De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup vs Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee 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

Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine

8.9/10 Great

4.5★ (6,800 owners)

1.4L carafe, 10-cup, anti-drip, aroma function, retro design, 8 colours. Design-led filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	De'Longhi Magnifica Start Bean-to-Cup	Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine
247Verdict Score	8.9/10	8.9/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (8,600)	4.5★ (6,800)
Verdict	Great	Great

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. Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine: 1.4L carafe, 10-cup, anti-drip, aroma function, retro design, 8 colours. Design-led filter coffee. 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

Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine

Matching 1950s retro design pairs with Smeg kettle, toaster and espresso machine for coordinated kitchen
1.4L carafe serves 10 cups — ideal for households or entertaining
Anti-drip function allows removing carafe mid-brew without spillage
Aroma function blooms the coffee before brewing for better extraction
8 colours match the full Smeg kitchen appliance range

£130 for a filter coffee machine — Moccamaster is the quality upgrade for serious drinkers
No temperature control — brews at a single temperature across all settings
Design premium over functional alternatives at lower cost

FAQ

Which is better, De'Longhi Magnifica Start or Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter?

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

The Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee 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 Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter best suited to?

1.4L carafe, 10-cup, anti-drip, aroma function, retro design, 8 colours. Design-led filter coffee.

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. Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine: £130 for a filter coffee machine — Moccamaster is the quality upgrade for serious drinkers; No temperature control — brews at a single temperature across all settings.

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 Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine at 4.5★ from 6,800.

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