When comparing Delonghi La Specialista vs Magnifica, Delonghi La Specialista is the final winner. Using the La Specialista is like having your very own personal coffee station. Large bean hopper, smooth adjustable controls, an ideal tamping and a seamless and intuitive espresso extraction system. It’s quite an authentic and long-lasting espresso maker.
The runner-up Magnifica is toned down the way it performs. It’s not as ruggedly designed the way La Specialista is. It features the right set of controls to get a smooth and rich shot of espresso. Its streamlined design also makes it a user-friendly espresso maker to buy.
Delonghi La Specialista vs Magnifica: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi La Specialista vs Magnifica – What To Look For
It is easy for Delonghi La Specialista to beat Magnification on this occasion, winning by a score of 3 to 0. In comparison to other bean hoppers, but each has different characteristics with its own advantages. The Delonghi La Specialista may be more advantageous in terms of tamping station, espresso extraction, and milk steaming, however.
Grinding
La Specialista’s bean hopper sits on top of the machine. It has a transparent wall so you can store a good amount of beans and know exactly when to add more. On the bottom of the hopper, there is a Coarse to Fine grind size adjustment. It offers 6 levels of grind adjustments. You have to twist the hopper to select the ideal size.
On the Magnifica, the knob to adjust the grind size sits inside the bean hopper. It offers 7 levels and the bean hopper is a good 8 ounces big. Easy to access since the chamber is placed inside the machine, so the top of the machine is flat. There’s a lid that you need to open to refill it from the top.
Tamping
Do both machines tamp automatically? With La Specialista’s intelligent Sensor grinding technology, you have the ideal tamping station set up at your disposal. The SmartTamping knob sits right next to the machine, on the side.
While this is still automatic, the machine does let you feel like you’re doing manual work. It’s effortless and an expert at how much dose is perfect for a rich espresso shot.
The Magnifica has automatic tamping. From the moment you put the beans in the bean chamber, you don’t need to move anything around to extract coffee. The tamping is done from inside the machine with a push of a button.
Espresso Extraction
The La Specialista has consistently produced the best and smoothest espresso I’ve had. And only that, it produces espresso but it also paves the way for so many other interesting coffee recipes.
The professional-grade grinder and temperature controls are all about boosting versatility. For all the specialty or “advanced” coffee drinks like latte, cappuccino, and flat whites, the La Specialista is fully equipped at adjusting the intensity and dose to suit those drinks.
It’s smooth, fast, and intuitive from start to finish. The portafilter’s sturdiness and solid built really add to the way the machine brews espresso. It’s definitely a thing to work for. And you will have to go through a few rounds of testing batches to get to the perfect dial-in setting. However, the end result is definitely worth it.
In the Magnifica, the espresso does take a bit longer to extract. However, it’s smooth, rich, and great-tasting. You can adjust the settings and get the perfect balance between volume, strength, and flavor of espresso every time.
Milk Steaming
The La Specialista has a unique design for a steam wand. It features two settings – Flat and Foam that you can adjust right from the steam wand. Foam means more air which is good for drinks like cappuccinos and vanilla sweet cream foam latte. Flat is for drinks like flat white, latte, and lighter coffee drinks that have a thin layer of milk.
In the Magnifica, there is the same slide-out wand that also comes apart for cleaning. You press the steam button on the machine and it takes a few seconds before starting up. The same applies to when you want the spout to pour hot water for Americano. The results of the foam are consistent and firm. Great for lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites.
Quick Rundown of DeLonghi La Specialista
- 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
- Sensor grinding technology: Exclusive segsing technology delivers precise, consistent grinding and the optimal dose for espresso, every time. Plus, the bean sensor ensures you’ll never run out of beans while grindin. Auto shut-off
- The smart tamping station: Simply pull the lever to tamp the ground coffee with the right pressure for perfect results. There’s no need to remove the portafilter, so you get to enjoy a mess-free experience, for Espresso Made Right(TM)
- Active temperature control with dual heating system: The best temperature stability for optimal coffee extraction and milk texturing. One thermoblock for extracting coffee and an independent heating system for steaming milk or frothing
- Advanced latte system: Micro-foam frothing for Latte Art or rich froth for cappuccino. Just place your cup under the spout and select flat or foam. Now, you can enjoy your flat hot milk, or the perfect foam to express your latte art creativity
Last update on 2023-03-03 / 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 2023-01-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
Final Verdict
If you’re shopping for an espresso maker for the first time in your life, what’s the top thing you’d like to see? If you’re anything like me, your top priority is pulling a rich and delicious shot every time. The quality of the espresso shots in every cup can really define a coffee maker.
After that, my next best feature is reliability. How does the machine work cup after cup? Does it have a long waiting time? Are the parts sturdy enough for daily use? With the Delonghi La Specialista vs Magnifica, all these needs are satisfactorily met.
Related Articles to Delonghi La Specialista
- Delonghi Magnifica S vs Delonghi La Specialista: 2 Amazing Affordable Espresso Makers. Which Is Better?
- Delonghi La Specialista vs Breville Barista Touch: What Machine Is Best For Users At Different Levels?
- Breville Oracle Touch vs DeLonghi La Specialista: Find Out Which One Is Great for Americanos and Lattes AND for the Money!
- Delonghi La Specialista vs Breville Barista Express: Which Is The Best Entry-level Espresso Machine For The Money?
- Delonghi La Specialista vs Breville Barista Pro: Which Is Better Purchase?
- Breville Oracle vs Delonghi La Specialista Review: 2 Best Super-Automatic And Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
- Delonghi La Specialista vs Dinamica: Comparison Review & Top Features
Related Articles to Delonghi Magnifica
- Gaggia Brera vs Delonghi Magnifica ESAM3300: Which Mid-range Espresso Maker Suit You Better?
- Delonghi Eletta vs Magnifica: Comparing What They Can Do For You
- Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Magnifica: Which Espresso Maker Should You Buy Next?
- Delonghi Dinamica vs Magnifica – The Best Bean To Cup Coffee Machine To Buy
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.