Rancilio Silvia Pro X
Score: 83/100
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera
Score: 82/100Rankings
The Rancilio Silvia Pro X is a dual-boiler semi-automatic espresso machine delivering professional-grade temperature stability and a powerful 1 L steam boiler. Its deep footprint and 20 kg weight make it less suited for small kitchens or frequent moving. Ideal for advanced home baristas seeking café-level performance.
The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera is a semi-automatic machine that combines a built-in conical burr grinder, smart tamping lever and 19-bar pump for barista-level espresso and fast cold-brew. Its size, weight and limited grind granularity are trade-offs for the extensive feature set. Best for intermediate home baristas who want an all-in-one solution with cold-brew capability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
9 bar | 19 barbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 20 kg | 12.8 kgbest |
2,000 mlbest | 2,000 mlbest | |
386 mm | 445 mmbest | |
254 mm | 380 mmbest | |
419 mmbest | 370 mm | |
— | 120 mmbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 1,000 Wbest | 1,550 W |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Pump Pressure (bar) | 9 bar | 19 bar |
Features(2) | ||
Steam Wand Type | Multi-directional | commercial |
Built‑in Grinder | false | true |
Design & Build(5) | ||
Height (mm) | 386 mm | 445 mm |
Width (mm) | 254 mm | 380 mm |
Depth (mm) | 419 mm | 370 mm |
Weight (kg) | 20 kg | 12.8 kg |
Primary Material | Stainless steel | stainless_steel |
Power & Electrical(2) | ||
Voltage (V) | 120 V | 220-240 V |
Power Consumption (W) | 1000 W | 1550 W |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Silvia Pro for its café-quality build, dual PID-controlled insulated boilers and strong 1 L steam capacity, noting the compact width despite its depth. They highlight the commercial-grade 58 mm portafilter and brass grouphead as standout features, while pointing out the machine's deeper profile, heavy weight and lack of a plumb-in option as trade-offs.
Everyday users appreciate the machine's consistent temperature, robust steam for milk frothing and long-term durability, often reporting the ability to pull dozens of shots daily without issues. Common frustrations revolve around its deep footprint, substantial weight, frequent reservoir refills during busy periods, and occasional PID calibration adjustments needed by less-experienced users.
“heavy chunk of performance in a slim width”
“pulling 20+ shots daily without issues”
“Integrated 15-setting Italian conical burr grinder delivers consistent dosing and reduces user error.”
Professional reviewers commend the La Specialista Opera for its smart tamping lever, rapid cold-brew capability, and precise temperature control, noting that it delivers barista-level espresso with minimal user effort. However, they criticize the limited grind settings and view the 19-bar pump claim as marketing hype, while also pointing out the machine's sizable footprint and weight as potential drawbacks for smaller kitchens.
Everyday users appreciate the machine's ease of use, especially the one-touch presets and quick cold-brew function, and they praise the quality of micro-foam from the steam wand. Recurring complaints focus on the grinder's limited fineness, the bulkiness of the unit, and occasional extraction inconsistencies with non-standard beans.
