Aeropress vs De'Longhi Magnifica

Eireann81

Hi folks,

I'm buying a present of a coffee maker for someone who drinks only black coffee. I have done plenty of research over the last few days, and I have it narrowed down to one of the following two options:

De'Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200 Bean to Cup coffee machine

or

Aeropress with a Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

Both options cost roughly the same, so I am looking for some advice as to which option you would choose in my situation, and why?

I'd appreciate any advice - thanks!

The Gardener

Personally I would opt for the De'Longhi Magnifica, although I haven't owned that particular model I prefer using "traditional" espresso machines. I have an Aeropress and have found that to make coffee to the strength that I like I have to use far more coffee than I do with the machine, and at the risk of being lynched by Aeropress fans it simply does not make espresso coffee but it does make a half decent filter coffee, as does a half decent cafetière!

Eireann81

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I was about to go for the Aeropress after reading the high praise on many forums, but your reply has me thinking again. If anyone else has feedback, I'd be eager to hear it.

alec76

My vote for Delonghi too ( own both ),using Aeropress away from home ,mostly

Glebee

Same here. Have both, aeropress gets used now and again. Delonghi used every day. Both give decent coffee just the machine takes all the hassle out of it.

Conba

I've had the Aeropress for two years OP and don't use anything else so with that bias in mind.... I wouldn't use anything else.

ScottStorm

Remember to factor in the size of their kitchen, if they live in a small apartment another largeish kitchen appliance might not be desired. If so aeropress all the way.

P. Breathnach

Think about your friend's preferences.

I use the DeLonghi and am very happy with it. There is something very satisfying about going to the machine, pressing a button, and getting a good espresso inside a minute. I'd find it a PITA to be faffing about with a grinder and an aeropress.

Your friend might be like me.

RasTa

No way they are the same price though?

Eireann81

Thanks for the replies - some very useful food for thought there. After doing some stealthy digging, there's no way that I could give the Aeropress - it will have to be a coffee machine.

@RasTa: You're right there is quite a difference in price. The Aeropress with the metal filter and the Encore grinder came to about €240, whereas the ESAM4200 comes in at around €330. My initial calculations were off

So, now I'm trying to decide which coffee machine I should opt for. €330 is really stretching the budget. If anyone has any feedback on a good machine in the €2-300 price bracket, I'd be happy to hear it. How do the 'pump' machines compare to the bean-to-cup machines (considering that only Americanos are requred)?

The following two in particular caught my eye:

http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/delonghi-ec680m-dedica-pump-machine-with-free-coffee-grinder-silver/1450388112.prd?_requestid=172664

http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/delonghi-ecc221b-motivo-pump-espresso-machine-black/1460144947.prd (would have to buy a burr grinder with this)

Thanks again for the comments

alec76

Are you considering brand new machines only ?

alec76

http://www.adverts.ie/small-kitchen-appliances/gaggia-classic/9243974
Different class to Delonghi machines ...

Slaphead07

The Gardener wrote: »

and at the risk of being lynched by Aeropress fans it simply does not make espresso coffee but it does make a half decent filter coffee, as does a half decent cafetière!

I agree completely, but I think most people know it's not an espresso maker but it does make a superb cup of coffee. In my view the Aeropress is one of the best of it's kind whereas the DiLonghi would be mid range in a sector that's not exactly high end anyway. I'd far prefer the Aeropress over the Di Longhi.

Eireann81

alec76 wrote: »

Are you considering brand new machines only ?

Yes - considering only new machines as it's a gift.

Space is a minor concern - it's going into a small/medium sized kitchen. I'm now leaning towards a pump style coffee machine with a separate grinder.

vienne86

Aeropress doesn't make proper espresso. But it does offer a very good alternative to filter coffee or cafetiere. I use it travelleing - nice and easy to clean, which is useful when staying in a hotel. And no gritiness in the coffee.

NiallBoo

vienne86 wrote: »

Aeropress doesn't make proper espresso. But it does offer a very good alternative to filter coffee

While not an espresso, I'd say that strength-wise it's closer to an espresso than to other filters.

OP, what kind of coffee does the person you're buying for like to drink?

flangemeistro

I got this http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/delonghi-ecom311r-icona-micalite-espresso-machine-red/1460144949.prd over a month ago for work as I have a bean to cup at home and couldn't afford another one and I use the delonghi burr grinder and it gives exceptional results.

Half price of what it is in curry's or anyone else.

murphyebass

flangemeistro wrote: »

I got this http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/delonghi-ecom311r-icona-micalite-espresso-machine-red/1460144949.prd over a month ago for work as I have a bean to cup at home and couldn't afford another one and I use the delonghi burr grinder and it gives exceptional results.

Half price of what it is in curry's or anyone else.

Something very similar to this being sold in DID for about €60.

Found it... Again not recommending it but if your buying a cheap machine it may as well be as cheap as possible.

http://www.did.ie/coffee-makers/delonghi-motivo-coffee-machine-ecc221-w-prd?nosto=nosto-page-footer

Posting from my phone here so not sure why link isn't clickable but you get the idea. Go to the DID website and search for it.

Average machine at best.

I second the poster who said gaggia classic even if it has to be second hand.

Also aeropress is amazing. Yes it's not espresso but it's such fantastic clean cup of coffee. I use mine every single day for work and then my gaggia Classic more at weekends.

flangemeistro

murphyebass wrote: »

Something very similar to this being sold in DID for about €60.

Found it... Again not recommending it but if your buying a cheap machine it may as well be as cheap as possible.

http://www.did.ie/coffee-makers/delonghi-motivo-coffee-machine-ecc221-w-prd?nosto=nosto-page-footer

Posting from my phone here so not sure why link isn't clickable but you get the idea. Go to the DID website and search for it.

Average machine at best.

I second the poster who said gaggia classic even if it has to be second hand.

Also aeropress is amazing. Yes it's not espresso but it's such fantastic clean cup of coffee. I use mine every single day for work and then my gaggia Classic more at weekends.

Have you used both the motivo and icona?
Because if you say they are similar machines then you obviously haven't.

The Icona is streets ahead of the motivo and before you start comparing KW and Bar pressure remember what the pressure and KW output of the gaggia classic are, exactly.