The Delonghi Eletta is a super-automatic espresso maker equipped with a special latte system for both espresso and milk. If you love adding milk to your morning coffee, the Delonghi Eletta is the better option when comparing with the Magnifica. It makes things automatic and quick.
I think of the Delonghi Magnifica as a barista-style modern espresso machine. It does everything at the touch of a button. So for people who care more about the intensity of their espresso, not milk, milk steaming, etc. the Magnifica is the one for them.
Delonghi Eletta vs Magnifica: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi Eletta vs Magnifica – Which Is Better?
Delonghi Eletta wins by 3-1 against Magnifica thanks to its performance, easy to clean and creamy milk froth. It is sure to please more than just cappuccino drinkers.
1. Price
The Eletta is $1,000 costlier than the Magnifica which stands at a lower price range. This is because Eletta has more advanced features for faster brewing and a robust design. If you see the control panel, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
The main feature that really sets the tone for Eletta is the Lattecrema system. Its one-touch operation keeps the machine running smoothly and without delay. And unlike the Magnifica, the Eletta also features special coffee buttons – for cappuccino, cafe latte, and latte macchiato.
For Magnifica, even though it’s significantly cheaper than the Eletta, I did find some really amazing features. Like the programmable menu settings and the Advanced cappuccino system.
It performs well consistently but the durability lags behind because of its low cost.
2. User-friendliness
Both the Eletta and Magnifica are easy and convenient to maintain. With accurate programmable functions, the single touch operation even while adjusting the grind size, volume, and intensity are seamless.
The Eletta lets you program to your personal preferences. This includes temperature and coffee ratio controls. What is also simplified is accessing the default coffee selections for a large variety of drinks. And most importantly, the display on the control panel guides you as you move through the entire bean-to-cup operation.
Magnifica has in its potent housing all the features that ace making espresso at home. With a single touch, you can make an Americano that’s better than any Starbucks’. The one-touch operation also applies to brewing double shots in one cup. The machine will automatically adjust the dose, size, and strength-based on what you select.
3. Cleaning
Delonghi Eletta features active indicators that let you know when the machine needs cleaning. The indicators are for descaling and for cleaning out the water filter that carries mineral deposits.
It has a milk carafe that I would advise you to wash once every 7 days. It keeps itself odor-free the rest of the week even if you don’t rinse it after use. You can detach the milk carafe and store it in the fridge to get cold foam for delicious espresso drinks.
I did have to clean the Delonghi Magnifica more often than the Eletta. If you’re worried about clogging, use bottled water. It really complements the charcoal water filter to prolong the machine’s shelf life.
It features the descaling indicator so I always know when to clean. Rinsing the parts that come in use during espresso extraction is also necessary. I also did find that the steam wand with the o-ring needs replacement more often. Thankfully, Delonghi has accessible replaceable parts that aren’t that expensive.
4. Milk
The steam wand/integrated milk frother deserves a category of its own. The milk frother on the Eletta is adjustable in that you have 3 levels of milk to pick from. The Milk Menu on the Eletta is accurate and consistent. The milk reservoir is 0.6L so it’s almost the size of a milk carton that you can store easily in the fridge.
The steam wand on the Magnifica is part plastic and part stainless steel. It has a small hole that releases hot air into the milk to froth it quickly and smoothly. I use a slightly damp but soft cloth to wipe the wand after every use. It takes about 60 seconds to use and clean.
Quick Rundown of DeLonghi Eletta
- Fresh Espresso for every cup the integrated burr grinder with 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.
- The de’longhi lattecrema system creates perfectly layered Espresso beverages, with dense, rich, long-lasting foam in every cup from start to finish.
- Consistent brewing every time Each cup is automatically brewed to the perfect temperature, richness and density. And, you can customize the settings to ensure it’s always just the way you like it.
- Maintenance: de’longhi machines require half the cleaning time of other brands, unlike competitor machines, which require chemical cleaning tablets monthly.
- Warranties may not apply to purchases from an unauthorized retailer.
Last update on 2023-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of DeLonghi ESAM3300 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 2023-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Conclusion
If all you care about is the sound and aroma of piping hot and creamy espresso pouring into your cup, nothing does it better than a Delonghi coffee machine. And two of its top competing super-automatic espresso makers are Eletta and Magnifica.
They’re better than any local coffee shop’s coffee. Granted that you continue to use high-quality coffee beans and/or pre-ground coffee. They allow you to brew espresso and all kinds of espresso drinks at home without babysitting each cup.
So if you feel stuck figuring out which espresso maker to buy, pick from the Delonghi Eletta vs Magnifica models.
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I am a passionate coffee drinker. Since I left my job as a barista a few years back in 2012, I’ve been sharing my expertise on coffee and buying the best coffee equipment online. That’s how Wild Boar Coffee came to life.
I write about everything coffee-related under the sun. Where to buy the freshest coffee beans from? How to test coffee beans based on texture, aroma, and acidity?
I know all this from scratch – all thanks to my years and years of experience as a barista. So I’ve gotten real up-close-and-personal with coffee beans and different brewing techniques.