De'Longhi Magnifica S vs De'Longhi La Specialista Opera
Quick take: The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera costs $67 less; the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera heats up faster (20 seconds).
| Spec | De'Longhi Magnifica S | De'Longhi La Specialista Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Standout features | Built-in Grinder, Milk Frother, Programmable, One-Touch, Adjustable Strength | Smart Tamping Station, Built-in Conical Burr Grinder (15 Settings), Cold Extraction Technology, Dual Heating System, Active Temperature Control, 5 Preset Recipes |
| Approx. price | ~$700 | ~$633 |
| Type | Super-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 19 bar |
| Water capacity | 60 oz | 67.6 oz |
| Warm-up time | 45 seconds | 20 seconds |
| Steam wand | Panarello | Manual |
| Basket type | — | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Beginners | Enthusiasts |
| Dimensions | 9.4 x 17.1 x 13.8 in | 15.0 x 14.6 x 17.5 in |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs | 28.1 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
De'Longhi Magnifica S
- ✓Easy one-touch operation
- ✓Built-in grinder
- ✓Compact for a super-auto
- ✓Good value
- ✗Basic milk frother
- ✗Not true barista-quality espresso
- ✗Plastic build
- ✗Limited customization
De'Longhi La Specialista Opera
- ✓Smart tamping lever gives mess-free, consistent 20kg tamps
- ✓Dual heating cuts the wait between espresso and steaming
- ✓Large 67.6 oz tank suits multi-drink households
- ✓Ships with both pressurized and single-wall baskets
- ✗Rated 4.1 - some owners report quality-control hiccups
- ✗Bulkier and heavier than the Arte Evo it sits above
- ✗Tamping inside the station hides puck prep from view
- ✗No touchscreen guidance despite the premium over Arte Evo
What owners say
De'Longhi Magnifica S
The Magnifica S is De'Longhi's perennial entry-level super-automatic — a bean-to-cup machine with a built-in conical burr grinder, an automatic brew unit, and a manual milk frother. It's one of the most-recommended 'I just want to press a button and get coffee' machines because it's compact, affordable for the category, and famously reliable, with a removable brew group you can rinse under the tap. Full owner insights →
De'Longhi Magnifica S vs De'Longhi La Specialista Opera: common questions
Which is cheaper, the De'Longhi Magnifica S or the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera?
The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera is the cheaper of the two at roughly $633, about $67 less than the De'Longhi Magnifica S at ~$700. Both figures are approximate list prices and street prices move with sales.
Is the De'Longhi Magnifica S or the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera easier to use day to day?
They are different classes of machine: the De'Longhi Magnifica S is a super-automatic that grinds, doses and brews at the touch of a button, while the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera is a semi-automatic you dose, tamp and time yourself. That difference matters more than any single spec on this page — it decides how much of the shot you control and how much the machine handles for you.
Which heats up faster, the De'Longhi Magnifica S or the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera?
The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera is ready sooner — 20 seconds against 45 seconds for the De'Longhi Magnifica S. That gap matters most on weekday mornings; if you pull shots at a relaxed pace it makes little practical difference.