As someone who needs coffee the moment I open my eyes, I need a quick, uncomplicated brewing method. There are countless ways to make your coffee – from grinding fresh beans to the artful precision of pour-over. But when I’m half-awake and already running late, I need a no-fuss solution.
In the past, I’ve relied on wasteful coffee pods or splurged on $7 lattes from coffee shops. Until I tested the De'Longhi Magnifica Plus. Using this machine has transformed my mornings. With a colorful touchscreen offering 18 coffee options, all you need to do is grab your mug, select your brew, and wait 15 seconds for that perfect first sip.
Here's everything you need to know.
De'longhi Magnifica Plus: First impressions
The De'Longhi Magnifica Plus has a neat, compact design. A lot of coffee machines have water tanks at the back which need to be lifted out, but the De'longhi Magnifica's water tank is attached to the side and easily slides out by pulling it towards you. This means I could easily slot the machine underneath my mug shelf. It's a very convenient design. It feels well-made and ergonomic. When I was assembling the water tank and accessories, everything slotted in effortlessly; it's a beautiful piece of engineering. I chose the black colorway, which is shiny and sleek.
Set up
The full-color touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate. It functions as an instructions panel (no need to read an instructions booklet), with a friendly tone of voice that explains what to do and how to do it. You can swipe along the screen to view all 18 drink options – so you have quick access to everything from espresso, cappuccino, iced coffee and even hot water for a quick cup of tea.
I loved setting up the customizable profiles. Each household member can save their own coffee preferences, making the experience highly personalized. My partner prefers stronger coffee, while I enjoy something a little milder, and with this machine, it's as easy as pressing a button.
Once you've filled the machine with beans and water, you're good to go. There's a built-in, conical burr grinder which freshly grinds your beans for every brew (with 13 grind settings to choose from, depending on your intensity preferences). The bean hopper is huge, so I rarely have to fill it up and the water tank is at the front, easily sliding out to be refilled for every brew.
One particularly nice feature is the auto-shutdown function. If you forget to turn off the machine, it powers down automatically after about 15 minutes of inactivity, which adds to its overall convenience.
Brewing performance
The Magnifica Plus covers an enormous range of drinks. Here's how it performed with some of our favorites.
Test 1: Espresso
I selected espresso and the De'longhi Magnifica Plus presented me with some options on the strength and size of my brew. I chose a small, strong shot – and it got to work in seconds. It was rather noisy as it ground the beans and the espresso wasn't quite as thick or full-bodied as my best Moka pot produces. Still, impressive for an automatic setup. I found it much more delicious than my old Nespresso pods (and without that plastic waste, too).
Test 2: Latte and flat white
This machine is made for milky coffees. It has totally replaced my takeout coffee cravings. The LatteCrema milk frother sits on the left-hand-side of the machine, with a silicone straw and nozzle to insert the fluffiest foam straight into your drink. There are 3 foam levels available and the animated screen will let you know which will suit your chosen drink. I tested both oat milk and whole milk; they both frothed up well.
I used to be a latte lover, but with the De'Longhi Magnifica Plus, a flat white has become my new favorite. The hallmark of a flat white is the velvety microfoam - the milk should be steamed to create tiny bubbles that blend seamlessly with the espresso. I love the results I get with the De'Longhi Magnifica - it's just as good as a café. I like to personalize my settings with an extra coffee shot for a caffeine kick.
Test 3: Cappuccino
I used to buy cappuccinos on my way to the office, but this machine masters them in minutes. The coffee dispenser is adjustable, so I can fit my travel cup underneath and get going quickly. There are four drink sizes to choose from, so you can make an extra large or small cappuccino to fit your chosen cup. My only disappointment is I wish I could customize the temperature since I like my coffee piping hot.
Test 4: Iced coffee and Americano
Baristas say that coffee should be brewed slightly stronger to make a perfect iced coffee, since ice dilutes the intensity. Of course, the De'Longhi Magnifica Plus is an automatic machine which doesn't take its time over anything, but it still did a great job.
I was impressed by the temperature control, as the machine switched from hot to cool in minutes – keeping my ice cubes in tact. The flavor was slightly weaker than I would have liked. Same goes for the slightly watery Americano.
Test 5: Ground coffee
One day I ran out of coffee beans, but I was craving a cappuccino. I had ground coffee in my cupboard, so I tried this function on the Magnifica Plus. You need to add one scoop (no more) to a flap compartment in the center of the machine, but for some reason the machine wasn't registering that I had added the coffee. I couldn't get the coffee out and when I pushed the coffee through to start again, the grounds went into the machine and caused a lot of havoc (and mess). I'd recommend sticking to the beans.
Cleaning
Provided you haven't released coffee grounds into the machine, cleaning is super straightforward and mostly automated, which is a huge bonus. Before and after each brewing session, the machine automatically rinses the system with hot water. Every 10 coffees or so, you'll need to empty the coffee grounds container and drip tray yourself, but the machine alerts you when it’s time to do this, and both are easily accessible from the front.
The drip and ground trays hold a decent amount of liquid and coffee pucks, but sometimes, I found the tray was on the verge of overflowing with sludgy water. I recommend keeping a small cup on stand-by to place under the spout to catch the rinse water, so you don't end up with an overflow scenario.
The machine’s LatteCrema carafe has an automatic cleaning system. After using the milk frother, you can turn the dial onto the self-clean function and rinse the nozzle, which prevents spoiled milk buildup.
Monthly alerts remind you when it's time for a descale. Plus, most of the parts are dishwasher-safe – it's a simple process of removing, rinsing, drying, and reassembling.
Who would this suit?
The De'Longhi Magnifica Plus is perfect for a wide range of coffee lovers, particularly those who want barista-quality drinks at home with minimal effort. It's ideal for anti-morning people (like me) who love quick brewing and self-cleaning functions, so you can grab your coffee and go. Frequent café-goers could enjoy long-term savings by making their favorite lattes and cappuccinos at home.
How does it compare?
If you’re in the market for an amazing automatic coffee machine, you’ll probably browse our guide to the best coffee makers and the best espresso machines. The 5-star rated De'Longhi Eletta Explore is at the top of our buying guide and won't be getting knocked out of place by the Magnifica Plus. It offers 50 coffee options and feels extremely premium, but it does cost $2000 (double the price of the Magnifica).
Otherwise, the Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Machine can brew a range of different coffees, as well as frothing hot and cold milk. You get eight different coffee options with the Philips and you can customize the kind of coffee you're drinking within that selection. That's versatile for a coffee maker, but it pales in comparison to the De'Longhi range. While the upfront price of a De'Longhi may seem high, the are highly durable and can save you money in the long run.
What do customer reviews say?
This is a relatively new machine to the market (only launching in the US in September) but it has already received some rave reviews. Customers praise the simplicity and quality of workmanship. They recognize it's expensive, but 'much more economical than it may first appear when you consider it is an all-in-one device.' Some of them have also cut out their daily takeout coffees and replaced their cluttered countertops of grinders and frothers with this sleek machine. Like me, they love the speed, variety of options and personalization. You can read the five-star reviews on Amazon and Williams Sonoma.
Our verdict
After a month of testing the De'longhi Magnifica Plus in my kitchen, I can confidently say it’s a game-changer. It’s incredibly easy to use, and the self-cleaning functions are a lifesaver – especially when you’re not in the mood to deal with maintenance.
Of course, there are a few downsides. The espresso, while good, isn’t as full-bodied as I would like. There’s also no option to personalize the temperature, which is a small letdown for those (like me) who prefer their coffee piping hot. But these minor flaws are far outweighed by the convenience and cost savings – I’ve drastically cut down on pricey takeout coffees, and our mornings have gone from chaotic to calm.
How we test
To test the best coffee machines on the market, we focus on delivering exceptional brewing performance. As a team of trained product testers, baristas, and coffee enthusiasts, we assess each machine by brewing a variety of coffee styles, including espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes. During the taste tests, we evaluate the consistency, flavor, and temperature of each drink, aiming for a perfect balance.
Ease of use is crucial, so we examine the intuitiveness of the controls, how easy it is to customize drinks, and the clarity of the instruction manual. We also assess special features like milk frothing systems and cold brew functions, checking if they are effective or merely gimmicks. Capacity is important too – whether you're making one cup or several, we note the size of the water tank and bean hopper.
Since maintenance can be a chore, we evaluate how easy the machine is to clean, looking at self-cleaning functions and whether parts like drip trays and milk frothers are removable and dishwasher-safe. We also assess the build quality, ensuring the machine is durable and well-designed for long-term use. After testing, we analyze customer reviews to gauge reliability and satisfaction over time.
Finally, we compare the machine's price with its features and performance to see if it offers good value for money. Our goal is to help you choose a coffee machine that not only brews exceptional coffee but also fits seamlessly into your kitchen for years to come.
