Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.6 / 5
In this De’Longhi Magnifica S Express review, we put this super automatic through everyday use to see if it delivers café results with minimal fuss. We cover design, grinder performance, espresso quality, milk frothing, ease of use, maintenance, value, and smart alternatives.
Quick verdict
Buy it if you want fast, consistent espresso from beans with simple controls, a compact footprint, and a reliable manual steam wand for cappuccinos and lattes. Skip it if you want one touch milk drinks or a big touch display. The ECAM23120SB is about honest bean to cup espresso, not bells and whistles.
Who it suits
- Busy households that want espresso and Americanos daily
- Newcomers to super automatics who value easy cleaning and a removable brew group
- Latte and cappuccino fans who are happy to steam milk manually
Who should look elsewhere
- One touch milk lovers, consider De’Longhi models with LatteCrema or Philips 3200 LatteGo
- Tinkerers who want full manual control, consider a semi automatic like Breville Barista Express
Key specs at a glance
(Typical for this model family. Always check your exact retailer listing or manual.)
- Grinder: Built in conical burr, multiple grind settings
- Bean hopper: About 8.8 oz, with aroma seal
- Bypass doser: Yes, for pre ground decaf or test shots
- Pump: Up to 15 bar, with pre infusion style wetting
- Water tank: About 60 oz, front or side removable
- Brew group: Removable for rinse under tap
- Steam: Manual Panarello style wand, hot water function
- Programs: Espresso, double, coffee, hot water, adjustable strength and volume
- Footprint: Compact counter depth class, fits under standard cabinets
Design and build quality
The Magnifica S Express feels dense and well put together. Plastic where it reduces weight, metal where it counts. The bean lid seals well, the water tank slides cleanly, and the drip tray has a metal grate that resists scratching. The removable brew unit is a big advantage for hygiene and long term reliability.
Setup and ease of use
Fill the tank, add beans, run the guided rinse, then pull a first shot. Front panel dials and buttons keep things simple. Set your cup volume and strength once, the machine remembers it. The bypass doser is handy for decaf or testing another coffee without emptying the hopper.
Tip: Start mid grind, set strength to medium, pull a 1 to 2 ounce espresso, then adjust grind finer or coarser to hit 25 to 35 seconds total flow for a double volume.
Grinder and dosing
The conical burr grinder is quiet for a super automatic and produces a consistent grind within the espresso range. You get multiple steps to tune flow. There is enough range for medium and medium dark roasts. Very light roasts may need the finer half of the scale and a warmer cup to shine.
Good practices
- Change grind while the grinder is running to avoid burr binding
- Keep beans fresh, store in an airtight container away from heat and light
- Avoid very oily beans which can gum up the chute
Espresso quality and consistency
Daily shots are balanced and repeatable once grind and volume are set. Pre wetting helps reduce channeling, and the default temperature is in a crowd pleasing zone for medium roasts. Crema is stable, bitterness is well controlled if you avoid over long volumes. For larger cups, brew espresso then add hot water for an Americano rather than stretching the shot.
Milk steaming on the Panarello wand
The Panarello wand makes beginners look good. It injects air easily for cappuccino style foam and can create finer microfoam with practice by lowering the tip once the milk has stretched. Purge before and after steaming, wipe with a damp cloth, then give a short final purge.
Fast workflow
- Pull espresso first
- Purge wand, steam milk to about 140 to 150°F
- Swirl and tap pitcher, pour immediately
Controls and programmability
- Strength control, adjusts dose per shot
- Volume programming per button, set your espresso and coffee sizes
- Water temperature options on many units, pick higher for medium light roasts
- Auto off timer to save energy
Maintenance and cleaning
- Daily: Empty pucks, rinse drip tray, quick brew unit rinse under the tap
- Weekly: Clean the Panarello sleeve and wand, wipe hopper, vacuum stray grounds
- Monthly: Run cleaning tablets when prompted, descale on schedule or fit a water filter if supported, lubricate brew group as per manual
The removable brew group is the hero feature. A 30 second rinse keeps it fresh and reduces detergent cycles.
Noise, size, and household fit
Brewing and grinding noise is present but kitchen friendly. The machine is compact for a super automatic and the top access is fine under most cabinets. Leave a little clearance above for the hopper lid.
Value for money
You get a proper bean to cup platform with a real burr grinder, a removable brew group, and a simple reliable steam wand. If you want one touch milk you will pay more and take on more milk cleaning. If you want to learn steaming, this is an excellent price to performance balance.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- Sour shots: Grind finer, increase temperature one step, reduce volume
- Bitter shots: Grind coarser, reduce temperature, do not over extract beyond espresso volume
- Weak foam: Use colder fresh milk, purge wand, keep the tip just at the surface to inject air, then lower to roll
- Slow flow clogging: Clean brew unit, run grinder clean cycle with a few sacrificial beans, avoid oily roasts
Comparisons
- De’Longhi Magnifica Evo: Adds one touch milk variants on some trims, more icons, similar espresso, more cleaning for milk path
- Philips 3200 LatteGo: Easiest milk cleanup with LatteGo, espresso is a touch different in profile, grinder is ceramic
- Breville Barista Express (semi automatic): More control and higher learning curve, better for tinkerers, slower daily routine
- De’Longhi Dinamica: Higher tier interface and some extra drink profiles, usually more expensive
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact super automatic with removable brew unit
- Consistent shots once dialed in, easy Americano workflow
- Manual Panarello wand is simple to clean and beginner friendly
- Bypass doser for decaf and guests
- Strength and volume controls that stick
Cons
- No one touch milk drinks, steaming is manual
- Small display and buttons, no large touch panel
- Very light roasts can test the grinder range
- Plastic exterior shows wipes if you use harsh cloths
FAQ.
Does it take pre ground coffee?
Yes, use the bypass doser for a single serving of pre ground, useful for decaf.
Is the brew group removable?
Yes, you can pull it out and rinse under the tap, which is great for hygiene.
Can it make a large coffee in one go?
It will brew a lungo, but the best taste is espresso plus hot water for an Americano.
What water should I use?
Use filtered water with moderate hardness. If your model supports an in tank filter, fit one to extend descaling intervals.
How often do I descale?
Follow the prompt, typically every few months depending on water hardness. A filter reduces frequency.
