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. 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.

Milk frothing is a manual affair but the steam wand is designed for beginners. There’s no expertise required here at all, and even a complete novice can make a serviceable latte or cappuccino with minimal effort. I like to complain a lot. Usually about half-baked “new releases” in my super automatic espresso machine guide 2023. The tubeless milk system from Philips has been hugely popular and successful, especially since the operation of its fully automatic machines is particularly simple. 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 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!The world hasn’t been waiting for this machine, but it is comparatively affordable and it performs really well. 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. Compared to some models we’ve seen at the price, the Magnifica S Smart is a cut above the average. It’s moderately stylish, doesn’t take up too much room on the kitchen counter, and the build quality seals the deal: the water tank, drip tray and grounds bin all slot home with a reassuringly solid feel. Upgrade to the Magnifica S Smart here, however, and you get a far sturdier and more handsome machine. The strength dial is a really nice touch – it makes it easy for anyone in the household to adjust coffee strength and without needing to digest the user manual beforehand.

It’s essential to adjust grind size and tweak the strength dial to suit different coffee beans, but it’s easily done once you get the hang of it and, in any case, it’s something you’d need to do on any machine to obtain the best results. The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo is one of the biggest coffee machines we’ve tested. It measures 44 x 36 x 24cm (w x d x h) which means it’s going to take up a lot of space. If you’re considering keeping this machine underneath your wall-mounted cupboards, bear in mind that you’ll still need to be able to reach the top of the coffee maker because that’s where you’ll add either coffee beans or ground coffee. 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.

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 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

Spend a little time optimising the grind size, coffee temperature and the amount of espresso and milk used for each drink, and you can get better results but you can also make things worse, so there’s no harm in just leaving it at the default settings. Whereas the Magnifica S Smart needed tweaking from the off, I’d be happy to just leave the Evo One Touch alone. What it is, however, is a smart buy. Once you’ve added fresh coffee beans and got the settings just so, this is a machine that produces a good – if not magnificent – coffee with a minimum of fuss. De’Longhi Magnifica S Smart review: What you need to know 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. 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!

There are two spouts on the coffee dispenser which means you can make two coffees at once. We found the machine sturdy enough to prevent the espresso cups from sliding around on the drip tray and the adjustable height of the dispenser meant it was very easy to fit a variety of cup sizes beneath it. Thankfully, it’s easy to adjust grind size on this machine: where some rivals require a fiddly tool, the De’Longhi allows you to simply turn the dial with your fingers. The only proviso is that it should only be adjusted when the grinder is running, and the manual advises users to adjust it one step at a time, giving the settings time to bed in. 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 Take a little time to get the settings just so, and the Magnifica S Smart rewards with consistently tasty coffee with the bare minimum of fuss. Factor in the handy strength dial, smart looks and good-quality build, and De’Longhi is onto a winner.