Sometimes all we want is to press a button and let the world wait until the coffee is ready. No complications, no second guesses. Just that familiar aroma filling the kitchen while we pretend the day isn’t already running late. That’s when a superautomatic machine stops being a gadget and becomes part of the morning ritual. And if you’ve been eyeing either the De’Longhi Magnifica S ECAM11.112.B or the De’Longhi Magnifica EVO ECAM292.33.SB, then you’re not alone. We’ve been hands-deep in testing both—and wow, do they stir up some strong feelings.
The Magnifica S has that reassuring, analog kind of charm: twist a knob, press a button, done. On the other hand, the Magnifica EVO gives off a more futuristic, flat-panel vibe—like you’re piloting a spacecraft instead of brewing a lungo. We’ve spent days switching between both, gauging not just the coffee but how they behave when you’re bleary-eyed, in a rush, or craving something a little different.
So which one should you get? Let’s walk through every detail, quirks and all.
Design and interface: it’s like vinyl vs Spotify
If you’ve ever argued over whether to stick with physical buttons or go full touch, then you’ll get the split personality here. The Magnifica S comes dressed in matte black with mechanical controls that click and spin like they mean business. It feels like walking into a tiny espresso bar in Rome where the barista doesn’t talk much but the espresso hits hard. No distractions, just caffeine.
The EVO shifts that mood completely with a sleek silver body and a touch-sensitive control panel positioned up top. You won’t find any knobs or buttons—everything is flush, minimalist, and ultra-modern. It’s the type of interface that feels more at home next to your smart speaker than beside your toaster.
And here’s the twist: both approaches work. The S makes you feel in control, like you’re part of the brewing process. The EVO, by contrast, smooths out the process into something closer to an app experience. There’s no right or wrong here, just what your fingers are used to. If you love that tactile snap when you press a real button, the S is more satisfying. But if you’re the kind to swipe through your day, the EVO feels like second nature.
Brewing system: no weak shots here
We were almost hoping for a surprise here, but these two machines are identical under the hood where it matters most. Both have 1450 watts of power and maintain a consistent 15-bar pressure, which is exactly what you want for a bold espresso with thick crema.
What impressed us most is how consistent both are, even after back-to-back uses. The integrated conical steel grinder on each model includes 13 grind settings, so it’s easy to dial in your preference whether you’re into short ristrettos or leisurely Americanos. Once we found our grind sweet spot (somewhere between 5 and 6, for what it’s worth), it felt like having a personal barista trapped inside a sleek Italian machine.
Even better, both let you use pre-ground coffee in addition to beans, which is great when someone insists on decaf or if you’re experimenting with a boutique grind you brought back from a weekend trip. There’s no obvious winner here, and honestly, that’s kind of nice—less room for buyer’s remorse.
Size and capacity: made for caffeine fiends
If you’re the kind of person who makes coffee multiple times a day—or lives with others who do—the good news is that both machines are up to the challenge. They come with identical water tanks at 1.8 liters and bean hoppers that hold 250 grams. That’s enough to go a few days without a refill, even in our coffee-devouring home.
The grounds container holds up to 14 servings, so you can forget about emptying it every single morning. And with maximum cup heights of 142 mm on the S and 140 mm on the EVO, your favorite mug is probably going to fit either way.
The measurements are also neck-and-neck: Magnifica S is 23 x 43 x 34 cm, EVO sits at 24 x 44 x 36 cm. You won’t notice the difference unless you’re playing Tetris with your countertop space. Weight-wise, the S comes in at 9 kg and the EVO nudges just a little heavier at 9.4 kg. Neither is a featherweight, but they’re not meant to move. Once they’re in, they’re staying.
Drink selection: convenience or curiosity?
Here’s where things start to diverge in a way that might matter depending on what you like to drink. The Magnifica S is all about simplifying the daily staples: espresso, lungo, hot water (for tea or americanos), and cappuccino. The standout feature here is the automatic Cappuccino System. With one touch, it froths the milk directly into your cup, with consistent texture every time. No learning curve, no manual wand, no drama.
The EVO throws in a little curveball. It offers five drinks: espresso, lungo, cortado, americano, and infusion. That cortado button? A nice touch. But if you’re into cappuccinos or lattes, you’ll need to operate the steam wand yourself. It’s a good wand, don’t get us wrong—it delivers solid steam and decent microfoam—but you’ll need to practice a bit to get the milk just right. And unlike the S, the EVO doesn’t automate the milk process, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
In short: if milk-based drinks are a daily thing for you, the S makes life easier. If you mostly drink espresso and occasionally dabble in milk foam artistry, the EVO’s expanded coffee list might be worth the extra step.
Shared comforts that just make sense
There are little things that don’t show up in spec lists but matter a lot in everyday use. Thankfully, both models share a few of these smart details. The cup-warming tray on both machines makes more of a difference than you’d think—especially on colder mornings. A warm cup means the crema lasts longer and the temperature stays just right from the first sip to the last.
Another shared feature is the automatic shutdown, which you can set between 15 to 180 minutes. We set ours to 60 minutes and never had to worry about wasting energy or accidentally leaving the machine on while racing out the door.
These are the kind of small quality-of-life features that feel invisible until they’re missing. They’re part of what makes both machines feel not just premium, but considerate.
So… which one really fits your kitchen?
Let’s be honest for a second: this isn’t just about specs. It’s about how you make coffee, when you make coffee, and how much patience you have before your first cup. That’s where these machines stop being identical and start showing their personalities.
The EVO is cleaner, flashier, and comes with a slightly broader range of drink options—on paper. But the lack of an automatic milk system means cappuccino lovers will need to put in the work. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it changes the rhythm of the morning. And some of us don’t want extra steps before 8 AM.
The S, on the other hand, embraces a more classic look and does all the milk work for you. That built-in Cappuccino System isn’t just a nice bonus—it’s the deciding factor if you drink milk-based coffee regularly. It literally reduces the whole process to one touch. For busy mornings or lazy weekends, it’s hard to overstate how nice that is.
We didn’t expect to have such a strong reaction, but there it is: the Magnifica S wins for its sheer convenience and better milk integration. Even though we liked the EVO’s touch controls and drink variety, the trade-off just doesn’t feel worth it unless you’re totally uninterested in cappuccinos.
And who isn’t into cappuccinos?
Maybe tomorrow we’ll feel different, but right now? We’d rather press one button than play barista.