De’Longhi continues to expand its Magnifica super-automatic family. On this occasion, I review the Magnifica Evo Next, a coffee machine launched in 2024 as a supposedly advanced version compared to the Magnifica Evo that has been on the market for a few years. Specifically, the model I analyze here is the ECAM 310.60.B, in glossy black color.
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next
| Pump | 15 bars |
| Thermoblock | 1450W |
| Grinder | 13 grinding settings |
| Screen | 2.4-inch TFT screen |
| Coffee bean container | 250 g |
| Ground coffee hopper |  |
| Water tank | 1.8 L |
| Programmed recipes | 10 |
| Recipe customization | Volume and intensity settings |
| User profiles | 3 |
| Milk container | |
| Type of milk frother | Auto |
| Maximum cup height | 140 mm |
| Dimensions | 24 x 44 x 36 cm |
Design and control panel
Anyone already familiar with the De’Longhi Magnifica will find this Magnifica Evo Next familiar. De’Longhi maintains the same design concept, and even dimensions, as the rest of the range, although what changes here is the control panel: a 2.4-inch color TFT screen is added to the capacitive buttons.
It is an interface in line with the latest and most recent super-automatics of the brand. It has 13 programmed recipes: with dedicated buttons you have espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and hot water, and then the More button displays another menu with the recipes for double espresso, long coffee, Doppio+, cappuccino mix, and frothed milk.
The model I am analyzing, the ECAM 310.60.B, has these 10 recipes, but other models, like the ECAM312.80.TB, add the recipes for americano, cappuccino+, and espresso macchiato.
Each drink has settings for liquid volume in the cup and intensity, that is, the dose of ground coffee for extraction. There are four volume levels, from S to XL, and five intensity levels, from 1 to 5. Within this same intensity setting, there is also an option to choose pre-ground coffee.
There are three user profiles, identifiable with green, red, and yellow colors, and then you have the possibility to customize the volume of each recipe. To do this, you press on the recipe you want to reprogram, and then press the My button: the coffee machine will start serving coffee -and milk in those recipes that have it- and you must stop the extraction when the desired amount is reached. From that moment, the recipe is programmed with the new value you have indicated.
This renewed interface is the only novelty of a design that, as I say, maintains the essence of the De’Longhi Magnifica range. Thus, on the right side is the water tank, which when removed reveals the infuser group panel, which we can also remove for cleaning.
Similarly, the drip tray and the coffee grounds drawer can be removed, both made of plastic but with a stainless steel grid. The spout has a double nozzle and is height adjustable. To its left, there is a hot water outlet, but this piece can be removed: this is also where the milk container is connected.
On the top is the coffee bean hopper, with the grinder adjustment wheel, and also an additional hopper to use pre-ground coffee, something common in the brand’s machines and useful for using decaffeinated coffee.
The Magnifica Evo Next is mostly made of plastic, although it feels quality, robust, and sturdy. Particularly, the design of the Magnifica doesn’t seem like much to me from the appearance side, but it is a functional coffee machine and, with the new interface, modern.
Coffee preparation
This new generation of De’Longhi super-automatic coffee machines is characterized by preparing a better espresso than in previous generations. The Italian brand is adapting to the third wave coffee movement, and this Magnifica Evo Next uses high doses of coffee, preparing a much more intense coffee compared to the coffee that most super-automatics from years ago.
The Magnifica Evo Next uses high doses of coffee in the five intensity settings it has: I have measured 25 grams at level 5, 20 g at level 4, 17 g at level 3, 15 g at level 2, and 12 g at the last level, 1. These doses can vary quite a bit depending on the coffee bean and its roast. In my case, I have used a Brazilian Arabica coffee bean, with a medium-high roast, which on the other hand is the most recommended for this type of coffee machines due to its higher solubility.
Between the grinder’s grinding setting, the intensity setting -or dose- and the volume setting, you can “play” to extract the coffee according to our tastes and preferences. For a better espresso in these machines, you have to aim for a 1:2 ratio in a time of around 25 seconds; I have achieved this in the Magnifica Evo Next by selecting level 3 of intensity -dose of 17 grams- and with the grinder setting in position 4, obtaining a fairly decent espresso with 32 ml of liquid in the cup and in 24 seconds of extraction (including pre-infusion).
However, this Magnifica Evo Next is a step below the extraordinary Magnifica Plus that I analyzed months ago: that coffee machine allowed for finer grinding and even higher doses. For example, in the Magnifica Plus, I managed to extract with the finest grinder level and using about 20 grams of coffee dose: the result was a fantastic espresso, the best I have tried in a super-automatic.
With the Magnifica Evo Next, I have been unable to replicate those results. I don’t know what it’s due to, whether it’s the pump or something else, but with the finest grinding level and a high dose, the Magnifica Evo Next has choked and failed to extract coffee. So, although the Evo Next is capable of preparing a decent espresso, it is far from the superb quality of the Magnifica Plus.
Milk preparation
A similar situation occurs with milk preparation. The Magnifica Evo Next froths the milk automatically, with its respective milk container. This container connects to the hot water outlet, on the left side.
Unlike other De’Longhi models, such as the aforementioned Magnifica Plus or the Dinamica Plus, the Magnifica Evo Next only has one milk texture setting, and the most we can customize regarding the milk is the amount of it in each recipe.
At least, the quality and texture of the milk is good. It is a dense texture that leaves a thick layer of foam on top of the coffee, typical of old school cappuccinos. It is a suitable texture for cappuccinos and lattes, which on the other hand are the only milk recipes programmed in the coffee machine.
After serving milk, a message appears on the screen warning that a rinse is needed. You place a container under the milk spout and press OK, and the Evo Next performs a couple of rinses to clean the milk circuit. If there is milk left in the container, you can store it in the fridge. All very convenient, practical, and easy.
Cleaning, maintenance
This automatic rinse of the milk circuit is one of the automated cleaning systems of the Magnifica Evo Next. The others are the usual ones in this type of machines: when turned on, it performs a rinse with water from the coffee circuit that, in addition to rinsing the infuser group to ensure a preparation, serves to heat the Thermoblock. When turned off, it also performs another automatic rinse, and the user has the option to perform a rinse at any time by entering the maintenance menu, pressing the gear button.
De’Longhi super-automatics are the easiest to clean, and this is mainly thanks to the fact that the infuser group can be removed, and it is also very compact and simple. It is highly recommended that you take it out a couple of times a week and rinse it under the tap, as it is quite common for coffee residues to remain on the infuser group shower over the days.
Less convenient to clean (due to being cumbersome and large) is the drip tray, but it can be placed in the dishwasher. Also the milk container, from which some of its parts can be disassembled for a deep cleaning.
The coffee machine also has an automatic descaling program. A bottle of descaling liquid is included with the machine, and for future uses you can buy more on Amazon. A water softener filter is also included in the box, essential if you are going to use tap water in areas with hard water; a test strip is also included so you can measure the water hardness in your area and adjust this parameter in the coffee machine, which will also influence the frequency of descaling that the machine will suggest.
My verdict
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo NextThe Good
- Strong coffee, with very high doses
- Good milk foam
- Simple, modern, and intuitive interface
- Extremely easy to clean and maintain
The Bad
- Nothing special with the design
- Few customization options for milk-based drinks
- It struggles to extract with a combo of fine grinds and high doses
