The De’Longhi Magnifica Start is a compact bean-to-cup espresso machine designed for people who want fresh-ground coffee without the complexity of a traditional espresso setup.
Our Take
The Magnifica Start is a convenient bean-to-cup machine with one-touch drinks and a built-in burr grinder.
Quick Specs
| Machine Type | Automatic Espresso Machine |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Conical burr grinder |
| Grind Settings | 13 |
| Capacity | 60 fl oz |
| Drink Options | 5 one-touch recipes |
| Milk System | LatteCrema System |
| Dimensions | 17″D x 9.25″W x 14″H |
Pros
- 13 adjustable grind settings
- Five one-touch recipes
- Automatic LatteCrema milk system
- Removable dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Large 17-inch depth
- Limited manual control
- Regular cleaning is required
De’Longhi Magnifica Start Features and Specifications
The Magnifica Start keeps the feature set fairly simple, but it covers the essentials for everyday coffee.
| Feature | De’Longhi Magnifica Start |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind settings | 13 |
| Bean hopper | 250 g |
| Water tank | 1.8 L |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Controls | Soft-touch buttons |
| Milk system | Manual steam wand / frother |
| Pre-ground coffee | Yes |
| Automatic shut-off | Yes |
The machine uses a 15-bar pump, although pump pressure should not be confused with the pressure actually used during espresso extraction.
Capacity: Water Tank and Bean Hopper
The Magnifica Start has a 1.8-liter water tank and 250-gram bean hopper. That is a useful combination for a compact home machine and should be enough for several cups before refilling.
The coffee grounds container holds around 14 servings, according to the manufacturer’s specifications for the ECAM22022B.
Is the capacity large enough?
For one or two coffee drinkers, the capacity is generally practical. A larger household may need to refill the tank more frequently, especially when making milk drinks or multiple large coffees.
The main advantage is that you can load a reasonable amount of beans and water in the morning rather than preparing the machine for every cup.
Grinder: Settings, Grind Quality & Performance
One of the most important features of the Magnifica Start is its integrated steel conical burr grinder with 13 grind settings. Fresh beans are ground immediately before brewing, so you do not need a separate grinder.
For example:
- Fast, watery espresso: try a finer grind and/or higher coffee strength.
- Very slow or dripping espresso: try a coarser grind and/or lower strength.
- Balanced extraction: aim for a steady flow and a consistent crema.
Independent testing also notes that the machine’s results can improve significantly when paired with suitable coffee beans and an appropriate grind setting.
Brewing System: Espresso Strength and Coffee Options
The Magnifica Start is designed to take care of the main brewing steps automatically: grinding the beans, dosing the coffee, brewing it and dispensing the drink.
Depending on the exact version, the machine can offer options such as:
- Espresso
- Coffee
- Americano
- Double espresso
- Doppio+
- Hot water
The exact menu varies by model. For example, the ECAM22022B officially lists Americano, Coffee and Espresso, plus hot water and steam functions.
How does the coffee taste?
The Magnifica Start is capable of producing a flavorful espresso with a good crema when the beans and grinder setting are matched properly. Independent testing has found the espresso to be one of the stronger aspects of the machine, while the final result depends noticeably on the beans used.
It is still an entry-level super-automatic machine, so it is better suited to convenient everyday coffee than to users who want complete manual control over extraction.
Milk System: Cappuccino, Latte & Milk Drinks
The standard Magnifica Start variants such as the ECAM22022B use a manual milk frother, rather than an automatic LatteCrema milk carafe. De’Longhi describes it as a manual milk frothing system.
What can you make with the manual frother?
You can prepare:
- Cappuccino
- Latte-style drinks
- Steamed milk
- Milk foam for espresso-based drinks
The manual wand gives you more control over the texture than a completely automatic system, but it also requires more effort.
This is an important distinction: Magnifica Start is automatic for coffee brewing, but the standard version does not make a complete milk drink entirely hands-free.
How Easy Is the Magnifica Start to Use?
Ease of use is one of the machine’s strongest practical features. The front panel uses clearly marked buttons, allowing you to select the main drinks without navigating a complicated display.
The basic workflow is simple:
- Fill the water tank.
- Add coffee beans.
- Select the desired drink.
- Adjust strength if needed.
- Press the drink button.
- Steam milk separately when making a milk-based coffee.
The machine also supports pre-ground coffee, which is useful if you occasionally want to use decaf or a different coffee without emptying the bean hopper.
Cleaning and Maintenance: What to Expect
A super-automatic coffee machine still requires regular cleaning, and the Magnifica Start is no exception. However, daily maintenance is fairly simple, with automatic rinsing cycles and clear cleaning alerts helping to reduce the work.
The routine is fairly straightforward:
- Empty the drip tray regularly.
- Empty the coffee grounds container when prompted.
- Clean the milk frother after use.
- Clean the internal brewing area.
- Rinse the removable brewing unit.
- Descale the machine when the indicator requests it.
The brewing unit can be removed for cleaning. De’Longhi’s instructions specify rinsing it with water rather than using detergent or a dishwasher.
De’Longhi Magnifica Start Pros and Cons
The De’Longhi Magnifica Start focuses on the features most people need for everyday bean-to-cup coffee. It offers a built-in grinder, simple controls, adjustable coffee settings, and a manual milk frother without adding too many complicated features.
Pros
- Built-in steel burr grinder with 13 grind settings
- Large 1.8 L water tank
- 250 g bean hopper
- Fresh-ground coffee at the push of a button
- Simple touch-button control panel
- Adjustable coffee strength
- Manual milk frother for cappuccinos and other milk drinks
- Removable brewing unit for easier maintenance
- Relatively compact 24 cm width
Cons
- Standard version has a manual rather than automatic milk system
- Fewer drink options than more expensive De’Longhi machines
- Regular cleaning is still required
The balance is straightforward: the Magnifica Start gives you the convenience of bean-to-cup brewing without moving into the more expensive and feature-heavy end of De’Longhi’s range.
Who Is the De’Longhi Magnifica Start Best For?
The De’Longhi Magnifica Start makes the most sense for people who want fresh-ground espresso and coffee with minimal setup.
It is particularly suitable for:
- First-time automatic espresso machine owners
- People who mainly drink espresso or regular coffee
- Small households
- Users who want a built-in grinder
- Coffee drinkers who prefer simple physical controls
- Anyone who does not mind manually frothing milk
It may be less suitable if you want a large selection of one-touch specialty drinks, an automatic milk carafe, or extensive control over every brewing parameter.