November 16, 2006

Compare the DeLonghi Magnifica 3200 vs 3400 vs 3500

We have the DeLonghi Magnifica 3500 in for review right now, and we've gotten a few people asking what the differences are when we compare the Delonghi Magnifica 3200 versus 3400 versus 3500. I have to say that I am really enjoying the Magnifica right now as I am running it through its paces for my review. The differences are slight between the Magnifica 3400 and 3500, but a bit more dramatic for the Magnifica 3200.

DeLonghi Magnifica 3200 - has a lot going for it in a non-digital super automatic machine. The controls (i.e. strength & size of the shot) are manual, meaning that turn a dial instead of pushing a button. It takes in your whole beans, grinds them, tamps and pulls your shot for you at the push of a button. It has a 7 ounce whole bean hopper, a 60 ounce water reservoir, a frothing arm, a by-pass doser to use a different ground coffee, a drip tray and cup warmer. The steam wand is operated by a manual dial (on/off).

DeLonghi Magnifica 3400 - The move up to the electronically controlled unit makes for some nice touches, keeping a lot of the same physical features (by-pass dosing, 60 ounce reservoir, 7-ounce whole bean capacity and grinder, etc). The unit still has a "manual" steaming knob, but it has electronic controls for almost everything else. You now get push-button control over the strength of the espresso and the size of the cup. You also get some settings that are variable, like the automatic shut-off time, and the ability to have it turn on automatically for you in the morning. The Delonghi Magnifica 3400 is being sold at Starbusks stores this season.

DeLonghi Magnifica 3500 - True luxury here. The move up here is that you get to have a milk pitcher that snaps into the front of the Magnifica and with the push of a single button, the machine steams milk into your mug, then pulls a shot for a one-button latte. All of the controls are adjustable, and digital. Similar physical characteristics as the 3400.

More at Amazon and DeLonghi

Recent Comments

Thanks for the review. I just came across it now as i struggle with finding the best fully automatic espresso machine that is easiest,tastiest and best bang for the buck. I am looking at the delonghi magifica 3200 but just saw that there is a 3200 but also a 3200.s . Do you happen to know the difference between the two and would you still recommend this brand and model after using it for over 2 years? thanks ever so much for your help!!! (by the way, i am in Belgium so hopefully the prices wont be as much of a ripoff as they are in usa from what you wrote. )

Posted by: christine at January 6, 2012 8:32 AM

I find the USA pricing for the DeLonghi Magnifica series perplexing. I purchased the 3200 in the UK early this year for GBP299 (which is about $475) at one of the high end department stores (John Lewis). I have not seen it at anywhere near the same price available in the USA! I would press DeLonghi for an explaination for the disparity in cost!

Posted by: Paul McIntosh at December 24, 2009 6:09 AM