De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup vs Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup

8.9/10 Great

4.5★ (8,600 owners)

2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup.

Full Review

Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso

9.4/10 Excellent

4.7★ (980 owners)

Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup	Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	9.4/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,600)	4.7★ (980)
Verdict	Great	Excellent

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso edges ahead with a 9.4/10 vs 8.9/10. Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home. That said, the De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup is worth considering if 2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup

Under £300 — most affordable De'Longhi bean-to-cup reviewed with genuine espresso extraction
2-step brewing process makes setup intuitive for first-time bean-to-cup users
Arabica bean selector adjusts extraction profile for the most popular bean type
13-step grinder adjustment covers espresso through long coffee brewing preferences
De'Longhi's 35-year espresso heritage at the starter bean-to-cup tier

Manual steam wand requires practice — not one-touch like Magnifica Evo
Less automatic than Magnifica Evo — manual steaming suits some, frustrates others
1.8L tank frequent refilling for 4+ cup per day households

Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso

Flow profiling paddle controls water pressure during extraction for advanced espresso technique
Dual boiler PID allows precise simultaneous brewing and steaming temperature control
E61 group head thermal stability is the professional extraction standard
Italian manufactured by Lelit — family espresso equipment brand since 1993
Flow profiling unlocks extraction variables that fixed-pressure machines can't access

£2,200+ — flow profiling is an advanced feature requiring espresso skill to benefit from
Flow paddle requires technique development to extract meaningful improvement

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi Magnifica Start or Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual?

Is the De'Longhi Magnifica Start worth the extra cost?

The Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the De'Longhi Magnifica Start best suited to?

2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup.

Who is the Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual best suited to?

Dual boiler, flow profiling paddle, PID, E61 group, Italian made. Flow profiling at home.

What are the main downsides of each?

De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup: Manual steam wand requires practice — not one-touch like Magnifica Evo; Less automatic than Magnifica Evo — manual steaming suits some, frustrates others. Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso: £2,200+ — flow profiling is an advanced feature requiring espresso skill to benefit from; Flow paddle requires technique development to extract meaningful improvement.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup sits at 4.5★ from 8,600 verified Amazon owners, and Lelit Bianca PL162T Dual Boiler Espresso at 4.7★ from 980.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.