DeLonghi Eletta vs Magnifica: they cater to slightly different coffee preferences. But if I had to choose between the two, my preference would lean towards the DeLonghi Eletta.
What sets the DeLonghi Eletta apart is its unique LatteCrema system, making it the ideal choice for those who relish milk-based coffee drinks. It offers a wider selection of one-touch drink options, streamlining the coffee-making process whether you’re in the mood for espresso or milk-based beverages.
DeLonghi Magnifica also embodies the essence of a modern barista-style espresso machine. It offers one-touch convenience for coffee enthusiasts who prioritize the intensity and flavor of their espresso. With the Magnifica, the focus is squarely on the coffee, delivering a satisfying brew with minimal hassle.
Delonghi Eletta vs Magnifica: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2025-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi Eletta vs Magnifica: Differences
When comparing the DeLonghi Eletta to the Magnifica, the verdict is quite clear: it’s a resounding 3-0 with 2 draws, all in favor of the DeLonghi Eletta. To get a more in-depth review, let’s delve further into the details.
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
The Winner: Tie
Grinder
DeLonghi Eletta and Magnifica both offer a conical steel grinder with an impressive 13 grind settings. These settings allow you to customize the coarseness of your coffee grounds, catering to different coffee strengths and the specific type of coffee beans you’re using.
However, let’s get real for a moment – having 13 settings might sound amazing, but in my experience, it can be a bit of a marketing ploy. I noticed that when it comes to the finest two settings, these machines struggled a bit. The pump pressure didn’t seem sufficient to push water through grounds that fine. So, in reality, you probably won’t find much use for those last two settings.
Another noteworthy aspect is the noise level of these grinders. They can be quite loud, which could be a concern if you’re trying to keep things quiet in your home, especially early in the morning or during those late-night coffee cravings. If you’ve ever heard of a super quiet grinder, like the one on the Jura Z10, you’ll understand the difference. Of course, quieter grinders tend to come at a higher price point, but it’s something to consider if noise is a concern for you.
That said, I must acknowledge that these grinders are still quite good and perform on par with, or even better than, most other automatic espresso machines in this price range that I’ve used.
One feature I particularly appreciated is the inclusion of a bypass doser for pre-ground coffee. This comes in handy when you want to brew a cup of decaffeinated coffee or use a different type of coffee without going through the grinding process.
Heating System
One standout feature of both the DeLonghi Eletta and Magnifica that I absolutely love is their twin boiler heating system, and let me tell you, it makes a world of difference in the coffee-making process.
These machines heat up water quite fast, and I mean lightning-fast. From the moment you switch the machine on, you’ll find yourself ready to start crafting your favorite coffee drink in just a matter of seconds. This quick heating time is a game-changer for those mornings when you’re in a hurry and need your caffeine fix pronto.
But that’s not all – the twin boiler setup also means that these machines can simultaneously heat water for brewing coffee and steaming milk. This eliminates any annoying delay between these two essential processes. However, you still can’t steam and brew at the exact same moment, but switching between the two processes is impressively swift.
Design & Convenience
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
Aesthetics
| DeLonghi Eletta | DeLonghi Magnifica | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 10.2 x 14.1 x x 18.1 inches | 11 x 15.3 x 14.4 in |
| Weight | 24.2 lbs | 23.1 lbs |
When it comes to the build materials of the DeLonghi Magnifica and Eletta, they primarily consist of plastic with just a few stainless steel parts. Given their affordable price point, this material choice is to be expected.
The plastic construction means that these machines can be prone to scratches, so it’s essential to handle them with care. While they may not have the sleek and elegant all-stainless steel appearance that some higher-end machines offer, I must say their overall appearance is still quite nice. They have a modern and appealing look that should fit nicely into most kitchen settings.
When it comes to size and weight, they’re both designed to fit comfortably within standard kitchen clearances.
User Interface
The DeLonghi Eletta comes equipped with a button-based user interface and features an LED text display. On the other hand, the DeLonghi Magnifica opts for a different approach, offering a control panel with push buttons and dials. Below this control panel, you’ll find useful alerts that signal when it’s time to add water, empty the coffee puck container, or perform descaling maintenance.
In terms of ease of use, I would rate both types of user interfaces equally. During the initial use, I found that neither was too challenging to grasp, but they weren’t immediately intuitive either.
One minor inconvenience is that the buttons on both machines only feature icons, without any accompanying text to spell out their functions. Initially, I had to navigate through the menu to figure out what each icon represented. It took me a little bit of time to become familiar with the system.
However, once I got the hang of it, the user interface on both the Eletta and the Magnifica became quite user-friendly.
Capacity
| DeLonghi Eletta | DeLonghi Magnifica | |
|---|---|---|
| Water tank capacity | 2 L | 1.8 L |
| Capacity waste container | 14 servings | 14 servings |
| Coffee bean capacity | 400g | 250g |
DeLonghi Eletta and Magnifica’s capacity are well-suited for home use. While I need to refill the water tank, coffee bean container, and empty the coffee grounds container every 2-3 days, I personally find this quite reasonable.
Moreover, these espresso machines employ a convenient front-loading system. This means that the water tank, removable drip tray, and coffee grounds container are all easily accessible from the front of the machine.
In my own setup, I stored them under my kitchen cabinets and only needed to pull them out when I have to refill the bean hopper. This setup allowed me to make the most of my kitchen space while still having the convenience of easy access to all the necessary components for brewing.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| DeLonghi Eletta | DeLonghi Magnifica | |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Spout | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 3.5 – 5.6 in | 2.75 – 4.25 in |
Both DeLonghi Eletta and Magnifica have dual coffee spouts, which allow us to brew two cups of coffee simultaneously. That’s a real time-saver for those hectic mornings when I am in a rush to get your caffeine fix.
Their spouts are height adjustable and they can accommodate standard-sized cups without any issues. This is crucial because it means you’ll never have to worry about messy splashing when brewing a cup of espresso. However, there’s a notable difference between the two in terms of spout adjustability.
The DeLonghi Eletta takes the lead in this department, as its spout can be adjusted to a higher position compared to the Magnifica. For someone like me who loves to create frothy, creamy lattes, this feature is a game-changer. The ability to raise the spout higher means I can easily fit my tall latte glasses under it, allowing me to pour in a generous amount of milk without any spillage.
Milk System
The Winner: Tie
When comparing the DeLonghi Eletta and Magnifica, one of the most significant differences that stood out to me was their milk systems.
The DeLonghi Eletta features a milk system known as the “LatteCrema” system, and it’s truly something special. This system is designed with just a milk carafe and a dispensing wand, and its performance is nothing short of impressive. This system is fully automatic, making it incredibly user-friendly and eliminating the need for any specialized milk-frothing skills. Even if you’re not a seasoned barista, you can effortlessly create coffee-shop-quality milk-based beverages.
On the milk carafe, you can see a convenient dial that allows you to precisely adjust the texture of the milk foam, providing you with 3 distinct options: dense, creamy, and velvety foam. Whether you’re craving a frothy cappuccino or a luxuriously smooth latte, the DeLonghi Eletta’s LatteCrema system offers you the flexibility to tailor your drink to your exact liking.
The DeLonghi Magnifica, in contrast to the Eletta’s LatteCrema system, comes equipped with a Panarello milk frother which operates manually. It requires a bit of skill and involvement on your part to create different milk textures. Surprisingly, this manual frother works quite effectively.
As a professional barista, I must admit that I have a soft spot for manual milk frothing, and the DeLonghi Magnifica’s Panarello frother doesn’t disappoint. Even on my first attempt with the DeLonghi Magnifica, I was able to produce an acceptable result, and I am sure that with practice, the results will only improve.
However, this Panarello wand is not the best tool for creating steamed milk. The milk tends to become foamy quite quickly, often before reaching the desired heat level. However, there is a clever workaround for this issue. You can remove the plastic sheath, revealing a stainless steel pipe underneath. This essentially transforms the Panarello wand into a more traditional steam wand. Not only does this give you more control over the steaming process, but it also makes cleaning a breeze. I appreciate this versatility in the milk system.
The DeLonghi Magnifica’s milk frother may not be as powerful as those you find in commercial-grade machines. While it’s perfectly suitable for crafting lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, it falls short when it comes to creating intricate latte art. The foam control is somewhat limited, so achieving complex designs can be challenging, especially if you’re a beginner. However, it’s not impossible, and with practice, you can still produce decent latte art.
In summary, I won’t make a definitive judgment on whether an automatic milk system or a manual steam wand is superior because the choice really comes down to your personal preferences, habits, and skill level when it comes to frothing milk.
Drink Options & Programmability
The Winner: DeLonghi Elette
Drink Options
| DeLonghi Eletta | DeLonghi Magnifica |
|---|---|
| Espresso Long Cappuccino Latte Macchiato Hot Milk Caffelatte Flat White Hot water | Espresso Cappuccino Latte Hot Water Americano |
The DeLonghi Eletta offers a total of 8 one-touch drinks. It seems to cater more to individuals who enjoy milk-based drinks. Just take a look at the table! This means that with a single press of a button, you can easily prepare various milk-based beverages like cappuccinos, lattes, and Latte Macchiato.
On the other hand, the DeLonghi Magnifica offers 5 drink options: Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Hot Water, and Americano. These drinks can be prepared, but not all of them are one-touch recipes. You may need to follow multiple steps to make them, as opposed to the convenience of one-touch preparation.
In conclusion, the Eletta is ideal for those who prioritize one-touch convenience, especially for milk-based drinks, while the Magnifica offers a more diverse coffee experience but with some additional steps required for certain beverages.
Moreover, both the DeLonghi Eletta and DeLonghi Magnifica offer the flexibility to adjust coffee strength and volume. It allows you to tailor your coffee to your specific preferences, ensuring a more satisfying and personalized coffee experience.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The Winner: Delonghi Eletta
Water Filters and Descaling
Unlike the DeLonghi Eletta, which comes equipped with a built-in water filter that I highly recommend using, the DeLonghi Magnifica does not have a water filter included, nor does it have a designated spot to attach one. This means that the Magnifica is more prone to calcium buildup and requires more frequent descaling. This can be a bit of a downside, especially if you’re looking for a low-maintenance coffee machine.
The Magnifica provides a test strip to check your water’s hardness. This is a useful tool as it helps you understand the level of mineral content in your tap water. The harder your water is, the more prone your machine will be to scaling issues.
To mitigate the need for frequent descaling, I used filtered or bottled water, which can significantly reduce scaling. I recommend using a Brita water filter to soften the water and reduce the buildup of calcium deposits in your water. Alternatively, you can purchase water with a low hardness level if it’s available in your area.
Cleaning the Brew Group
I really like that both the DeLonghi Eletta and Magnifica models have a removable brew head. It makes cleaning the brew head a breeze, and you can do a thorough job. Plus, if it ever breaks, replacing it is simple.
When it comes to cleaning, I just rinse the brew group under running water and make sure it’s completely dry. It’s important to remember not to put it in the dishwasher!
Cleaning the Milk system
When it comes to milk system cleaning, the DeLonghi Eletta takes the cake in terms of convenience. It has a nifty “Clean” option on the dial. After each milk frothing session, all you need to do is dial it to the “Clean” position, and the machine takes care of the rest. It automatically purges water through the milk dispenser, effectively cleaning away any lingering milk residue.
Now, with the manual steam wand of the DeLonghi Magnifica, things are a tad more involved. When you’re done frothing, there may still be some milk residue clinging to the inside and outside of the steam wand. You’ll want to grab a wet cloth that’s specifically designated for cleaning it.
In addition to wiping, briefly switch on the nozzle and let some steam through it. Just be cautious because the steam wand will be hot.
Quick Rundown Of DeLonghi Eletta
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL Super-automatic espresso coffee machine with a patented AUTOMATIC CAPPUCCINO system that delivers a tasty barista-quality Cappuccino, Caffelatte, Latte Macchiato, hot Milk, Flat White in less than 3 minutes. Can be used with either coffee beans or ground coffee for preparation of two cups of coffee within a single brewing cycle.
- PROFESSIONAL Brew two cups of magic drink simultaneously with Top-of-the-line Delonghi bean-to-cup brews two cups. Great brewing without having to learn how to be a barista. This fully automated machine has an integrated silent coffee grinder with 13 adjustable grinding settings, a bypass doser, a pump generating up to 15 bars of pressure, a water filter, a double boiler system, an automatic milk frother, a milk jug and cup warmer, as well as electronic temperature control.
- USER FRIENDLY. A super-automatic espresso maker can deliver the coffee shop experience to the comfort of your home, any time you feel the urge. System equipped with a touch control panel, a front-loading water tank, a frothing unit, a telescoping spigot, a bean hopper & coffee-grounds container with a capacity indicator and also provides adjustable water, milk & coffee drink quantity.
- EASY TO CLEAN Automatic cleaning with Descaling, cleaning and rinsing programs with a Cappuccino System cleaning indicator. All removable components of the Delonghi super-automatic espresso coffee machine are dishwasher safe
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASE: Delonghi super-automatic coffee machine backed with an Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee and a 12-month Warranty. If you are not 100% satisfied, please CONTACT US immediately and we will help you right away. Our world-class customer support is available 7 days per week.
Last update on 2025-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of DeLonghi Magnifica
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- FRESH ESPRESSO FOR EVERY CUP: The professional burr grinder with 13 adjustable settings grinds fresh beans every time to ensure maximum freshness. You can also use pre-ground in the second chamber. Your choice of regular, specialty or decaf.
- YOUR FOAM, YOUR WAY: A manual frother mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for evenly textured drinks – just the way you like them.
- CONSISTENT BREWING EVERY TIME: Each cup is automatically brewed to the perfect temperature, richness and density. And you can customize the settings to ensure its always just the way you like it.
- EASY TO CLEAN AND HANDLE: The compact, extractable brew unit is not only easy to clean, it self-adjusts for one or two shots of espresso.
Last update on 2025-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- DeLonghi Eletta: https://www.delonghi.com/en/ecam44-660-b-eletta-cappuccino-automatic-coffee-maker/p/ECAM44.660.B
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.