Best De’Longhi Super-Automatic Espresso Machines
If you’ve already decided on a De’Longhi bean-to-cup machine, the hard part is choosing which one. I used the five most popular models as my only coffee maker for four weeks each and matched each one to the kind of coffee drinker it suits. For most people, my pick is the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus: it made the richest espresso of the five, excellent one-touch milk drinks and remembers three people’s favorites.
Michael Reynolds
Buying Guide
5 models · 5 picks
4 weeks per machine
I choose products independently, based on hands-on testing. We may earn a commission through links on this page; your price stays the same. Affiliate policy
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In this guide
The short answer
- Best overall: the Dinamica Plus. The richest espresso of the five, a thermal milk carafe and three saved profiles.
- Best for hot and cold drinks: the Eletta Explore. Iced lattes with cold foam and quick cold brew, plus the best hot milk.
- Best for two different coffee drinkers: the Rivelia. Two swappable bean hoppers and four profiles.
- Best value for lattes: the Magnifica Evo. One-touch LatteCrema milk and MyLatte sizing, without paying for a touchscreen.
- Best for black coffee: the Magnifica Start. Rich espresso, a true Americano button and the easiest cleaning.
Our picks at a glance
De'Longhi Dinamica Plus
The richest espresso of the five, a thermal LatteCrema carafe, three profiles and a clear touchscreen.
De'Longhi Eletta Explore
Iced lattes with cold foam, quick cold brew and the best hot milk of the five, from a quiet machine.
De'Longhi Rivelia
Two swappable bean hoppers, four profiles and the easiest touchscreen De’Longhi makes.
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo
One-touch LatteCrema milk and MyLatte sizing behind a simple touch panel.
De'Longhi Magnifica Start
Rich espresso, a true Americano button and a manual steam wand for the odd milk drink.
Prices change often. Click through to see the current price on Amazon.
Compare De’Longhi’s super-automatic espresso machines
Scores come from my four weeks with each machine. Specifications come from De’Longhi’s documentation and my own measurements. "Not listed" means I couldn’t confirm the figure.
| 5 models compared | Best overall | Hot and cold | Two drinkers | Best value | Black coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My test scores | |||||
| Overall score | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| Espresso | 8.8 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Milk drinks | 8.9 | 9.1 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 6.6 |
| Cleaning | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Drinks and features | |||||
| Milk | Thermal LatteCrema | Hot and cool carafes | LatteCrema | LatteCrema | Steam wand |
| One-touch drinks | 16 | 50+ | Not listed | 7 | 3 |
| Iced drinks | Iced recipes | Cold brew and cold foam | Iced recipes | Iced coffee | ✕ |
| Americano | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Profiles | 3 | ✓ | 4 | ✕ | ✕ |
| Two bean hoppers | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Controls and capacity | |||||
| Controls | 3.5-in touchscreen | Color touchscreen | 3.5-in touchscreen | Touch panel | Touch panel |
| Water tank | 1.8 L | Not listed | 1.4 L | 1.8 L | 1.8 L |
| Heat-up | ~40 s | ~40 s | ~40 s | 38 s | 40 s |
| Best for | Espresso and latte drinkers who share the machine. | Anyone who drinks iced coffee several times a week. | Couples who drink different beans, including decaf. | Latte and cappuccino drinkers who don’t need profiles. | Black coffee drinkers who want the simplest routine. |
My test scores at a glance
Every machine was scored on espresso, milk drinks, ease of use and cleaning. The Dinamica Plus and Eletta Explore tied at 8.6, but they suit different people.
The Dinamica Plus is my top pick because it made the best espresso and covers the most everyday drinks. The Eletta Explore wins if you drink iced coffee often.
| Machine | Overall | Espresso | Milk | Ease of use | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinamica Plus | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.9 | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Eletta Explore | 8.6 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 8.4 | 7.6 |
| Rivelia | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 9.1 | 8.2 |
| Magnifica Evo | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Magnifica Start | 7.8 | 8.4 | 6.6 | 8.2 | 8.5 |
The spread from 7.8 to 8.6 overall mostly reflects milk. On espresso alone, all five sit within half a point of each other, so you won’t go wrong on the core coffee.
Editorial scores from four weeks of daily use per machine.
| Best in each category | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Dinamica Plus | 8.8 |
| Milk drinks | Eletta Explore | 9.1 |
| Ease of use | Rivelia | 9.1 |
| Cleaning | Magnifica Start | 8.5 |
| Value with milk | Magnifica Evo | 8.4 milk |
Our tip: Match the machine to your most common drink, because De’Longhi espresso is very similar across all five.
How I tested
I’m a former line cook with an SCA certificate in barista skills, and I’ve tested kitchen appliances for HouseholdMe since 2018. For this guide, I used five De’Longhi super-automatic machines as my everyday coffee maker for four weeks each.
I set up each machine from the box, tuned the grinder with three bean types, measured milk temperature with a probe thermometer, timed every drink and every cleaning step, and recorded how often I refilled the tank and emptied the grounds.
I also kept a simple log of every refill, every emptied grounds drawer and every cleaning prompt, so the capacity figures below come from real use rather than the box.
How a De’Longhi super-automatic works
Every De’Longhi in this guide follows the same steps when you press a button. Knowing them makes it easier to understand why the machines taste so similar and where they differ.
Grind, compress, brew, eject
First, a steel conical burr grinder✕Conical burr grindertwo cone-shaped grinding rings, one inside the other, that crush beans to an even size. Even grounds extract evenly, so the cup tastes less bitter and less sour. grinds fresh beans. The grounds fall into the brew unit✕Brew unitthe part inside the machine where ground coffee is compressed and hot water is pushed through it. On De’Longhi machines, it slides out so you can rinse it under the tap., which presses them into a puck.
Hot water is pushed through at espresso pressure, after a short pre-infusion✕Pre-infusiona short soak of the coffee puck with low-pressure water before full pressure arrives. It helps water flow evenly through the coffee.. Then the brew unit drops the used puck into the grounds drawer and resets for the next drink.
Why the espresso is so consistent
Because all five share a very similar brew unit and grinder, espresso scores sit within half a point, from 8.3 to 8.8. The differences you’ll notice day to day are the milk system, the screen and the drink menu.
Milk: steam wand, carafe or two carafes
The Magnifica Start uses a manual steam wand, so you froth milk yourself. The Evo, Dinamica Plus and Rivelia use the LatteCrema✕LatteCremaDe’Longhi’s automatic milk carafe. It draws milk up, mixes in steam and air and pours foam straight into the cup. The carafe stores in the fridge between drinks. carafe, which makes milk drinks at one touch.
The Eletta Explore adds a second, cold carafe for cold foam on iced drinks. That’s the biggest functional difference in the range.
Editorial scores from four weeks of daily use.
The LatteCrema carafe makes milk drinks at one touch.
Who buys a De’Longhi super-automatic
Most buyers want café drinks at home without learning barista skills. A 2025 national coffee survey found 71% of daily coffee drinkers now make all their coffee at home, and bean-to-cup ownership rose from 10% to 15% in five years.
Cold coffee is the other big shift. Among specialty coffee drinkers, cold espresso drinks reached 38% weekly reach in 2026, which is why De’Longhi’s newest machines now make cold brew and cold foam.
Our picks in depth
1. De'Longhi Dinamica Plus
The Dinamica Plus is the De’Longhi super-automatic I’d buy for most homes. It made the richest espresso of these five, and its thermal LatteCrema carafe made some of the best one-touch milk drinks I’ve had from the brand.
Three profiles, a 3.5-inch touchscreen and 16 hot and iced drinks cover nearly every coffee habit. It does ask for daily carafe cleaning.
The richest espresso of the five
With the grinder two steps finer than the factory setting and the strongest aroma, the Dinamica Plus pulled a dense, chocolatey shot with a lasting crema. It tasted like a machine from a pricier class.
The Americano was just as good. It adds water separately, so a big mug stayed bright and clean.
The thermal carafe
The double-walled carafe keeps milk cold on the counter longer, which helped on slow weekend mornings. The microfoam✕Microfoammilk foam with bubbles so small you can’t see them. It feels silky, pours smoothly and blends into the espresso. was dense and glossy, and drinks came out hot, at around 63°C.
You can choose foam density per drink. I used light foam for flat whites and full foam for cappuccinos.
Profiles for three
Three profiles store each person’s drinks and strengths. My partner’s weak cappuccino and my strong flat white were always one tap away.
Iced drinks
The iced coffee recipe brews a shorter, stronger coffee to pour over ice. It wasn’t as smooth as true cold brew, but it was refreshing and never watery.
The 3.5-inch touchscreen shows each profile’s drinks.
Daily routine
Switch on, wait about 40 seconds, choose a profile and a drink. After milk drinks, turn the carafe dial to Clean, and it flushes itself with steam.
What to know before you buy
The app is slow, and the carafe needs a wash every day. If you never drink milk, the Magnifica Start is better value.
For great espresso and milk drinks for two or three people, the Dinamica Plus is the one to buy.
- Richest espresso of the five
- Thermal carafe with adjustable foam
- Three profiles
- Front-loading tank
- Slow app
- Carafe needs daily washing
- Iced drinks aren’t true cold brew
- Espresso and latte drinkers
- Two or three users
- Anyone who wants a clear touchscreen
- Cold brew fans
- Black coffee only
- People who hate carafes
Choose this if you want the best espresso and milk drinks of De’Longhi’s super-automatics. Read my full De'Longhi Dinamica Plus review.
2. De'Longhi Eletta Explore
The Eletta Explore is the De’Longhi for people who drink iced coffee as often as hot. Its cold extraction brews smooth cold brew in minutes, and its cold carafe whips milk into a thick, sweet cold foam.
It also made the best hot milk drinks of the five. The two carafes add cleaning, and the app is slow.
Cold brew without the wait
The Eletta’s cold extraction✕Cold extractionbrewing coffee with room-temperature water at low pressure over a few minutes. It gives a smooth, low-bitterness iced coffee without waiting overnight. brews at room temperature over a few minutes. My cold brew was smooth, sweet and low in bitterness, a big step up from hot coffee poured over ice.
Cold foam
The cold carafe froths cold milk into a dense topping that floats on iced drinks. An iced cappuccino with cold foam was the best iced drink I made on any De’Longhi.
Our tip: Sweeten cold foam by adding a little syrup to the milk in the cold carafe, because it blends evenly.
Hot milk drinks
The hot carafe made dense, glossy foam, and the milk score of 9.1 was the best here. Cappuccinos and flat whites were genuinely café-like.
Quiet
The grinder stayed under 65 decibels. It was the quietest of the five, which mattered early in the morning.
The Eletta Explore makes hot and cold milk drinks from two carafes.
Espresso
The espresso scored 8.4, a touch lighter than the Dinamica Plus. Long drinks were strong, thanks to a dose✕Dosethe weight of ground coffee used for one brew. A classic double shot uses roughly 14 to 18 grams. of up to 16 grams.
What to know before you buy
Two carafes mean more fridge space and more washing. The app adds custom recipes but connects slowly.
If iced coffee is part of your week, the Eletta Explore is worth it.
- True cold brew in minutes
- Best cold foam I’ve tested
- Best milk of the five
- Very quiet
- Two carafes to clean
- Slow app
- Espresso lighter than the Dinamica Plus
- Iced coffee drinkers
- Cold foam fans
- Shared homes with early risers
- Hot-only drinkers
- Small fridges
- People who want minimal cleaning
Choose this if you drink iced coffee several times a week and want it done properly. Read my full De'Longhi Eletta Explore review.
3. De'Longhi Rivelia
The Rivelia is the De’Longhi for a couple who drink different beans. It comes with two bean hoppers that swap in about 20 seconds, and it purges the grinder so the next cup isn’t a blend.
Four profiles and the easiest touchscreen De’Longhi makes round it out. The tank is the smallest of the five.
Two beans, one machine
My partner drinks decaf in the afternoon, and I drink a strong espresso blend. With the Rivelia, I lifted one hopper off and dropped the other on, and the machine handled the rest.
The purge uses a few grams of beans. For strict caffeine needs, the pre-ground chute is the safest option for decaf.
The easiest screen
The 3.5-inch touchscreen has large icons and clear prompts. A guest made a cappuccino on their first try without asking me anything.
Our tip: Label your hoppers with a small sticker, so nobody puts decaf in the regular one.
Espresso and milk
The espresso was smooth and nutty, scoring 8.3. The LatteCrema carafe made creamy foam at about 60°C.
The Rivelia’s hoppers swap in about 20 seconds.
A week with two hoppers
Over a week, I swapped hoppers twice a day: espresso beans in the morning, decaf after lunch. It became as automatic as switching a light on, and I never once got a caffeinated afternoon coffee by mistake.
What to know before you buy
The 1.4-liter tank needs refilling most days for two milk drinkers. If you never switch beans, the Dinamica Plus is better value.
For couples who drink different beans, the Rivelia is the smartest choice.
- Two swappable bean hoppers
- Four profiles
- Easiest touchscreen
- Creamy milk drinks
- Smallest tank of the five
- Mild espresso
- Carafe needs daily rinsing
- Regular-and-decaf couples
- Guests and less techy users
- Families with different tastes
- Espresso purists
- Heavy daily use
- People who never switch beans
Choose this if two people in your home drink different beans. Read my full De'Longhi Rivelia review.
4. De'Longhi Magnifica Evo
The Magnifica Evo is the best-value De’Longhi for latte and cappuccino drinkers. It uses the same LatteCrema carafe and brew unit as pricier models, behind a simple touch panel.
Its MyLatte✕MyLattea De’Longhi button that makes a milk drink sized to your cup. You set the coffee and milk amounts once, and it remembers them. button makes a milk drink sized for your cup. There are no profiles and no hot milk button.
Espresso
The Evo’s espresso was rich and repeatable, scoring 8.5, ahead of the Rivelia and Eletta. After grinding a step finer, it nearly matched the Dinamica Plus in a cappuccino.
One-touch milk
The LatteCrema carafe made dense, hot foam, scoring 8.4. Cappuccinos and latte macchiatos came out at about 62°C.
MyLatte
Set the coffee and milk amounts once, and MyLatte remembers them. My 12-ounce latte mug was perfectly filled every morning.
The Evo’s touch panel keeps things simple.
Who it suits best
A couple who both drink lattes will love the Evo. It does the one drink they make every day very well, without extras they won’t use.
What to know before you buy
There are no profiles, so shared homes adjust drinks on the fly. There’s no hot milk button for hot chocolate.
For one-touch lattes at the lowest outlay, the Magnifica Evo is the best value.
- Rich espresso
- One-touch LatteCrema milk
- MyLatte sizing
- Quick heat-up
- No profiles
- No hot milk button
- Simple panel
- Latte drinkers on a budget
- Couples with similar tastes
- Capsule upgraders
- Families who want profiles
- Hot chocolate makers
- Cold brew fans
Choose this if you want one-touch lattes from De’Longhi for the lowest outlay. Read my full De'Longhi Magnifica Evo review.
5. De'Longhi Magnifica Start
The Magnifica Start is De’Longhi’s simplest super-automatic, and the best one here for black coffee. It shares the brew unit of the pricier models, so the espresso is rich.
Its true Americano button made the best big cup of the five. Milk is all hands-on, through a manual steam wand.
Espresso and Americano
The espresso had a thick crema and a nutty, chocolatey body, scoring 8.4. The Americano brews espresso and adds water separately, so it never tasted over-brewed.
The easiest cleaning
Without a milk carafe, daily cleaning took about a minute and a half. The brew unit slides out for a weekly rinse.
Our tip: Use the Americano button for big mugs instead of the 2x button, because it tasted much fuller.
The steam wand
The wand pulls in air for you, so it’s easy to make foam. It took me a few days to make creamy milk, and it scored 6.6.
The Magnifica Start shares the brew unit of pricier De’Longhi models.
Who it suits best
The Start is ideal for one or two people who drink espresso or Americanos and want the least maintenance. It’s also a great first bean-to-cup machine for someone coming from a drip brewer.
What to know before you buy
Milk drinks take practice, and the 2x button is weak. There are only three drinks.
For espresso and Americanos with the least cleaning, the Magnifica Start is the one.
- Rich espresso
- True Americano button
- Easiest cleaning of the five
- Quick heat-up
- Milk is fully manual
- Weak 2x button
- Only three drinks
- Black coffee drinkers
- Americano lovers
- Anyone who hates cleaning carafes
- Daily latte drinkers
- Families
- Iced coffee fans
Choose this if you drink espresso or Americanos and want the simplest De’Longhi. Read my full De'Longhi Magnifica Start review.
My test data: drinks, refills and cleaning
These are the numbers I recorded across four weeks with each machine. They’re the ones that shape daily life more than any spec sheet.
Drinks per day before a refill
I counted how many drinks each tank delivered for two people, allowing for rinse water at switch-on and switch-off.
My estimates from daily use. Milk drinks use less water per cup than long coffees.
Daily cleaning time
Cleaning time tracked the milk system exactly. No carafe meant about a minute and a half; two carafes meant over four minutes.
My estimate of hands-on daily cleaning on milk drink days.
Milk temperature
| Machine | Milk system | Measured temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Dinamica Plus | Thermal carafe | ~63°C |
| Eletta Explore | Hot carafe | ~62°C |
| Magnifica Evo | LatteCrema | ~62°C |
| Rivelia | LatteCrema | ~60°C |
| Magnifica Start | Steam wand | Your choice |
Our tip: Run the carafe Clean cycle straight after the last milk drink, because dried milk is what makes foam go flat.
Speed
All five were ready in about 40 seconds from cold. A cappuccino took about 70 to 80 seconds on the carafe models.
| Machine | Espresso | Cappuccino | Americano |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinamica Plus | ~35 s | ~75 s | ~60 s |
| Eletta Explore | ~35 s | ~80 s | ~60 s |
| Rivelia | ~35 s | ~70 s | ~60 s |
| Magnifica Evo | ~33 s | ~75 s | — |
| Magnifica Start | ~33 s | By hand | ~55 s |
The Dinamica Plus made the richest espresso of the five.
Iced drinks on a De’Longhi: what actually works
Iced coffee is the fastest-growing reason people buy a De’Longhi. But the five machines handle it very differently.
Three ways to make iced coffee
The Magnifica Evo, Dinamica Plus and Rivelia brew a stronger, shorter hot coffee to pour over ice. The Eletta Explore uses cold extraction, which never heats the coffee.
On the Magnifica Start, you brew an espresso over ice yourself. That works, but the ice melts faster and dilutes the drink.
| Machine | Method | Taste | Cold foam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eletta Explore | Cold extraction | Smooth, low bitterness | Yes |
| Dinamica Plus | Hot, over ice | Bright, a little sharp | No |
| Rivelia | Hot, over ice | Bright, a little sharp | No |
| Magnifica Evo | Hot, over ice | Bright, a little sharp | No |
| Magnifica Start | Espresso over ice, by hand | Strong, dilutes faster | No |
My scores for an iced latte made with whole milk.
Our tip: Use large ice cubes for iced drinks, because they melt more slowly and keep the coffee from tasting watery.
If iced drinks are your main reason to buy, my guide to the best espresso machines that make cold brew compares machines from every brand.
Which one is right for you?
4 quick questionsAnswer four questions, and I’ll point you to the De’Longhi super-automatic that fits how you drink coffee.
Or find your morning below
Three profiles and adjustable foam.
True cold extraction in minutes.
Two hoppers that swap in 20 seconds.
MyLatte remembers your cup size.
A true Americano button and a one-minute cleanup.
Profiles and a thermal carafe that keeps milk cold.
What to look for in a De’Longhi super-automatic
Since all five share a similar brew unit and grinder, these are the features that actually separate them.
Your everyday drink
| Your everyday drink | Look for | My pick |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso or Americano | Americano button, no carafe needed | Magnifica Start |
| Latte or cappuccino | LatteCrema carafe | Magnifica Evo or Dinamica Plus |
| Flat white | Adjustable foam density | Dinamica Plus |
| Iced coffee | Cold extraction and cold foam | Eletta Explore |
| Different beans for two people | Two hoppers | Rivelia |
Profiles
Profiles start to matter with three or more users, or two people with very different drinks. The Dinamica Plus, Rivelia and Eletta Explore have them.
Touchscreen or touch panel
The touchscreens on the Dinamica Plus, Rivelia and Eletta Explore are easier for guests and less techy users. The Evo and Start’s touch panels are simpler but show fewer options.
Our tip: If you’ll only ever use two or three drinks, skip the touchscreen and save the outlay for better beans.
Water tank
The Rivelia’s 1.4-liter tank is the only small one here. For more than four drinks a day, choose a 1.8-liter model.
Size
All five are slim, about 9.5 inches wide. Check the height with the hopper lid open before buying.
What each step up adds
This is what each step up added in my tests, and whether it changed the coffee.
| From | To | What you gain | Does it change the coffee? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnifica Start | Magnifica Evo | One-touch LatteCrema milk | Yes, for milk drinks |
| Magnifica Evo | Dinamica Plus | Thermal carafe, touchscreen, profiles | Yes, better espresso and foam |
| Dinamica Plus | Rivelia | Two hoppers, four profiles | Only if you switch beans |
| Dinamica Plus | Eletta Explore | Cold brew, cold foam | Yes, for iced drinks |
The two upgrades worth paying for are the carafe, if you drink milk, and cold extraction, if you drink iced coffee. Everything else is convenience.
De’Longhi vs other bean-to-cup brands
De’Longhi is the most common bean-to-cup brand in many kitchens. This is how it compared with others I tested.
| De’Longhi | Easy-clean jug brands | Premium sealed-unit brands | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 8.3 to 8.8 | 7.2 to 8.2 | 8.5 to 9.2 |
| Milk | Carafe, stores in fridge | Tubeless jug | Fine-foam tubes |
| Brew unit | Removable, rinse in the sink | Removable | Often sealed |
| Iced drinks | Up to true cold brew | Brewed hot | Varies |
| Width | About 9.5 inches | About 9.5 inches | Often wider |
De’Longhi’s strengths are good espresso, a brew unit you can see and rinse, and the widest choice of iced drinks. Its weakness is carafe cleaning, which takes longer than tubeless jugs.
Editorial scores from four weeks of daily use.
For a cross-brand comparison, see my guide to the best super-automatic espresso machines.
How to get better coffee from any De’Longhi
De’Longhi machines ship with safe, middle-of-the-road settings. These changes made the biggest difference across all five machines.
- Grind two steps finer
Do it while the grinder is running, then wait three drinks. It was the single biggest improvement on every model.
- Set the strongest aroma for espresso
It adds coffee to the dose. For long drinks, use the Americano instead.
- Set your water hardness
Use the strip in the box. It decides when the machine asks for descaling.
- Warm your cup
Run a little hot water into it first, so a short espresso stays hot.
- Use fresh whole milk
Cold, fresh whole milk or barista oat milk gave the best foam in every carafe.
What changed taste most across my five De’Longhi test machines.
Our tip: Change one setting at a time and keep notes, so you can go back if a change doesn’t suit you.
Maintenance and running costs
De’Longhi super-automatics are easy to maintain once you build a routine. These habits kept all five tasting good.
- Clean the carafe after every milk drink
Turn the dial to Clean, and steam flushes the spout. Wash the carafe fully once a day.
- Rinse the brew unit weekly
Press the release, slide it out and rinse under warm water. No soap, and let it air dry.
- Grease the brew unit every few months
A thin layer of food-safe grease keeps it sliding smoothly.
- Fit and change the water filter
It cuts limescale and spaces out descaling.
- Descale when prompted
Use De’Longhi’s descaler and follow the on-screen steps.
| Consumable | Which models | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Water filter | All five | Every 2 months |
| Descaler | All five | When prompted |
| Brew unit grease | All five | Every few months |
| Milk system cleaner | Evo, Dinamica Plus, Rivelia, Eletta | Monthly |
Our tip: Keep a spare water filter in the drawer, so you can change it the day the machine asks.
Beans that work best
Medium and medium-dark roasts suited every De’Longhi. Very oily beans can clog the chute between the hopper and the grinder.
Common mistakes to avoid
These caught me out at least once across five De’Longhi machines.
| Mistake | What happens | Better habit |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving the factory grind | Thin espresso | Grind two steps finer |
| Skipping the Clean cycle | Blocked spout | Clean after every milk drink |
| Using soap on the brew unit | Stiff movement | Warm water only |
| Using the 2x button for big mugs | Weak coffee | Use the Americano button |
| Leaving the carafe out | Sour milk, flat foam | Store it in the fridge |
| Oily dark beans | Clogged chute | Medium or medium-dark |
Our tip: After any grind change, wait three drinks before judging, because old grounds are still in the chute.
Other De’Longhi machines I tested
These two didn’t make this guide’s five, but they’re worth knowing about. The Magnifica Duo is the strongest-brewing De’Longhi I’ve tested, and the Magnifica XS is the classic slim machine for black coffee.
For every De’Longhi side by side, see my De’Longhi brand guide, or compare the newest models in Magnifica Duo vs Rivelia.
I’d choose the Duo over the Eletta Explore only if you want stronger long drinks and don’t need true cold brew. The XS makes sense for black coffee drinkers who want the slimmest possible machine.
Strong espresso and hot and cold carafes. A great pick if you want the widest menu.
Big-machine espresso, a classic steam wand and a brew unit you rinse in the sink.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best De’Longhi super-automatic espresso machine?
For most people, the Dinamica Plus. It made the richest espresso of the five, excellent one-touch milk and has three profiles.
Which De’Longhi super-automatic is best for iced coffee?
The Eletta Explore. It makes true cold brew by cold extraction and has a cold carafe for cold foam.
Is the Magnifica Evo worth it over the Magnifica Start?
If you drink lattes or cappuccinos, yes. The Evo adds one-touch LatteCrema milk; the Start uses a manual steam wand.
Is the Rivelia better than the Dinamica Plus?
Only if you switch beans. The Rivelia’s two hoppers are its main advantage; the Dinamica Plus made better espresso.
Which De’Longhi is easiest to clean?
The Magnifica Start, because it has no carafe. Daily cleaning took about a minute and a half.
Do De’Longhi super-automatics make Americanos?
The Magnifica Start, Dinamica Plus, Rivelia and Eletta Explore have a true Americano. The Evo makes long coffee instead.
How long does a De’Longhi super-automatic last?
With weekly brew unit rinses, descaling and a filter, typically 7 to 10 years.
Can I use oat milk in a De’Longhi carafe?
Yes. Barista-style oat milk foamed well in every carafe model I tested.
How do I make De’Longhi espresso stronger?
Grind two steps finer than the factory setting and use the strongest aroma. That made the biggest difference in my tests.
Which De’Longhi has the most drinks?
The Eletta Explore, with over 50 hot and cold recipes.
Do De’Longhi machines need a water filter?
It’s strongly recommended. It cuts limescale and spaces out descaling, especially with hard water.
For most people, the best De’Longhi super-automatic is the Dinamica Plus. It made the richest espresso of the five and excellent one-touch milk, with three profiles and a clear touchscreen.
Choose the Eletta Explore if you drink iced coffee often, the Rivelia if two of you drink different beans, the Magnifica Evo for one-touch lattes at the lowest outlay, or the Magnifica Start for black coffee.
Whichever you choose, grind a little finer than the factory setting, clean the carafe after every milk drink and rinse the brew unit weekly.
Kitchen & coffee tester
Michael spent six years as a line cook in restaurants in Chicago and New York, and he has tested kitchen appliances for HouseholdMe since 2018, from air fryers to coffee makers. He holds an SCA certificate in barista skills and used 5 machines as his everyday coffee maker, 4 weeks each, for this guide.
- Four weeks of hands-on testing of each of 5 De’Longhi super-automatic machines by HouseholdMe
- HouseholdMe reviews of the Dinamica Plus, Eletta Explore, Rivelia, Magnifica Evo and Magnifica Start
- De’Longhi specifications and owner documentation
- National Coffee Data Trends survey, 2020 and 2025
- Specialty coffee consumption report, 2026
- Buying guide published, based on hands-on testing of 5 De’Longhi super-automatic machines.