De'Longhi Magnifica Plus Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Review: 18 Recipes

The Verdict

De’Longhi Magnifica Plus Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Review

The De’Longhi Magnifica Plus sits at the top of De’Longhi’s consumer espresso lineup. It promises barista-quality drinks at the push of a button — espresso, cappuccino, latte, flat white, and more — from freshly ground beans.

With a 3.8-star average from 382 ratings, the reviews tell a more complicated story than the features list suggests. We dug into both the praise and the complaints to give you the full picture.

Features and Design

The Magnifica Plus is a true superautomatic: it grinds, doses, tamps, brews, and steams milk automatically. The centerpiece is a bright touchscreen display that guides you through drink selection and settings.

Key specs:

• Drink recipes: 18+ one-touch options
• User profiles: Up to 4, with customizable strength, temperature, and volume
• Grinder: Stainless steel conical burr, 13 settings
• Milk system: Automatic steam wand with LatteCrema System
• Water tank: 60 oz
• Bean hopper: 8.8 oz
• Puck container: Holds up to 18 used pucks

The LatteCrema milk system is a genuine highlight. It automatically steams and froths milk to your preference, then cleans itself with a rinse cycle. The texture of the microfoam rivals what many home baristas achieve with manual steaming.

Coffee Quality

When operating correctly, the Magnifica Plus produces outstanding coffee.

“I bought the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus as a transition away from the Breville Barista Express. The cappuccino was excellent. Plain coffee was fantastic.” — Verified 5-star review

Brew quality highlights:

• Espresso: Rich crema, proper extraction, good temperature control
• Milk drinks: Microfoam quality is excellent — creamy, smooth, latte-art-worthy
• Profile system: Each user can save their preferred strength, volume, and temperature
• Grinder: 13 settings cover everything from fine espresso to coarser drip

Reliability Concerns

This is the Magnifica Plus’s biggest weakness. The 3.8-star rating is below what you’d expect for a $1,300 appliance, and the negative reviews follow a pattern.

Common failure modes reported:

• Milk frother detection fails — machine stops recognizing the cleaning attachment
• Water spouting issues — leaks or inconsistent water flow
• Full failure within 6 months — stops brewing entirely
• Grinder jams — particularly with darker, oilier roasts

Approximately 4 out of 10 negative reviews cite quality issues. For context, most superautomatic espresso machines in this price range (Breville, Jura, Philips) hover around 4.2–4.5 stars.

Value Proposition

At $1,299.95, this is a significant investment. Let’s break it down:

If you’re a daily espresso drinker, the math works in your favor — assuming the machine lasts several years. The reliability questions make this a higher-risk calculation than with more proven brands.

Verdict

The De’Longhi Magnifica Plus delivers excellent coffee with unmatched convenience. The touchscreen interface, user profiles, and automatic milk system are genuinely impressive.

However, the 3.8-star rating and recurring reliability complaints are impossible to ignore. At this price point, you should expect both performance and durability.

Who should buy: Tech-savvy coffee lovers who want maximum convenience and are willing to accept some risk. Buy with an extended warranty.

Who should skip: Budget-conscious buyers, those who want proven reliability, or anyone who enjoys the hands-on espresso ritual.

FAQ

Does the Magnifica Plus work with pre-ground coffee?

Yes, there’s a bypass doser for pre-ground or decaf coffee. However, the machine is optimized for freshly ground beans from the built-in grinder.

How long does the Magnifica Plus take to heat up?

The machine reaches brewing temperature in about 30-40 seconds. It can pull shots immediately after heating, and the steam wand is ready within a minute.

Can I use plant-based milk in the Magnifica Plus?

Yes, the LatteCrema system handles oat, almond, and soy milk well. Some plant milks produce thinner foam than dairy, but the system adjusts automatically.

Is the Magnifica Plus loud?

The built-in grinder produces a moderate noise level — comparable to other superautomatic machines. The brewing process itself is quiet. It’s not silent, but not disruptive for a morning routine.