In the world of super-automatic espresso machines, DeLonghi stands out with its impressive lineup, featuring the Dinamica, Magnifica, and Eletta models. Each of these machines offers a blend of convenience, customization, and quality.
Here’s how to think of each model:
- The DeLonghi Dinamica is known for its exceptional espresso and a wide variety of drinks. It’s the mid-range model.
- Meanwhile, The Magnifica balances affordability with performance. Personally, I like the Magnifica Evo the most since it includes automatic milk frothing.
- Lastly, the Eletta is the most luxurious (and pricey) model, with superior milk frothing capabilities and customizable profiles.
In short, there’s a DeLonghi super automatic espresso machine for everyone. I’ll explain all the key differences between these models, including their variations, to help you decide which espresso powerhouse best suits your coffee ritual.
DeLonghi Dinamica
DeLonghi Dinamica highlights:
- 40 seconds heat up time
- Burr grinder with 13 settings
- 18 drink options
The DeLonghi Dinamica sits comfortably in the middle of DeLonghi’s range of super-automatic espresso machines. It strikes a sweet spot between the brand’s entry-level and high-end espresso machines.
This machine is aimed at coffee lovers who enjoy the rituals of coffee making and appreciate a good cup of coffee but don’t want to get bogged down in the complexities of manual brewing.
It’s for people who not only care about the taste of their coffee but also enjoy experimenting with different coffee styles and milk-based drinks. Essentially, it’s targeted at coffee enthusiasts who are looking for an upgrade from basic models without stepping into the professional territory of coffee equipment.
Drink Options
The Dinamica can make everything from classic espressos and Americanos to more complex cappuccinos and lattes, and even cold brew coffee, thanks to its TrueBrew Over Ice technology.
This espresso machine can brew up to an impressive 18 espresso and coffee drinks at the touch of a button, which makes it a good choice if you like to experiment with your drinks.
Espresso Quality: Grinder and Brew System
Dinamica comes with a conical burr grinder with 13 settings, which is a solid number of options to allow you to grind the beans to a uniform size. You’ll have space to experiment and find the best extraction for your espresso.
Another notable mention is the tubeless grinding chamber, which ensures minimal grind retention. In other words, there’s no leftover coffee for your next brew, which means your coffee is always made with fresh beans.
This machine has a single boiler and takes around 40 seconds to heat up, which is relatively fast.
Coupled with a precise brew system that optimizes water temperature and pressure, the Dinamica delivers a consistently rich and aromatic espresso shot.
Milk Frothing
DeLonghi Dinamica has a Cappuccino system, which uses a Panarello steam wand for milk frothing.
Unlike coffee brewing, milk steaming isn’t automatic. However, you can choose between three options (thick, medium, and thin milk consistencies) when making your lattes and cappuccinos.
One option you aren’t able to adjust is the temperature. Still, Dinamica created hot froth every time I used it.
Ease of Use (and Maintenance)
Dinamica is designed with the user in mind. Its intuitive interface and clear instructions make operation a breeze, even for beginners.
Maintenance is also straightforward, with automatic cleaning cycles and removable components ensuring the machine remains in top condition with minimal effort.
Pros
Wide variety of drink options
Integrated burr grinder
User-friendly interface and easy maintenance
Cons
Premium pricing compared to entry-level models
May require a learning curve for complete customization
Check out our full DeLonghi Dinamica review.
Dinamica Variations
DeLonghi Dinamica ECAM 350.15.B
DeLonghi Dinamica ECAM 350.15.B highlights:
- 4 drink options plus iced coffee
- Manual or automatic milk frother
- 60 oz water container
DeLonghi Dinamica ECAM 350.15.B is the basic model in the Dinamica range. It also has a manual milk frothing system and a simple, user-friendly interface. This model can make fewer drinks — espresso, coffee, long coffee, steam, and hot water. However, it can make iced coffee drinks.
This model also comes in a version with an automatic milk frother called LatteCrema System. You pour the milk into the carafe, and the machine does the frothing.
The LatteCrema System creates creamy and dense milk foam. The machine even has an auto-clean milk carafe option, where the machine cleans the milk frother after use, so you don’t have to worry about curdled milk in your milk frother.
Dinamica Plus
Dinamica Plus highlights:
- Automatic milk frother
- Smart Coffee Link app
- Large color display
Finally, there’s the Dinamica Plus, which is the most advanced machine in the Dinamica lineup. The Dinamica Plus has an integrated milk carafe that automatically froths milk for your drinks. You can adjust the milk foam texture and temperature to your liking.
The Plus version also has the Smart Coffee Link App Compatibility. This feature lets you customize your coffee recipes and save your favorites directly from your smartphone, so you can brew your favorite drink with a press of a button.
Finally, the Plus model also comes with an enhanced user interface with a larger color display, which makes it even easier to select and customize your drinks.
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo
DeLonghi Magnifica Evo highlights:
- Milk container with tubes
- Programmable coffee strength and temperature options
- Color touchscreen
Magnifica Evo is the newest model in the Magnifica lineup. Same as previous models, it comes with a stainless steel conical burr grinder with 13 settings. It also has three aroma and temperature adjustment levels, which give you customization options, and you can get a coffee according to your preferences.
It’s best for users who want a completely automatic espresso machine, that looks modern and has a decent amount of drink options, including iced coffee.
Drink Options
Magnifica Evo can make seven drinks:
- Espresso
- Cappuccino
- Latte macchiato
- Iced coffee
- Coffee
- Hot water
- My Latte
The My Latte option lets you personalize your drink and save it, so the next time you can make it by pressing a button, instead of having to go through the settings and adjust the parameters.
Espresso Quality: Grinder and Brew System
This model comes with an integrated conical burr grinder with 13 adjustable settings. This is on par with other DeLonghi super-automatics, and this range allows you to fine-tune the grinding process to suit the bean type and your preferred espresso strength.
Milk Frothing
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo comes with an automatic milk system, called the Latte Crema milk frothing system. This is a milk container that you attach to the machine. It produces good milk texture and foam for lattes and cappuccinos.
You can also use the My Latte customization and add the exact milk amount you need, so there’s no waste. This is a helpful touch, as you can make a drink with light foam or a massive latte.
Ease of Use (and Maintenance)
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is easy to use and clean. I loved the large display on top, which has color pictures, so choosing and making a drink is truly done by one press of a button.
Plus, you can use the display to choose between three coffee strength options and three temperature settings.
I found that descaling isn’t very fast. It takes 45 minutes, so make sure to plan ahead.
Check out our DeLonghi Evo vs. Philips 3200 LatteGo comparison.
Pros
Drink customization options
Integrated grinder with 13 settings
Large touchscreen display
Easy to maintain
Cons
No automatic milk frother cleaning
Long descaling process
Magnifica Variations
Apart from Magnifica S, there are a few other Magnifica options to check out.
Magnifica ESAM 3000
Magnifica ESAM 3000 highlights:
- Front-loading system
- Adjustable coffee volume and brew strength
- Manual milk frother
Magnifica ESAM 3300 is now a discontinued model, but you may still find some used and refurbished options.
Magnifica ESAM 3300 has a Panarello wand that can be rotated 180 degrees, so it can be used with any milk container.
The Magnifica ESAM 3300 has a user-friendly interface with rotary dials and push buttons for easy operation. Selecting coffee strength and cup size is straightforward, and you shouldn’t have any issues using this machine.
It comes with two boilers: one for steaming and one for brewing coffee. However, you can’t steam and brew at the same time. Still, the machine switches between the operations quickly, and you won’t have to wait a long time.
Maintenance is made simple with the ESAM 3300. It includes automatic rinse and descaling programs, and the brew group can be removed for cleaning. Regular maintenance alerts help keep the machine in top condition.
Check out our in-depth DeLonghi Magnifica review.
Magnifica Start
Magnifica Start highlights:
- Five one-touch coffee recipes, but no iced coffee
- Conical grinder with 13 settings
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Another Magnifica option is Start. The Magnifica Start has a slightly more sophisticated interface compared to the S, with more options for personalizing your coffee experience. There’s no knob but a touchscreen display you use to choose the coffee drinks and brew settings.
The Start brews four drinks: steam, espresso, coffee, and long coffee. Plus, you can use the milk wand to make latte-based drinks.
The Start is available in two options: with a manual and with an automatic milk wand, so you can choose which one suits you better.
Magnifica S
Magnifica S highlights:
- 4 drink options
- Uses a knob instead of a touchscreen display
- Manual milk frother
The DeLonghi Magnifica S is positioned as a more accessible entry point into the super-automatic espresso machine market without sacrificing the quality and taste that DeLonghi is known for.
The Magnifica is designed for coffee lovers who prioritize convenience and ease of use but still want the ability to customize their espresso and milk-based drinks. It appeals to budget-conscious coffee lovers who want a durable, reliable machine that delivers consistent results without a hefty price tag.
The Magnifica S drink options are espresso, lungo, cappuccino, and latte
It doesn’t automatically craft a wide array of drinks with the touch of a button like some higher-end models, but it offers enough flexibility for most users to enjoy their favorite coffee drinks.
It lets you control the amount of milk, milk froth, and milk temperature.
Plus, the steam wand is easy to clean. Simply open it before and after frothing the milk to release the steam and rinse the milk.
Overall, as with any manual wand, it’ll take time and practice to get the milk froth right. However, once you have the hang of it, you won’t have any issues making cappuccinos and lattes.
It comes with a built-in water filter, so you don’t have to worry about limescale building up.
DeLonghi Eletta
DeLonghi Eletta highlights:
- Automatic milk frothing with LatteCrema System
- 8 coffee drinks
- Simultaneous brewing and steaming
The DeLonghi Eletta holds a premium position within the DeLonghi range of super-automatic espresso machines. The Eletta series stands out for its advanced milk frothing systems, customizable coffee brewing options, and intuitive interfaces, all wrapped up in a sleek, modern design.
The Eletta is aimed at coffee lovers who have a deep appreciation for coffee and desire the ability to craft a wide range of coffee beverages at home. These users are typically well-versed in different coffee types and are looking for a machine that can produce everything from a robust espresso to creamy cappuccinos and lattes with the quality you might expect from a professional café.
Eletta also appeals to tech-savvy users. These coffee lovers appreciate the convenience of programmable profiles, one-touch recipes, and intuitive displays that make the coffee brewing process both simple and enjoyable.
Drink Options
DeLonghi Eletta makes:
- Espresso
- Long
- Cappuccino
- Latte Macchiato
- Hot Milk
- Caffelatte
- Flat White
- Hot Water
There’s a dedicated button for cappuccino, but you’ll need to check the menu for flat white and other milk-based drinks.
Espresso Quality
The DeLonghi Eletta has a stainless steel burr grinder with 13 grind settings to choose from. Same as with all the above DeLonghi machines, you’ll be able to dial in your espresso.
This is the only machine in the DeLonghi super-automatic line-up that can brew and steam at the same time, thanks to two independent heating systems — one for brewing and one for steaming.
This lets you make coffee and milk foam at the same time. Plus, you’ll have consistent results, as the machine doesn’t have to switch from brewing to steaming temperature all the time.
Milk Frothing
Eletta has an automatic LatteCrema System. This is a milk carafe frothing system, so you can attach and detach the carafe and store the leftover milk in the fridge as needed.
The LatteCrema System makes creamy and dense milk foam. There’s a dial that lets you control the milk foam consistency. Plus, once the system is done frothing, you can set the dial to the clean position, and the machine will flush the frothing system. Essentially, there’s automatic milk system cleaning.
There’s also an option to steam milk manually using a steam wand that doubles as a hot water dispenser.
Ease of Use
The Eletta has an intuitive interface with high-resolution displays and touch controls. You can easily select drinks, customize settings, and even save your preferences for future use.
Overall, Eletta is designed with convenience in mind and includes automatic cleaning functions for both the coffee and milk systems. There’s a rinsing function, which purges the coffee and hot water system when the machine starts and shuts down.
The brew group is removable for easy cleaning, and the machine prompts users when descaling is necessary.
Pros
Wide variety of one-touch coffee drinks
Advanced automatic milk frothing system for perfect milk texture
Removable parts are dishwasher safe Removable parts are dishwasher safe
User-friendly interface with customizable settings and profiles
Easy maintenance with automatic cleaning and descaling prompts
Cons
High price point
No user profiles
Eletta Variations
Eletta Explore
Eletta Explore highlights:
- 50+ drinks
- Hot & Cold Foam Technology
- 3.5’’ touchscreen color display
Unlike the Dinamica and Magnifica, there’s only one Eletta variation — Eletta Explore. The Explore has over 50 drink recipes, which include hot, cold, and cold brew options. Plus, you can connect the machine to the Coffee Link App and get over 100 recipes.
The machine also has special to-go recipes, and there’s a dedicated pull-out tray for fitting travel mugs.
The Eletta Explore has LatteCrema Hot Technology, which can make hot and cold milk foam. The amount of milk foam and temperature are adjustable.
The Bean Adapt Technology adjusts the machine settings for the selected type of coffee drink to ensure the best extraction.
You can also adjust the coffee temperature, strength, and size in five stages and create four user profiles, which is handy if you have to share your coffee machine.
However, one feature that hasn’t been upgraded is the conical burr grinder with 13 settings.
Overall, the Eletta Explore is an impressive machine that comes with a high price tag. I’d say this is DeLonghi’s response to Jura’s Z10 and its cold brew technology. Still, while it’s definitely impressive, do you really need all of these features?
Comparing the DeLonghi Super Automatic Machines
Each range is designed to cater to different preferences, lifestyles, and budgets. The main differences often lie in the variety of drink options available, the sophistication of milk frothing capabilities, and the level of customization each machine offers. Understanding these differences can help you decide which machine offers the best value for your specific needs.
Dinamica offers a wide range of coffee drinks, including espresso, long coffee, and various milk-based beverages. Some models, like the Dinamica Plus, even support over-ice brews for cold coffee drinks.
Dinamica offers a balance between price and performance. It’s a good middle-ground option for those who want more than the basics but don’t need all the bells and whistles of the highest-end models.
Magnifica is known for its straightforward approach. The Magnifica series, including the Magnifica S and Magnifica Start, typically focuses on essential coffee drinks like espresso and long coffee, with manual options for milk frothing. It’s designed for those who appreciate simplicity and efficiency.
Magnifica presents the best value for those new to super-automatic espresso machines or who prefer a more streamlined coffee-making process. It’s priced more affordably, making it accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing the quality of the espresso.
Eletta stands out for its extensive selection of one-touch coffee drinks, including cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites, thanks to its advanced milk frothing system. The Eletta is aimed at users seeking a premium, café-quality coffee experience with minimal effort.
As the premium option, Eletta demands a higher investment but justifies this with its high-tech features, including a wider variety of drinks, superior milk frothing, and enhanced customization. It’s best for those who prioritize convenience and variety in their coffee routine and are willing to pay more for these advanced features.
What’s Our Favorite DeLonghi Espresso Machine?
When it comes to choosing our favorite DeLonghi espresso machine, it’s a tough call given the impressive lineup, but the Magnifica Evo edges out as the top pick, particularly for its outstanding value and exceptional milk frothing capabilities.
Magnifica Evo is a solid mix of features at a price point that’s hard to beat, especially when considering its advanced capabilities. You get all the essential functionalities of a super-automatic espresso machine (such as automatic milk frothing and versatile one-touch coffee recipes) without the premium cost associated with the highest-end models.
The Dinamica series, particularly models with the TrueBrew Over Ice feature, comes in as a close second. This unique feature is a game-changer for iced coffee enthusiasts. For those who enjoy both hot and cold coffee drinks, the Dinamica provides versatility and quality in one package.
Which DeLonghi Machines Should You Choose?
Essentially, you won’t make a mistake no matter which DeLonghi machine you choose. Think about your budget and how many tech features and drink options you really want and are likely to use.
If you’re curious about DeLonghi manual machines, check out our round-up of the best DeLonghi espresso machines.
