Well, you’re faced with a dilemma, I can tell! If you’re looking for a super automatic coffee machine, Delonghi is bound to catch your eye. You’re looking for an affordable, consistent price range for this kind of machine, rather in the mid-range to avoid the cheapest but most basic machines.
Well, of course you thought of the Magnifica Start, but then you thought you might choose something a little more modern, a little more designer, but just as good. Without realizing it, you were heading straight for Delonghi’s Magnifica Evo.
And you’re right! Without going into a full presentation of this model here, we can already say that it’s a very interesting model in its different variations, bringing undeniable quality to every cup.
Magnifica Evo range update
If you’re familiar with Delonghi, you’ll know that the brand offers a wide range of machines for each product line, and that it’s not always easy to find your way around. Let’s give it a try.
Magnifica S
This is the forerunner of the Magnifica range, still one of the brand’s best-sellers today. Its price, accessibility and quality make it a sure bet. Visually, and in terms of parameter handling, it is dated, as is the presence of a single steam nozzle. Hence the next version, the Magnifica Smart.
Magnifica Start
The Magnifica Smart’s control panel is more modern and intuitive, with pictograms. We also like the fact that it comes with a steam nozzle or Latte Crema System, which lets you program milky drinks without having to intervene to make the milk foam.
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Magnifica Evo
This is the most modern version of the Magnifica, with an improved touch panel for more different beverages. It also features a small screen for easier viewing of controls. This is the Magnifica Evo Next version. The Evo is also available with a steam nozzle or Latte Crema System.
Are we talking price? This Magnifica Evo ranges from 500 to 600 US $, depending on the model and color chosen. The version with Evo Next screen is generally priced at around 700$.
Technical specifications of the Magnifica Evo
- Width: 24 cm
- Depth: 44 cm
- Height: 36 cm
- Milk system: automatic with carafe or steam nozzle
- Beverage options: coffee, hot water, espresso, cappuccino, My Latte
- Milling trap: yes
- Number of grinder settings: 13 positions
- Coffee strength setting: 4
- Interface: touch-sensitive keys
- Mill type: steel
- 2 simultaneous coffees: yes
- 2 simultaneous milk drinks: no
- No. of percolations for 2 cups: 1
- Nozzle rinsing: automatic
- Coffee group maintenance: manual and removable
- Pump pressure: 15 bar
- Material(s) : ABS Mat
- Water tank volume: 1.8 l
- Grain bin volume: 250 g
- Marc bin volume: 14 wafers
Design, my Delonghi Magnifica Evo has style
So yes, the Magnifica range is a little outdated in visual terms. Except for this Magnifica Evo, which tends to harmonize with more recent machines like the Eletta Explore in terms of its upward-sloping, touch-sensitive control panel. Finally, forget the front-mounted controls.
The advantage of this front panel is that it also showcases coffee extraction, and the space needed to place the automatic milk carafe for milk drink lovers.
The passive cup warmer remains easily accessible, with the same space as on previous ranges – enough for 3 cups.
Evo interface
The interface consists of pictogrammed tactile buttons. Simply press them to launch the order. And since the settings and beverage options are average for this type of machine (unlike some which claim to display 20 or 30 different beverages), the panel is easy to use. That’s this machine’s main asset.
If there’s one downside – and it’s only one – to the interface’s ease of use, it’s when it comes to setting up the machine, where you have to press the cogwheel-shaped button for 5 seconds in a row. It’s not a big deal either.
As previously mentioned, it comes in a version with a color display. This doesn’t radically change the way the machine is used, since it simply provides visual confirmation of the function launched using one of the machine’s keys.
To stay within a relatively – and I do mean relatively – affordable price range, Delonghi has opted for a small screen. But this loses its appeal.
While we’re on the subject of what the Magnifica Evo doesn’t have, we can also mention Bluetooth connectivity. In the case of other brands, this is used to simplify the control and parameterization of your machine by means of a dedicated application. In this case, the Evo doesn’t offer a sufficient level of customization to justify the use of Bluetooth connectivity.
Visually, this control panel is well worth a look. The pictograms are brightly colored, and stand out visually against the glossy black ABS that makes up the bodywork of this machine, thanks to subtle backlighting. Visually, it’s a great success.
Performance
Talking about a coffee machine is good. Giving factual values that can be easily compared with other models is even better. And it’s in this section that you’ll indulge your passion for the comma and your thirst for timing!
Noise
We’re currently at around 60 decibels using the milk carafe, again totally within the Delonghi range.
Yes, a machine that grinds coffee does make a bit of noise. We’re talking about 70 decibels when the grinder starts up. This lasts 5 to 6 seconds. This is Delonghi’s standard level, given that the brand always uses the same grinder from one machine to the next.
Compared with other brands, we’re slightly ahead in terms of value. But there’s nothing prohibitive about that either.
It starts fast
For morning rushers, caffeine addicts and life’s stressors, machine start-up time counts for a lot. On a cold start, the first cup will be ready to pour in 38 seconds. You really have to be impatient to complain. In fact, this is much faster than the Magnifica S, its ancestor, which took 71 seconds, including extraction.
Beyond time, there’s the water consumed by maintenance rinses. They are automatic, necessary and often a good excuse to say that our coffee machine uses too much water. However, the ignition rinse uses only 55 ml of water, and 18 ml for the extinction rinse.
Remember that the water tank capacity is 1.8 liters, or 1800 ml. Who’s at fault? The rinsing or your excessive coffee consumption?
Coffee intensity
Like any self-respecting machine, you can vary the intensity of the coffee, which means changing the weight of the coffee grinds used for your espresso.
For this Magnifica Evo model, there are 3 setting levels: 9, 12 and 15 grams, with an average cup at 12 g of coffee.
This data will serve as the basis for fine-tuning the machine to get the best out of your cup.
Temperature
Do you know how hot your coffee is when it comes out of your Evo’s nozzles? It all depends on your setting, since there are 3 different levels. Your coffee will come out at 150°, 154°, 161°F (or 66°, 68° or 72° C) , depending on your choice.
This temperature level is perfectly in line with the rest of the market. Beware, however, that some machines advertise values flirting with 90°. This is the temperature at the outlet of the heating circuit, before it travels through the coffee to reach your cup, hence the discrepancy.
There’s one thing that’s often overlooked when it comes to temperature, and that’s the cup warmer. With this type of machine, we speak of a passive cup warmer, in the sense that it’s the heat released by the machine that heats the cup warmer. There is no integrated circuit dedicated to this part.
Nevertheless, after 20 minutes of operation, the cup warmer reaches 102°F or 39°C. Your coffee glass or mug will already be a little less cold, limiting thermal shock to your coffee and a rapid drop in temperature.
How did the Magnifica Evo perform?
What about coffee?
Well, you don’t care if it starts in 38 seconds, in a little less time, as long as it doesn’t take 10 minutes? Do you want to know how good the coffee is?
Yes, the coffee’s a success! And that’s no surprise, really! If you’re already familiar with Delonghi and its bean-to-cup machines, then you know that the coffee will be mastered.
And why? Because it’s still the same famous 13-position grinder, whose precision allows you to get the very best out of your coffee beans. Crema, aroma, texture, it’s all there!
To make sure it’s not just an impression, the Magnifica Evo’s TDS (dissolved solids content) is 8. This is a very good score for an automatic machine, which explains the quality of the coffee. And if you’re only vaguely familiar with the term TDS, go and read thearticle on the refractometer, you’ll know everything.
And what about dairy drinks?
This is the Latte Crema system that comes with most Magnifica Evo models. It consists of a milk carafe that attaches to the machine and allows you to obtain a milky drink, cappuccino or latte macchiato, at the touch of a button and, above all, without having to intervene.
What can we expect from it? Not perfection, but an excellent result that will never make you regret pressing Cappuccino instead of Expresso. The milk system automatically creates the milk foam for cappuccino or latte macchiato.
And there will be almost only very fine bubbles, which are the key element in measuring the quality of a mousse. The creaminess of the milk, the sweetness of the milk sugar, the heat retention, the visual effect too, particularly with latte macchiato, all these elements are at a very high level.
A high-quality steam nozzle with a perfectly mastered gesture would enable you to do even better, but that’s getting into the details.
For a little more variety in making your milk drink, you can use the My latte option, where the machine can emulsify all the milk in the carafe, which you will have dosed beforehand.
And if all you want is hot milk, you’ll have to be a little tricky, as the machine doesn’t include this program in its operation. To do this, press the Ground coffee setting and My Latte at the same time. Since you won’t be using ground coffee, the machine will heat the milk in the carafe!
Magnifica Evo maintenance
If you already have a Delonghi, you can skip to the conclusion. Otherwise, here’s what you need to know:
- It is possible (and even recommended) to put a filter cartridge in the water tank to limit scale build-up.
The machine tells you when to carry out this famous descaling. The complete procedure is detailed in this article on descaling Delonghi machines. - Nozzles are rinsed automatically after each coffee and when the machine is started.
- The grind hatch should be cleaned after each use.
- The extraction unit is removable and should be run under moderately hot water once a week.
I warned you, these are the classics!
Note that the milk carafe system can be rinsed. However, you will need to run it under water after each use for the removable parts, i.e. the carafe itself and the pipe.
I recommend this machine:
- You are looking for a complete machine that is not overpriced
- It offers very good espresso extraction quality
- It has a good price-to-quality ratio for coffee and milk drink enthusiasts.
In summary:
The Delonghi Magnifica Evo is a new version of the Magnifica range, featuring a modernized design and a touch interface with color pictograms.
The machine offers 4 to 6 coffee drinks and comes with either a steam wand or a LatteCrema carafe. I actually recommend the carafe for this model.
The Latte Crema System allows for automatic preparation of milk-based drinks using a graduated carafe.
The Magnifica Evo stands out for its ease of use, an efficient grinder adjustable to 13 settings, and the quality of espresso extraction.
Maintenance of the Magnifica Evo is straightforward, with a removable brewing unit, dishwasher-safe parts, and a descaling program.
Overall, after testing nearly all of the different DeLonghi ranges, I find that the Magnifica Evo offers one of the best price-to-quality ratios for a complete machine without unnecessary options.
- Very easy to use
- Intuitive control panel
- Controlled espresso extraction
- Efficient grinder with 13 settings
- Consistently high quality of milk-based drinks
- Cannot save user profiles
- Not many customization options
- No on-demand milk with one touch (but it's possible)
Delonghi Magnifica Evo, yes or no?
The answer is yes! As you’ll have gathered from this text, this Magnifica Evo has no real shortcomings. And all the more so as it’s in the low-medium price range.
This Magnifica Evo is not without its critics. But first of all, it’s important to understand that these are not, strictly speaking, technical shortcomings, but rather a matter of positioning on the part of the manufacturer. In order to place this machine in a precise price range, it does not include certain features that are dedicated to more expensive machines.
These include the absence of user profiles so that each user can save his or her own settings, and the more limited number of beverages than on other Delonghi machines. But for me, these little shortcomings are minimal, and on the contrary, they allow us to offer a great deal at a very reasonable price.
So yes, it’s a big Yes! Its coffee will delight you, the milky beverages flatter palates and pupils, it’s very easy to maintain, and it has a very successful, modernized aesthetic.
