when its job is done.
In terms of frothing options, the Dinamica gives you a choice between “thick,” “medium,” and “thin” consistencies. Each setting works surprisingly well, catering to a range of milk-based coffee drinks. However, it’s worth noting that if you’re chasing the dream of crafting the perfect flat white, it might fall just a bit short of expectations.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Delonghi Dinamica
Drink Options
| Delonghi La Specialista | Delonghi Dinamica |
|---|---|
| Espresso Espresso Lungo Long Coffee Over Ice Cappuccino Latte Macchiato Cappuccino + Hot Milk Cortado Caffelatte Cappuccino Mix Flat White Espresso Macchiato Hot Water Steam | Espresso Coffee Americano Hot Water |
The Dinamica features a long menu with a variety of specialty drinks. Interestingly, it includes an ‘Over Ice’ function, which allows the machine to brew at a lower temperature, perfect for those iced coffee lovers. Now, it might not be as fancy as the low-pressure cold brew function you’d find on the Jura Z10, but it’s definitely a feature worth exploring.
As for the La Specialista, there is a knob to toggle between three options: “Espresso,” “Coffee,” and “Americano.” For the “Coffee” setting, the machine pushes more water through the coffee puck. And if you’re in the mood for an Americano, the machine first brews an espresso and then seamlessly adds hot water. The hot water spout is right next to the brew head, and you can also get water through it to brew tea..
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Delonghi La Specialista | Delonghi Dinamica |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | No | Yes |
Both machines offer a delightful range of customization options. Beyond just adjusting the grind settings, you can program the grind amount, brewing temperature, and even the length of your espresso shot. And that’s not all – you have the choice between pulling a single shot or a double shot. This flexibility is fantastic because it gives you plenty of room to experiment.
Quick Rundown Of Delonghi Dinamica
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- From beans to latte, in a single touch. Espresso Made Right(TM)
- 18 espresso and specialty coffee recipes, with a simple touch of a button, including latte, cappuccino, macchiato, espresso, iced coffee, ristretto, flat white and more
- Built-in conical burr grinder with 13 settings for always freshly ground coffee, for any beans of your choice
- Automatic and adjustable milk frothing from the proprietary LatteCrema System for perfectly textured lattes and cappuccinos; works with oat, soy and rice milk
Last update on 2024-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Delonghi La Specialista
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
Last update on 2024-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Delonghi Dinamica: https://www.delonghi.com/en/products/coffee/automatic-coffee-makers/dinamica-family
- Delonghi La Specialista: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/la-specialista-espresso-machine-with-sensor-grinder-and-dual-heating-system-stainless-steel-ec9335m/p/EC9335M
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.