De'Longhi
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB
$699.95
Released 2021
Best Espresso Machines · head-to-head
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB vs Smeg ECF02
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Smeg ECF02 is cheaper at $600. Every spec and price links to its source.
Smeg
Smeg ECF02
$600Cheaper
Released 2019
Which is better: the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB or Smeg ECF02?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Smeg ECF02 is the cheaper at $600.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB | Smeg ECF02 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699.95 | $600 |
| Brand | De'Longhi | Smeg |
| Released | 2021 | 2019 |
| Type | semi-automatic | semi-automatic |
| Boiler | thermoblock | thermoblock |
| Built in grinder | Yes | No |
| Grind settings | 8 | — |
| Milk frother | manual steam wand (My LatteArt) | manual steam wand (Cappuccino System) |
| Pressure (bar) | 15 | 15 |
| Water tank (L) | 1.7 | 1.1 |
| Programmable | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2021 | 2019 |
Sources — De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB: coffeeness.de (verified 2026-06-15). Smeg ECF02: smeg.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB and Smeg ECF02?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Built in grinder: De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB true vs Smeg ECF02 false
- Milk frother: De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB manual steam wand (My LatteArt) vs Smeg ECF02 manual steam wand (Cappuccino System)
- Water tank (L): De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB 1.7 vs Smeg ECF02 1.1
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (TechRadar, Reviewed/USA Today) cover this exact De'Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB. Both praise the commercial-style steam wand (excellent even on oat milk) and the smooth, full-bodied espresso from the integrated grinder, and call it easy for beginners. TechRadar measured quiet 54dB operation and 24-second shots. Downsides: it's expensive, some parts aren't dishwasher safe, there's minor dripping/splashing, and crema thickness can vary shot-to-shot. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Commercial-style MyLatteArt steam wand froths milk (incl. oat) excellently; Smooth, rich, full-bodied espresso from the integrated grinder; Easy to use and beginner-friendly.
Flagged: Expensive / premium price point; Crema thickness varies shot-to-shot; Some dripping/splashing after pouring.
Smeg ECF02
Two whitelisted hands-on testers (Tom's Guide, Oct 2024; TechRadar, Mar 2024) agree the Smeg ECF02 is a gorgeous retro machine that pulls decent straight espresso but is undercut by a short, weak steam wand, poor heat management between brewing and steaming, and a price inflated by Smeg styling. Both also flag the flimsy thin-plastic tamper. All quotes and measured values verified against source text; both sources survived verification intact. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Statement retro 1950s design in playful colors; Decent espresso extraction with acceptable crema, good for straight espresso; Beginner-friendly with quick, easy daily cleaning.
Flagged: Short steam wand with limited movement makes milk texturing hard; Price inflated; you pay a premium for Smeg styling vs similar machines; Flimsy thin-plastic tamper/scoop.