De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200: Bean To Cup Coffee Machine

The De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200 is a fully-automated bean-to-cup coffee machine that offers an impressive array of features for the dedicated coffee enthusiast.

Not only does this machine grind coffee beans on-the-spot in order to produce a rich, vibrant flavour, but it also offers you plenty of customisation options to help you tailor every detail of your coffee (e.g. temperature, strength, etc.) to suit your needs.

Is it the best bean-to-cup coffee machine on the market in 2018? I’ve just spent four weeks with this device, and I’m trying to answer the question here, in my (unbiased) review. Read on more for details.

De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200 review

Delonghi Magnifica ESAM4200

What are you buying?

So what makes the De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200 stand apart from the crowd?

Well, one of the things that has always impressed me about De’Longhi in particular is their ability to combine simplicity and intuitive design with quality; this is a huge plus to those of us who do not yet possess professional-level barista skills.

Here are some of the key features of the ESAM4200 that make it one of the company’s most popular models:

15 bar pump pressure

Those who understand the finer points of the art of coffee making will tell you that pressure is the key to achieving coffee nirvana. The ESAM4200 is definitely up to the task in this area, as it features a professional-level 15 bar pump for high-performance coffee making.

You can use coffee beans or ground coffee

If you’re in a time crunch and you have a “need for speed”, the ESAM4200 has the capability for you to use pre-ground coffee. If you’re looking for a more relaxed and deliberate coffee making experience, you can use fresh coffee beans, enabling you to create that famous coffee shop taste right in your home.

One-touch programmes

If you’re looking for a coffee machine that can actually deliver push-button simplicity, the ESAM4200 is definitely a top choice. The machine features several pre-configured one-touch programmes that can deliver consistent performance every time. You have plenty of options just by following the presets described in the ESAM4200’s instruction manual, but if you want to get a little more creative, there’s really nothing stopping you!

Traditional milk frothing arm

The espresso, macchiato, lungo, and latte lovers among us will appreciate the fact that the ESAM4200 comes equipped with a traditional milk frothing arm so that you can add a “dose of dairy” to make your favourite milk-enhanced coffee drink. The Magnifica is precise enough to heat the milk to your specifications, enabling you to create that light foam on top of your drink that makes it all worthwhile.

Professional burr grinder

The ESAM4200 features a professional integrated burr grinder with seven adjustable coarseness settings, allowing you to experiment and find your ideal point on the smooth-to-coarse scale. This is an important but often overlooked detail, and it can make quite a difference in the subtlety of flavour that you can achieve with your coffee.

How easy is it to use?

The ESAM4200 is about as user-friendly and low-maintenance as they come, which is one of the reasons why this machine really stands out to me. All you have to do is switch the machine on, push the one-cup or two-cup button and the machine will do the rest for you.

While that may sound like an over-simplification, I’m not exaggerating when I say that it really is that simple. As far as cleaning and maintenance goes, the Magnifica is remarkably easy to clean due to the removable drip tray (with level indicator) and removable brewing unit. Level indicators will notify you when the beans or water tank needs filling up.

The machine virtually cleans itself from the moment you switch on the power button, and it also features automatic cleaning, rinsing and descaling functionality. The rinse and decalcification programmes that are built into the ESAM4200 are variable in order to accommodate different levels of local water hardness, which is a subtle yet important detail that can better facilitate proper machine maintenance.

It really seems like De’Longhi took great pains to make this machine as user-friendly and foolproof as possible, including incorporating a shut-off timer that will automatically power off the machine after a certain amount of time has elapsed.

What accessories are included?

Along with the ESAM4200, the package also comes with one descaler, one plastic coffee measuring spoon, the product instruction manual, and one plug.

Key features of Magnifica ESAM4200

Pros

• Outstanding reliability – it’s not uncommon for espresso-obsessed users to crank out 5 or more cups a day for years on end
• Makes a near-perfect espresso with a generous learning curve
• You have the option to use pre-ground coffee or coffee beans
• The frothing arm makes it easy to make your favourite cappuccino, latte, macchiato, etc.
• Removable brewing unit makes cleaning easy (even the areas that are normally hard to reach)
• Instant reheat function keeps temperature at an optimal level for espresso, even if there are long intervals between cups
• Coffee and water quantities are adjustable for ideal customisation
• Advanced thermoblock boiler system provides amazing consistency of temperature, whether you choose 1 or 2-cup delivery

Cons

• Slightly slower than some other coffee machines on the market
• Although you can use ground coffee, it will require more frequent cleaning
• Slightly loud when grinding and frothing (but that’s typical for all bean-to-cup coffee machines)

Anything else you should know?

It is definitely worth mentioning that the ESAM4200 features a compact design with a sleek silver finish, so it can complement virtually any type of home décor.

In addition, this machine offers adjustable nozzle height, a small but very significant detail for those of us who like to drink out of our favourite mug, but are concerned about whether or not it can fit under the nozzle.

The ESAM4200 can accommodate cups of all sizes, from small espresso cups to high-capacity mugs. In other words, your favourite mug should be able to fit under the nozzle, unless you purchased an extravagantly large coffee tankard!

What customers say?

I’m not really surprised by a good number of positive reviews I’ve noticed on retailers’ websites and the fact it is a ‘Best Buy’ in its category (awarded by Which?).

Watch a video review of Magnifica ESAM4200 (click below to open a new window).

De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200s review

Conclusion

All in all, the De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200 can make a cracking cup of coffee, and it does so with remarkable ease.

It’s a highly efficient, remarkably durable and incredibly user-friendly coffee machine that seamlessly merges convenience with quality, a hard combination to find in a machine this affordable.

Not only that, but thanks to the brilliant design of the ESAM4200, you won’t have to spend a ton of time cleaning it once you’ve enjoyed your coffee.

The great thing about this machine is that it can provide you with the authentic coffee house experience without draining your pockets in the process. Whether you’re an espresso addict or a latte lover, the De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200 is an excellent workhorse that can produce the ideal cup of coffee to suit practically any coffee lover’s palate.

Where to buy?

• Amazon UK: Check today’s price

Frequently asked questions

1. How long does Delonghi descaling take?

It takes the De’Longhi Magnifica about 15 minutes to run through the descaling process. The process happens in soak and purge cycles. So there are times when the machine will seem to be doing nothing.

Be patient until the three lights at the top and the water tank light come on, indicating that descaling is complete.

After the 15-minute descaling process, run a couple of rinse cycles to completely get rid of the descaling solution from the machine.

2. Is the De’Longhi Magnifica easy to use?

A bean-to-coffee machine sounds complicated to operate, but the De’Longhi Magnifica is actually easier to use compared to brewing your own coffee.

One-touch buttons for a single and double espresso means you don’t have to figure out a gazillion dials and buttons. The machine automatically takes care of grinding the beans, packing the ground coffee into the filter and tampering it to get the perfect cuppa.

3. Where to buy the De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200?

The De’Longhi Magnifica is available on Amazon UK. If you’d prefer not to buy it online, check if it is available at a local supermarket or appliances store.