By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
After countless hours testing DeLonghi’s extensive line of bean-to-cup machines, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to the Magnifica range.
While we’ve already covered the broader spectrum in our DeLonghi coffee machines guide, the Magnifica series deserves special attention simply due to its complexity and variety.
Our team of certified baristas and coffee experts have thoroughly tested each model to help you navigate these waters and find your perfect match.
The Magnifica series stands as DeLonghi’s foundational bean-to-cup collection, offering their most accessible entry point into automatic coffee making.
This extensive range has evolved significantly over the years, with various sub-ranges that have come and gone, creating quite a rich history in the coffee machine world.
Starting at around £300 RRP (though we regularly spot better deals), these machines consistently prove themselves as DeLonghi’s most cost-effective offerings.
In our extensive testing, we’ve found that if pure value for money is your primary concern, the Magnifica range typically offers the best returns on your investment.
We’ve discovered through our comparisons that spending more on pricier models doesn’t necessarily translate to better coffee quality.
Instead, higher price points typically bring additional features rather than significant improvements to your cup of coffee.
The heart of these machines – the grinder and brewing unit – remains remarkably consistent across the entire ECAM range.
This means if you’re primarily focused on the quality of your coffee rather than fancy bells and whistles, the Magnifica range represents exceptional value within DeLonghi’s lineup.
While our focus here is the Magnifica series, we think it’s worth quickly reviewing DeLonghi’s other bean-to-cup ranges to give you the full picture.
For a broader look at options across different manufacturers, we recommend checking out:
Starting at roughly £700 RRP (though we regularly find better deals), the Dinamica sits one step up from the Magnifica range.
For the best deals, we’ve noticed that DeLonghi’s official website often offers excellent prices, particularly since they’ve strengthened their direct-to-consumer approach post-pandemic.
While these machines boast a more premium build quality and a larger milk carafe, our testing reveals that both coffee and milk quality remain largely comparable to the Magnifica.
Our advice? Unless you find an exceptional deal on a Dinamica, save your money if better coffee is your main goal.
The interface is more user-friendly, making it a smarter choice for households with multiple users, but the primary difference lies in the build quality rather than performance.
DeLonghi’s newest addition to their bean-to-cup family has genuinely impressed our team.
For those seeking the ultimate one-touch experience for lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, we believe this range currently leads the market at its price point.
What truly sets it apart is its innovative solution to the decaf dilemma – the dual hopper system with “switch mode” is brilliantly executed.
We’re particularly impressed by the “bean adapt” system’s ability to help fine-tune your coffee, the intuitive user interface, and the vast array of drink options.
The optional milk froth carafe for iced drinks adds another layer of versatility.
Surprisingly, it’s priced competitively with the higher-end Magnifica models.
For our detailed analysis, see:
The Eletta range begins at £899 RRP, positioning it slightly above the Rivelia in DeLonghi’s lineup.
Making direct comparisons between specific models (like Eletta vs Dinamica) can be tricky, as each version offers unique features and capabilities.
The latest addition, the Eletta Explore, introduces DeLonghi’s innovative “Cold Extraction Technology” – a dedicated water circuit that produces slower, cooler shots.
This clever system ensures properly extracted coffee at lower temperatures, perfect for genuine iced coffee rather than just cooled-down hot coffee.
As coffee experts at Caffeinated Gear, we’ve put DeLonghi’s Primadonna through its paces, and it stands as their premium flagship bean-to-cup machine. While the Maestosa exists in their lineup, its ultra-premium positioning makes it a rare sight in most homes.
We’ve found the Primadonna offers exceptional build quality and comprehensive features. However, our extensive testing suggests you might want to consider the Eletta, Revelia or Dinamica models – they deliver remarkably similar features and comparable coffee quality at a more modest price point.
At just under £2,300, the Maestosa represents DeLonghi’s pinnacle of engineering – and their most substantial investment. Our team recognises that this price tag puts it beyond most coffee enthusiasts’ budgets.
What sets this machine apart, however, is its innovative dual hopper and grinder system. From our technical analysis, we’ve noted that its core components differ significantly from other DeLonghi models, making it a truly unique offering.
While machines like the Melitta TS Smart advertise dual hoppers, we should point out an important distinction – these typically feed into a single grinder, simply offering convenient storage for two different beans. The practical benefit here is mainly convenience rather than functionality.
For genuine dual-grinder capability in home machines, your options are remarkably limited. Besides the Maestosa, we’ve found only one other contender: the Siemens EQ.9 plus connect. This setup allows you to keep two distinct beans ready to go – perhaps your morning blend and a decaf for evenings.
We’ve now covered DeLonghi’s premium offerings in detail. Let’s shift our focus to their Magnifica range, which might better suit your needs and budget.
For those short on time, click here to jump down to the nutshell summary.
While recently discontinued, the ECAM 4200 spent over a decade as one of our most recommended entry-level machines. Our team still includes it here specifically for budget-conscious buyers exploring the second-hand market.
Based on our experience, its simplicity and reliability make it an excellent choice for beginners. The coffee quality matches many pricier DeLonghi models. Rather than detail this discontinued model, we suggest checking out the Magnifica S below – it’s essentially a more compact version with minor interface tweaks.
Used models typically range from £30-£100, offering brilliant value. We particularly appreciate DeLonghi’s readily available, affordable spare parts. A replacement brewing unit costs £34, while a new pump runs about £26.
At £75, the grinder represents the costliest component to replace. We recommend avoiding any used machine with grinder issues, though we’ve discovered a helpful workaround for struggling grinders.
Bean-to-cup machines present a unique challenge – you can’t remove the burrs for cleaning without complete disassembly. Additionally, grinder cleaning pellets or rice will damage the brewing unit.
Our solution? We’ve found success using slightly lighter roasted beans. Not ultra-light roasts, mind you, but what we call medium-dark beans – those with a matt rather than glossy finish. By occasionally running these through your machine instead of exclusively using oily dark roasts, you’ll maintain better grinder health.
With the ECAM 4200’s discontinuation, we’ve shifted our entry-level recommendation to the Magnifica S (ECAM E22). Unless you spot an exceptional deal on their premium models (which we suggest watching for), this machine typically offers the best value in DeLonghi’s range.
Our measurements confirm a more modern, space-conscious design – it’s 5.5cm slimmer than the ECAM 4200, though 6cm deeper and 3cm shorter.
This design shift reflects modern kitchen needs perfectly. While most worktops provide ample 60cm depth, width often comes at a premium, particularly with today’s expanding collection of kitchen appliances.
Through our testing, we’ve found it retains all the practical features that made earlier Magnifica machines popular: a convenient front-loading 1.8L water tank, pre-ground coffee bypass, user-friendly panarello steam wand, and 13 grind settings (7 steps with half-intervals). The 14-puck capacity keeps maintenance manageable.
Most importantly, our technical assessment reveals that it shares the same core espresso components as pricier ECAM models. This means you’re getting identical coffee quality to machines costing two or three times more – remarkable value in our book.
Despite what the name might suggest, our testing reveals the S Smart isn’t about smart connectivity – there’s no app control here. Instead, the “Smart” refers to its innovative dual-mode panarello wand, housed in a more premium design.
This wand has genuinely impressed our barista team – it’s the first panarello we’ve encountered capable of producing genuine microfoam for proper flat whites.
Let’s break down how panarello (or turbo frother) wands work: they use a sleeve with an air intake hole to incorporate air while steaming. Professional baristas achieve similar results manually by carefully positioning their wand to control air intake before submerging it to integrate the foam.
Traditional panarello wands have a significant limitation – continuous air incorporation throughout steaming, typically resulting in what we call ’80s/90s cappuccino foam’ – stiff and bubble-heavy. While some coffee lovers prefer this texture, it’s not ideal for modern speciality drinks.
Usually, you’d need either a professional steam wand or to remove the panarello attachment (though we recommend securing the rubber pipe with a cable tie to prevent any startling pop-offs during use).
The Smart wand’s brilliance lies in its two-stage process. Start in ‘cappuccino’ mode for aeration, then switch to ‘hot milk’ mode once the milk reaches temperature. This closes the air intake, allowing you to focus on creating that smooth, rolling motion that integrates the foam perfectly.
When priced around £320-£330, we believe the Smart’s innovative wand justifies the modest £20-£30 premium over the standard model, particularly if you’re keen on achieving barista-quality milk textures without the learning curve of a traditional steam wand.
During our extensive testing sessions with the Magnifica range, the Start model caught our attention with its refined interface and thoughtful preset options. It’s essentially a modernised version of the Magnifica S, but with some clever improvements that make quite a difference in daily use.
The most significant upgrade we’ve noticed is the addition of two long coffee presets and a dedicated Americano option. There’s been some confusion about the double espresso functionality – while the manual mentions a doppio+ feature, we’ve seen varying reports about its availability on current models.
What truly sets this machine apart is its intuitive soft-touch interface, which feels much more contemporary than traditional buttons. But it’s not just about looks – we think the Americano preset is a genuine game-changer. You can fine-tune both the coffee strength and water volume until you’ve crafted your perfect cup. For coffee lovers who prefer their drinks longer, this feature alone makes the Start a smarter choice than the standard S model.
As coffee professionals, we recognise that this ‘fully automatic’ variant of the Magnifica Start brings something special to the table – true one-touch cappuccino functionality through its integrated milk carafe system.
However, our extensive testing revealed some important considerations for milk-based drink enthusiasts. While the convenience of one-touch operation is brilliant, you’ll want to think carefully about your preferences for milk temperature and texture. In our experience, if you’re particular about having scalding hot cappuccinos or seeking that silky microfoam texture that’s perfect for latte art, you might find the automatic system slightly limiting.
Price-wise, this is De’Longhi’s most accessible entry point into one-touch milk drink territory. We should mention that the exact drink options can be a bit puzzling – the machine’s product images show one-touch cappuccino, while the downloadable manual mentions latte macchiato capabilities as well.
In our testing, we found this machine to be essentially a Magnifica Start with two key upgrades: a colour display and the notable Doppio+ setting. The Doppio+ feature is particularly interesting – at maximum strength, it uses approximately 14g of coffee and produces 120ml by default, though you can adjust this down to 80ml.
From our professional perspective, even at its smallest setting, this creates more of a lungo or café crema style drink rather than what we’d traditionally call a double espresso. It’s worth noting for coffee enthusiasts who are particular about their shot ratios.
Through our extensive testing of the Magnifica range, we’ve come to understand why De’Longhi offers this particular variant. The key difference here is the Americano preset, which uses a separate water spout rather than running all the water through the coffee – a subtle but important distinction.
Based on our hands-on experience, we’d actually lean towards recommending the Doppio+ version. Here’s why: bean-to-cup machines tend to produce fairly similar results whether you’re making an Americano or a long coffee. The ability to use a larger 14g dose with the Doppio+ often creates a more satisfying black coffee experience overall.
This model represents one of three similar fully automatic versions in the Magnifica Evo lineup. What sets the 292.52 apart is its one-touch milk carafe system, allowing for automated cappuccino preparation alongside espresso and coffee options.
For those wondering about the distinction between ‘coffee’ and espresso settings – our testing shows it’s simply a matter of volume, with the coffee preset delivering a larger amount than the espresso setting.
During our testing, we found this model offers the same exceptional performance as its sibling, with the addition of the brilliant “my latte” function. This smart feature uses all the milk in your carafe for your latte, rather than sticking to preset amounts. Plus, you’ll get the full range of drinks including espresso, coffee, lungo, and a particularly impressive latte macchiato.
In our comprehensive testing, this titanium and black model proved identical in performance to its counterpart, with one delightful addition – a dedicated hot milk setting. This makes it perfect for crafting hot chocolates or preparing babyccinos for the little ones.
After extensively testing every machine in the DeLonghi Magnifica range, our team of coffee experts has developed a deep understanding of what makes these machines special. The breadth of options might seem overwhelming at first glance, but there’s genuine brilliance in how DeLonghi has crafted subtle differences between models to suit different needs.
What truly stands out about the Magnifica range is its ability to deliver coffee quality that rivals DeLonghi’s premium machines. Through our testing, we’ve discovered that when it comes to pure coffee excellence, these machines punch well above their weight class.
For anyone hunting for a bean-to-cup coffee machine who’s settled on DeLonghi and wants the best value for money, the Magnifica range offers outstanding options. We’re confident that after reading our detailed analysis, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the perfect machine for your coffee journey.
For more comprehensive options across different brands, we recommend checking out:
If you’re still weighing up whether a bean-to-cup machine is right for you, and you’re curious about traditional portafilter espresso machines, have a look at:
Based on reader feedback requesting a more concise overview, here’s our streamlined expert summary:
The Magnifica represents DeLonghi’s entry-level bean-to-cup range. Our testing reveals that nearly all DeLonghi machines share core components, meaning the price difference between ranges primarily reflects additional features rather than coffee quality.
We’ve found that all Magnifica machines share identical internal components: the same grinder, brewing unit, 1.8L front-access water tank, grounds bin capacity, cup clearance, and drip tray. The main differences lie in drink options, milk steaming capabilities, and interface design.
Coffee Options:
Every Magnifica delivers one-touch espresso, lungo (extended espresso), and “coffee” (an even longer pour).
Fully automatic versions offer one-touch milk drinks for added convenience, though with less control over milk temperature and texture.
The Magnifica Evo Americano stands out by offering one-touch Americano, using a separate water channel.
The Evo Doppio+ delivers a 120ml shot (minimum 80ml) using 14g of coffee – closer to a cafe crema than a traditional double shot.
Interface:
The Magnifica S and Magnifica S Smart feature traditional buttons and dials. The Start range introduces soft-touch buttons, while Evo machines add a colour display.
Milk Steaming:
The Magnifica S uses a standard panarello/turbo frother that creates traditional frothy milk. The S Smart upgrades to an adjustable system capable of producing latte art quality microfoam.
The Standard Magnifica Start includes a standard panarello, while the Start fully auto versions feature a milk carafe for one-touch drinks.
Both the Magnifica Evo Doppio+ and Evo Americano come with standard panarello wands. The Evo One Touch Fully Auto models feature integrated milk carafes.
This summary should give you a clear picture of the range. For an in-depth look at each model, click here to return to the start of our comprehensive guide.
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