De'Longhi's Magnifica family is the brand's entry point to bean-to-cup coffee, and the naming is confusing: Magnifica S, Magnifica Start, Magnifica Evo, and now Magnifica Evo Next, each sold in several versions that differ mainly in how they handle milk. All of them grind with the same 13-setting conical burr grinder. This Magnifica S vs Start vs Evo comparison explains what you actually get for the extra money, with notes on how the lineup differs between the US and the UK.
The Magnifica S is for black coffee drinkers or anyone happy to steam milk by hand. The Magnifica Start adds simple one-touch drinks and, in its LatteCrema version, automatic milk from a carafe you keep in the fridge. The Magnifica Evo (and in the US especially the newer Evo Next) is for households making milk drinks every day and wanting more recipes.
Side-by-side comparison
| Magnifica S | Magnifica Start | Magnifica Evo / Evo Next | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | Manual steam wand | Manual wand or LatteCrema Hot carafe (by version) | Manual wand or LatteCrema (by version); Evo Next with LatteCrema Hot |
| One-touch drinks | Espresso and coffee (two drinks) | A handful, espresso to cappuccino (4 on the UK LatteCrema version) | More recipes; Evo Next up to 13 (UK listing) |
| Grinder | 13 settings, conical burr | 13 settings | 13 settings |
| Milk cleaning | Purge and wipe the wand | Auto-clean of the carafe (LatteCrema version) | Auto-clean of the carafe (LatteCrema versions) |
| Best for | Black coffee, DIY cappuccino | Families new to bean-to-cup | Daily milk drinks, more variety |
| Check price | Check price | Check price |
US vs UK: model names and versions
De'Longhi uses different model codes in each market, and the 120 V US machines aren't interchangeable with the 230 V UK and European ones. On Amazon.com, the Magnifica S is sold as the ECAM22110, while the Magnifica Start and the newer Magnifica Evo Next are the main current options; we couldn't find the original Magnifica Evo listed by Amazon.com at the time of writing. On Amazon.co.uk you'll find the Magnifica S, the Magnifica Start with Hot LatteCrema, the Magnifica Evo and the Evo Next.
The trap is that the same name covers different milk systems. A "Magnifica Evo" or "Magnifica Start" can come with a manual steam wand or with the LatteCrema carafe. If automatic milk is the reason you're buying, check that the listing explicitly says LatteCrema.
The models, one by one
De'Longhi Magnifica S
Who it's for: people who drink espresso or black coffee, or who are happy to steam milk themselves.
Skip it if: you want cappuccinos at the push of a button.
- 13-setting conical burr grinder, also takes pre-ground coffee
- Espresso or long coffee at one touch, adjustable strength
- Manual steam wand for hot milk or foam
- Automatic rinse and descale programs, auto-off
- The simplest way into fresh-ground coffee
- Few parts to maintain
- Steam wand gives control over milk texture
- Frothing is manual
- Dated controls compared with newer models
De'Longhi Magnifica Start
Who it's for: families and first-time buyers who want easy one-touch drinks with clearly labeled buttons.
Skip it if: you'd rather pay less and froth by hand (Magnifica S), or want lots of recipes (Evo Next).
- 13-setting grinder
- One-touch drinks from espresso to cappuccino (LatteCrema version)
- LatteCrema Hot carafe that goes in the fridge (LatteCrema version)
- One-touch carafe cleaning
- Cappuccino with no learning curve
- Milk carafe stores in the fridge
- Automatic carafe cleaning
- Fewer recipes than the Evo
- The carafe takes space in the fridge
- Some listings are the manual-wand version: check
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo
Who it's for: UK buyers who drink milk drinks every day and want more recipes than the Start.
Skip it if: you never drink milk drinks; you'd be paying for a system you won't use.
- 13-setting grinder
- Versions with manual wand or LatteCrema automatic milk
- More one-touch recipes than the S and Start
- More milk recipes
- Same proven grinder and brew unit
- Costs more than the S
- Version confusion: check for LatteCrema
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next
Who it's for: US and UK households that make several milk drinks a day and want the most recipes in the Magnifica range.
Skip it if: two or three drinks cover your needs; the Start does the job for less.
- 13-setting grinder
- LatteCrema Hot milk carafe
- Up to 13 one-touch drinks (per the UK listing)
- Widest drink menu in the family
- Automatic milk with carafe cleaning
- Most expensive Magnifica
- More buttons and menus than most people need
Which one should you buy?
- You drink espresso or black coffee: Magnifica S. Don't pay for milk tech you won't use.
- Cappuccinos for the whole family, simply: Magnifica Start with LatteCrema.
- Milk drinks every day and you want variety: Magnifica Evo Next (or the Evo with LatteCrema in the UK).
- Torn between De'Longhi and Philips: read Philips 2200 vs 3200 LatteGo. Philips' LatteGo is quicker to rinse; De'Longhi's carafe can go straight in the fridge.
What they share (and what to know)
All Magnifica models have a removable brew unit you can rinse under the tap, accept pre-ground coffee for the occasional decaf, and warn you when it's time to descale. Only change the grind setting while the grinder is running, never when it's stopped. With whole beans the cost per cup falls well below pods, which is the whole point of going bean-to-cup; we explain the math in our super-automatic espresso machine guide. Descaling is covered step by step in our descaling guide.
How we chose
We didn't test every machine at home and we don't invent scores. We compared official specifications, manuals and the Amazon US and UK listings with what verified buyers consistently report, focusing on what changes your cup: grinder, milk system and maintenance.
Keep reading
Philips 2200 vs 3200 LatteGo →Best super-automatic espresso machines →How to descale a coffee maker →Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Magnifica S and the Magnifica Evo?
The Magnifica S has a manual steam wand and makes espresso or long coffee at one touch. The Evo adds more recipes and, in its LatteCrema versions, automatic milk drinks. Both use the same 13-setting grinder.
What is the De'Longhi Magnifica Start?
It is the beginner-friendly Magnifica with simple one-touch drink buttons. In its LatteCrema Hot version it froths milk automatically from a carafe you can store in the fridge and clean with one touch. Versions with a manual wand also exist.
Is the Magnifica Evo available in the US?
At the time of writing we could not find the original Magnifica Evo sold by Amazon.com; the newer Magnifica Evo Next, the Magnifica Start and the Magnifica S (ECAM22110) are the main options there.
Can the Magnifica S make cappuccino?
Yes, but by hand: its steam wand produces hot milk or foam for cappuccinos and lattes.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in a De'Longhi Magnifica?
Yes. All Magnifica models accept pre-ground coffee as well as beans, which is handy for an occasional decaf.