Choosing between the Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Eletta as the superior super-automatic espresso machine, I’d have to give the edge to the Eletta.
The Delonghi Eletta really impresses with its innovative LatteCream system, which effortlessly creates either milk foam or steamed milk. It also offers more pre-set drinks compared to the Magnifica XS. Although priced a bit higher, largely due to its advanced automation, the Eletta stands out in terms of milk-frothing capabilities, drink options, and ease of cleaning.
On the flip side, the Delonghi Magnifica XS, while being the more budget-friendly option, does not fall short in delivering quality. It brews decent coffee, and its Panarello wand is quite effective in making good milk-based drinks.
Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Eletta: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Eletta: Differences
DeLonghi Eletta won 4-0 and 1 tie against the Magnifica XS. Keep reading to get more details.
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
The Winner: Tie
Both equipped with DeLonghi’s brewing technology, these two coffee machines both deliver impressive and similar drink quality.
First off, both machines come with stainless steel conical burr grinders. You know how important a good grinder is, right? It’s like the heart of the coffee machine. And I must say, these grinders are fantastic in terms of precision.
The 13 different grind levels are a big plus. I go for a finer grind for a stronger espresso, or a coarser setting when I’m in the mood for a lighter cup. However, I’ve noticed that the two finest settings on both machines can be a bit problematic. It’s a bit too fine, and you run the risk of jamming the grinder. I learned this the hard way when my coffee machines got jammed, and believe me, it wasn’t fun trying to fix it.
Another con is that both the Eletta and Magnifica XS are not what you’d call whisper-quiet. If you used them early in the morning, I was pretty sure you would wake up your family. The noise can be a bit jarring, especially if you’re trying to have a peaceful start to your day or if you’re craving a late-night cup without disturbing anyone.
Brewing coffee using freshly ground coffee is the best thing ever. But there are also cases where we want to or have to use pre-ground coffee. Thankfully, you can do that with these two machines because they both have a bypass doser.
Heating System
Both machines employ 2 Thermoblocks for their heating systems. The speed at which they heat up and are ready to brew is impressive. I’m not a morning person, so every minute counts when I’m groggily making my way to the kitchen. These machines had my coffee ready almost before I could finish rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. They offer quick heat-up times and consistent temperatures, ensuring your coffee is always hot and flavorful.
There’s nothing worse than a lukewarm espresso to start your day, and thankfully, that’s never been an issue with the Eletta. It consistently delivers coffee that’s almost scalding hot – just how I like it. Its drink stays hot longer, allowing me to leisurely enjoy my morning routine without rushing to finish my cup before it cools.
On the other hand, while the Magnifica XS does a decent job, it doesn’t quite hit the same high notes in terms of heat. Sure, the coffee comes out hot but it cools down quicker than expected. I like to take my time with my morning cup, often leaving it to sit as I get distracted with other tasks. With the Magnifica XS, I’ve had a few instances where I’ve come back to a lukewarm cup, which is a bit of a letdown.
Design & Convenience
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
Size & Capacity
| DeLonghi Eletta | DeLonghi Magnifica XS | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (wxhxd) | 260x460x360 mm | 230x430x340 mm |
| Weight | 11 kg | 9 kg |
When you dive into the world of bean-to-cup coffee makers, you will find that these machines are not compact in the size department. They are quite spacious and bulky. Even in a generously sized kitchen, they assert their presence and become a focal point.
Keep in mind that they are over 400 mm in height, so they require some clearance above to access the bean hopper. However, if you have kitchen space without upper cabinets, you can fit them in without worrying about their height.
The DeLonghi Magnifica XS is a bit lighter than the DeLonghi Eletta, but that also means it trades off its capacity.
The DeLonghi Eletta, being the larger of the two, comes with a more generous water tank capacity of 2 liters. Its waste container capacity can handle up to 14 servings before needing to be emptied. Plus, its coffee bean capacity is a solid 400 grams, allowing you to store a decent amount of beans for extended use.
On the other hand, the DeLonghi Magnifica XS’s water tank holds 1.8 liters, which is still substantial but not quite as spacious as the Eletta. The waste container capacity matches that of the Eletta at 14 servings. However, it does have a smaller coffee bean capacity of 250 grams.
User Interface
Magnifica XS’s user interface is very simple. It has a set of buttons on the side and a central rotational dial in the middle. The buttons include an on/off button, a one-touch coffee button, an espresso button, a 2 x coffee button, a 2 x espresso button, and a button to steam the milk. All are labeled, so you can easily learn how to use them. The dial in the middle is to adjust coffee strength.
Meanwhile, the DeLonghi Eletta doesn’t stray far from the simplicity theme either. Its user interface boasts a combination of buttons and an LED text display to navigate its features. While some functions have dedicated buttons, you’ll find others hidden behind menus. While it might take a moment to get used to it, once you’re familiar with it, it’s a breeze.
Milk System
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
Let’s talk about one of the most delightful aspects of these coffee machines: the milk system. The DeLonghi Eletta and the Magnifica S take different approaches in this aspect.
The Eletta uses a pretty darn cool milk system called the LatteCrema system. This system steams and froths the milk fully automatically, simplifying the process to the max. It only uses a milk carafe and a dispensing wand. No messy tubes, no hassle.
This milk carafe is not only convenient but also removable. So, if you have some milk left in there after your coffee session, you can pop it in the fridge, ready for your next cup. This, of course, is a game-changer for milk preservation and cleaning ease.
But wait, there’s more fun to be had with this milk system. The dial on the carafe allows you to adjust the frothiness of your milk to your heart’s desire. Want a silky-smooth flat white? No problem. Craving a luscious cappuccino with an airy froth? You got it. All you have to do is turn the dial. Once you have done your job, you just turn it to the “clean” position, and the machine will do the work to ensure that your milk system is spotless for your next brew.
Meanwhile, the Magnifica XS comes with a Panarello wand for manual steaming. If you’re an experienced barista, then you’ll probably love this option, or at least not hate it. This is because it gives us complete control over the texture and temperature of the milk. But it’s important to note that this control comes with a need for skill and experience. If you’re new to the coffee game or just looking for a quick and easy cup, this might feel a bit daunting.
When using this Panarello wand in its original form, I found that my milk often became foamy before it reached my desired temperature. And I found a way to fix it. By removing the Panarello cover, you can transform it into a more traditional steam wand. This way, I can create steamed milk for my latte.
Drink Options & Programmability
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
Drink Options
| DeLonghi Eletta | DeLonghi Magnifica XS |
|---|---|
| Espresso Long Cappuccino Latte Macchiato Hot Milk Caffelatte Flat White Hot water | Espresso 2 x Espresso Long Coffee 2x Long Coffee |
When it comes to drink variety, the DeLonghi Eletta unquestionably takes the crown. It can cater not only to folks who like espresso-based drinks but milk-based drinks as well.
On the DeLonghi Eletta’s user interface, you will only see 2 “one-button” coffee options: long coffee and cappuccino. All the other milk-based drinks are “tucked away” in the Milk Menu. It does require a few extra taps on the display to get to your preferred coffee choice. It’s a minor inconvenience, really, but worth mentioning.
Now, onto the DeLonghi Magnifica XS, it only offers one-touch drinks like Espresso, 2x Espresso, Long Coffee, and 2x Long Coffee. But using the Panarello wand and brewing a espresso shot, you can still craft a variety of beverages. It’s just that they won’t be conveniently pre-set programs; you’ll need to know the ratios and have some barista skills up your sleeve.
Programmability
Let’s start with Eletta…
Strength of coffee – 5 different options (extra-strong to extra-mild)
You can choose how much ground coffee to use and the temperature of water for brewing. Along with cup size (standard, short, long, and extra-long).
And definitely extra points to Delonghi Eletta for the “My Coffee” setting. This option allows you to customize and also save your favorite, personalized coffee.
Compared to all that, Delonghi Magnifica XS doesn’t at all seem inferior (for the lack of a better word). It gives you the same kind of options for adjusting coffee strength. But there’s no “My Coffee” setting with this one.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
I highly recommend you use a water filter, especially when you’re reliant on tap water. It’s perfect for ensuring that the water in your coffee is always top-notch. And for those who prefer an alternative, just pouring filtered water straight into the tank is a hassle-free option.
The filter has been a boon for reducing the frequency of descaling. However, you still have to descale these machines after about 2-3 months.
Another aspect I appreciate is the ease of cleaning the brew group in both the DeLonghi Magnifica XS and Eletta. Being able to remove it and give it a quick rinse under running water is quite convenient. Just a heads-up though, keep it out of the dishwasher to avoid any potential damage.
Now, when it comes to cleaning the milk system, the Eletta certainly has an edge. Its integrated milk carafe is a breeze to maintain. I found that washing it once a week was sufficient, and it impressively remained odor-free even without immediate rinsing after each use. On the other hand, the Magnifica XS’s Panarello wand does require a bit more elbow grease to clean. It’s not overly burdensome, but it’s not as effortless as cleaning the Eletta’s milk carafe.
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 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of DeLonghi Magnifica XS
- This automatic coffee maker has a 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.
- The adjustable manual cappuccino system mixes steam and milk to create the thickest, longest-lasting foam for your cappuccino. And it’s easy to adjust the levels to prepare a creamy latte, macchiato or flat white. Height adjustable Coffee spout
- Simply adjust the menu settings for temperature, coffee strength and cup size according to your preferences. The machine takes care of the rest.
- 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 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
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.