After six months of making everything from espressos to lattes with the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus, I’m finally ready to share my honest thoughts. I’ve owned three different espresso machines over the last decade, and let me tell you—this one has some definite pros and cons that might surprise you. If you’re wondering whether the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus is worth adding to your kitchen counter in 2025, grab a cup of whatever you’re drinking and let’s dive in.
My Experience with the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus Performance
The first thing that struck me about the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus was how intuitive the setup process was. I’ve struggled with complicated espresso machines before (looking at you, my previous Breville), but this one was up and running within about 15 minutes of unboxing. The instruction manual is actually readable—a rarity these days!
What really matters though is the coffee it produces. After all, that’s what we’re paying for, right? The De’Longhi Magnifica Plus uses a bean-to-cup system that grinds your beans fresh for each cup. The difference in taste between this and my old pre-ground system was immediately noticeable—richer flavor, more pronounced notes, and that gorgeous crema on top of each espresso.
The Morning Routine Game-Changer
My typical morning used to involve a half-asleep stumble to my drip coffee maker, waiting impatiently for a mediocre cup. Now? I press one button on the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus and get barista-quality coffee without having to think. For someone who’s not a morning person (at all), this has been life-changing.
I’ve found that medium-dark roast beans work best with this machine. My current favorite is a local roaster’s Ethiopian blend, which comes through with amazing berry notes that my old machine completely missed.
De’Longhi Magnifica Plus Cleaning and Maintenance: The Real Story
Let’s talk about something espresso machine reviews often gloss over: cleaning. Because no matter how great the coffee is, if maintaining your machine is a nightmare, it’s not worth it.
The De’Longhi Magnifica Plus has some really thoughtful design elements that make cleaning less of a chore. The drip tray and used grounds container slide out easily for quick emptying. The brewing unit is removable too, which means you can rinse it under the tap—no tiny brushes needed for hard-to-reach parts.
Descaling Made (Almost) Painless
If you’ve owned an espresso machine before, you know the dreaded descaling process. With my previous machine, this was a solid 45-minute ordeal that required perfect timing and multiple rinse cycles.
The De’Longhi Magnifica Plus has a guided descaling program that walks you through each step on the digital display. It still takes about 30 minutes, but it’s much more straightforward. I’ve descaled twice in six months (I have very hard water), and while it’s never fun, it’s manageable.
Pro tip: Don’t ignore the descale alert like I did the first time. The machine started making some concerning noises before I finally gave in and did the maintenance.
The Milk Frother: Where the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus Shines
For many of us, a good latte is the true test of an espresso machine. The built-in milk frother on the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus has been one of my favorite features.
Unlike manual steam wands that require technique and practice, this automatic system consistently delivers silky microfoam. I’ve made everything from cappuccinos to flat whites, and the texture has been impressive for an automated system.
Temperature Consistency for Different Drinks
One thing I’ve noticed is that the milk temperature is adjustable, which is great for different drinks. Hotter for lattes (which I prefer) and a bit cooler for cappuccinos to bring out the sweetness of the milk.
The frother is also impressively easy to clean. The milk container detaches and can go right in the refrigerator between uses, and all parts that come in contact with milk can be disassembled and washed.
Common De’Longhi Magnifica Plus Problems (and Solutions)
No product is perfect, and after six months, I’ve run into a few issues with my De’Longhi Magnifica Plus. Rather than just gushing about the good stuff, I think it’s helpful to share the real challenges:
Grinder Noise Level
The built-in grinder works great, but it’s not exactly quiet. If you’re making coffee while others are sleeping, be prepared for about 10-15 seconds of fairly loud grinding. I’ve started grinding my early morning beans the night before using the pre-ground option to avoid waking my partner.
Water Tank Design Quirks
The water reservoir needs to be pulled out from the front rather than lifted from the top, which can be awkward depending on your counter space. I’ve adapted by leaving enough clearance on the side of the machine to slide the tank out comfortably, but it’s something to consider when placing the machine.
De’Longhi Magnifica Plus vs. Competitors: How It Stacks Up
I spent a lot of time comparing different machines before landing on the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus. The main contender was the Philips LatteGo, which has a similar price point and features.
What ultimately swayed me toward the De’Longhi was the more adjustable grinder settings (13 levels vs the Philips’ 12) and the larger bean hopper capacity. For daily use, having to refill the beans less frequently has been a small but noticeable convenience.
Price-to-Value Ratio
At around $800-900 CAD (prices fluctuate with sales), the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus sits in the mid-range for automatic espresso machines. After using it daily for six months, I feel the value is there, especially compared to what I was spending at coffee shops.
A quick calculation: At $5 per coffeeshop drink, 2 drinks per day, the machine pays for itself in about 3-4 months. That’s not even counting the weekend lattes for guests!
Settings Guide: Getting the Most from Your De’Longhi Magnifica Plus
After lots of experimentation, here are my optimal settings for different types of drinks:
For the Perfect Espresso
- Grind setting: 5 (medium-fine)
- Coffee quantity: Set to the second line on the dial
- Temperature: Highest setting
- Pre-infusion: Enabled
These settings give me a rich espresso with excellent crema that isn’t too bitter or acidic.
For Americanos That Rival a Coffee Shop
- Use the espresso settings above
- Hot water: Add manually after brewing using the hot water spout
- Ratio: I prefer 1:2 espresso to water, which is stronger than some like
For Creamy Lattes
- Use the milk frother on the medium temperature setting
- Whole milk produces the best results in my experience
- Let the milk frother run its complete cycle for proper texture
Is the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus Worth It in 2025? My Verdict
After six months of daily use, here’s my honest assessment of whether the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus is worth the investment in 2025:
For coffee enthusiasts who drink espresso-based beverages daily but don’t want the learning curve of a manual machine, the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus offers excellent value. The convenience factor alone has made it worth every penny for me.
However, if you only occasionally drink coffee or prefer standard drip coffee most days, the investment might be harder to justify. And if you’re a serious espresso aficionado who enjoys the technical aspects of pulling shots, you might find this automated system less satisfying than a manual setup.
For most people in the middle—who want great coffee without becoming baristas themselves—this machine hits the sweet spot of quality, convenience, and cost.
What ultimately makes it worth it for me is the consistency. Every morning, without fail, I get a delicious coffee that starts my day right. And in 2025, with everything else we have to think about, having one reliable pleasure feels like a reasonable luxury.
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