De'Longhi Magnifica S, Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, ECAM22.110.B, Black

So happy with this purchase. Using it now for several months. It makes great coffee and is easy to operate. Doesnt take long to heat up and lots of options for strength and cup size. You do need to purchase descaler and the machine will stop working when the descaling is due (so far about every 3 months). I got the descaler in Currys and it was a lot cheaper than online. One thing to note: It has the capability to take ground coffee but I found that its not really practical and its very hard to clean that area. I used the ground coffee option a few times but found that the steam generated by the coffee making process caused the fine grinds to stick to the inside of the machine and can cause mould over time. This doesnt happen with the coffee bean and grinder operation though. So I would recommend it for coffee beans only. We use filtered water for it to reduce hard water issues but you can also purchase an internal filter for it if required. It arrived well packaged and on time. The water tank size is great. Worth watching a few of the youtube videos on the operation and cleaning as I didnt think the instructions were great. Would definitely recommend though

I am basing this review on a comparison with my previous machine, the Magnifica ESAM 4200.SOther reviewers have said this machine is noisy but it is so much quieter than its predecessor. The start up sounds are quieter, the grinding is quieter and the dispensing is quieter. The steamer still 'screams' occsaionally, but only occasionally rather than most times.It is much simpler, with coffee volumes pre-set, so you know you always get the same amount, instead of turning a dial.The steamer heats up a little quicker but a great improvement is that you can switch from steamer back to coffee instantly without having to wait several minutes. This means you can make each coffee individually rather than having to make all the espressos before steaming the milk if there are several people having coffee.The grounds tray is a better configuration and there is virtually no spillage compared to the ESAM 4200.S. I used to have to sweep grounds out of the base of the old machine - not any more.There was criticism, in other reviews, of the clarity of the instructions. I found them quite understandable when standing in front of the machine and following the set up instructions in sequence. For example, the steamer light flashing is explained and turning the steamer on and off resolves it. The 'little red plug' mentioned in one review as being absent from the instructions is, in fact, included and is the condenser outlet for the steamer. The manual just doesn't say that it is red!!Remembering to empty the drip tray and grounds container at the same time is no hardship as I did that anyway and I especially like the fact that the drip tray is black - the old, grey, one got stained very easily and had difficult to clean nooks & crannies in it. This one is much easier to clean.I also like the option for different standby periods before it automatically switches off. Very useful to be able to change it if you want it to stay on longer for any reason.Yes, the descaling light does seem to come on quite frequently, but I live in a hard water area and use the machine several times a day so am happy with that. The interval can be reset for different water hardness or, as previous reviewers/comments have said, you can just run plain water through it alternate times!!TL:DR:It is more compact than the ESAM 4200.S, quieter and makes a better, more consistent cup of coffee. Cleaning it is no more complicated and it comes with clear instructions (if you follow them properly).It is a great improvement on the previous model and I am very happy with it!

Having had a built-in coffee machine for 12 years, which could only be fixed by a company engineer with an enormous call-out charge, I decided to get a counter-top machine. It's perfect for my needs and can be adjusted to suit individual tastes. There are many videos online if you have any problems which are not dealt with by the instruction leaflets, which can be downloaded. Temperature is perfect.

The Good:To say coffee is perfect, is an understatement. Since this is my first bean-to-cup machine, I cannot say if it is thanks to this particular machine unfortunately. Nevertheless, instant and pre-ground just do not do it for me anymore. I like my coffee black, and its like discovering coffee taste all over again. I do not drink white coffee, but my mom who always drank instant, has been converted in just one day.I can also say that, as long as I am concerned, it is as easy to use as it could be. Do not expect miracles, you have to empty drip tray, grounds container, refill water rather often, and clean milk froth each use. On top of that, you need to descale your machine from time to time. All of that is to be expected in any maker like this. So its not really easy like pouring some hot water over instant granules, but not rocket science neither. Removing and cleaning diffuser is also easy.Consider to do some tinkering. I changed water temperature to maximum (Its not boiling hot, but enough for me) and ground setting to 3.5. Your experience may vary, but this is what I find most satisfactory.The Bad:Removing water tank, without removing the drip tray causes scratches on the metal plate. I think that is a design flaw. You could in theory keep removing drip tray every time you refill water, but water tends to run out more often that the drip tray needs to be emptied.Also it appears that machine has no sensor in the grounds container, and it just keeps count of how many times grounds have been disposed. So if you do not empty container every time you remove the tray, you risk overfilling.The Ugly:Now the real problem. Machine has a descale light, that comes up every time it needs to be descaled. It asked to be descaled twice already, even though I had it for three weeks only. I am in the middle of my second 1kg coffee bag, and while I had not used De'longhi softener, I always poured Brita filtered water in the machine. I contacted the help line and it appears that machine has a water hardness setting, factory set to default level 4 (hardest).Again, the maker has no sensor, and it just keeps track of how many litres of water has been used. That is not necessarily a bad thing, sensors tend to malfunction after some time. Keep in mind, that you need to use expensive De'Longhi Eco-Decalk, or you may lose warranty. Crazy thing is that water hardness setting can be changed, but the manual will not tell you that.Even the nice lady I spoke with has been surprised that my manual does not mention it. She sent me another revision of the manual and voila, machine used to come with water hardness test and instructions how to change the setting. I changed the setting and the warning light (descale) is gone for now. Now I know how important it is to keep limescale off the equipment, but I refuse to spend £15 a month for descalers. Also it seems that the instructions to change water hardness setting has been removed on purpose to generate more income from after sales. I do not like to be tricked like that.Verdict:De'Longhi - you make the best home coffee makers, do not tarnish your brand with shady tactics.