De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Is this the ultimate homemade coffee upgrade?
It’s a daily essential for 75% of Aussies, but with rising costs, it’s getting harder to justify – this switch could save you.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
Need coffee to kickstart your day? Same here. But spending $5.50 on a long black every morning adds up fast.
I’ve tried everything to recreate that cafe-quality taste at home — an Aeropress, a moka pot, a pod machine, even freshly grinding beans. Nothing quite nailed that smooth, rich espresso flavour.
A proper coffee machine seemed like the answer, but they can cost thousands and often require a barista’s skill set.
Then, I came across the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next.
HOW DOES THE COFFEE FROM THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVO TASTE?
Short answer: like cafe-quality coffee. Espresso lovers will appreciate the rich crema and deep, complex flavour. Cappuccinos and lattes come with velvety smooth milk foam, thanks to the automatic frothing system. The coffee temperature is spot-on – hot but not scalding. If you’re upgrading from a pod machine, the difference is night and day.
HOW EASY IS THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVO NEXT TO USE?
This machine is all about simplicity. You can make the most common coffees – latte, cappuccino, espresso, long black – with the touch of a button, and, for those with more complex orders, it includes customisable profiles that let you save your favourite drink settings. (It also has a hot water button for the tea drinkers).
Whether you’re half-asleep in the morning or entertaining guests with complex preferences, it delivers a decent coffee with minimal effort.
Your coffee is ready in four to five steps
1. Turn it on – it heats up in about 30 seconds.
2. Choose your coffee – press a button.
3. It grinds the beans – every cup starts with fresh coffee grounds.
4. Brewing begins – your coffee is ready in under a minute.
5. Frothing (if needed) – the milk system steams and froths automatically.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVO NEXT?
It’s fast (it makes coffee in under a minute), it has minimal waste (it only grinds the necessary amount of coffee needed for the selected drink) and it cleans itself.
The self-cleaning features of the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is where this machine really shines compared to others. Again, it does all the thinking for you, as the machine and milk frother automatically rinse after each use, build up is reduced (you should still give the milk frother a deep clean every few weeks).
Also, it has a descaling alert that lets you know when the machine needs a deeper clean.
There’s a waste bin that holds multiple used coffee pucks (which is neatly stowed away out of sight) so you’re not emptying it after every cup. For busy households and those of us that like more than one cup of coffee a day, these features are a game-changer.
WHAT’S NOT GOOD ABOUT THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVA NEXT?
Its size – it’s not compact, so you’ll need ample counter space. It’s also an investment, though you’ll likely save on cafe visits over time.
Setting it up took a bit of time, with some fiddly – but necessary – steps, like testing tap water hardness so the machine knows when to alert for descaling and fitting the water filter (which feels a bit wobbly, but that’s normal). You also have to hand wash everything before setting up. That said, the instructions were clear, and it took less than 30 minutes from unboxing to first use.
WHO SHOULD BUY THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVO NEXT?
• Busy people who want fast, high-quality coffee without spending over $5 a pop at a cafe.
• Families or couples with different coffee preferences.
• People upgrading from pod machines who want fresher coffee.
• Eco-conscious buyers looking to reduce waste.
IS THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVO NEXT WORTH IT?
The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to enjoy high-quality coffee at home without needing barista skills.
The one-touch operation is a game-changer – you get a coffee shop-quality drink with ease, and the customisable settings let you finetune drinks to your personal preferences, including those fancier orders.
CAN BUYING A COFFEE MACHINE SAVE YOU MONEY?
While this is a premium machine with a higher price tag, the convenience, customisation options and overall quality make it a worthwhile long-term investment. Plus, over time, the savings on cafe visits can offset the initial cost.
As for the comparison between buying takeaway coffee and investing in a coffee machine… realistically, skipping the cafe coffees won’t make me a millionaire overnight, and yes, this machine does cost over $900. But how many homemade coffees would it take to recoup that cost?
I buy boujee coffee beans from Sixpence in Bright, Victoria, because they remind me of home. Here’s the maths:
• Cost of 500g bag of coffee beans: $35
• Amount used per long black (14g per double shot): 107 cups per bag
• Cost per long black: $0.32
• Cost of takeaway long black: $5.50
• Saving per coffee: $5.18
That means it’ll take 177 cups of coffee to break even on the machine – roughly 25 weeks and two days or about five months and 27 days.
And that’s just for me. I also live with a two-a-day mocha lover ($6.50 each) and a toddler who can’t go past a babycino (from $1 to $3).
With experts predicting coffee prices could reach $12 a cup by the end of 2025, this coffee machine feels like a solid investment.
FINAL VERDICT?
This coffee machine is fast, consistent, easy to use and has zero maintenance headaches. If you love coffee and hate hassle, this one’s for you.
KEY FEATURES
- Fully automatic operation – from grinding to brewing
- Built-in conical burr grinder – freshly ground beans for every coffee
- Automatic milk frothing system – makes lattes and cappuccinos effortlessly
- One-touch espresso, cappuccino, latte, and more
- Self-rinsing and descaling alerts
SIZE AND DESIGN
The Magnifica Evo Next is sleek but substantial. It’s built to be a permanent countertop fixture, so make sure you have the space.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN I USE PRE-GROUND COFFEE INSTEAD OF BEANS?
Yes, the machine has a bypass for pre-ground coffee.
HOW NOISY IS THE GRINDER?
It’s quieter than most grinders, but still noticeable.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE COFFEE?
About 30 to 45 seconds from switch on to cup.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVO AND EVO NEXT?
Compared to the original Magnifica Evo, the Evo Next offers more customisation options, a redesigned, more intuitive interface and an improved milk frothing system. If you already own the Magnifica Evo, the upgrade isn’t essential. But if you’re buying your first automatic espresso machine, the Evo Next is the better pick.
HOW LONG DOES THE DE’LONGHI MAGNIFICA EVO NEXT LAST?
With proper care, you can expect the Evo Next to last five to seven years. The self-cleaning system takes care of daily rinsing, but regular maintenance includes: Emptying the coffee grounds container (every few days). Cleaning the milk frother (after every use). Descaling the machine (as needed, depending on water hardness).
Looking to shop more household essentials? Then sign up to the free news.com.au checkout newsletter here for all the latest shopping news.