De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup vs Melitta Caffeo Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine (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 Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine

8.9/10 Great

4.4★ (6,800 owners)

Slim 20cm, conical grinder, 3 strengths, energy-saving, espresso + lungo. The compact bean-to-cup.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup	Melitta Caffeo Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	8.9/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,600)	4.4★ (6,800)
Verdict	Great	Great
Grinder	13-step	Conical steel

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 Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine: Slim 20cm, conical grinder, 3 strengths, energy-saving, espresso + lungo. The compact bean-to-cup. 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 Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine

Just 20cm wide — one of the slimmest bean-to-cup machines for narrow kitchens
Conical steel grinder grinds fresh beans for each cup quietly
3 strength settings and adjustable volume for personalised black coffee
Auto energy-saving and rinse cycles maintain the machine with minimal effort
Melitta's German coffee heritage in an affordable compact format

No milk system — black coffee only, milk frother needed separately
Slim design limits bean hopper and water tank capacity
Fewer drink options than larger bean-to-cup machines

FAQ

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

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

The Melitta Caffeo Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine 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 Solo best suited to?

Slim 20cm, conical grinder, 3 strengths, energy-saving, espresso + lungo. The compact bean-to-cup.

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 Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine: No milk system — black coffee only, milk frother needed separately; Slim design limits bean hopper and water tank capacity.

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 Solo Bean-to-Cup Machine at 4.4★ from 6,800.

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