# De'Longhi Magnifica S Review — Full Automatic Coffee Machine Tested > An in-depth review of the De'Longhi Magnifica S (ECAM23120BN). We cover taste, usability, maintenance, and who this super-automatic machine is best suited for. **Canonical URL**: https://coffee-guide.jp/en/gear/delonghi-magnifica-s-review **Category**: Coffee Gear & Equipment **Published**: 2026-04-18 **Updated**: 2026-04-18 **Author**: Coffee Guide Editorial **Tags**: delonghi, magnifica, automatic, review > ※ This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon Associates and A8.net partner programs. Evaluations are based on publicly available information or editorial analysis. --- *This article contains affiliate links.* 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. - Core specs and features of the Magnifica S - Real-world assessment of taste, usability, and maintenance - Model comparison within the Magnifica S lineup - Who should (and shouldn't) buy this machine ## Magnifica S: Overview and Specifications > **De** / 価格: ¥43,800 / 評価: 4.3 / 特徴: Super-automatic / Café Japonaise function / 3-position froth adjuster → [Amazonで商品を見る](https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01M0TY6KZ?tag=ps0036fr-22 ) ※アフィリエイトリンク 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. Empty the drip tray after every session to prevent mold and odors. Use De'Longhi's own descaling solution — third-party products can interfere with the machine's sensors. ## 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? **Pros** - Perfect for beginners wanting fresh-ground coffee daily - Café Japonaise is ideal for Japanese taste preferences - Straightforward operation with minimal learning curve **Cons** - Not ideal if you drink lots of milk-based drinks (no auto-steam) - Espresso purists may find it lacks precision - Takes up meaningful counter space ## 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. ### Editor's Recommended Coffee Services (PR) - **[パナソニック コーヒーメーカー定期便](https://px.a8.net/svt/ejp?a8mat=4B1CDM+4MY+5DQQ+ZQ80I)** — 全自動コーヒーメーカーと厳選豆の定期購入セット。継続利用でマシン買取可能。 【マシン+豆セット】 - **[EPEIOS ドリップケトル](https://px.a8.net/svt/ejp?a8mat=4B1CDL+GFSZY2+5T0G+5YJRM)** — 世界一バリスタ監修のコーヒーアイテム。累計10万台突破のドリップケトルが人気。 【バリスタ監修】 ## Related Articles - [De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Review — The Evolved Automatic Machine](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/delonghi-magnifica-evo-review) - [De'Longhi Magnifica Start Review — Entry-Level Automatic Machine](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/delonghi-magnifica-start-review) - [Fully Automatic vs Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine: Which One Is Right for You?](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/all-automatic-vs-semi-auto-espresso-machine) - [De'Longhi Dedica Espresso Machine Review — EC885J vs EC680 Compared](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/delonghi-dedica-espresso-machine-review) - [De'Longhi Dedica Grinder KG521J Review — Conical Burr Performance Tested](https://coffee-guide.jp/gear/delonghi-dedica-grinder-review) --- *This is the markdown version for AI crawlers. 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