De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB vs Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine

The verdict

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB is the better buy on our scoring, 7.3 to Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine's 6.7. It leads on drinks & milk system and grinder & grind control.

Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine costs $200.98 less.

Who each one suits

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB

Automatic milk drinks and iced coffee at one touch, above the manual Magnifica Start

Scores higher on drinks & milk system, grinder & grind control, capacity & refills.

Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine

Bean-to-cup convenience for the coffee, with a real wand for the milk

Scores higher on cleaning & upkeep, ease of use, kitchen fit & noise.

How they score, criterion by criterion

Both are scored the same way against the rest of their category, from what their makers publish. The weight is how much each criterion moves the total. How the score works

CriterionWeightDe'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SBGaggia Anima Espresso Machine
Drinks & Milk System16%7.82.5
Cleaning & Upkeep15%5.09.0
Grinder & Grind Control15%8.06.5
Capacity & Refills12%6.55.0
Ease of Use12%7.17.2
Value for Money12%10.010.0
Build Quality & Warranty10%6.55.8
Kitchen Fit & Noise8%7.910.0

What each one costs

Price$899.95$698.97

Where they differ

Every specification the two makers publish differently. Everything they match on is in the full table below.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SBGaggia Anima Espresso Machine
Price$899.95$698.97
Best forAutomatic milk drinks and iced coffee at one touch, above the manual Magnifica StartBean-to-cup convenience for the coffee, with a real wand for the milk
What sets it apart—A superautomatic that keeps a Pannarello wand, so you still steam milk yourself
Automatic milk frother✓✕
Automatic rinse—✓
Bean hopper250, published as 8.82 oz150
Body Material—ABS
Boiler Type—Stainless steel. Gaggia publishes the material and not the type
Removable brew group—✓
Brew Temperature Settings—Three, published as 177.5F, 182.9F and 184.5F
Built in Grinder✓✓
Burr Material—Ceramic
Pre-ground bypass✓✓
Strength steps—5
Control MethodTouch, on a colour-coded panel—
Made in—Italy
Cup clearance139, published as 5.46 in maximum cup height150 mm
Custom RecipesDe'Longhi's own page says both. A bullet says My Latte lets you personalise and save your own recipes; the spec table on the same page says the ability to create your own recipes is no—
Descaling alert—✓
Dimensions—221 x 430 x 340 mm
Double Shot✓—
Grind steps135
Iced Coffee✓—
In Box AccessoriesCarbon active filter, measuring scoop, total hardness test, cleaning brush, 100 ml descaler, instruction manual and quick start guide—
Milk SystemDe'Longhi's own page says both. Its bullets call it the LatteCrema System automatic milk solution; its key features text on the same page calls it a traditional milk frother—
Milk system—Classic stainless steel pannarello wand
ModelECAM29084SB—
One-touch drinks
Power1250 W—
Programmable—✓
Ships to—US
Ships to Note—Confirmed on Amazon US, which is where this link points. Availability in other Amazon stores has not been checked, and a regional store may substitute a different product.
Steam Wand Type—Pannarello
Voltage120 V—
Warranty2, or 3 with product registration. De'Longhi banners this as an industry leading 3 year warranty—
Water Filter✓—
Water Tank1.8, published as 60.87 oz1.77 L
Weight9.6, published as 21.17 lb—

Pros and cons

From each full review, written from the same published facts as the scores above.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB
  • +Seven one-touch drinks including cappuccino, latte macchiato and iced coffee.
  • +The same 13-setting conical burr grinder as the cheaper Magnifica Start.
  • +An Over Ice recipe built in rather than improvised with a tall glass.
  • +A 139mm cup clearance, so a travel mug fits under it.
  • +Filter, scoop, hardness test, brush and descaler all in the box.
  • −De'Longhi's own page calls the milk system both a LatteCrema System and a traditional frother.
  • −It claims My Latte saves your own recipes while its spec table says you cannot create recipes.
  • −$899.95 against $699.99 for the Magnifica Start, which shares the grinder and the pump.
  • −No burr material and no statement of whether the brew group is removable.
  • −The warranty is two years, with a third only if you register the machine.
Full De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB review →
Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine
  • +Three brew temperatures published as real numbers, which almost no bean-to-cup states.
  • +100% ceramic burrs, which hold an edge longer than steel and do not transmit heat into the grounds.
  • +A removable brew group that Gaggia says can be washed under the tap.
  • +A Pannarello wand, so milk is yours rather than a carafe's, and cleaning is a purge and a wipe.
  • +Made in Italy, at $699.00.
  • −Gaggia publishes no warranty term on either of its own sites, at any length.
  • −Five grind settings, against 13 on the De'Longhi Magnifica Start at the same money.
  • −A Pannarello makes foam rather than microfoam, so latte art is effectively out.
  • −Gaggia's two sites disagree about the machine's wattage, so we do not state one.
Full Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine review →

Every specification, side by side

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SBGaggia Anima Espresso Machine
Price
Price$899.95$698.97
Who it suits
Best forAutomatic milk drinks and iced coffee at one touch, above the manual Magnifica StartBean-to-cup convenience for the coffee, with a real wand for the milk
What sets it apart—A superautomatic that keeps a Pannarello wand, so you still steam milk yourself
Specifications
Automatic milk frother✓✕
Automatic rinse—✓
Bean hopper250, published as 8.82 oz150
Body Material—ABS
Boiler Type—Stainless steel. Gaggia publishes the material and not the type
Removable brew group—✓
Brew Temperature Settings—Three, published as 177.5F, 182.9F and 184.5F
Built in Grinder✓✓
Burr Material—Ceramic
Pre-ground bypass✓✓
Strength steps—5
Control MethodTouch, on a colour-coded panel—
Made in—Italy
Cup clearance139, published as 5.46 in maximum cup height150 mm
Custom RecipesDe'Longhi's own page says both. A bullet says My Latte lets you personalise and save your own recipes; the spec table on the same page says the ability to create your own recipes is no—
Descaling alert—✓
Dimensions—221 x 430 x 340 mm
Double Shot✓—
Grind steps135
Iced Coffee✓—
In Box AccessoriesCarbon active filter, measuring scoop, total hardness test, cleaning brush, 100 ml descaler, instruction manual and quick start guide—
Machine TypeBean-to-cup superautomaticBean-to-cup superautomatic
Milk SystemDe'Longhi's own page says both. Its bullets call it the LatteCrema System automatic milk solution; its key features text on the same page calls it a traditional milk frother—
Milk system—Classic stainless steel pannarello wand
ModelECAM29084SB—
One-touch drinks
Power1250 W—
Programmable—✓
Pump pressure15 bar15 bar
Ships to—US
Ships to Note—Confirmed on Amazon US, which is where this link points. Availability in other Amazon stores has not been checked, and a regional store may substitute a different product.
Steam Wand Type—Pannarello
Voltage120 V—
Warranty2, or 3 with product registration. De'Longhi banners this as an industry leading 3 year warranty—
Water Filter✓—
Water Tank1.8, published as 60.87 oz1.77 L
Weight9.6, published as 21.17 lb—

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB vs Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine: common questions

Which is better, De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB or Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine?

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB scores 7.3 against 6.7, both computed from published specifications rather than opinion. Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine is still ahead on cleaning & upkeep.

Is De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB or Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine cheaper?

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB starts at $899.95, and Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine at $698.97.

Who is De'Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM29084SB for?

Automatic milk drinks and iced coffee at one touch, above the manual Magnifica Start

Who is Gaggia Anima Espresso Machine for?

Bean-to-cup convenience for the coffee, with a real wand for the milk

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