DeLonghi Magnifica Esam Review 3300 – Wait! Is It Really Worth That Much in 2023?

As you watch the baristas at Starbucks or Scooter’s Coffee press the button to make your favorite espresso, you can’t help wondering whether or not you could bring a super-automatic espresso machine to your home.

Would buying one leave you penniless? Stop daydreaming and start scrolling to see if this is the best choice for an at-home super-automatic espresso machine. After many hours of research, we present a thorough review of the DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM 3300 below.

Hint: If you’ve budgeted $600 and you’re ready to start buying, check out the Amazon Reviews by clicking below and start brewing espresso at home.

DeLonghi Magnifica Esam 3300 Review 2023 Summary

Most cafes and restaurants use commercial-grade super-automatic espresso machines for making coffee. However, one brewing unit or an espresso machine can cost over $1000. To make great espresso at home, you don’t have to spend that much. For a reasonable price, the DeLonghi Magnifica can help you make professional-quality coffee, espresso, and espresso drinks at home. For the value and quality, it’s harder to find such a solid machine at this price point.

What is the DeLonghi Magnifica Esam 3300?

Dēlonghi Magnifica allows you to become a barista at your own home. It gives you the confidence to serve cafe-caliber lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos your guests might love. This super-automatic espresso machine cuts the time spent waiting in queueing lines in coffee shops. With the touch of a button, you can prepare any type of coffee beverage you desire.

Despite its size, the Magnifica coffee machine shows a lot of promising features:

• Digital control panels with programmable menu settings
• Large water reservoir
• Direct-to-brew system
• Easy-to-clean removable parts
• Descaling program.

If these fit your criteria for finding the perfect coffee machine for your kitchen, read more to know if this super-automatic machine is worth your money.

Main Features & Components of the De’Longhi ESAM 3300

The search for the best super-automatic espresso machine within your budget can be daunting. When you surf the internet, there are a bunch of recommendations about various brands.

To help you narrow your search, we’ve recognized some factors to consider before you buy your brewer and how the De’Longhi ESAM 3300 delivers on these features:

Overall Design

The Delonghi ESAM3300 is a compact fully automatic espresso machine but don’t underestimate its size. In terms of power, capability, and value, it is reliable enough to create barista-like coffee beverages.

Casing

DeLonghi did an excellent job with the appearance of the Magnifica 3300. You’ll think that this espresso machine is made of pure stainless steel with a matte finish but actually, the Magnifica espresso machine’s casing is a durable plastic with a finish that resembles stainless steel to give a modern look that you usually see in highly industrialized kitchens.

Push Button Control Panel

Compared to other coffee makers with a cappuccino system designed and manufactured by De`Longhi. Magnifica ESAM 3300 does not have a digital LED display. Yet, its controls are programmable, which you can find in the coffee maker’s upper front panel.

The control panel of Magnifica ESAM 3300 allows you to customize the coffee strength so everyone can drink their preferred coffee taste. Cup size selection is also included in the control panel, which will enable you to get more caffeine kick with your cup of choice.

Other programmable menu settings that you can find in the panel are the shot system and the auto on/off features. Magnifica 3300 is a self-adjusting brew unit where you can select between one or two shots of espresso. The espresso machine will automatically adjust the shots to produce a coffee that pairs with your desired coffee strength.

Its auto on/off settings is an energy-saving feature of Magnifica 3300. You can pre-program it from the menu settings to turn it off between 15 minutes and 90 minutes. 

Removable Parts

One commendable feature of DeLonghi Magnifica is that it is easy to clean. Many people recommend it because it’s not a high-maintenance brewing unit. The removable parts are easy to clean with some of them, including the drip tray and water reservoir are dishwasher safe.

When it comes to repairing, you can easily get to the precise part that needs a fix. You don’t have to go over the whole innards to fix one thing because the brewing unit is also removable. If your coffee machine is beyond its warranty, you can still fix it with the help of lots of YouTube videos about DIY Magnifica repairs.

Location of Water Reservoir

If you look at some coffee makers with a cappuccino system, you’ll quickly notice the water reservoir’s position and location. It is essential to locate where the water reservoir is because that will determine if it will take up too much space in your kitchen. It seems as though De`Longhi might have seen this coming and had the Magnifica ESAM 3300 designed to have a compact look.

You can find the detachable water reservoir inside the coffee maker itself. The easy-to-clean water storage is loaded in front of the machine. Its shape goes with the overall design of the machine’s casing. So, there’s no bulging water reservoir in the overall box-type aesthetic of Magnifica. Best of all, it’s a tubeless system.

Cup Warmer

The temperature of your cup can significantly affect the taste and temperature of your brew and can affect the warmth of your morning cuppa. To ensure that your coffee will stay warm longer, Magnifica has a cup warmer on top of the machine. You can put your cup upside down as you wait for your coffee to finish brewing.

The Brewing System

The ESAM 3300 DeLonghi Magnifica utilizes brewing systems that are hard to find in a compact espresso machine and DeLonghi makes sure that these operating systems are what coffee drinkers like you need.

Patented Cappuccino System

The DeLonghi Magnifica espresso machine uses the Panarello-style steam wand to create foam for a delicious cappuccino. Its steam nozzle is not entirely made of stainless steel but is coated with a plastic sheath that you can remove whenever you clean the machine.

It might not be as fancy as other high-end espresso machines with steam wands made from pure stainless steel but the milk frother is way easy to clean and use. The system also allows any milk container size because of its adjustable 180 degrees rotating system.

You can also modify the spigot height. Since the maximum cup height is 4.25 inches, it will be easier to transfer the coffee in any mug from the regular coffee cup to your favorite travel mug. And if you will be making a froth, you mix steam and milk of equal ratios.

Direct-to-Brew System

DeLonghi ESAM 3300 has a built-in, conical burr that allows you to grind your coffee beans and brew it directly. Since it uses a conical burr grinder, the machine uses the ThermoBlock technology to provide the beans with excellent heat distribution. This will affect the taste of your brew.

The grinder has seven grind settings that give you options about the grinding of your coffee beans. You can make up to 14 cups of coffee because of the abundant water tank capacity and the hopper capacity. But if you prefer a decaf shot, you can use its pre-ground coffee bypass.

Double Boiler System

The double boiler system allows you to prepare espresso and cappuccino with little waiting times. This espresso machine has a brew and steam side, so it offsets the time you have to wait to make a flat white or anything using the steam wand.

Instant Reheat Function

Another brewing system feature to admire with Delonghi Magnifica is its Instant Reheat feature. It ensures your coffee won’t go cold while waiting for the brewing and steaming cycle to finish. No matter what the weather is, the machine maintains the ideal temperature of what you brew.

Hot water Spout

In the sea of people you invite for coffee, there may be some who prefer tea. They might have a low tolerance for it or just want to cut back on caffeine. No problem. With Magnifica 3300’s hot water spout, you can also serve tea or hot chocolate.

However, you should use distilled or purified water as the coffee machine doesn’t have a built-in water filter.

Coffee Quality & Versatility

Magnifica 3300 is a home coffee maker that guarantees excellent-tasting espresso. The performance of brewing ground coffee is exceptional as you can make a variety of coffee drinks with this machine. Often, baristas recommend this coffee maker due to the following features worth noting:

Aroma Control 

You can achieve your ideal espresso taste with the aroma control features of Magnifica ESAM 3300. It allows you to adjust the strength and the grind size. Likewise, it uses 15-bar pump pressure where the water is pushed through the ground coffee before it is sent to the brewing unit. If the ground coffee is too fine, it would be difficult for the water to push through the coffee puck.

Coffee Memory Function

This brew unit knows exactly what you want to drink every morning. Whenever you customize your drinks, the machine remembers them like an earnest barista at the cafe. So the next time you want to drink the same ground coffee configuration you created the night before, you can have it recreated with the touch of a button without having to tweak the settings again.

Adjustable Milk Frother

The steam wand promises a long-lasting foam for your cappuccinos or steamed milk for your lattes with the adjustable milk frother. The Magnifica 3300 uses the patented cappuccino system to ensure that your cappuccino and lattes are made perfectly. The steam wand is made from stainless steel coated with a removable plastic sheath for easy cleaning.

Adjustable Espresso Shots

You can control your espresso’s shot volume between 0.5 oz and 6.0 by twisting the knobs in the front panel. The other knob allows you to modify the coffee strength by controlling the amount of ground coffee dispensed.

Control Brewing Cycle

You can pause the brewing cycle midway by pressing the single or double button even before you pull the entire shot. With these dials, you can make a variety of roasts from Ristretto to Cafe Americano. 

Cleaning Maintenance

Unlike other high-end espresso machines in the market, DeLonghi is advantageous when it comes to cleaning maintenance. It has a programmable descaling, cleaning, and rinsing system that helps coffee brewers determine when it’s time to clean their machines.

For ease of cleaning, it has removable parts that you can clean in your sink, which include:

• drip tray
• brew chamber
• water tank

The coffee puck drawer also comes out with a drip tray, where you can empty it every 14 brew cycles.

So how do the descaling, cleaning, and rinsing settings of Magnifica work? It all starts with water hardness testing. A testing strip is used, which guides you in programming the machine based on the recorded hardness. The machine feeds that information and automates the proper descaling interval.

Once the schedule arrives, the decalcification light indicator on the front glows to notify you that it’s time to run the descaling program. The descaling starts once you fill the water tank with the recommended descaling solution up to 34 oz. The machine will dispense the solution from the vessel. Afterward, you can rinse it and refill the tank. The process is repeated once more until the descaling solution wears off.

It is easy to maintain because the repairs are easy to do even if the warranty expires. The access to the innards is accessible by removing a couple of screws. Best of all, there are many YouTube videos you can watch about how to fix your DeLonghi Magnifica.                          

Value

If you’re looking for the best value while searching for a decent super-automatic espresso machine, know that the DeLonghi Magnifica is worth every cent. It’s a compact version of your favorite Starbucks or Scooter’s coffee chain when it comes to making coffee beverages.

Most high-end super-automatic espresso machines often cost more than $1000. Yet, finding a fully automatic espresso machine with a built-in grinder, a milk frother, and a big water tank capacity half the price of the famous brands is hard to come by.

Features & Benefits

The 3300 Magnifica ESAM boasts features that you will get from super-automatic espresso machines over $1000. Though it is not built for hardcore commercial use, it is a highly dependable coffee machine for versatility, simplicity, and durability.

Below are the summary specifications of the 3300 Delonghi Magnifica, which can help you decide whether this coffee machine with a coffee grinder deserves a spot in your kitchen.

• Functionality: Fully automatic espresso machine
• Other features: Patented Cappuccino and Direct-to-Brew System, Double Boiler System, Hot Water Spout, Instant reheat function, 3-hour automatic shut off, Cup Warmer, Decalcification indicator
• Grinder: Conical steel grinder
• Shot Settings: Single and Double shots
• Bar Pressure: 15-bar pump pressure
• Beverages: Tea, Cappuccino, Latte, espresso, and regular coffee
• User interface: Rotary and push-button control panel with programmable settings (coffee strength and cup size)
• Product Dimensions: 11 in H x 15.3 in W x 14.4 L, weighs 23.2 lbs
• Voltage: 110/220v with an input power of 1350W
• Water Storage Capacity: Up to 60-fl. -oz (tubeless system)
• Bean Hopper Capacity: Up to 12 oz
• Grinder settings: Fine to coarse, adjustable 13-settings
• Removable Parts: Yes (drip tray, infuser unit, water tank)
• Cleaning and Maintenance: Descaling, Cleaning, and Rinsing program, Dishwasher-safe
• Warranty: Limited 2-Year Warranty
• Price: Just over $500

Pros of the Magnifica ESAM 3300

ESAM 3300 Magnifica is one of the popular fully automatic espresso machines in appliance centers and online stores. Some of its advantages over other espresso machines include:

• It allows you to make big servings of delicious cappuccino, espressos, or Americano in one brew cycle.
• At the touch of a button, you can have a double cup of coffee
• It brews silently
• ESAM 3300 Magnifica is a compact espresso machine with an elegant and modern look
• The quantity is relatively variable because you can modify the ratio of coffee beans and water.
• The coffee machine has removable parts, and some of them are dishwasher-safe, so it is easy to clean and maintain.

Cons of the Magnifica ESAM 3300

You have to be realistic when it comes to espresso machines, as not all are equally and perfectly created. Thus you may find some of the disadvantages in the DeLonghi Magnifica include:

• The bar hopper is made from plastic
• In some instances, the coffee beans in the conical grinder get stuck
• It is pricey for people who will not maximize the features of the DeLonghi Magnifica cappuccino maker. 
• You have to use distilled or purified water because the water storage does not have a built-in water filter.
• Since the Magnifica 3300 is made of plastic, including the drip tray, it is prone to scratches. So when you push/pull your cup from the dispenser, it is best to lift your cup to make sure it’s scratch-free.
• The descaling process is a little bit time-consuming. There are instances when your machine completed the descaling, yet the rinse light is still on. In such situations, you can rectify it by running another descaling or contacting De Longhi technical support to inquire about the process of resetting the program in your machine.

When NOT to Buy 3300 Magnifica?

A sound purchase is when you get the machine with the features that you exactly need. So if you’re thinking about whether it’s good to buy it or not, below are some suggestions on when not to buy De Longhi Magnifica

• If you don’t prefer a conical burr grinder. Other coffee machines with coffee grinders have a built-in ceramic grinder, flat burr grinder, electric grinder, blade grinder, dosing grinder, non-dosing grinder, high-speed grinder, low-speed grinder, etc.
• You only drink black coffee or espresso. You can opt for a Jura coffee machine to make a good espresso if you’re not into fancy coffee drinks like cappuccino and latte.
• You want the brewing process of your coffee within your control. A Breville coffee machine enables you to fine-tune your espresso shots according to your taste. And you can recreate it on your lazy days through its pre-programmed settings at the touch of a button.

If this is too pricey, check out our espresso machines under $200 guide.

How to Use DeLonghi Magnifica to Its Full Potential

Manufacturers know what’s best for your machine. In every box, there’s a long list of how to take care of the device – the user manual (which is often neglected but remembered when you’re in serious trouble with the machine.) And here are some tips on how you can use your tool to its full potential without overusing it.

1. Read and follow the user manuals of the Magnifica ESAM at all times. The manufacturer’s instructions guide you on maximizing its full potential as a fully automatic coffee machine with a cappuccino maker. It also discusses the possible issues you might encounter if you do certain things with the device. Hence, you will be able to prevent damage and be able to use it longer.
2. Even though the machine has a descaling program, don’t forget to clean the removable parts and the casing. Make sure it is regularly and carefully cleaned. 
3. Make sure that the machine is routinely descaled and on schedule. If not, it could affect how the brewing parts of the units work and the taste of your espresso and other coffee drinks.
4. Although oily beans can be used with this machine when you mix it with dry beans to ensure it won’t clog your machine, it’s best to opt for a medium roast.
5. Excellent-tasting espresso depends on the quality of coffee beans used. Better use good quality roast.
6. For a more flavorful and aromatic coffee, use a non-ground coffee. 

What You Need To Know Before You Buy

The DeLonghi Magnifica espresso machine is one of the most desirable machines on the market. It’s sleek and has a range of features that make it worth every penny, which many coffee enthusiasts will tell you about- like how easy to use this machine is!

However, like any other espresso machine you’ll find, it also has a few setbacks that you have to accept. Based on our research here are the important details: 

• The Panarello steam wand pulls too much air when working with the milk. Yet, it can be remedied by blocking the small hole in the air inlet and using fresh whole milk for a silky smooth foam.
• It has a plastic grinder where it’s soaked up with a lot of oil, making it difficult to clean.
• The coffee machine requires regular deep cleaning to prevent mold or mildew buildup.
• You have limited control over customizing your brew.
• It’s the best office espresso machine for under $1000 because it’s super-automatic and easier to operate with its dial controls.
• If you prefer hand-pulled shots, the DeLonghi Magnifica is not for you.
• The espresso machine is not good for home service repairs because it’s complex.
• Some of the DeLonghi Magnifica machines encounter water pressure pump problems, which can affect producing crema.
• The Magnifica 3300 is capable of extracting coffee from high-end coffee beans.
• The pulled shots with Magnifica ESAM are not as hot as you’d like.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the ESAM 3300 DeLonghi Magnifica. From its origin to the type of roasts you can use with this machine, the answers are laid below:

De’Longhi Esam 3300 Alternatives

If you prefer an espresso machine with a ceramic burr grinder over those machines with a steel burr grinder, the Gaggia Brera is the most recommended choice. It features similar functionality to the Magnifica, but it costs slightly less when it comes to the price tag. Likewise, it has fewer customization settings that you can modify.

Other superautomatic espresso machine alternatives that BigCupofCoffee would recommend are the following:

Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother

This fully automatic espresso machine features a ceramic burr grinder with 12 adjustable settings, a classic milk frother, and can make cappuccino, latte, espresso, and regular coffee. It has an intuitive touchscreen control, 15-bar pump pressure, and customizable single and double-shot settings. The machine has a 60-fl. oz water capacity, 9.75-oz bean hopper, dishwasher-safe parts, and includes a 2-year warranty.

• Functionality: Fully automatic espresso machine
• Other feature: Milk frother
• Grinder: Ceramic Burr
• Shot Settings: Single and Double shots
• Bar Pressure: 15-bar pump pressure
• Beverages: Cappuccino, Latte, espresso and regular coffee
• User interface: Intuitive touchscreen display
• Recommended Milk Solution: Classic Milk Frother
• Product Dimensions: 9 ¾ in x 17 in x 14 ½ in high, weighs 20.3 lbs
• Water Storage Capacity: up to 60-fl. -oz
• Bean Hopper Capacity: up to 9.75-oz
• Grinder settings: Fine to coarse, adjustable 12-settings
• Removable Parts: Yes (brew group parts)
• Cleaning and Maintenance: Dishwasher-safe parts, AquaClean enabled
• Warranty: 2 years

EspressoWorks 7 Pc All-In-One Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker

The EspressoWorks espresso machine is fully automatic, featuring a ThermoBlock heating system, a 15-bar pump pressure, and settings for various beverages like espresso and latte. It includes a one-touch button and dial interface and is capable of both single and double shots. It also comes with cups, portafilter baskets, a grinder, and more to get you started with brewing right away.

• Functionality: Fully automatic espresso machine
• Other features: Advanced ThermoBlock fast heating system, Auto-Off features
• Grinder: Electric grinder
• Shot Settings: Single and Double Shots
• Bar Pressure: 15-bar pump pressure
• Beverages: Espresso, Macchiato, Americano, Lattes, Cappuccino
• User interface: one-touch button, one dial, LED indicators
• Product Dimensions: 9 ¾ in L x 9 in D x 11 ½ H, weighs 9.7 lbs
• Water Storage Capacity: up to 1.25L
• Removable Parts: Yes (drip tray and water tank)
• Warranty: 1 year from date of purchase

Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine (BES870XL)

Breville Barista Express is a fully automatic device featuring a milk frother, ThermoCoil Heating System, and a conical burr grinder with dose control. It offers a variety of beverage options including cappuccino, latte, espresso, and regular coffee, and is equipped with user-friendly dials for grind size, amount, and programmable dose and temperature settings. The machine has a 15-bar pump pressure, and can hold up to 67 fl. oz of water and ½ lb of beans.

• Functionality: Fully automatic espresso machine
• Other features: Milk frother, ThermoCoil Heating System, 
• Grinder: Conical Burr Grinder, Dose control grinding
• Shot Settings: Single and Double shots
• Bar Pressure: 15-bar pump pressure
• Beverages: Cappuccino, Latte, espresso and regular coffee
• User interface: Dials to select grind size and amount, hands-free grinding cradle, programmable dose and temperature
• Product Dimensions: 15.8 in L x 12.6 in W x 13.2 H, weighs 23 lbs
• Water Storage Capacity: up to 67-fl. -oz
• Bean Hopper Capacity: up to ½ lb
• Grinder settings: Fine to coarse, adjustable 12-settings
• Removable Parts: Yes (water tank)
• Warranty: 1 Year Limited Product Warranty

Conclusion

Most cafes and restaurants use commercial-grade super-automatic espresso machines for making coffee. However, one brewing unit or an espresso machine can cost over $1000. To make great espresso at home, you don’t have to spend that much. For less than a thousand dollars, DeLonghi Magnifica can help you make professional-quality coffee, espresso, and espresso-based drinks at home.

High-end espresso machines have similar features but the difference is that these are not manufactured for commercial use. However, they are guaranteed for long-term use and manufacturers provide warranties. Best of all, there are a lot of YouTube videos that you can watch to DIY the repairs of your espresso machine.