De'Longhi Magnifica S Review — Full Automatic Coffee Machine Tested

The De'Longhi Magnifica S has been one of the best-selling super-automatic coffee machines in Japan for over a decade. Despite newer models entering the market, it continues to hold strong — and for good reason. In this review, we break down exactly what makes the Magnifica S worth considering, where it falls short, and who it's best suited for.

Magnifica S: Overview and Specifications

The ECAM23120BN has been in production since 2015, consistently ranking as one of the top-selling automatic espresso machines on Amazon Japan. Here are the key specs:

Specification	Detail
Menu options	3 (Espresso, Regular Coffee, Café Japonaise)
Bean hopper capacity	250g
Water tank	1.8L
Dimensions	W24.0 × D43.0 × H35.0 cm
Weight	~9kg
Milk frothing	Manual steam wand with froth adjuster
Grind adjustment	7 levels

The 250g bean hopper is generous for a machine in this class, reducing the need for frequent refills even for heavy coffee drinkers.

The Standout Feature: Café Japonaise

The Café Japonaise function is De'Longhi's Japan-exclusive brewing mode that extracts a higher volume of water through the espresso puck — producing a cup that tastes closer to drip coffee than a traditional Italian espresso shot.

Most European espresso machines are optimized for short, concentrated shots. The Japanese market, however, tends to prefer a longer, more aromatic cup similar to American-style coffee. Café Japonaise bridges this gap, and it's widely credited as one of the primary reasons the Magnifica S became a bestseller in Japan specifically.

Taste Performance

Brewing from freshly ground beans produces a noticeably different cup compared to pre-ground coffee. The aroma compounds haven't oxidized, so the fragrance is richer and more complex from the first pour.

In Café Japonaise mode, the machine delivers a cup that balances espresso intensity with the approachable body of drip coffee. Strength is adjustable across three levels. In full espresso mode, the shot pulls with a respectable crema and clean finish.

Performance ratings:

• Taste quality: ★★★★☆
• Aroma intensity: ★★★★★
• Strength range: ★★★★☆

Usability

The interface uses a combination of a rotary dial and push buttons — a classic design that doesn't require any screen-reading. After powering on, the machine is ready to brew in about 40 seconds.

The workflow is straightforward: select a menu, press the button, wait for your cup. Settings for bean amount and extraction volume can be programmed and saved, so your preferences are remembered between sessions.

About the steam wand

The Magnifica S uses a manual steam wand for milk frothing. You position the wand in the milk, then turn the dial to release steam. The froth adjuster knob controls the texture — ranging from dense foam to silkier microfoam.

There's a short learning curve to get consistent results, but once you've practiced a few times, producing good cappuccino foam becomes second nature. If you want fully automated milk frothing, you'll need to look at the Magnifica Evo instead.

Maintenance

After each use, the machine prompts you to empty the used grounds container (which holds approximately 14 doses) and the drip tray. Both slide out easily and take under a minute to empty and rinse.

Weekly cleaning of the brew group area with the included brush keeps coffee oils from building up. Descaling (removing mineral deposits) is required periodically based on your water hardness; the machine guides you through the process with indicator lights.

Model Comparison Within the Magnifica S Line

Model	ASIN	Menus	Milk System
ECAM23120BN	B01M0TY6KZ	3	Manual wand + froth adjuster
ECAM22112B	B088HJCVDX	2	Manual wand (basic)
ECAM25023SB	B08WRJTZJT	3	Manual wand + froth adjuster

The ECAM23120BN is the best-value option in the lineup, adding the 3rd menu and froth adjuster over the more basic ECAM22112B.

User Reviews Summary

Users who are happy with the Magnifica S most commonly cite:

• "The fresh-ground aroma every morning makes it feel like a real café"
• "Easier to operate than I expected — I was brewing confidently within a day"
• "Café Japonaise mode tastes just like what I drink every day"

Common criticisms include:

• "The steam wand takes practice to get right"
• "The machine is fairly loud — not ideal for early morning use in apartments"
• "At around 9kg, it's heavy to move once placed"

Who Should Buy the Magnifica S?

Magnifica S vs. Other Magnifica Models

Feature	Magnifica S	Magnifica Start	Magnifica Evo
Price	~¥43,800	~¥49,800	~¥134,800
Interface	Dial + buttons	Touch panel	Touch panel
Milk system	Manual wand	Manual wand	Fully automatic LatteCrema
Menu count	3	3	6

The Magnifica S hits the best price-to-performance ratio in the lineup. If you regularly make milk-based drinks, the Evo's automatic milk system justifies the higher cost. If not, the S is hard to beat.

Final Verdict

The De'Longhi Magnifica S has earned its long-seller status. The combination of the Japan-specific Café Japonaise function, genuinely simple operation, and durable build quality make it one of the most complete packages available at around ¥40,000.

For anyone transitioning from instant or drip coffee to a proper bean-to-cup machine, the Magnifica S is an excellent first step — and for many users, it will be the only machine they ever need.