DeLonghi Magnifica Start Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Description

Let’s clear up a bit of confusion in the coffee machine world.

In recent years, we’ve noticed retailers and brands like DeLonghi using the term “bean to cup machine” rather loosely.

To stay precise, we now need to specify “automatic” bean to cup machine when discussing models that handle the entire brewing process without manual intervention.

What do we mean by “automatic”?

Simply put, these machines take care of the entire coffee-making process at the touch of a button—just keep the water tank filled and the bean hopper topped up.

Features and Benefits

• Panarello Steam Wand
• 3 Pre-set Coffees (Espresso, Coffee, Americano)
• 1.8 Litre Water Tank
• 13 Grind Settings
• Dreg Drawer Capacity: 14 Coffees
• Max cup height: 14cm
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 24 x 44 x 35 cm

A quick history lesson: Saeco pioneered the original “bean to cup coffee machine” concept in the 1980s.

The term made perfect sense then—these machines featured both an integrated grinder and an innovative brewing unit that replaced the traditional portafilter and barista workflow, truly delivering coffee from bean to cup.

Today’s market has stretched this definition somewhat.

You’ll find “bean to cup” applied to any coffee machine with a built-in grinder, which isn’t quite right.

That’s why we’re careful to add “Auto” when discussing genuine bean to cup machines that handle the entire process.

When it comes to operation, this machine keeps things straightforward.

Your espresso, coffee, and Americano options are fully automatic—just press and go.

For milk frothing, you’ll find a Panarello steam wand (an interesting name whose origins remain mysterious, though we suspect it’s named after its Italian inventor).

This clever device is essentially a specialised sheath over the steam pipe with an air intake, automatically incorporating air into the milk as you steam.

The standard Panarello wand excels at creating traditional, bigger-bubbled milk foam.

However, if you’re after that silky microfoam for perfect flat whites, you might want to consider the S Smart model instead.

That version comes with an innovative two-setting Panarello that offers greater control over aeration—honestly, it’s the finest Panarello wand we’ve tested, and we wish they’d make it standard across their range.

For those seeking one-touch cappuccino convenience, we’d suggest looking at either the Rivelia or the Eletta Explore instead.

However, if your coffee preferences lean towards Americanos, regular coffee and espresso—with perhaps the occasional cappuccino (and you’re not too fussed about achieving barista-level microfoam)—this machine could be exactly what you need.

It’s one of the most budget-friendly options in its category.

The entire Magnifica range produces remarkably consistent coffee quality (no surprise, given they share similar internal components), and this model offers a slightly more modern interface than the S and S Smart versions.

A quick note about the “coffee” setting: this produces what’s essentially a caffè crema—a longer espresso with a larger water-to-coffee ratio.

Now, coffee purists might argue with this definition of caffè crema, and they’d have a point.

Traditionally, it’s quite different, but on most bean to cup machines, the “coffee” setting produces this longer-style drink, and caffè crema is the closest comparison we can make.

Here’s a pro tip from our testing: to get the most authentic espresso and caffè crema experience from this machine, adjust your grinder settings accordingly.

Use finer settings for espresso and coarser ones for the “coffee” option.