Delonghi magnifica evo ecam292.81.b vs delonghi magnifica s ecam 22.360

Verdict: DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Review

For foam individualists

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

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.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my DeLonghi Magnifica Evo review. Have any of you already bought this new machine? Do you love the innovative milk function? I look forward to your comments!

Things To Consider Before Buying

While the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo has up-to-date design and technology, there are some drawbacks.

For example, the lack of a display screen means that, while it is easy to use, it’s not as simple as some other machines.

There’s also no scope for saving multiple user profiles. Yes, the My Latte option is useful, but it is limited if there’s more than one person regularly using the machine.

On the My Latte feature, it ensures you can customize everything from brew strength to volume, you can’t customize the density of the milk foam, which is a drawback.

Finally, you may be put off by the predominantly plastic housing, which is inferior to machines with stainless steel casing.

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.

One is tactile, the other is not

It is inevitable that the first thing we look at when we are evaluating which super-automatic coffee maker to buy is aesthetics. In this case, we have to say that, although they seem very different, they are not so different. There are differences, of course, but, if we analyze them, we realize that they are more similar than, at first glance, we would have thought. One of the differences is the color, since the Magnifica S is available in black, while the EVO is sold in silver. Particularly, we like the silver color better, but it is not a relevant quality.

Another difference is found in the interface. While the De’Longhi Magnifica S has buttons on the front, the De’Longhi Magnifica EVO is operated by touch. In addition, the controls are located on the top, and not on the front like its rival. Finally, it seems that the double outlet tube of the Magnifica S is longer, but the reality is that it is the casing where the logo is that is smaller. Otherwise, there are no more differences, since they have the same size and weight.

What we don’t like

There’s no way to customize milk texture

Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The set-it-and-forget-it ethos of an automatic frother might be great for saving time and energy, but if you’re a coffee snob (ahem, guilty), you might have trouble putting all your trust in a machine.

While the cappuccinos and lattes came out with generally consistent hot and frothy results during testing (just don’t forget to flush out the carafe each time!), the milk quality wasn’t the best we’ve ever tested.

For one thing, the difference between latte and cappuccino milk in this machine is minimal. The latte milk has way too much froth to be considered a traditional latte by my old barista bosses’ standards. And, unfortunately, there’s no way to alter the amount of froth produced in each batch.

We also found that the machine struggled with non-dairy options, particularly standard almond milk, as it produced small amounts of bubbly froth at the top while the rest of the drink was pretty watery.

The coffee is sometimes weak-tasting

Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi

I’m someone who likes a strong cup of coffee, especially when I’m drinking it black. And unfortunately, each cup of regular coffee I made in this machine fell short of those standards.

The machine’s coffee button made drinks that were consistently weak-tasting, even when placed on the highest strength setting. I tried several methods of tweaking to see whether I could remedy this issue, like adjusting the coarseness level and swapping different beans, but I found a similar issue every time. The only hack I would suggest to remedy this is using the iced coffee feature (sans ice) for a stronger cup.

That said, espresso beverages like lattes and cappuccinos didn’t suffer from the same problem, so you might not be bothered if those are your go-to drinks (or if you just prefer a lighter cup).

So, how does the coffee taste?

Out of the box, the grinder was on the perfect setting. Warning – don’t change this unless you know what you are doing.

The Espresso was a little watery, and we tweaked the setting from mild to medium. I may adjust the grinder one click from 5 to 4, but I have not done so yet.

Café Latte was too weak – one shot and too much froth. There is no way to alter the program to two shots or change the milk/froth ratio. We simply use the pre-set My Latte and, at the end, press Espresso for the second shot. This also solved the froth issue, as milk is reduced by 40ml to accommodate the second shot.

The froth texture is good but the ratio to milk is a little high.

The coffee temperature is acceptable on medium. It is nice to know that we can go up or down.

Coffee machine recovery time – Pass+

We sequentially made five Lattes, and the machine showed no signs of slowing down. The coffee was always at the same temperature. The only limitation is the 1.4L tank.

MEASURING WATER HARDNESS

The descaling alarm is displayed after a period of time es-tablished according to water hardness. The machine is set by default for a hardness value of “4“. The machine can also be programmed according to the hardness of the water supply in the various regions, so that descaling is required less often.

1.  Remove the indicator paper from its packaging. If provid- ed with your model, you will find it attached to the Quick Guide.
2. Immerse the paper completely in a glass of water for about one second.
3.  Remove the strip from the water and shake lightly. After about a minute, 1, 2, 3, or 4 red squares appear, depend-ing on the hardSAness of the water. Each square corresponds to one level.

See instructions in section “9. Settings menu” to set the machine.

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:

• Stainless steel conical burr grinder with 13 adjustment settings

• 3 aroma (amount of ground coffee) adjustment levels

• Finely adjustable coffee quantity

• 3 temperature adjustment levels

• Simple operation via touch buttons

• Removable brew group

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

About the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo

Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi

This fully automatic De’Longhi espresso machine takes the manual dialing in, tamping, and frothing out of the coffee-making experience. With the Magnifica Evo, the only thing standing between you and a frothy cappuccino is a milk pour and the touch of a button.

Building off of the previous Maginifica Evo, this new and improved model features a LatteCrema system that froths milk on its own, plus a variety of built-in recipes like Latte Macchiato, Cappuccino, Espresso, Coffee, Over Ice, and Hot Water for tea.

The control panel also features intuitive controls for self-cleaning the milk carafe, personalizing coffee strength, doubling any recipe, and more. Everything comes equipped with a helpful and easy-to-follow manual that will walk you through every step, from cleaning the machine to making your first drink.

This machine was chosen as one of Oprah’s favorite things in 2022, so I was especially excited to put it through some testing and find out whether it’s worth splurging on.

So, which super-automatic coffee maker do we choose?

Now that we have analyzed the differences and similarities between both De’Longhi, it is time to decide which one we would choose. For that, we have to look at the price, and, as we have already told you before, there is little difference. The De’Longhi Magnifica S is somewhat more expensive, but we justify it because it has the integrated milk system. If you usually drink coffees in which you use this functionality, this coffee maker is more comfortable. The only bad thing is that you won’t be able to make an Americano coffee, a variety that is only available in the Magnifica EVO.

If you don’t usually make cappuccinos, you might be more interested in sticking with the Magnifica EVO, since it is somewhat cheaper and shares most of the functionalities with the Magnifica S. In fact, the main difference is that it does not have an integrated milk system. That does not mean that we cannot prepare cappuccinos, but that we must do everything more manually. Additionally, this coffee maker has touch control, and we always find that an advantage.

As you have seen, the two De’Longhi coffee machines are really similar, and what you can be clear about is that, with either of them, the coffee will be of the highest quality. Proof of this is that the main parameters (power, pressure, grinder, tank capacity, etc.) are the same. Therefore, think about how many cappuccinos you drink a day and choose.

Introducing Magnifica Evo

There are two espresso machines in De’Longhi’s Magnifica Evo line – the ECAM29084SB and the ECAM29043SB. Since the differences between the names are so minute, we’ll spend the rest of the blog referring to the ECAM29084SB as the Magnifica Evo Milk and the ECAM29043SB as the Magnifica Evo Steam. Brodie took a closer look at the Magnifica Evo Milk, while Cat worked with the Magnifica Evo Steam. Here’s a little background on each machine before we get into actually brewing with them.

Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB (Magnifica Evo Milk)

From the moment I plugged in and turned on the Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB, I could tell I was going to have a very simple and straightforward path to getting a cup of espresso. As soon as the machine turned on and the ready-to-brew light below each of the fully colored and surprisingly detailed drink icons illuminated, I felt as if I was already in the home stretch to enjoying my preferred drink.

Magnifica Evo Milk

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB

With seven drink options, each with a dedicated one-touch fully colored icon, an integrated conical burr grinder, and De’Longhi’s patented LatteCrema milk system, the Magnifica Evo Super-Automatic Espresso Machine ECAM29084SB offers an accessible and authentic at-home espresso experience.

$899.95

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Unique to the Magnifica Evo Milk is the option to brew seven different drink options, as well as integration of De’Longhi’s patented LatteCrema milk system. Drink options include My Latte, latte macchiato, cappuccino, espresso, coffee, over ice, and hot water. Each drink option is fully customizable when it comes to volume, and brew strength, with select options offering the choice of a single or double shot.

As for the LatteCrema system, I found using it a breeze from the get-go. The system is designed to automatically froth the entirety of the milk poured into the included container so you never really feel like you’re doing it incorrectly. There are also clearly labeled markings on the container corresponding to each milk-based drink option based on the amount of milk De’Longhi recommends. This really comes in handy if you’re like me and want a semblance of guidance before delving into the trial and error of finding the perfect ratio of milk to coffee.

Magnifica Evo ECAM29043SB (Magnifica Evo Steam)

The Magnifica Evo Super-Automatic Espresso Machine ECAM29043SB, or the Magnifica Evo Steam, is very similar to the other espresso machine in the Magnifica Evo collection. The main differences between these two machines are the number of drink options as well as type of milk steaming options. Unlike its counterpart, the ECAM29043SB doesn’t have the built-in LatteCrema system, so milk frothing is done manually. There is also not a dedicated hot water button, though there’s an easy work around that I’ll discuss below.

Magnifica Evo Steam

DeLonghi Magnifica Evo ECAM29043SB

Enjoying your favorite espresso drinks has never been easier with the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Super-Automatic Espresso Machine ECAM29043SB. The illustrated buttons on this bean-to-cup machine allow you to easily choose from the six customizable drink options.

$799.95

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The Magnifica Evo series of espresso machines are De’Longhi’s newest foray into entry level super-automatic espresso machines, and it’s easy to see how they will appeal to espresso newbies. With an extremely easy to use interface, the bean-to-cup capabilities thanks to the built-in grinder, and the ability to learn how to froth milk, this espresso machine is perfect for those that want an alternative to daily cafe trips. The brew options include coffee, long, espresso, americano, over ice, and steaming, and you can customize the volume of each drink as well so you can brew just the way you want to.

FAQ

Does the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo have user profiles?

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo doesn;t have user profiles. However, it does have a My Latte function, which allows you to save drink settings.

Does the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo make good espresso?

Thanks to its stainless steel conical burr grinder and adjustable preparation parameters, the DeLonghi magnifica Evo can make superb espresso.

How do you make a chai latte on the DeLonghi Magnifica Evo?

There are several ways to make a chai tea latte on the DeLonghi magnifica Evo. The simplest way is to add a chai tea bag to your cup before adding a little hot water. Then, top off with hot milk from the LatteCrema system.

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSE	REMEDY
The appliance does not come on.	It is not plugged into the mains socket.	Plug into the mains socket.
The coffee is not hot.	The cups were not preheated.	Warm the cups by rinsing them with hot water (Please note: you can use the hot water function).
The internal circuits of the appliance have cooled down because 2-3 minutes have elapsed since the last coffee was made.	Before making coffee, press and hold the button for a few seconds to perform a rinse cycle and warm the internal circuits.
Coffee temperature setting too low.	Set a hotter coffee temperature in the set- tings menu (see “9. Settings menu”).
The machine must be descaled	Carry out the descale procedure. Next, check the water hardness (“6. Measuring water hardness”) and make certain the machine setting matches the local water supply hardness (“9. Settings menu”).
→

PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSE	REMEDY
The coffee is weak or not creamy enough.	The coffee is ground too coarsely.	Adjust the grinding level (“4.6 Adjusting the coffee mill”). The effect is not visible until at least 2 coffees have been made.
The coffee is unsuitable.	Use coffee for espresso machines.
Coffee not fresh.	The coffee pack has been opened for too long and has lost its taste.
The coffee is delivered too slowly or drop by drop.	The coffee is ground too finely.	Adjust the grinding level (“4.6 Adjusting the coffee mill”). The effect is not visible until at least 2 coffees have been made.
The machine does not make coffee	Impurities have been detected in the in- ternal circuits	Wait until the machine is ready for use again, and proceed to select the required beverage. Contact customer services if the problem persists.
Coffee does not come out of one or both spouts.	The coffee nozzles are blocked.	Clean the nozzles with a cloth. Any en- crusted deposits can be removed with a toothpick, if necessary.
The coffee delivered is watery.	The pre-ground coffee funnel is clogged.	Open the door and clean the funnel with the help of a brush.
The infuser cannot be extracted.	The machine has not been turned off.	Turn the machine off by pressing the  button.
At the end of descaling, the appliance requests a third rinse	Water tank not filled to the MAX level during the course of the two rinse cycles	Empty the drip tray, fill the tank up to the MAX level and run the third rinse cycle.
The milk has big bubbles	The milk is not cold enough, or is not semi-skimmed or skimmed.	Use skimmed or semi-skimmed milk at refrigerator temperature (about 5° C). If the result is not as you wished, try chang- ing brand of milk.
Cappuccino maker dirty.	Remove the components and clean them thoroughly.
Vegetable beverages have been used.	The effect varies widely depending on the nutritional properties of the beverages.
The cup tray on top of the machine is hot	A number of beverages have been pre- pared in rapid succession
The machine emits noises or small puffs of steam while not in use	The machine is ready for use, or has re- cently been turned off, and condensate is dripping into the hot vaporiser.	This is part of normal operation. To limit the phenomenon, empty the drip tray.
The appliance emits puffs of steam from the drip tray and/or there is water on the surface the appliance rests on.	The drip tray grille has not been replaced after cleaning.	Put the drip tray grille back in the drip tray.

De’Longhi Magnifica S vs De’Longhi Magnifica EVO – Comparison Table

Below, we summarize in this table the characteristics of the two best-selling De’Longhi super-automatic coffee machines of the moment, so you can check which one best suits your preferences:

Dimensions	23 x 43 x 34 cm	24 x 44 x 36 cm
Weight	9 kg	9,4 kg
Colors	Black	Silver
Power	1450 watts (W)	1450 watts (W)
Pressure	15 bars	15 bars
Water tank capacity	1.8 liters	1.8 liters
Grain deposit capacity	250 grams	250 grams
Grounds container capacity	14 n	14 n
Grinder	Stainless steel conical	Stainless steel conical
Grinding levels	13	13
Maximum cup height	142 mm	140 mm
Double outlet	Yes	Yes
Touch screen	No	Yes
Cup warmer	Yes	Yes
Drinks available	4	5
Vaporizer	Yes	Yes
Milk system	Cappuccino system	Manual
Ground coffee	Yes	Yes
Auto power off	Yes	Yes

MAKING COFFEE BEVERAGES

•  Do not use green, caramelised or candied coffee beans as they could stick to the coffee mill and make it unusable.
•  If “Energy Saving” mode is activated, there may be a few seconds delay before the first coffee is delivered.

Making coffee using pre-ground coffee

•  Never add pre-ground coffee when the machine is off or it could spread through the inside of the machine and dirty it. This could damage the machine.
•  Never use more than one level measure as it could dirty the inside of the machine or block the funnel.
•  Making LONG coffee: halfway through prepara-tion, when the + lights come on, add one level measure of pre-ground coffee and press the Long button again.

Varying the coffee aroma

Press the button corresponding to the preferred aroma:

	Mild
	Medium
	Strong

Select the desired coffee beverage. Please note:

•  When the next coffee is made, the machine will propose the last aroma selected.
•  In the event of power failure, the machine will revert to the medium default setting.

Rinsing
Use this function to deliver hot water from the coffee spouts to clean and heat the appliance’s internal circuit. To perform the rinse cycle, just press and hold the button for about 5 seconds. Delivery stops automatically (to interrupt delivery earlier, press the same button again).

Tips for a hotter coffee
To make a hotter coffee, proceed as follows:

•  perform a rinse cycle (see paragraph “Rinsing”);
•  warm the cups by rinsing them first using the hot water function;
•  increase the coffee temperature (see section “9. Settings menu”).

Adjusting the coffee mill
The coffee mill is set by default to prepare coffee correctly and should not require regulating initially. To adjust, while the cof-fee mill is in operation, turn the dial as follows:

• If the coffee is delivered too slowly, or not at all.
• This adjustment will not take ef-fect until at least 2 cups of coffee have been delivered.
• For a fuller bodied creamier coffee
• This adjustment will not take ef-fect until at least 2 cups of coffee have been delivered.

Please note:
The grinding adjustment dial must only be turned when the coffee mill is in operation during the initial phase of coffee preparation.

Customising the quantity in the cup

1.  Press the button relative to the beverage being pro-grammed and hold for a few seconds: the programming menu is accessed when the indicator switches to fast blink. Delivery begins;
2.  Once the cup is filled to the desired level, press the bev-erage button again. Delivery ceases and the quantity is stored in the memory.

Beverage*	Default (ml)	Programmable (ml)
	Espresso	40	from ≃ 20 to ≃ 180
	Coffee	180	from ≃ 100 to ≃ 240
	Long	160	from ≃ 115 to ≃ 250
	Doppio+	120	from ≃ 80 to ≃ 180
	Americano	Espresso: 40	Espresso: da ≃ 20 a ≃ 180
	Water: 110	Water: da ≃ 50 a ≃ 300
	Long Black	Water: 120	Water: da ≃ 50 a ≃ 300
	Espresso: 80	Espresso: da ≃ 40 a ≃ 360
	Over ice	100	from ≃ 40 to ≃ 240

The numbers and types of beverages differ according to model.Please note!
To cancel the current programme, press a button corresponding to another beverage

MAKING CAPPUCCINO

•  Fill a container with about 100 grams of milk for each cappuccino to be made. When choosing the size of the container, bear in mind that the milk doubles or triples in volume.
• For a richer, denser froth, use skimmed or partially skimmed milk at refrigerator temperature (about 5°C). To ensure the heated milk does not end up with meagre froth or large bubbles, clean the cappuccino maker every time after use.
• The quality of the froth may vary depending on:
• the type of milk or vegetable beverage;
• the brand used;
• the ingredients and nutritional values.

The Oprah-acclaimed De’Longhi Magnifica Evo brings the café to you

Written and Tested by Monica Petrucci, kitchen editor and longtime home cook who has years of product testing experience.

Updated January 24, 2023

One thing I really love about my job at Reviewed? Playing with espresso machines in the name of science. But I also recognize that as a former barista, I have a slight leg up when it comes to working with things like groupheads, steam wands, and portafilters. That’s why I was excited to try the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo, which makes handcrafted drinks like lattes and cappuccinos more accessible to the everyday consumer with the touch of a button. Although this machine doesn’t froth milk to the same high standards as some of our high-ranking manual machines, it’s still a great choice, especially for beginners or anyone who’s short on time.