DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Review: Milk Foam Your Way!

In today’s DeLonghi Magnifica Evo review I’ll be sharing my experiences using one of the Italian manufacturer’s latest releases. In fact, DeLonghi gave me a machine to test out before the Magnifica Evo was even launched.

Still, that generous donation didn’t affect my judgment one bit. As is always the case, I can promise you a fair and balanced evaluation of this affordable automatic coffee maker. So, what’s special about the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo and is it worth buying? Let’s get right to it!

For foam individualists

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo

An ordinary machine with a trick up its sleeve

Clever milk foam system

Easy to use

Solid espresso and milk froth

Very compact

Good value

No display screen

	CHECK PRICE
	CHECK PRICE

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Review Overview

I like to complain a lot. Usually about half-baked “new releases” in my super automatic espresso machine guide 2024.

Most of the time, the manufacturers want to make us believe that their machine can do something super great and unique, making the new purchase absolutely worthwhile.

If you take a closer look, this is at most a slightly different display or an updated design.

With the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo I can really present you with something new – a fully automatic coffee machine of the lower middle class with an intelligent milk foam system.

In short, this is the foam version of a coffee grinder’s grind-on-demand function.

The machine produces exactly as much milk foam as you want. Later on, I’ll clarify exactly what you do and don’t have to do to achieve this dream.

Apart from this pretty idea, the Magnifica Evo is one of the DeLonghi espresso machines obviously oriented toward a popular model from an equally popular competitor. More on that later too.

I’ll leave it to you to decide whether we should talk about inspiration, homage or a brazen copy. Either way, my playful side, taste buds and coffee beans were all pleased by the Magnifica Evo.

In any case, the Magnifica Evo brings everything we can pretty much always expect from DeLonghi:

None of this is a big deal. But in my experience, simplicity in the right places is never a disadvantage.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo First Impressions

I find it just a bit strange that DeLonghi describes a “color display.” I mean, let’s face it, the control panel is clearly just colorful backlit sensor touch buttons. However, these make it particularly easy for you to adjust all settings and interact with your machine.

As I was installing the milk carafe, I suddenly realized where I’d already seen this combination of sensor touch display and compact milk frother.

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is suspiciously reminiscent of the Philips LatteGo series machines.

The tubeless milk system from Philips has been hugely popular and successful, especially since the operation of its fully automatic machines is particularly simple.

Even if DeLonghi’s version isn’t a direct copy, I can’t help but feel like the Italian manufacturer took inspiration from its competitor. With that said, DeLonghi’s overall design is much more modern and streamlined, and the machine is even more compact.

In addition, the milk system isn’t just tubeless, but also provides you with milk foam on demand: you put a certain amount of milk in the container, and the fully automatic machine processes it (almost) completely. I’ll clarify in detail why I find this so ingenious later in my DeLonghi magnifica Evo review.

As always, this is where the price question arises first. During my DeLonghi Magnifica Evo review, I didn’t yet know the projected retail price. Now that I do, I’d say $646.95 is pretty reasonable for a machine in this class.

Of course, this is a plastic fully automatic machine without a touchscreen display and app. But the milk function and the general range of settings and choices show that DeLonghi is once again focusing on the essentials: coffee preparation according to your wishes.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Features

Although this DeLonghi machine keeps things simple and effective, there’s plenty left to talk about. Let’s continue this DeLonghi Magnifica Evo review by looking at the machine’s many features.

User Interface

The Magnifica Evo’s user interface will be a breath of fresh air for those of you who dread the prospect of a bottomless pit of menu options. Seriously, everything you need to operate this machine is right there in front of you.

There are soft touch icons for all the drinks on offer, as well as a few icons for making adjustments. Of course, you’ll need to learn which buttons to press, and how long to hold them down, but that’ll take about 30 seconds!

Grinder

I’m very familiar with DeLonghi’s stainless steel conical burr grinder. As you may already know, this is far from the quietest grinder you’ll ever experience. However, it does its job quickly and efficiently.

What’s more, there are 13 grind adjustment levels, which means you have plenty of room to maneuver when you’re dialing in your espresso. Just remember to always make adjustments when the grinder is running!

Ground Coffee Bypas

Located in the bean container on top of the machine, the ground coffee bypass chute can be useful. After all, there are times when a decaf coffee would be your safest option!

Bypass dosers are fairly standard on automatic espresso machines, but you should use them with caution. Not only can the chute get clogged up, I worry about stray coffee grounds finding their way into other parts of the machine.

Milk Foam

You should think carefully about whether the foam-on-demand function is really a decisive reason to buy this machine.

Still, as a concept it’s great. You have the option of programming milk foam settings or obtaining exactly the amount that you’ve poured into the compact carafe.

The advantage is obvious: no matter how big your cups or glasses are, you’re able to fill them. The carafe is too small to fill two latte macchiato glasses, but you’ll be able to get a couple of decent sized cappuccinos.

However, you should be aware that this kind of side-mounted milk flask with a long spout never works for two cups at the same time.

To experience the miracle of the perfect amount of milk, you have to press the My Latte button – it’s the glass icon with the heart on it. To make it easier for you to measure, the milk carafe has handy level markers.

A sensor detects when the milk is used up and then stops the machine. However, a small amount of milk always remains in the container. I guess the system isn’t completely perfect, but it’s not a big deal.

Specialty Drinks

Dark, chocolatey, full-bodied and also nice and hot: this is what I intended for my Coffeeness coffee and that’s how the machine presented it during my DeLonghi Magnifica Evo review. In fact, I would’ve been surprised if this fully automatic coffee machine had come at me with a particularly refined flavor profile.

It’s one of the DeLonghi trademarks to level the playing field in its lower priced machines. What you get is espresso that’ll please all those who like “classic” coffee.

I would like to tell you more – but there’s simply nothing more to say on this point. Here we have the great strength of this machine and similar DeLonghi models: no surprises, no challenges, simply decent coffee.

In addition, I have to report that the cappuccino isn’t too pretty – at least according to fully automatic standards. The foam cap is a bit puny, even if the mouthfeel is creamy and delicious.

Should DeLonghi orient itself more towards modern microfoam here? I don’t think so. The cappuccino is super hot, which indicates the milk has almost been denatured. Still, I know you guys like really hot milk, so that’ll be good news!

In other news, the latte macchiato from this machine gets full marks. Mine had all the beautiful layers I’d expect and the Magnifica Evo prepared it correctly – hot milk first, then foam, then espresso.

User Profiles

I guess the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo might not be the best bet for households with multiple coffee drinkers. There aren’t any user profiles to speak of, so you’ll be in constant danger of losing your espresso macchiato settings the next time someone uses the machine.

Of course, there is the My Latte button, which allows you to customize and save recipes. Still, if there are several coffee lovers using the machine, it’ll be a constant game of “whose latte is it anyway?”

Brew Group

You can easily remove the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo’s brew group which is definitely a bonus. If you’re new to the world of super automatics, you should know that the brewing unit is where all the magic happens.

In here, the machine doses and tamps ground coffee before extracting your beautiful espresso. So, get used to removing the brew group and giving it the attention it deserves! By that, I mean rinsing it, drying it and singing to it softly.

Cup Height

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo has a fully adjustable dispensing unit with two spouts. You can move the dispensing spouts close to your espresso cups when you want to preserve that rich, dark crema.

What’s more, brewing into a decent sized travel mug shouldn’t pose any problems – you’ll have around 5.5 inches (14 centimeters) of headroom when the spout is all the way up.

Warranty

DeLonghi is known for producing high quality espresso machines, and I’ve never experienced a faulty appliance from the manufacturer. That said, we don’t live in a perfect world and things can go wrong. The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo comes with a two year warranty, and the manufacturer will take care of any issues that should arise during that period.

How to Use the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo

Anyone who has ever used a DeLonghi machine should feel confident in being able to set up a new model in their sleep. From the bean container to the water tank, everything will be familiar, and the settings for coffee and milk foam are always consistent.

Therefore, you’ll first set the Magnifica Evo’s grinder to the third finest setting. As always. You’ll notice that the stainless steel conical burrs are neither particularly loud nor particularly quiet. As always.

Start by filling the water reservoir and adding coffee beans to the hopper. Once you’ve turned the machine on, you’ll need to enter your water hardness. You’ll also have to wait for the machine to go about its business. This involves preheating, rinsing and filling the water circuit.

Once all that’s out of the way, I’d recommend preparing a few coffees and throwing them out. That way you’ll season the machine and get rid of any factory residue that could be hanging out in the nooks and crannies.

Drink Preparation

Believe me when I tell you that making quality coffee drinks with the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo is a piece of cake. Since you don’t have to deal with a display or menus, simply press the specialty coffee button of your choice – once briefly for the factory default, longer to start customizing settings.

The espresso volume is preset to 1.4 ounces (40 milliliters) which results in a nice, strong double shot. However, you should reduce the coffee volume from the preset 6 ounces (180 milliliters) to 4 ounces (120 milliliters). I haven’t changed any temperature and aroma strength settings this time.

As I mentioned earlier in this DeLonghi Magnifica Evo review, using the LatteCrema milk carafe couldn’t be easier. You just add milk, attach the flask to the machine, and away you go! Once you’ve made a drink, it’s really easy to flush the milk system without having to take everything apart.

If you need hot water for an americano, you have to remove the milk flask and exchange it for an extra nozzle, which comes as part of the accessories. That’s all there is to it!

Best Coffee for the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo

We have developed a coffee blend for all super automatic espresso machines, including the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo. We tested espresso, black coffee and latte macchiato, all of which displayed pleasant chocolatey notes.

It all depends on the beans: if you put something good in at the top, something good will come out at the bottom!

Coffee for Fully Automatic Espresso Machines

Our famous coffee beans are finally available in the US!

Freshly roasted

Notes of Chocolate

Quick delivery

Low acidity

Get it on Amazon

These are the ideal settings for our coffee with the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo:

• Grind setting: 3

• Attention: Only adjust when the grinder is running!

• Espresso volume: 1.2 ounces (35 milliliters)

• Coffee volume: 4 ounces (120 milliliters)

• Coffee strength: Adjust to taste

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Cleaning

I know that coffee maker cleaning and descaling isn’t your favorite subject, so I’ll keep this brief. Anyway, there isn’t a whole lot to say, seeing as the Magnifica Evo keeps things really simple.

For starters, the front-loading water tank is easy to remove and rinse, as are the drip tray and used grounds container. I’d recommend getting into the habit of taking care of those components every day. While you’re at it, make sure to rinse the brew group at the same time.

You can install a water filter in the reservoir, but you’ll still need to descale the machine from time to time. The program takes around 45 minutes to complete, and you’ll absolutely need to use DeLonghi descaler. At least that’s what the manufacturer would have you believe.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Specifications

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo vs Others

Earlier in this DeLonghi Magnifica Evo review I mentioned the influence of a certain Dutch manufacturer on the machine’s milk system. Let’s take a closer look at how the Magnifica Evo fares in comparison with a few other machines.

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo With LatteCrema vs Magnifica Evo With Steam Wand

I didn’t mention this earlier, but the Magnifica Evo is also available with a manual steam wand. After all the attention I’ve given to the automatic milk system, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear me say that the Magnifica Evo with Steam Wand isn’t really worth buying. Especially when you consider its $642.00 price tag.

I guess what I’m saying is do yourself a favor and spend a little more on the model with the LatteCrema automatic milk system!

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo vs Philips 4300 LatteGo

I don’t want to keep going on about it, but anyone can see that the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo has borrowed from the Philips 4300 LatteGo. Not only that, the Philips has a price tag of $999.00. Sound familiar?

Anyway, what really matters is that the Philips 4300 LatteGo is an awesome automatic espresso machine that really impressed me during my review. So, when you’re trying to decide between the two, maybe a coin toss would be the best solution!

See Also: Philips 4300 LatteGo Review 2024

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo vs Gaggia Magenta Prestige

With an even friendlier price tag of $683.02, the Gaggia Magenta Prestige is definitely worth checking out.

Featuring an awesome ceramic burr grinder and integrated milk carafe, the Magenta Prestige blew me away during my review. Not least because of the amount of control you’ll have over your espresso extraction. From where I’m sitting, Gaggia is making big waves in the North American market, so DeLonghi had better watch out!

See Also: Gaggia Magenta Prestige Review 2024

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Review

For foam individualists

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo

An ordinary machine with a trick up its sleeve

Clever milk foam system

Easy to use

Solid espresso and milk froth

Very compact

Good value

No display screen

	CHECK PRICE
	CHECK PRICE

Sometimes I feel like a bored child surrounded by toys, so new ideas are always welcome.

However, as already mentioned, you should consider whether the milk-to-measure function is really that important. Or whether we aren’t just looking at a successful marketing trick.

After all, automatic systems only deliver as much milk as you set them to. The really acceptable “but” is the fact that here, you can completely take the dosage into your own hands and you don’t have to waste a bunch of milk.

The world hasn’t been waiting for this machine, but it is comparatively affordable and it performs really well.

Similar to the Philips LatteGo series, whose models the Magnifica Evo seems to emulate, I think this is a great fully automatic coffee machine for singles or couples.

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