DeLonghi Magnifica Plus Review: Does It Stand Out?

Ever stumbled into your kitchen, brain still foggy and craving that perfect espresso? Yeah, me too, and that’s why I decided on this DeLonghi Magnifica Plus review.

You see, this sleek Italian espresso machine claims to brew cafe-quality drinks hassle-free. No barista skills required. Just excellent coffee without the $5 coffee shop sticker shock.

But does it live up to the hype? Can a machine that does everything from grinding to brewing to frothing really satisfy a snob like me?

As it happens, I haven’t yet put the DeLonghi Magnifica Plus through its paces. Still, I was sufficiently curious to take a first look. So, let’s get into it. 

Overview: DeLonghi Magnifica Plus Review

DeLonghi’s newest addition, the DeLonghi Magnifica Plus, isn’t just another espresso machine. It’s a godsend, aimed at the growing post-pandemic home barista movement.

Right around 2022, DeLonghi recognized that specialty coffee consumption was at an all-time high. And with a whole lineup of super-automatics behind them, they wanted – no, needed – to up their game.

So, late last year, DeLonghi released the Magnifica Plus alongside two home espresso machines – the Dedica Maestro Plus and La Specialista Opera. Just in time for National Espresso Day, no less!

But what’s different about the Magnifica Plus? Well, for starters, this machine is super-compact. All thanks to the integrated LatteCrema milk system, removable water tank and built-in grinder. It’s also understated, boasting classic DeLonghi neutral matte colors with stainless steel accents.

However, the user interface (with an impressive 18 coffee options) is the star of the show. This front-angled intuitive touch screen display is logical and easy to use, as is the LatteCrema automatic milk frother. It delivers superb microfoam, while allowing for convenient density, volume and temperature adjustments.

But let’s face it, at $1,020.99, this coffee machine isn’t cheap. However, it seems more reasonable when you consider that its sister machine, the DeLonghi Eletta Explore, clocks in at $1,680.00. Comparable Miele and Jura machines also start at around $1,500.

All in all, DeLonghi has done something remarkable here. They’ve developed an easy-to-use, compact, entry-level automatic espresso coffee maker. In an age of complicated super-automatic espresso machines that baffle and bewilder, I guess that’s something worth celebrating.

DeLonghi Magnifica Plus

So how does this latest DeLonghi automatic espresso machine measure up in terms of features? Is it a reincarnation of other DeLonghi super-automatics or does it break new ground? Let’s take a detailed look.

Size and Design

The Magnifica Plus is a study in classic DeLonghi design – clean, elegant, durable and definitively Italian. Its matte grey exterior with black and stainless steel accents demonstrates excellent build quality. Thankfully, it doesn’t scream, “I spent way too much on my coffee habit.” But if it’s too dull for you, other more exciting color combos exist. Black and gold, perhaps?

At 14 inches tall, 9.5 inches wide and 17.5 inches deep (35.5 x 24.1 x 44.5 centimeters), this espresso machine is small enough to fit on an average kitchen counter. And at 21.5 pounds (9.8 kilograms) it’s also light enough to move around.

The layout is what you’d expect from DeLonghi. It features a top-mounted bean hopper, slanted, front-facing touch screen user display and height-adjustable brew spouts. Other functional touches include a separate hot water spout, milk frother and a removable 60-ounce (1.8-liter) water tank.

For the coffee enthusiast seeking a delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality, the DeLonghi Magnifica Plus delivers. It’s sleek yet functional, perfect for everyday use.

User Interface

Listen, we’ve all come across appliances with interfaces quite obviously dreamt up by sadists. The DeLonghi Magnifica Plus is not one of them. Unlike other machines that can literally have you screaming bloody murder, DeLonghi considered this interface for everyday home use.

First, it has a sufficiently large 3.5-inch (8.9-centimeter) TFT color screen. Second, its icons make excellent design sense. You’ll find milk settings on the right, coffee options on the left and everything else in between.

Third, the light indicators are actually useful. They promptly inform of maintenance and other requirements like low water, water rinses and descaling.

Overall, this Magnifica Plus touchscreen display does the job. It cuts through the confusion, ensuring coffee simplicity at its finest.

Conical Burr Grinder

And now, onto the piece de resistance – the grinder! This machine features a 8.8-ounce (250-gram) bean hopper, which leads on to a low-noise 400-rpm grinder with hardened steel conical burrs. 

Now, I know you may ask why conical and not flat burrs? Aren’t flat burrs better for espresso extraction anyway? Well, that’s generally true. But for a super-automatic that boasts several coffee options, conical burrs offer much needed versatility.

The finer grind settings (1-5) provide the perfect resistance for an authentic espresso shot. The coarser grinds work well for longer coffees. And with up to 13 adjustment levels, there’s no room for mistakes when dialing in your preferred grind setting.

Other functional niceties include a bypass doser for pre-ground coffee. Use this for those rare decaf nights or when you want to test a new batch of coffee beans.

For a super-automatic in this price range, this grinder is good enough. It may be on the wrong side of the conical vs flat-burr grinder for espresso debate. Still, it delivers consistent coffee grounds that match those of many dedicated standalone grinders.

LatteCrema Milk System

Another standout feature for this DeLonghi Magnifica Plus review is the LatteCrema system. This built-in automatic milk frother creates rich microfoam for a variety of milk drinks. Set on low for flat whites, medium for lattes and high for cappuccinos. Moreover, this automatic milk frother steams both dairy and non-dairy milk. This is a feature many machines in this category don’t have.

This machine’s milk temperature control is a vast improvement on earlier models. Another useful feature is the automatic steam-rinse, which cleans the milk lines after frothing. This, along with removable dish-washer parts, greatly minimizes maintenance.

Last but not least, the removable hot milk carafe. I love, love, love this component. After use, simply refrigerate it with leftover milk until your next brewing session. What’s that if not convenient?

One-Touch Recipes

The Magnifica Plus comes pre-programmed with 18 one-touch preset recipes ranging from the basics (espresso, coffee) to the fancy (flat white, latte macchiato). There are even tea and hot chocolate options for the kids and caffeine-averse folks in your life.

All this customization is a favorite for me in this DeLonghi Magnifica Plus review. Case in point: This machine boasts four drink sizes and five brew strength levels. These provide a matrix of possibilities. Need a doppio strong enough to get you going in the morning but a mild latte in the afternoon? No problem!

Some of the coffee options available include:

As you can see, the choice is stunning. But what you’ll also notice is how effortless it all is. One button, your exact desires, consistent results each time. Literally, coffee heaven without barista school!

User Profiles

Next up in my DeLonghi Magnifica Plus review I want to discuss one of my favorite features – the user profiles! The Magnifica Plus enables you to create up to four user profiles with five drink settings for every family member. Your perfect brew settings – coffee strength, temperature, volume and milk texture – are all saved at the touch of a button.

Why is this feature so valuable? Imagine this: Your partner is partial to a latte macchiato, your teenager prefers a weak latte and you’re a medium cappuccino kinda person.

Instead of playing with these settings every brew session, you can select your profile and voilà — tailored coffee just how you prefer it! And you know what that means? No more “Who tampered with my perfect cup setup?” grumbles in the morning!

To me, these intelligent, user-oriented touches are what make the DeLonghi Magnifica Plus stand out.

How to Use the DeLonghi Magnifica Plus

Now, let’s talk about how to operate this latest DeLonghi espresso machine. It’s not difficult really once you get the hang of the user interface.

Start by cleaning the removable parts (water tank, hot water spout and LatteCrema components and carafe) with warm water and then dry all thoroughly. Next, fill the water tank with cold water. For this DeLonghi Magnifica Plus review, I suggest using filtered coffee water, even though the machine has a water filter option.

Next, load fresh beans into the hopper (situated at the top) and close the lid tight. Then, plug in the coffee machine, which will run you through a few initial set-up procedures. These include a ground coffee setting, rinse water cycle and water hardness test. You won’t have to purchase the hardness strips either; DeLonghi provides these along with a host of accessories. 

Now you’re ready to brew. After you’ve filled the hopper with coffee beans, the easy-to-navigate interface will be your guide. This intuitive touchscreen display boasts buttons for various coffee types. It also has useful adjustable brew strength and volume settings. Place your cup on the drip tray, press the appropriate buttons and the machine will do the rest.

For milky coffees, fill the LatteCrema carafe with your preferred cold milk. Then, select your drink options, including brew strength, drink size and milk texture settings. Again, the Magnifica Plus handles the rest, remembering these settings for future use.

DeLonghi Coffee Machine Cleaning

You’ll need to follow a few essential maintenance steps to keep your espresso machine running smoothly.

Daily, empty the coffee grounds container when prompted (typically every 10-14 coffees). Then, clean the drip tray before it overflows; there’s nothing worse than a coffee water tsunami on your counter!

Also, purge the milk system after every brew using the auto-clean cycle. This prevents milk crust, which could affect your coffee’s taste. Lastly, don’t forget to wipe the exterior of your coffee machine.

Weekly, please take 15 minutes to remove and rinse the brew group with warm water only (no soap!) before letting it completely air dry. Also, empty the bean hopper and clean with a dry cloth to remove accumulated coffee grounds and oils. You should also deep-clean the water tank, LatteCrema components and milk carafe. The best thing is that these parts are dishwasher-safe, so it’s fine to run them through a gentle cycle.

Monthly and beyond, vacuum the grinder to remove stuck coffee grounds and oils. Then, run a cleaning cycle using DeLonghi cleaning tablets. Likewise, descale your coffee machine every 2-3 months or when prompted, using DeLonghi descaling agents.

You may also need to change the water filter at around the same time. As always, if you’re unsure about any cleaning procedures, consult the user manual or watch DeLonghi online videos.

DeLonghi Magnifica Plus Specifications

DeLonghi Magnifica Plus vs Other Super Automatics

How does the DeLonghi Magnifica Plus measure up to its siblings? Let’s take a gander.

Magnifica Plus vs Dinamica Plus

The DeLonghi Dinamica Plus is more like your reliable workhorse. It boasts a retro boxy appearance, compared to the Magnifica Plus’ newer, sleeker shape.

From a user interface standpoint, the earlier-model Dinamica Plus, despite Brad Pitt’s celebrity endorsement, is more old-fashioned. While it has a TFT touchscreen display, it can’t compare to that on the Magnifica Plus. It also boasts a Coffee Link app (for the Internet-of-Things inclined) and an iced coffee function. These features are absent in the Magnifica Plus. 

When it comes to coffee grinding, both machines use a 13-setting conical burr grinder. Both DeLonghi espresso machines also boast a 60-ounce (1.8-liter) water reservoir and use the automatic LatteCrema milk frother system.

But the biggest difference shows itself in the user profiles. The Dinamica has three, while the Magnifica Plus stores up to four.

Both super-automatics also retail for about the same price: $1,020.99 for the Magnifica and $1,029.99 for the Dinamica.

So, which do I favor for this DeLonghi Magnifica Plus review? To be honest, I’m on the fence. Both DeLonghi machines are pretty much on par. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your design tastes, user interface preferences, and whether you value internet connectivity.

See Also: DeLonghi Dinamica Plus Review

Magnifica Plus vs Magnifica Evo

The DeLonghi Magnifica Plus and its next-generation cousin, the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo, are DNA twins. The Plus proudly sports that boxy, utilitarian appearance in classic silver-and-black. Similarly, the Evo cleans up with streamlined lines, a removable brew group and less plasticky materials.

Interface-wise, the Evo stays old-school with a slimmer control panel featuring backlit soft-touch buttons. In contrast, the Plus employs effortless swipe controls on a bigger graphical color touch screen.

Both also have a 60-ounce (1.8-liter) removable water reservoir and 13-adjustment-level conical burr grinders. However, the Evo’s less noisy grinder makes for quieter brewing. For milk drinks, both machines leverage the foam-on-demand LatteCrema system with programmable milk foam settings and removable hot milk carafe.

Price-wise, they’re in a similar ballpark. Still, the Evo is rather more affordable at $561.99.

My verdict? If money is tight, the Evo will do. But if you can stretch to the Plus, then all those minor quality-of-life upgrades make for better coffee.

See Also: DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Review

DeLonghi Magnifica Plus vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: DeLonghi Magnifica Plus Review

The Magnifica Plus hits just the right note in the super-automatic espresso machine niche. Like other machines from this Italian manufacturer, it seems to offer exceptional coffee quality and milk texturing. It’s also simple to use and provides adequate customization to please finicky coffee connoisseurs.

So, who should buy this? Consider this coffee machine if you live in a multi-coffee family with differing tastes. It’s also a catch if you value build quality and logical touch screen interfaces.

Is it perfect? No device is. I think the drip tray is too tiny (thanks to the compact footprint). It also lacks WiFi connectivity, though, unlike many, I don’t need my coffee maker to connect to the Internet of Things.

But given its price, my verdict for this DeLonghi Magnifica Plus review is definitive: This home espresso coffee machine provides incredible value, convenience and excellent coffee options for its category. It’s decent for a no-frills, entry-level super-automatic that does exactly what it says on the tin.

Magnifica Plus FAQ