De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup vs Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup (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

Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup

8.9/10 Great

4.4★ (4,200 owners)

Dual grinder, 2-cup simultaneous, app, 1.8L tank. Bean-to-cup for households of 2+.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup	Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	8.9/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,600)	4.4★ (4,200)
Verdict	Great	Great
Grinder	13-step	Dual system
Tank	1.8L	1.8L
Heritage	De'Longhi 35 years	German, since 1908

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup: 2-step brewing, manual steam wand, 1.8L, Arabica selector, 13-step grinder. De'Longhi's starter bean-to-cup. Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup: Dual grinder, 2-cup simultaneous, app, 1.8L tank. Bean-to-cup for households of 2+. Choose based on your specific needs. 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

Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup

Brews two cups simultaneously with individual settings — different strengths for two people at once
App connectivity via Melitta Connect saves personal drink profiles per family member
Dual grinder system processes two different beans simultaneously
1.8L water tank reduces refilling for heavy household use
Melitta's German coffee engineering heritage since 1908

Less recognition in UK market than De'Longhi or Sage
App setup required to unlock full personalisation features
Premium pricing with fewer reviews than De'Longhi alternatives

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi Magnifica Start or Melitta Caffeo CI E?

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

The Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup 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 Melitta Caffeo CI E best suited to?

Dual grinder, 2-cup simultaneous, app, 1.8L tank. Bean-to-cup for households of 2+.

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. Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup: Less recognition in UK market than De'Longhi or Sage; App setup required to unlock full personalisation features.

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 Melitta Caffeo CI E Connect Bean-to-Cup at 4.4★ from 4,200.

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