The short answer. Bean-to-cup if you want coffee at the press of a button; La Specialista if you want to make it yourself. How the De'Longhi ranges differ on milk, beans and price, and what each costs to look after.
The short answer
If you want good coffee at the press of a button, choose a De'Longhi bean-to-cup. Pick the Magnifica Evo if you mostly drink black coffee or are happy to froth milk with a steam wand; the Rivelia if you want milk drinks at one touch and like switching between two coffees; the PrimaDonna Soul if you want the most automatic machine with app control. If you enjoy the craft of making espresso yourself, choose La Specialista.
The three questions below decide it for most people. Or use our machine finder, which asks them for you.
Question 1: do you want to press a button, or make it yourself?
Bean-to-cup machines (Magnifica, Dinamica, Rivelia, Eletta, PrimaDonna, Maestosa) grind, dose, tamp and brew on their own. You choose the drink and adjust the strength and length. They clean up after themselves too, putting used grounds in a container.
Manual espresso machines with a grinder (La Specialista) grind beans for you, but you tamp, lock in the filter holder, brew and steam the milk yourself. There is a little to learn, and the reward is more control over the taste.
Pump espresso machines (Dedica) are compact and simple, and need ground coffee or a separate grinder.
Question 2: how do you take your milk?
- Mostly black coffee, or happy to froth by hand: a model with a manual steam wand, such as the Magnifica Evo or Magnifica S. You froth milk in a jug, as a barista would.
- Cappuccinos and lattes at one touch: a model with De'Longhi's LatteCrema milk carafe, such as the Rivelia or PrimaDonna Soul. The carafe froths and pours the milk for you and cleans itself afterwards.
- Iced drinks with cold foam: models with LatteCrema Cool, such as the Eletta Explore, or the Rivelia with the Cool carafe added.
Question 3: one coffee, or more than one?
Most bean-to-cups have one bean hopper. The Rivelia has two that lift out and swap, so you can keep a bold coffee for milk drinks and a lighter one or decaf for black. Without that, switching beans means emptying the hopper or using the pre-ground chute.
The ranges at a glance
- Magnifica S and Magnifica Start: long-running, simple bean-to-cups. Buttons rather than a screen; steam wand or simple milk options.
- Magnifica Evo: the modern entry model, with a clear control panel, and a manual steam wand or LatteCrema depending on the version.
- Dinamica: a step up, with touch controls and more drinks.
- Rivelia: two swappable bean hoppers, Bean Adapt, LatteCrema and cold coffee drinks.
- Eletta Explore: hot and cold milk foam and a large drinks menu.
- PrimaDonna Soul: De'Longhi's connected flagship: Bean Adapt, LatteCrema, a full-touch display and the Coffee Link app.
- Maestosa: the top of the range, with two bean hoppers and two grinders.
- La Specialista: manual espresso with a built-in grinder, temperature control and a steam wand for latte art.
- Dedica: slim pump espresso machine for ground coffee.
The machines we sell
Every machine comes with a free set of De'Longhi cappuccino glasses and free tracked delivery.
What it costs to look after
Whatever you choose, budget for two things. A water filter (on bean-to-cup models) every two months, and descaler when the machine asks, which can be every month or two in hard water. Looked after like this, a machine keeps making the same coffee for years; left alone, limescale slowly makes it cooler, slower and flatter.
See how to descale, how to fit a filter, or let our care kit send what you need when you need it.
And the coffee
The beans matter as much as the machine. A fresh, medium or medium-dark roast made for espresso suits almost every bean-to-cup. Start with a taster pack to find what you like, then move to a 1kg bag.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between bean-to-cup and La Specialista?
A bean-to-cup does everything at the press of a button. La Specialista grinds for you, but you tamp, brew and steam the milk yourself, which gives more control and takes a little practice.
Which De'Longhi makes cappuccinos automatically?
Models with the LatteCrema milk carafe, such as the Rivelia and PrimaDonna Soul. Models with a steam wand, like the Magnifica Evo ECAM290.21, need you to froth the milk yourself.
Which De'Longhi has two bean hoppers?
The Rivelia has two swappable hoppers. The Maestosa, at the top of the range, has two hoppers and two grinders.
How much does a De'Longhi cost to run?
Beyond the coffee, a water filter about every two months on bean-to-cup models, and descaler when the machine asks. Our care kit and value pack bundle these.
