It’s in the Details
De’Longhi EC9155MB vs EC9155M Overview
Have you ever been in one of those fancy coffee shops where the barista operates what looks like an industrial assembler to make you your cup of joe? That’s a manual espresso machine, which is operated by pushing and pulling on a lever.
Raising the lever forces water into the brewing container to soak the bean grounds in a step known as pre-infusion. Pulling the lever back down creates pressure (measured in ‘bars’) and forces the water to drain through the grounds and into your mug below.
With a manual espresso machine, you can control the pre-infusion period, pressure, and water flow– almost every aspect of the coffeemaking process, really– to create a fully customized serving of coffee.
De’Longhi’s La Specialista Arte line of espresso machines are no-frills, compact manual coffeemakers designed for the home barista. The intimidating manual coffeemaking process is pared down to the essentials, making the learning experience easier and more enjoyable.
The manual espresso machine models we’re reviewing today, the De’Longhi EC9155MB and the EC9155M, share essentially the same features but have an almost comical difference in their price tags.
Specifications
Both units have dimensions of 11.22″ x 14.37″ x 15.87″ and a weight of 21.5 lbs. These sleek machines are designed to fit on your counter and have the capacity to show for it: their removable water tanks hold 56 fluid ounces and can fit cups up to 4.5 mm tall under their liquid dispensers.
They’re capable of 15-Bar professional pressure and can come in two different finishes: stainless steel or black. Like all De’Longhi manual coffeemakers, they’re built to streamline and simplify maintenance and clean-up.
The drip tray and water tank are removable for separate cleaning, and the unit itself comes with two unpressurized filters.
Built-In Grinder
The La Specialista Arte line features a built-in conical burr grinder with eight different settings and can output single or double doses from multiple different varieties of coffee beans. It uses single wall filter baskets; replacements for the baskets (and grinder) can be purchased from De’Longhi’s website.
It looks like a built-in grinder isn’t all it’s cracked up to be; reviewers say that due to the way it’s built, when the grinder gets jammed it’s necessary to buy a replacement, because fixing it is impossible.
Active Temperature Control and Infusion Modes
Taking into account the different temperatures different types of coffee beans would need to distill the best flavor, De’Longhi included 3 different water infusion levels to select from while brewing.
Once chosen, the temperature will stay stable until the coffeemaker process is done, ensuring the most consistent, flavorful taste.
A Complete Barista Kit
Included in the box are a barista’s tools of the trade: a professional tamper, a tamping mat, a dosing funnel, a frothing jug, a descaling kit, and of course the instruction manual and Quick Start guide.
The easy-to-understand guidelines show you how to experiment with different settings on the machine to find the flavor profile you like best for your cup of coffee.
MyLatte Art Steam Wand
If your coffee art aesthetic is looking more disaster than designer, don’t fret– the La Specialista Arte espresso machines come with an included steam wand called the MyLatte Art wand.
Now you can practice your perfectly textured microfoam creations in the privacy of your own home! Reviewers certainly appreciate it, saying that while there’s a bit of a learning curve the wand itself is simple enough to use and easy to handle.
Three Pre-Set Recipes
Your espresso machine comes with three beverage recipes preprogrammed in: Espresso, Americano, and Hot Water.
User Interface
A sleek metal dial on the left lets you choose a dosage level of up to 40. There’s also a dial for selecting whether you want a single or double cup beverage, a button for the steaming function, and a temperature selector.
Price Tag
The difference in price for what is essentially the same model is comical. The EC9155MB’s steep sticker pales in comparison to the EC9155M’s jaw-dropping price.
By all accounts the EC9155M is simply an updated model of the EC9155MB with slightly more room under the liquid dispenser for taller cups and an updated temperature profile for the heating source. So, if you can, buy the De’Longhi EC9155M La Specialista Arte now, maybe it is on sale at the moment!
- PERFECT GRINDING 8 grind settings means all of your bean varieties are optimally prepared for extraction. The...
- ACTIVE TEMPERATURE CONTROL Because different types of coffee beans require different temperatures to extract...
- MY LATTE ART PERFECT FOAM The My Latte Art wand not only stays cool-to-the-touch after steaming, but also...
Last update on 2025-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
De’Longhi EC9155MB vs EC9155M Overall
With its pared-down size, interface, and range of options, the La Specialiste Arte line of espresso makers are good for beginners who want to keep their coffee making and latte art confined to their home kitchen. If at all possible, spring for the older but cheaper model of EC9155MB; there’s nothing to justify the EC9155M’s steep cost.
- Perfect, Consistent Grinding thanks to inbuilt grinder with 8 precise settings that ensure optimal single or...
- Active Temperature control allows you to select one of 3 temperature settings to match water infusion...
- My LatteArt steam wand is a powerful, commercial-style wand that lets you create picture-perfect latte art
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
