DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines

– 11 models of the Italian manufacturer in comparison

Below you will find all DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines from our test, sorted by the achieved test scores. After that, we’ll give you our assessment of some DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines that we haven’t tested yet.

Super value for money

Compared to other brands, DeLonghi often has more to offer. You either get more features for the same price or the same features for a lower price. Meanwhile, a DeLonghi model can be found in every price range. At the same time, the quality is always convincing for the relatively low price. So savings are not being made in the wrong place.

With the automatic LatteCrema milk system, you always get fine, creamy milk foam at café level. Very good espresso is even available in the entry-level class.

Among the cheap bean to cup coffee machines belongs the DeLonghi Magnifica S has been one of the bestsellers for years. In the medium price range, the Italians convince with the very popular Dinamica Plus and the new model
Magnifica Evo
. In the premium segment, the Primadonna models are among the most popular bean to cup coffee machines.

Many settings for individual taste

Very precise setting options are a matter of course with DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines. You can influence the taste of your beverages mainly via the grinder setting of the coffee powder, the brewing temperature, the aroma level and the beverage quantity. With all these points, you have a lot of levels at your disposal. This gives you plenty of room to experiment.

You can set the grinder setting in 13 levels, even in the particularly affordable DeLonghi Magnifica S. With other bean to cup coffee machines, you often only have a choice of 3 or 5 levels for the grinder setting. The hardened steel conical burr grinders used by DeLonghi also do a really good job. At the finest grinder settings, the coffee powder is really very uniform and fine, ideal for intense espresso.

Depending on the model, you can choose between 5 and 25 levels for the aroma, i.e. the coffee strength. Here, especially the inexpensive Magnifica models score with a large selection. If you select a higher level, your espresso or coffee will taste more intense. Because the higher the level, the more coffee beans are ground. Here, other manufacturers also only offer 3 levels, which unnecessarily limits you in terms of flavor variation.

The beverage quantity of DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines can either be set in 4 levels or completely freely programmed. With cappuccino, the original recipe, i.e. the perfect ratio of espresso to milk, is maintained at each level. Or you can freely adjust the amount of espresso and milk if you wish. That’s flexibility that we like and I’m sure you will too.

Milk foam – adjust quantity and consistency

With every DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machine with milk container, you have the option to adjust the amount and consistency of the milk foam in three levels. You can make the setting directly on the milk tank using the rotary switch. With DeLonghi, this is a matter of course for all models; with other brands, you usually only get this flexibility with bean to cup coffee machines starting at £700.

Level 1 simply prepares hot milk, without foam– ideal for a cocoa or caffe latte. A creamy, slightly liquid milk foam is prepared on the medium level – perfect for latte macchiato. Level 3 produces a really high, fine-pored milk foam crown, just as you would want for cappuccino.

Control dial to adjust amount & consistency of milk foam

Experimenting with it and finding the ideal setting for each drink is just fun. In addition, a rotary switch can also be used to start an automatic rinsing process of the milk container. This involves cleaning the entire lid and milk spout with hot water.

Operation of DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines via app

More and more bean to cup coffee machines can be conveniently controlled via app. With DeLonghi, this is done via the free “Coffee Link” app. In our tests, the app proved to be a real asset. Not only can you make particularly precise settings for your drinks in it, but you can also manage the individual profiles.

In addition, DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines even offer you the possibility to create your own recipes in the app. This allows you to program your desired drink completely freely – adjust the aroma, adapt the beverage quantity to your cup or change the order when drawing, e.g. first espresso, then milk foam.

App control is possible from the DeLonghi Dinamica Plus (ECAM 370.95.T) and upwards in price. These still include the following model ranges: Primadonna Class, Elite and Soul. The app is not yet included with the cheaper Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.70.B.

Note: Of course, all bean to cup coffee machines can also be controlled “only” via the display. You are not dependent on the app 😉

Often sought, rarely found – the coffee pot function

Compared to normal filter coffee machines, most bean to cup coffee machines do not allow you to brew larger quantities of coffee at once. Only very few models offer a coffee pot function. The reason for this is that several grinding and brewing processes have to be carried out in succession.

But two very popular DeLonghi fully automatic coffee machines have the function on board – the Dinamica Plus ECAM 370.95.T and the Primadonna Soul ECAM 612.55.SB. Here you can prepare up to 750 ml of coffee at the touch of a button. For this purpose, 3 grinding and brewing processes are performed automatically one after the other. Of course, you can start the coffee pot function a second time directly afterwards and then have a large 1.5 liter pot of coffee. Keep in mind, however, that bean to cup coffee machines do not have a keep-warm function like filter coffee machines.

Removable, robust brewing unit

DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines always have a compact, robust and, above all, easy-to-clean brewing unit. This is also the same for every DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machine – regardless of whether it is a £300 entry-level model or a premium device. This again confirms the good quality at DeLonghi. Here, savings are not made in the wrong place.

You can easily remove the brewing unit via a service flap behind the water tank. Compared to other models, there were always relatively few coffee residues to be found there. Therefore, the cleaning effort is low. Simply rinse briefly with clean, warm water and then allow to air dry.

Regular greasing with silicone grease is not necessary here, unlike other brands. If it does squeak a bit after a while, it can usually be fixed in a few easy steps. However, this did not happen in all our tests, some of them over several months. Then simply grease the threaded rod that the brewing unit runs on with some food grade silicone grease.

Compact design of DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines

If you buy a DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machine, you won’t need much space in the kitchen. Most models are just 25 cm wide and 35 cm high. This makes them minimally larger than a regular filter coffee maker, if at all.

In addition, the water tank, milk container and drip trays can always be pulled out to the front. This means that hanging cabinets are no problem and you do not need any additional space next to the bean to cup coffee machine.

Optimal for wall cabinets: water tank, milk container, drip tray and coffee grounds tray can always be pulled out to the front.

Cheap spare parts

The good value for money also applies to various spare parts for your DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machine. If, for example, the brewing unit or the milk container should break during cleaning, this is no reason to despair. You can buy the original spare parts for relatively little money.

A new brewing unit is available for about £30 and a new milk container, depending on the model, between £30 and 60. You can also purchase a stainless steel cup tray or coffee grounds tray.

This shows us that DeLonghi expects the bean to cup coffee machines to have a long service life. According to official data, the spare parts are provided for at least 7 years.

Double cup option for milk foam beverages

The LatteCrema milk system from DeLonghi prepares very fine, creamy milk foam. You can even adjust the consistency and amount of milk foam in 3 levels. For example, you can also simply prepare hot milk for cocoa.

Very fine and creamy milk foam – easily passes the spoon test

However, the milk containers always have only one milk spout. Therefore, drinks with milk foam can only beprepared one after the other. Here, for example, a Saeco or Siemens bean to cup coffee machine offers you a double cup option for all beverages. This allows you to prepare two cappuccini or latte macchiato at the same time with just one press of a button.

Only one milk spout – no double cup option for cappuccino

DeLonghi probably deliberately forgoes this advantage to make cleaning easier. With DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines, the milk flows directly from the milk container into your cup and not through the bean to cup coffee machine. Thus, the milk container is a self-contained system , which is more hygienic.

In other bean to cup coffee machines, the milk system is permanently installed in the machine. Here, special milk system cleaners must be purchased additionally. At DeLonghi, the milk container (incl. milk system) is disassembled into 5 parts, rinsed or placed in the dishwasher.

Cleaning the milk container and milk system

You will most likely clean the milk container only every 3 days. We think DeLonghi could still improve a bit here. For example
Saeco bean to cup coffee machines, for example
after each withdrawal hot steam is automatically fed through the milk system. This prevents germs from taking hold. Such a function would also be desirable for DeLonghi devices. Currently, there is only one optional rinse that you tend to forget.

Milk system rinsing at DeLonghi

DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machine mainly made of plastic

DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines are always among the best value models in their class, and in our experience are definitely always worth the price. However, plastic is also predominantly used for this reason. Often only the cup tray is made of stainless steel.

However, the workmanship is consistently good in all tested models. Especially the matte plastic on the Dinamica Plus and the Magnifica Evo definitely look great visually. Still, a few stainless steel elements on the front would enhance the bean to cup coffee machine a bit. The glossy plastic of the Magnifica S honestly looks a bit cheap. But that’s more a matter of opinion.

Nice, matte plastic – but more stainless steel would be nice

However, none of this has anything to do with the taste of the drinks or the longevity of the bean to cup coffee machines. It is a purely visual criticism. The most important parts are sturdy and neatly finished. Many of our friends have been using DeLonghi appliances for many years.

Pump pressure and too fine grinder setting

A small “weak point” in the cheaper models is the 15 bar pump. At the finest grinder settings, the pump pressure is sometimes insufficient. Then the espresso just drips into the cup. However, this is actually not due to the pump being too weak, but to the grinder setting being too fine.

DeLonghi has installed a 13-stage conical burr grinder in all of its bean to cup coffee machines. This gives you a lot of room to experiment, because the grinder setting has a direct influence on the taste. The finer the grinder setting, the more intense the espresso. However, at the lowest levels, grinding is already so fine that the 15-bar pump can no longer manage it.

This means that the grinder is actually too good for the inexpensive bean to cup coffee machines. For the models with 15 bar pump, the grinder setting on level 3 of 7 is ideal. On level 2, the espresso then just drips into the cup. All fully automatic bean to cup coffee machines with a 19 bar pump easily manage even the very fine grinder settings. It is best not to set the cheaper DeLonghi bean to cup coffee machines below level 3.