De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup vs Rocket Appartamento Espresso 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

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

9.3/10 Excellent

4.7★ (1,200 owners)

E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup	Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	9.3/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,600)	4.7★ (1,200)
Verdict	Great	Excellent

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.3/10 vs 8.9/10. E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso. 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

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

Heat exchanger (HX) boiler enables simultaneous brewing and steaming without dual boiler cost
Italian hand-assembled in Milan — Rocket Espresso workshop craftsmanship since 2004
Compact at 27cm wide — narrowest E61 commercial-spec machine available
Stainless steel exterior ages beautifully — a permanent kitchen statement piece
Lever espresso operation option available — the most tactile espresso extraction experience

HX requires cooling flush before extraction — adds 30 seconds to workflow
£1,800+ for single boiler HX when dual boiler alternatives exist at this price

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi Magnifica Start or Rocket Appartamento?

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

The Rocket Appartamento Espresso 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 Rocket Appartamento best suited to?

E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso.

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. Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine: HX requires cooling flush before extraction — adds 30 seconds to workflow; £1,800+ for single boiler HX when dual boiler alternatives exist at this price.

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 Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine at 4.7★ from 1,200.

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