Choosing a winner in the Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta battle is arduous, as both are great espresso makers. So I’ve spent a long time testing it out and decided to give the winning ticket to Delonghi Eletta, though both models are highly rated for various reasons.
Both are praised for ease of use, texture/quality of coffee, ease of cleaning, and more. But the Eletta won for its frothing system, which can make creamy, rich milk foam. So it can produce the ideal smoothness and richness that many other machines cannot.
The Magnifica S also has various features that make it a popular choice among users globally. It provides many adjustable settings, like the Eletta, letting you create double shots in one or two cups per brew session. Moreover, this barista-style modern espresso machine allows you to do anything at the touch of a button.
Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi Magnifica S Vs Eletta: KeyDifferences
The Eletta wins by a score of 4-0 and one tie against the Magnifica S. The former can consistently make great espresso cups with little or no effort, as almost everything is automatic, from frothing milk to rinsing the milk carafe. Yet, the Magnifica S is also worth considering for some good reasons. Let’s explore!
Coffee flavor and Brewing system
The winner: Delonghi Eletta
Grinder
Both the Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta come equipped with stainless steel conical blade grinders, highly reputable for their ease of cleaning and ability to produce consistent flavors. Conical blade grinders are lauded for their minimal production of coffee grounds as well, which makes them a fantastic addition to these espresso machines.
Both machines offer 13 different built-in grind settings, giving you a broad spectrum of customization for your coffee’s texture and flavor. However, the grind settings are not merely about espresso; they also provide an opportunity to tweak your settings for other coffee drinks like drip coffee or French press. To change the grind size, a conveniently placed knob on the bean feeder needs to be turned while the grinder is running.
For those new to these espresso machines, it’s advised to experiment with the different grind settings to achieve your desired coffee flavor. Initially, it might require making multiple cups to dial in the perfect setting, but it’s a worthwhile endeavor for coffee enthusiasts.
In practical use, the Magnifica S grinder occasionally had an issue where beans would get stuck, particularly in the dark roast mode. While this wasn’t a significant issue, it could interrupt the coffee-making process and was a slight annoyance. On the other hand, the Eletta rarely exhibited such hiccups, making it more stable and reliable in comparison.
An often-overlooked feature that could be a deciding factor for many is compatibility with pre-ground coffee. Both the Magnifica S and Eletta allow you to bypass the grinder entirely and use pre-ground coffee. This option is a lifesaver for those times when you’re in a rush or run out of whole beans. It’s a welcome feature that adds to the versatility of both machines.
Heating system
The DeLonghi Eletta comes equipped with a double heat lock boiler system, a feature that provides an advantage in terms of speed and versatility. The dual boilers allow for the simultaneous preparation of espresso and steamed milk, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like offices or coffee shops where dairy drinks are in high demand and efficient preparation is crucial.
In contrast, the Magnifica S houses a Thermoblock system, which means you’ll have to prepare your espresso and steam your milk sequentially. However, this single boiler limitation may not be a deal-breaker for home users who generally have lower throughput requirements.
Both Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta feature Thermoblock technology. This innovative heating system ensures quick and efficient heating, which is especially beneficial for speeding up the coffee preparation process. Additionally, Thermoblock technology is energy-efficient, reducing your power consumption over time. So even though the Magnifica S lacks a double boiler, its Thermoblock heating system somewhat compensates for it, ensuring you don’t have to wait too long for your cup of joe.
Brewing system
Both the Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta come with a pre-infusion feature, which is a hallmark of higher-end espresso machines. Pre-infusion involves soaking the coffee grounds in hot water prior to full-pressure extraction. This step allows the coffee grounds to expand, ensuring a more uniform extraction, which in turn maximizes aroma and minimizes channeling (or “threading”). As a result, you can expect a rich and flavorful espresso from both machines.
When it comes to pressure, both machines operate at a solid 15-bar extraction, exceeding the 9-bar minimum that’s typically cited as necessary for proper espresso brewing. This is on par with commercial-grade machines and ensures that the espresso extraction is efficient, yielding a high-quality shot every time. For those unfamiliar with bar pressure, it’s a unit of measure that indicates the level of pressure used in the extraction process, and a higher pressure generally results in a more robust and full-bodied espresso.
Based on personal experience, both the Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta produce excellent, rich espressos. While many factors like bean quality, grind size, and tamping can affect the end result, the machines themselves are well-equipped to provide a quality extraction process. You’ll get full-bodied, aromatic cups of espresso that will satisfy even the most discerning coffee lovers.
Milk system
Tie!
Both the Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta offer milk frothing systems to enhance your espresso experience, but they differ in their level of automation and convenience. While the Magnifica S provides a manual frothing system that requires you to hold a milk cup under the steam wand, the Eletta automates this process.
Eletta stands out for its more convenient and advanced milk storage and frothing system. After selecting your desired coffee drink, the machine takes over, automatically producing the correct amount of milk for the perfect cream and foam. This level of automation can be particularly useful in busy settings or for those who may not have the skills or patience to froth milk manually. In addition, the Eletta comes with an automatic cleaning mechanism for the milk system, further reducing the manual effort needed for machine maintenance.
One of the drawbacks of the Magnifica S’s milk system is tied to its single boiler system. Since the steam wand shares the boiler with the espresso extraction process, there can be some temperature inconsistencies. Specifically, if you froth your milk immediately after brewing an espresso, the milk may not be as hot as you’d like. This limitation could be a deal-breaker for those who enjoy their coffee drinks piping hot.
Design & Convenience
The Winner: Delonghi Eletta
Drink options & Programmability
| Delonghi Magnifica S | Delonghi Eletta |
| Espresso Cappuccino Latte Hot Water Americano. | Coffee Espresso Caffe Latte Macchiato Cappuccino Flat White Hot Milk Hot water. |
The Delonghi Eletta gives you more offers at the touch of a button than the Magnifica S. Both have a hot water function and let you skip the grinder to use pre-ground coffee if your guests fancy a cup. decaffeinated coffee.
Been hopper and Capacity
When it comes to size, the Magnifica S is more compact, with dimensions of 230 x 430 x 340 mm, making it suitable for kitchens or spaces where countertop real estate is at a premium. On the other hand, the Eletta has dimensions of 260 x 460 x 360 mm, taking up a bit more space. For those who have room to spare, the Eletta’s larger size may not be an issue.
A critical difference between the two machines lies in their bean hopper capacities. The Eletta comes with a generous 14-ounce bean hopper, allowing you to brew more cups of coffee before needing a refill. The Magnifica S falls behind with an 8.8-ounce bean hopper. This difference can be crucial in environments where multiple cups are being brewed throughout the day, as the larger capacity of the Eletta reduces the frequency of refills.
The Eletta also takes the lead in terms of water tank capacity, boasting a 67.6-ounce tank compared to the Magnifica S’s 60-ounce tank. While the difference may seem minimal, it can become quite significant if you are a frequent coffee drinker or if the machine serves multiple people. A larger water tank means fewer interruptions in your coffee enjoyment due to refills, making the Eletta a more convenient option for heavy usage.
Utilities
The winner: Delonghi Eletta
The Eletta stands out with its text-based dashboard display, which not only helps in real-time monitoring but also adds an element of convenience. The dashboard features a meter that keeps track of how many cups you’ve brewed. Additionally, it sends out notifications for descaling or when it’s time to empty the used coffee grounds. This machine also alerts you when the water tank needs a refill, making it easier to maintain optimal operation.
On the flip side, the Magnifica S comes with a more traditional and basic user interface that relies on buttons and rotary controls. This lack of a digital dashboard means you’ll have to keep an eye on things like water levels manually and when to descale the machine. While some may appreciate this hands-on approach, it could be an inconvenience, especially if you’re in a rush or prone to forgetfulness.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The Winner: Delonghi Eletta
Both the DeLonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta offer relatively straightforward cleaning and maintenance procedures. A button-push descaling process and steam nozzle cleaning make it easy to keep these machines in good working condition. However, there are some key differences that set them apart in terms of upkeep.
The Eletta offers an added layer of convenience with its live indicators that remind you when it’s time to clean the machine. This feature helps ensure that you’re brewing the best coffee possible by keeping the machine in optimal condition. Even though cleaning might seem like a daunting task at first, the reminders and easy-to-follow procedures make it faster and less cumbersome than you might expect.
When it comes to cleaning the milk system, the Magnifica S requires a bit more effort. Unlike the Eletta, which has an automatic cleaning mechanism for its milk system, the Magnifica S’s milk bottle requires frequent and more manual cleaning. While bottled water can be used to rinse the milk jugs, for a more thorough cleaning, it’s recommended to soak them in warm water and detergent solution for about 30 minutes before placing them in the dishwasher.
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 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Delonghi Magnifica S
- 15 bar pressure for brewing excellence and consistent results, with integrated silent burr grinder
- Select steam milk or froth milk with the hot milk/cappuccino selector
- Saves up to 77-percent energy with energy-saving switch and single boiler system
- Removable 1.8 litre (60 oz) water tank with water level indicator
- Long coffee function allows you to enjoy drip style coffee, plus a hot water spout for tea or hot chocolate
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Delonghi Eletta: https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/eletta-automatic-espresso-machine-cappuccino-maker-ecam45760b/p/ECAM45760B
- Delonghi Magnifica S: https://www.delonghi.com/en/ecam22-110-b-magnifica-s-automatic-coffee-maker/p/ECAM22.110.B
I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.