What's the next step above a Delonghi Magnifica?

I'm in a similar boat. My Magnifica has been faultless (or, when it has had faults, Delonghi customer service has been first class). But I mainly drink decaf now and m y wife only drinks caffeinated, so I really want something with two hoppers. But I can't really consider spending lots of money just to achieve this.

After recommendation on here I bought a Melitta Barista TS. Was an extravagant lock-down purchase and hasn't missed a beat. Think RRP was over a grand but paid ~£700. The model names are a bit confusing but "T" means twin bean hopper and "S" or "Smart" means it connects to their app via bluetooth, which sounds ridiculous, but is actually reasonably handy if you want to program custom coffees as otherwise you have to do it via a very fiddle menu on the machine.

There is an official refurb store, which never used to have any stock, but actually looks like they do at the moment, eg. this one for £450

For buying new, the best prices were from here when I bought mine.

Part of the issue is that Delonghi's model naming is terrible and hard to understand. There are multiple models called magnifica that vary slightly, and figuring out what is a 'better' model is not easy.

I tend to look on their own Ebay store for refurbs at a good price - https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/delonghiukco and just get what fits my needs and budget. Most recent one has a milk tank rather than a proper wand, and wouldnt do that again if I had the choice.

There are multiple models called magnifica that vary slightly, and figuring out what is a ‘better’ model is not easy.

I suspect that the innards are all basically the same and it's just different style of cases.

Anyway... i was really meaning more along the lines of what make/manufacturer is a step up - otherwise I'd just buy another Delonghi!

We went from a Magnifica to Sage The Barista Express Impress SES876 Coffee Machine Bean to Cup 2022 Release
It's a bit more involved than the Delonghi, in that you have to push the button to grind and then press the lever down to tamp, but it produces better coffee too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334700617049?var=543854463990

I had a DeLonghi Magnifica (I think), and loved it for the simplicity. Now have a Sage Barista, and as oldtennisshoes says, it's definitely a step up in what you have to do and the options for adjusting it. I quite like it, but it's a different approach I'd say

+1 for Sage Barista range, ignoring your comment on not wanting the extra faff. I think they do a bean-to-cup type variant but it'll be more expensive of course.

More effort but the coffee is better.