De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup vs Sage Barista Touch Impress 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

Sage Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine

9.3/10 Excellent

4.6★ (3,200 owners)

Touchscreen, Impress assisted tamping, auto milk texturing, integrated grinder, 58mm. The guided touchscreen barista.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup	Sage Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	9.3/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,600)	4.6★ (3,200)
Verdict	Great	Excellent
Grinder	13-step	Integrated

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Sage Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.3/10 vs 8.9/10. Touchscreen, Impress assisted tamping, auto milk texturing, integrated grinder, 58mm. The guided touchscreen barista. 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

Sage Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine

Touchscreen with step-by-step guidance walks you through every drink from grind to pour
Impress assisted tamping applies consistent 10kg pressure with a barista-style polish
Automatic milk texturing creates microfoam to your chosen temperature and texture
Integrated conical grinder with precise dose control
58mm commercial portafilter with the largest accessory ecosystem

£1,000+ — the most expensive Barista-range Sage
Larger footprint with the touchscreen and grinder
Single boiler — brief wait between brewing and steaming

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi Magnifica Start or Sage Barista Touch Impress?

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

The Sage Barista Touch Impress 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 Sage Barista Touch Impress best suited to?

Touchscreen, Impress assisted tamping, auto milk texturing, integrated grinder, 58mm. The guided touchscreen barista.

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. Sage Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine: £1,000+ — the most expensive Barista-range Sage; Larger footprint with the touchscreen and grinder.

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 Sage Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine at 4.6★ from 3,200.

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