Comparison · Bean-to-cup machines
Krups Sensation vs De'Longhi Magnifica Evo: the budget bean-to-cup pick
Krups Sensation vs De'Longhi Magnifica Evo: two simple bean-to-cup machines with manual milk wands, compared on drinks, grinders, tanks and upkeep, with what we could price on 3 Oct 2026.
If you’re weighing up the Krups Sensation vs De’Longhi Magnifica Evo, you’re looking at two simple bean-to-cup machines: both grind fresh beans, brew at a touch and leave the milk to you with a manual wand. The Magnifica Evo ECAM290.21.B is £419.99 at De’Longhi UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, and the ECAM290.31.SB is £299.00 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. We couldn’t confirm a UK price for the Sensation. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Krups UK’s, De’Longhi UK’s and Currys’ published specs and the UK prices we could check on 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
On paper the two are close. The differences are the grinder detail Krups publishes, the Sensation’s two-cup function for black coffee, and which one you could actually buy on the day we looked.
Krups Sensation vs De’Longhi Magnifica Evo: the short answer
Choose the Krups Sensation if you want more say over the grind and like making two black coffees at once. Krups UK lists a metal conical burr grinder with five manual levels, three temperature levels, two saved favourites and two cups at once for black drinks. It also adds a filter coffee setting alongside ristretto, espresso and a long coffee.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to order today. Krups UK showed a “Buy online” button but no price, and Currys’ search brought up no Sensation machine, both checked 3 Oct 2026. Check current price before you set your heart on it.
Choose the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo if you want a machine you can actually find in stock at a known price. The ECAM290.31.SB was £299.00 at Currys, available for delivery, checked 3 Oct 2026, and the ECAM290.21.B was £419.99 at De’Longhi UK, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to fine-tune the grind from the spec sheet. Neither De’Longhi UK nor Currys lists a grind-setting count for these two codes, so we can’t tell you how many steps you get.
Skip both if you want lattes at one touch. Both froth milk with a wand you steer yourself. Our Magnifica Plus vs Evo comparison covers a De’Longhi step up with more automation.
What they cost right now
These are the prices we could confirm on 3 Oct 2026:
- Krups Sensation EA910E40: Check current price. Krups UK’s product page showed no machine price, only spare parts and accessories, and Currys’ search for “krups sensation” returned Nespresso machines made by Krups and a Krups grinder, but no Sensation, both checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Magnifica Evo ECAM290.21.B (black): £419.99 at De’Longhi UK, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026.
- Magnifica Evo ECAM290.31.SB (silver and black): £299.00 at Currys, available for delivery, checked 3 Oct 2026. Prices can change.
Between the two Evo codes, the Currys ECAM290.31.SB was £120.99 cheaper than the ECAM290.21.B at De’Longhi UK on the same day. Because we couldn’t price the Sensation, we can’t give you a gap between the two brands.
- See the Krups Sensation EA910E40 at Krups UK
- See the Magnifica Evo ECAM290.21.B at De’Longhi UK
- See the Magnifica Evo ECAM290.31.SB at Currys
Which models we mean
Searching Krups UK for “Sensation” brought up one machine: the EA910E40 in silver and black. We didn’t find a Sensation Milk or any other Sensation code on Krups UK on 3 Oct 2026, so this page sticks to the EA910E40.
The Magnifica Evo name covers several codes with different milk systems and prices. We compare the two steam wand versions above, as they’re the closest match to the Sensation. For the full list of Evo codes, including the carafe models, see our Magnifica Evo review.
Drinks and controls
Krups UK lists four one-touch coffees for the Sensation (ristretto, espresso, long coffee and filter coffee) plus hot water, and its headline describes this as five one-touch drinks. You can set the strength and length of each drink and save two favourites. Its spec sheet gives three temperature levels and up to 300ml of water in the cup, with an automatic double grind for large coffees of 220ml.
The standout is the two-cup function. Krups UK says the Sensation can make two black coffees at the same time. Milky drinks are one at a time.
On controls, Krups describes an angled touch panel with large icons and light indicators, though one line of its spec sheet lists the interface as “Buttons”. Either way, it’s a simple panel, not a full menu screen.
De’Longhi UK lists four one-touch recipes for the Evo ECAM290.21.B, chosen from a soft-touch display with colour icons. For the ECAM290.31.SB, Currys lists touch controls, an LED screen, five coloured icons, three strength settings and a variable cup size of 50 to 200ml. Currys also mentions three temperature settings in its description.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a long drinks menu. Neither machine has one, and if that’s what you’re after, our Krups Evidence One review covers a Krups with a much bigger list.
Grinder and beans
This is where Krups gives you more to go on. The Sensation has a metal conical burr grinder with five manual levels and a 260g bean container, per Krups UK.
De’Longhi UK says the Evo grinds beans just before brewing, but neither its page for the ECAM290.21.B nor Currys’ listing for the ECAM290.31.SB gives a number of grind settings. Currys lists a 250g bean dispenser for the ECAM290.31.SB.
De’Longhi UK and Currys say the Evo also takes pre-ground coffee. We didn’t find a pre-ground option on Krups UK’s Sensation page, so check before buying if you’d like the odd cup of decaf.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who switches beans often and wants lots of fine adjustment. Five listed levels is a modest range, and the Evo’s range isn’t published at all.
Milk: manual on both
Both machines froth milk with a wand. Krups calls its version a manual steam nozzle. De’Longhi calls the Evo’s a traditional milk frother, and both brands say theirs also gives hot water for tea.
A wand takes a little practice, as you judge the foam and temperature yourself. Currys lists cappuccino among the ECAM290.31.SB’s drink types, but the milk is still done by hand.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants milk at one touch. You’d need a carafe model, such as one of the LatteCrema Evo codes in our Magnifica Evo review, or a Krups from the Evidence range. Our Krups Evidence vs Sensation comparison explains what the Evidence adds.
Cleaning and upkeep
Krups UK says the Sensation rinses its coffee circuit automatically after each drink, and suggests a cleaning tablet three times a year for a deeper clean. It also lists automatic descaling and cleaning reminders. A water filter is sold separately, and Krups says to replace it about every 50 litres or at least every two months.
Krups adds that the Sensation is made in France, repairable by Krups for 15 years and guaranteed for two years.
For the Evo ECAM290.31.SB, Currys lists rinsing, cleaning and descaling programmes, a dishwasher-safe drip tray and front access to the maintenance points. Its box contents include a water softener filter, descaler liquid and a water hardness test strip.
Size and practical details
- Water tank: 1.7 litres on the Sensation (Krups UK) and 1.8 litres on the Evo ECAM290.31.SB (Currys).
- Pump and power: 15 bar and 1450W on both, per Krups UK, De’Longhi UK and Currys.
- Cup room: Krups UK lists a 13cm maximum gap between the spout and the drip tray, with a height-adjustable spout. We didn’t find a cup height for either Evo code, so measure your favourite mug and check the listing.
- Dimensions: De’Longhi UK lists the ECAM290.21.B at 240 x 440 x 360mm. Currys lists the ECAM290.31.SB at 360 x 240 x 440mm (H x W x D) and 9.4kg. We didn’t find dimensions on Krups UK’s Sensation page.
Downsides of both
- Manual milk only. Neither steam wand model makes milky drinks at one touch.
- Patchy specs. De’Longhi and Currys don’t list grind settings for the Evo codes here, and Krups UK’s Sensation page has no dimensions.
- Availability. We couldn’t find the Sensation priced at a UK retailer on 3 Oct 2026.
Where to go next
For more one-touch options at a range of prices, see our guide to the best bean-to-cup coffee machines under £500.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, the Krups Sensation or the Magnifica Evo? We can’t say for sure. The lowest Evo price we found was £299.00 for the ECAM290.31.SB at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026, but we couldn’t confirm a UK price for the Sensation.
Can the Sensation make two coffees at once? Yes, for black coffee, according to Krups UK. Milky drinks are made one at a time.
How many grind settings do they have? Krups UK lists five manual levels for the Sensation. We didn’t find a figure for the Evo codes on De’Longhi UK or Currys.