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De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM Review: Entry-Level Automatic Espresso
De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110 detailed review. Built-in grinder, adjustable coffee intensity, espresso and cappuccino performance tests.
Author: KitchenDeener•
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For those who want to drink barista-quality espresso at home, automatic machines are the most practical solution. De'Longhi's Magnifica S series has been the market leader for years as the gateway to this segment. Is the ECAM 22.110 model the most sensible choice for those saying "I'm buying my first automatic machine"?
We tested this machine over 6 months, pulling an average of 3-4 cups per day. Here's our honest assessment.
Product Features
Entry-Level Favorite-20%De'Longhi
De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110
4.5 (2847 reviews)
- •Built-in steel conical grinder
- •13-level grind adjustment
- •1450W power, 15 bar pressure
- •1.8L water tank, 250g coffee hopper
$399$499
View on AmazonBox Contents
- De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110 main unit
- Pannarello milk frothing attachment
- Water hardness test strip
- Measuring scoop
- Cleaning brush
- User manual
- Warranty certificate (2 years)
Design and Build Quality
The Magnifica S stands out with its compact dimensions. At 23.8 x 43 x 35.1 cm, it's one of the narrowest models in this class. It takes up minimal space on the kitchen counter.
Size Advantage
The Magnifica S's 23.8 cm width is 5-10 cm narrower than competing Saeco and Jura models. Ideal for narrow kitchens.
The plastic body might cause initial concern, but it feels quality. The matte black surface doesn't show fingerprints. The coffee hopper lid and water tank on top are transparent plastic - easy to see levels.
Control Panel
The buttons on the front panel are simple and clear:
- Power on/off
- Single/double espresso
- Coffee intensity (5 levels)
- Coffee amount (small-large)
- Steam/hot water button
- Stop button
No Digital Display
This model doesn't have a digital display. All adjustments are made with LED indicators and rotary knobs. This may be a disadvantage for some users.
Built-in Grinder Performance
The heart of the Magnifica S is its steel conical grinder. 13-level adjustment offers a wide range of grinding options from espresso to French press.
Grind Levels
| Level | Grind | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Very fine | Turkish coffee style (not recommended) |
| 4-6 | Fine | Espresso (ideal) |
| 7-9 | Medium | Lungo, Americano |
| 10-13 | Coarse | Not recommended (too watery) |
Grinder Tip
Factory setting comes at level 7. Lower it to 5 at first setup. For espresso, 4-6 gives best results. With each new coffee bean, do 2-3 "test" shots to find the ideal level.
Homogeneity Test
We sifted the ground coffee:
- Level 5: 85% homogeneous, small amount of fines
- Level 7: 80% homogeneous, medium fines
- Level 10: 70% homogeneous, noticeable coarse particles
Result: Better than expected homogeneity for this price segment. Burr grinders usually achieve this quality in machines over $500.
Espresso Extraction Performance
Here's the real test. How good is the espresso from the Magnifica S with 15 bar pressure and thermoblock heating system?
Technical Details
- Brewing temperature: 88-92C (adjustable)
- Pressure: 15 bar (effective 9-10 bar)
- Extraction time: 25-30 seconds (programmable)
- Coffee dose: 7-10g (automatic)
Flavor Profile
We tested with different beans:
Lavazza Super Crema (medium roast):
- Crema: Thick, long-lasting (3+ minutes)
- Flavor: Balanced, slightly sweet, nutty
- Acidity: Low-medium
- Score: 4/5
Illy Classico (medium roast):
- Crema: Medium thickness
- Flavor: Smooth, chocolate notes
- Acidity: Low
- Score: 4/5
Tchibo Barista Espresso (dark roast):
- Crema: Dark, intense
- Flavor: Intense, bitter notes prominent
- Acidity: Low
- Score: 3.5/5 (slight burnt taste)
Bean Recommendation
The Magnifica S performs best with medium roast beans. Very dark roasts increase bitter taste. "Espresso blend" blends containing 30-50% Robusta are ideal.
Milk Frothing: Pannarello System
The Magnifica S doesn't have an automatic milk system. Instead, it has the classic Pannarello attachment. This is both an advantage and disadvantage.
Advantages
- Control: You determine the foam density completely
- Temperature: You can stop at your desired temperature
- Cleaning: Just the attachment, not the entire system
Disadvantages
- Learning curve: Practice needed for latte art level foam
- Time: Manual process for each cup
- Consistency: Not as consistent as automatic systems
Frothing Test
1
Steam Preparation
Press the steam button, wait until LED stops flashing (~40 seconds).
2
Milk Preparation
Use cold milk. Metal pitcher is ideal. Filling 1/3 is enough (doubles when frothed).
3
Start Frothing
Submerge Pannarello 1 cm below milk surface. Open steam valve.
4
Air Integration
First 5-10 seconds keep pitcher near surface to mix in air (should hear hissing sound).
5
Heating and Mixing
Lower pitcher to swirl milk. Continue until reaching 65C (until pitcher starts to burn hand).
6
Finishing
Close steam valve. Tap pitcher on counter 2-3 times to pop bubbles.
Result: After practice, microfoam quality suitable for latte art is achievable. However, if you're rushing for cappuccino in the morning, consider a model with automatic milk system.
Daily Use Experience
Morning Routine
When machine starts from cold:
- Warm-up time: ~45 seconds
- First espresso ready: ~1 minute 30 seconds
- Cappuccino (including milk frothing): ~3 minutes
Energy Mode
Automatically goes into energy saving mode after 15 minutes of no use. Complete shutdown after 3 hours. These times can be changed in the menu.
Water and Coffee Capacity
- Water tank (1.8L): Average 12-15 espressos
- Coffee hopper (250g): Average 25-30 espressos
- Dreg drawer: 14 puck capacity
For someone drinking 4 coffees a day, filling the water tank every 3-4 days and coffee hopper weekly is sufficient.
Sound Level
| Operation | Sound Level |
|---|---|
| Grinding | 70-75 dB (loud conversation level) |
| Extraction | 60-65 dB (normal conversation) |
| Steam | 65-70 dB |
| Rinsing | 55-60 dB (quiet) |
Grinding noise can be disturbing in early morning hours. If you live in an apartment, consider that grinding noise can reach neighbors.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Automatic espresso machines require regular maintenance. The Magnifica S is relatively easy in this regard.
Daily Maintenance
- Empty dreg drawer
- Clean drip tray
- Wipe Pannarello after each use
Weekly Maintenance
- Remove and wash water tank
- Remove brew unit and rinse under water
- Wipe coffee hopper
Monthly Maintenance
1
Descaling
Add De'Longhi descaling solution to water tank. Start descaling program (~30 minutes).
2
Brew Unit Cleaning
Remove brew unit. Rinse thoroughly under warm water. Let dry for 24 hours or wipe with soft cloth.
3
Grinder Cleaning
Use De'Longhi grinder cleaning tablets (optional) or clean grinder chamber with dry brush.
Scale Warning
In cities with hard water like Istanbul and Ankara, monthly descaling is essential. Scale seriously shortens machine life and spoils flavor. Using a water filter reduces descaling frequency.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best espresso quality at this price
- Compact size, ideal for narrow kitchens
- Homogeneous grinding performance
- Easy-to-remove brew unit
- Adjustable coffee intensity and temperature
- 2-year official De'Longhi warranty
- Widespread service network
Cons
- No digital display, settings not intuitive
- No automatic milk system, manual frothing required
- Grinding noise is loud, can disturb in morning
- Plastic body, less premium feel
- Limited programmable drink options
- Water tank at back, need to pull machine to fill
Competitor Comparison
| Feature | Our Pick De'Longhi Magnifica S $399 |  De'Longhi Magnifica Evo $599 |  Philips EP2220 $429 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grinder | Steel conical 13 levels | Steel conical 13 levels | Ceramic 12 levels |
| Milk System | Manual Pannarello | Automatic LatteCrema | Manual Pannarello |
| Display | LED indicators | Color touchscreen | LED indicators |
| Water Tank | 1.8 liters | 1.8 liters | 1.8 liters |
| Size (cm) | 23.8 x 43 x 35 | 24 x 44 x 36 | 24.6 x 37.1 x 43.3 |
| Programs | 2 (espresso/lungo) | 6 (latte included) | 2 (espresso/lungo) |
| See Price | See Price | See Price |
Assessment
Magnifica S vs Magnifica Evo: Evo brings automatic milk system and touchscreen for $200 more. If you frequently make cappuccino/latte, Evo makes more sense. If you'll only drink espresso, S is sufficient.
Magnifica S vs Philips EP2220: Similar price and features. De'Longhi's service network is more extensive. Philips' ceramic grinder is quieter but more fragile. Our recommendation is De'Longhi.
Who Is It For?
Ideal User Profile
- Those buying their first automatic espresso machine
- Those wanting quality espresso on limited budget
- Those with narrow kitchens
- Those who mainly drink espresso/americano
- Those willing to learn manual milk frothing
Not Suitable For
- Those making 3+ milk drinks daily (automatic milk system needed)
- Those who don't want to learn latte art
- Those looking for quiet machine
- Those expecting premium look and touchscreen
- 6+ person office use
Conclusion and Rating
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Espresso Quality | 4/5 |
| Grinder Performance | 4/5 |
| Milk Frothing | 3/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 |
| Maintenance | 4/5 |
| Price-Performance | 5/5 |
| OVERALL | 4/5 |
De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110 is undoubtedly the best choice for entry level in the "automatic espresso machine" category. Espresso quality is well above its price. Main drawback is lack of automatic milk system - if this is critical for you, look at Magnifica Evo or Eletta Explore.
But if you just want a nice espresso or americano in the morning, this machine will keep you happy for years.
De'Longhi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110
Entry-level fully automatic espresso machine
$399
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Turkish coffee be made with Magnifica S?
No. The grinder can't grind fine enough for Turkish coffee and the brewing system doesn't do cezve-style cooking. You need a separate machine for Turkish coffee.
How long do coffee beans last?
Roasted beans keep freshness 2-3 weeks in open package, 2-3 months in closed package. Don't keep more than 1 week in hopper. Ideally put weekly consumption amount.
Is water filter necessary?
Not necessary but recommended. Filter slows scale formation and improves flavor. Official De'Longhi filters are around $30 and last 2-3 months.
What's the repair cost for out-of-warranty issues?
Most common issues are brew unit leakage ($50-70), grinder clogging ($30-50). Most of these failures can be prevented with regular maintenance.
Can pre-ground coffee be used?
Yes. The machine has a separate compartment for pre-ground coffee. However, it won't give results as good as freshly ground.
Author
KitchenDeener
Expert content team specialized in kitchen appliances.
