I have had a home espresso machine for a while. I used the De'Longhi Dedica Style Traditional Pump Espresso Machine for seven years. I wanted to upgrade my coffee machine to make coffee like my favorite coffee shops.

I got the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Compact Manual Bean to Cup coffee machine. It made me stop buying coffee outside and made my mornings better.

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The machine comes in different colors like green, yellow, white, and black. I chose the white one, but it's not available now. The other colors are available for £399.99, down from £529.99.

This machine uses whole coffee beans, which can be bought at supermarkets. It grinds the beans for you, making fresh and aromatic espresso. The machine has eight grind settings to personalize the flavor.

The De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Compact Manual Bean to Cup espresso coffee machine has eight grind settings, three drink options, and a manual steam wand.

De'Longhi says that when beans are finely ground, the hot water can act on more coffee, releasing more flavor.

The machine is easy to adjust for grind and dose level. The industrial look is not scary. You can change the grind by moving a lever and the dose by twirling a knob.

Unboxing the machine, I found it came with a portafilter, coffee tamper, tamping station, cup holder, and milk jug. It's easy to use by pressing or twisting buttons to find the perfect setting.

The machine needs a lot of countertop space and is heavy. I put it on a placemat to move it easily.

The La Specialista Arte Compact Manual Bean to Cup espresso coffee machine has eight grind settings.

The portafilter comes with a double espresso fitting, which is hard to remove. But I don't drink single espressos, so it's not a problem for me.

The manual is easy to follow with diagram instructions. It has a QR code for more information. Setting up the machine took about 10-15 minutes.

The machine has options to change the dose level, single or double espresso, temperature, and drink type.

Adjusting the grind level and dose to the recommended settings, the grinder starts when the portafilter is pushed into position. This part is loud.

Then it's time to tamp. The tamper is industrial grade and heavy, making it easy to use. It leaves the coffee smooth and compressed.

Once the coffee is tamped, slot the portafilter into the extractor and hit 'OK'. The machine does all the work for you.

After the espresso is poured, it's time to use the steam wand. I tried to make latte art, but it wasn't perfect. I can make a leaf with normal dairy milk now.

Cleaning the wand immediately is important because the milky residue hardens quickly. I hit the steam button once more to clear out any milk left in the wand.

The coffee had a lovely sheen and tasted stunning. All in all, the De'Longhi La Specialista coffee machine has improved my morning routine.

Making coffee is not just a quick job; it's an enjoyable ritual that forces me to slow down and cherish quiet moments before work.

This machine may not be suitable for those in a hurry because the milk needs to be steamed manually. There are other machines like the Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse Coffee Machine that can steam and pour milk automatically.

The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine is another model that offers hands-free steaming. It steams and whisks milk at the same time with four auto presets and can make various drinks.