Diletta Alto Review: An Espresso Powerhouse!

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

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Regular Coffeeness readers will know how much I love Diletta espresso machines. That's why I'm so excited about this initial Diletta Alto review.

Regular Coffeeness readers will know how much I love Diletta espresso machines. That’s why I’m so excited about this initial Diletta Alto review.

From what I can gather, Diletta has outdone itself with this dual boiler home espresso machine. Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on the thing! With that in mind, I’ll definitely be ordering the Diletta Alto Espresso Machine from the good folks at Seattle Coffee Gear.

In the meantime, join me as I take a first look at this beautiful Diletta machine.

A Diletta Dual Boiler

Diletta Alto Espresso Machine

A very impressive new prosumer machine

Dual boilers

Professional components

Programmable settings

Solid build

Beautiful to behold

Very expensive

Overview: Diletta Alto Review

The Diletta Alto comes hot on the heels of the Diletta Bello Plus, which I reviewed a few months ago. And while the Alto Espresso Machine shares many of the features of the Bello Plus, it takes things to a new level in terms of functionality and design.

Incidentally, in case you didn’t know, the Diletta brand came about when Seattle Coffee Gear teamed up with Italian espresso machine manufacturer Quick Mill. And as you can imagine, that means all the Diletta espresso machines are well-designed and built to last. Plus, each Diletta machine is hand-made in Milan.

Diletta Alto Espresso Machine Overview

So, what can you expect from the Diletta Alto? Well, a pretty substantial price tag for starters. Costing around $2,600.00, the Alto Espresso Machine certainly represents quite the investment. In other words, this is no beginner espresso machine. Rather, the Alto will appeal to baristas looking to seriously elevate their home espresso setup.

Looks-wise, the Diletta Alto features the classic boxy design and shiny E61 group head I’ve come to appreciate. What’s more, this isn’t an overly huge machine. That said, you’ll certainly need extra room in your kitchen for a burr coffee grinder. Trust me, you’ll want an espresso grinder that’s up to the task.

I’ll get into all the juicy details later in this Diletta Alto review. For now, though, you should know that this machine features dual PID-controlled boilers. That’ll be a real game changer for those who enjoy milk-based drinks. After all, you’ll be able to make espresso and steam milk at the same time.

Ultimately, the Alto will allow you complete control over your espresso extraction. This is very much a hands-on machine that encourages you to dial in your shots to perfection.

Diletta Alto Features

Let’s continue this Diletta Alto review by digging into the machine’s most notable features.

Size and Design

As I mentioned earlier, the Diletta Alto looks very similar to both the original Diletta Bello and the Bello Plus. In other words, this is a sleek and streamlined espresso machine with a classic boxy silhouette.

I’m a huge fan of the shiny chrome E61 group head and steam wand, which add more than a touch of class. Especially on the Stainless Steel version. That said, the Alto is still rather stunning in both Black and White.

Although the Diletta Alto is slightly wider than the Bello, it still maintains a reasonable height, so finding space for the thing in your kitchen shouldn’t be a problem. At the same time, the manufacturer has found a way to house a 27-ounce (0.8-liter) brew boiler and a 54-ounce (1.6-liter) steam boiler inside. That’s pretty impressive!

Elsewhere, the Diletta Alto features new tap-to-steam controls and an easily accessible OPV valve. Oh, and as you’d expect, this superb espresso machine is equipped with a dual manometer and a digital control panel.

User Interface

Diletta Alto Espresso Machine User Interface

The Diletta Alto maintains the appeal of a manual espresso machine, thanks to its hands-on controls for espresso, steam and hot water. However, there’s a sweet little digital interface for adjusting brew temperature, steam temperature and pre-infusion time.

Comprising a digital screen and two arrow buttons, this control panel is small yet mighty. Trust me, being able to change temperature and pre-infusion parameters will change your espresso game.

Elsewhere, there’s a simple on/off switch and a power light indicator, as well as a large dual manometer. This needle gauge allows you to monitor pressure in the boiler and at the group head, making it a valuable tool for assessing your espresso extraction.

Portafilter

I probably don’t have to tell you that the Diletta Alto has a 58-millimeter group head. I mean, that’s pretty much a given for a prosumer espresso machine.

As it happens, the manufacturer really doesn’t skimp when it comes to accessories. Seriously, you’ll get a double spouted portafilter as well as a bottomless portafilter. Personally, I prefer making espresso with the latter option, seeing as there’s less surface area for the coffee to travel through. Anyway, no one can argue that watching the perfect espresso gently seep out from a bottomless portafilter is one of life’s great pleasures!

Finally, Diletta loads you up with a double filter basket and a triple filter basket. Oh, and you’ll get a blind basket for the all-important backflushing.

Tamping

Another of the essential espresso accessories included with the Diletta Alto is a solid, metal tamper. Then again, I should certainly hope so, given the machine’s asking price.

As far as I can tell, the included espresso tamper is of the highest quality, and it may even have an alluring wooden handle. Still, I’d urge anyone buying a machine like this to consider picking up a calibrated tamper. Trust me, it’ll only help you in your quest for precision and consistency.

Dual Boilers

Diletta Alto Espresso Machine Dual Boilers

Really, it’s the Diletta Alto’s dual boilers that are the main selling point of this espresso machine. And it’s not just the fact that you can stream milk and prepare espresso simultaneously that makes dual boilers so appealing. Sure, that’s really cool, but having dual boilers means you’ll be able to maintain a much more consistent temperature for each function.

Speaking of temperature, you’re able to make changes via the digital controller I discussed earlier. Each boiler has its own PID controller, meaning you can make temperature changes in increments of one degree.

That’s especially cool for those who like to experiment with different coffee beans when they’re making espresso. For example, you’ll likely want to increase the brew temperature if you’re using single origin beans with a lighter roast profile.

Programmable Preinfusion

Another feature you can access via the digital control panel is programmable preinfusion. As I’m sure you already know, preinfusion is a vital first stage of the espresso brewing process.

In essence, the machine dampens your compacted espresso puck under low pressure, allowing the coffee to “bloom” before extraction kicks in. This is important because it helps to prevent channeling and also aids in flavor development.

Anyway, being able to experiment with different preinfusion times is just one more way in which the Diletta Alto gives you ultimate control over your espresso shots.

Pro Steam Paddles

The Diletta Alto’s pro steam paddles will surely appeal to pro-level home baristas. Mounted on sprung valves, these paddles allow you to simply tap to steam or access hot water. Then again, I’m always a fan of a steam dial, rather than a simple on/off type situation. That way I can have more control over the steam pressure when I’m whipping up some latte art.

Adjustable OPV

To be honest, I can’t see many folks being interested in the fact that the Diletta Alto has an adjustable OPV (Over Pressure Valve). I mean, if the machine is set to brew at the ideal 9 bars of pressure, all is well.

However, for those who really like to geek out on espresso, having the ability to adjust brew pressure without digging around inside the machine will be a boon.

Low Power Eco Mode

As with the Diletta Bello Plus, the Alto Espresso Machine is equipped with a low power Eco Mode as well as a Standby Mode. The Eco Mode is especially cool, seeing as it keeps the boiler temperature low, thereby saving on power. However, once you wake the machine up, it’ll bounce back to brewing temperature lickety split.

You’re able to access the Eco Mode settings via the digital control panel. Here, you can program a time for the Eco Mode to kick in at a specific time, which is really handy.

How to Use the Diletta Alto Espresso Machine

I’d say it’s highly unlikely that anyone considering the Diletta Alto will need a tutorial on how to make espresso. As I mentioned earlier in this Diletta Alto review, we’re talking about an expensive machine that isn’t really suitable for rookies.

Still, I don’t want to skimp on the deets, so I’ll give you a brief rundown of what to expect. For starters, you should rinse all removable parts upon unboxing the Diletta Alto. Once that’s done, fill the removable reservoir with filtered water then switch the machine on.

Diletta Alto Espresso Machine How to Use

The digital screen will let you know it’s time to prime the brew circuit, which you achieve by lifting the brew lever for 40 seconds. Then, it’ll be a waiting game as the machine comes up to temperature. And by saying that, I mean you should go off and do something else for half an hour.

Once the machine is ready, you can use the controls to set your desired preinfusion time and temperature settings. Next, get ready to pull a shot of espresso. Naturally, you’ll have your coffee scale and espresso grinder on hand, and once you’ve prepped your portafilter, lock it into place in the group head.

Now it’s a case of lifting the brew lever to start your extraction. Oh, and pay attention to the digital screen – it doubles as a nifty shot timer!

If all goes well, you’ll have a sumptuous 2-ounce (60-milliliter) shot of espresso in around 25-30 seconds. During the extraction process you should have seen the pressure gauge needle for the group head sit at around 7-9 bar. And your espresso should display a rich, thick layer of aromatic crema.

Diletta Alto Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning and descaling, a machine like the Diletta Alto requires very little from you. Still, there are plenty of small tasks to attend to.

For starters, make sure to knock out your used espresso puck after each shot you’ve pulled. Then, wipe out the portafilter and flush water through the group head screen. Oh, and if you’ve used the steam wand, wipe it off with a damp towel to prevent nasty buildup.

Every so often, you’ll need to backflush the group head, using the supplied blind basket. I’ll leave it to the user manual to explain the process, but it really isn’t that big of a deal. However, don’t skimp on this important process – it’ll help keep your (very expensive) espresso machine in tip top condition!

Diletta Alto Specifications

Diletta Alto Espresso Machine
Manufacturer

Diletta

Model number

ALTO

Product category

Manual espresso machine

Housing material

Stainless steel

Color options

Black, Stainless Steel, White

Milk frother

Steam wand

User interface

Text display with buttons

App

User profiles

Memo function only

Portafilter size

58 mm

Tamping

Manual

Removable water reservoir

Water reservoir capacity

101.4 fl oz / 3.0 l

Number of boilers

2

Pump pressure

15 bar

Maximum cup height

4.0 in / 10.2 cm

Grinder

N/A

Grind adjustment levels

N/A

Bean hopper capacity

N/A

Specialty drinks

1

Pre-infusion

Adjustable coffee temperature

Adjustable milk foam temperature

2-cup function

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Hot water function

Hot milk function

Milk foam only option

Water filter

Power consumption

1400 W

Weight

50.0 lb / 22.7 kg

Dimensions

14.5 x 12.0 x 19.8 in
36.8 x 30.5 x 50.3 cm

Warranty

2 years

Notes

Included Accessories: User manual, tamper, 2 x portafilters, 2 x filter baskets, blind basket, group brush

All specifications

Diletta Alto vs Bello Plus

Diletta Bello Plus Feature

Naturally, I’ve mentioned the throughout this Diletta Alto review. Still, I figured it’d be a good idea to put the two machines head-to-head.

Costing around $2,000.00, the Diletta Bello Plus is quite a bit more affordable than the Alto. And to be honest, it offers most of the same features, including PID control and programmable preinfusion. So, the Bello Plus is certainly capable of producing exceptional espresso.

As I’ve already pointed out, it’s the dual boilers that make the Diletta Alto stand out. However, if you only ever make the odd cappuccino or latte, it might seem like overkill to have separate boilers. On the flip side, those of you who like to entertain guests by offering all the coffee drinks under the sun will love the Alto’s versatility.

Ultimately, these are both exceptional espresso machines that’ll appeal to the most demanding of home baristas. Deciding between the two will come down to your budget and needs.

See Also: Diletta Bello Plus Review

Diletta Alto vs Bello Comparison Chart

Diletta Alto Espresso MachineDiletta Bello Plus
Manufacturer

Diletta

Diletta

Model number

ALTO

Bello+

Product category

Manual espresso machine

Manual espresso machine

Housing material

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Color options

Black, Stainless Steel, White

Black, Stainless Steel, White

Milk frother

Steam wand

Steam wand

User interface

Text display with buttons

Text display with buttons

App

User profiles

Memo function only

Memo function only

Portafilter size

58 mm

58 mm

Tamping

Manual

Manual

Removable water reservoir

Water reservoir capacity

101.4 fl oz / 3.0 l

101.4 fl oz / 3.0 l

Number of boilers

2

1

Pump pressure

15 bar

15 bar

Maximum cup height

4.0 in / 10.2 cm

4.0 in / 10.2 cm

Grinder

N/A

N/A

Grind adjustment levels

N/A

N/A

Bean hopper capacity

N/A

N/A

Specialty drinks

1

1

Pre-infusion

Adjustable coffee temperature

Adjustable milk foam temperature

2-cup function

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Hot water function

Hot milk function

Milk foam only option

Water filter

Power consumption

1400 W

1500 W

Weight

50.0 lb / 22.7 kg

44.0 lb / 20.0 kg

Dimensions

14.5 x 12.0 x 19.8 in
36.8 x 30.5 x 50.3 cm

14.5 x 11.0 x 17.8 in
36.8 x 27.9 x 45.2 cm

Warranty

2 years

2 years

Notes

Included Accessories: User manual, tamper, 2 x portafilters, 2 x filter baskets, blind basket, group brush

Included Accessories: 3 x filter baskets, bottomless portafilter, spouted portafilter, group brush, tamper, user manual.

Diletta Alto Espresso MachineDiletta Bello Plus
Manufacturer

Diletta

Diletta

Model number

ALTO

Bello+

Product category

Manual espresso machine

Manual espresso machine

Housing material

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Color options

Black, Stainless Steel, White

Black, Stainless Steel, White

Milk frother

Steam wand

Steam wand

User interface

Text display with buttons

Text display with buttons

App

User profiles

Memo function only

Memo function only

Portafilter size

58 mm

58 mm

Tamping

Manual

Manual

Removable water reservoir

Water reservoir capacity

101.4 fl oz / 3.0 l

101.4 fl oz / 3.0 l

Number of boilers

2

1

Pump pressure

15 bar

15 bar

Maximum cup height

4.0 in / 10.2 cm

4.0 in / 10.2 cm

Grinder

N/A

N/A

Grind adjustment levels

N/A

N/A

Bean hopper capacity

N/A

N/A

Specialty drinks

1

1

Pre-infusion

Adjustable coffee temperature

Adjustable milk foam temperature

2-cup function

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Yes (non-milk drinks only)

Hot water function

Hot milk function

Milk foam only option

Water filter

Power consumption

1400 W

1500 W

Weight

50.0 lb / 22.7 kg

44.0 lb / 20.0 kg

Dimensions

14.5 x 12.0 x 19.8 in
36.8 x 30.5 x 50.3 cm

14.5 x 11.0 x 17.8 in
36.8 x 27.9 x 45.2 cm

Warranty

2 years

2 years

Notes

Included Accessories: User manual, tamper, 2 x portafilters, 2 x filter baskets, blind basket, group brush

Included Accessories: 3 x filter baskets, bottomless portafilter, spouted portafilter, group brush, tamper, user manual.

Verdict: Diletta Alto Review

A Diletta Dual Boiler

Diletta Alto Espresso Machine

A very impressive new prosumer machine

Dual boilers

Professional components

Programmable settings

Solid build

Beautiful to behold

Very expensive

There can be little doubt that the Diletta Alto is a wonderful home espresso machine. It’s also very pricey and rather advanced. Personally, I can’t wait to get hold of this machine and disappear down an espresso rabbit hole. However, I think there are more suitable options out there for the casual home enthusiast.

Once I’ve bought the Diletta alto to test I’ll be sure to update this initial review with my experiences using it. So, make sure to keep checking back if you’re thinking of taking the plunge!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my initial Diletta Alto review. Have you already bought this super-duper espresso machine? If so, feel free to share your experiences in our comments section!

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Arne Preuss

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

More about Arne Preuss

Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

More about Arne Preuss

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