De'Longhi Magnifica S vs Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus
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Quick take: The Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus costs $1 less.
| Spec | De'Longhi Magnifica S | Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 | $899 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (7,800) | 4.3★ (300) |
| Type | Super-Automatic | Super-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Single Boiler |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | Yes |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 60 oz | 60.8 oz |
| Warm-up time | 45 seconds | 45 seconds |
| Steam wand | Panarello | Manual |
| Basket type | — | — |
| Best for | Beginners | Milk Drink Perfectionists |
| Dimensions | 9.4 x 17.1 x 13.8 in | 10.2 x 17.3 x 15 in |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs | 21.2 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
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
Gaggia Cadorna Barista Plus
- ✓Manual wand steams proper microfoam no carafe system can match
- ✓Four user profiles remember each person's drink customizations
- ✓Italian-made with ceramic burrs and a removable brew group
- ✓Cheaper than carafe-equipped Cadornas since you do the milk
- ✗No one-touch cappuccino - milk drinks require hands-on steaming
- ✗Only 6 coffee presets versus 15 on the Prestige
- ✗Single rapid-heat boiler pauses between brewing and steaming
- ✗Grind adjustment range still limited compared to semi-automatics