I test a lot of coffee machines, so thankfully, I also love making my own coffee. Tamping the grounds, watching rich espresso pour, the whirl as you steam milk — it's a ritual for me. But I appreciate it's not for everyone, and if that sounds more like you, the Philips Series 5500 Fully Automated Espresso Machine does the hard work for you.
It's definitely an espresso machine for those who value convenience. The biggest drawback is that you lose the art of coffee-making with a fully automatic, bean-to-cup coffee machine. But on the flip side, with the Philips Series 5500 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine, you can have a wide range of drinks, hot or cold, at the push of a button.
And don't get me wrong, testing this machine was fun. It feels (and looks) very luxurious, and its slim profile means it's much easier to fit in your kitchen than some other models. It's just a less exciting coffee-making experience, but hey — that might not be super important to everyone. And for less than £700, it's super high-tech. Here are all of my thoughts while testing it.
First Impressions
First impressions were as good as they come. The Philips Series 5500 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine was sleek, slim, and stylish coming out of the box. I was actually surprised by how small it was (I previously tested the Jura Z10 Coffee Machine (also fully-automatic) and, at first, mistook it for a commercial machine, it was so big).
So, if you lack time and counter space, this machine could be the perfect option for you. Plus, the colorway and materials look luxurious. The appliance is glossy, silver, and the bulk of the machine is matte black. And, being mostly plastic, honestly, made it way easier to clean (but more on that later).
Aesthetically, I typically don't like the look of a milk canister that sits at the front, but here, it wasn't such a deal-breaker. It's not always attached (you use and remove as required), so I didn't notice it as much as I thought I would.
It doesn't come with many coffee machine accessories, but again, with a bean-to-cup machine, you really don't need them. Philips includes a fresh filter, a water testing strip, the milk canister, and an instruction guide. The rest is up for you to explore while testing.
Testing the Machine
This machine's tech makes it fun to use if nothing else. It comes with an instruction manual, but once you turn it on, you really don't need it. The appliance guides you through each step. It's very 'year-3000'.
After inserting the filter into the water tank, filling it with water, and putting beans in the hopper, it was time to brew. And boy, there are a lot of options to explore. The touchscreen has quick buttons for the more obvious coffee drinks (flat white, latte, etc.), but you can also scroll through a larger list.
One thing I noticed is that it's quite loud while brewing, so perhaps not a machine your neighbors will love, depending on how early your first coffee tends to be.
The espresso shots came out nicely on the first try with a smooth layer of crema. But what lets it down is the milk, which is one of the more typical downsides to bean-to-cup machines. It's warm and foamy, but nothing beats steaming your own milk. (If this is important to you, I'd recommend a semi-automatic machine like the Sage Barista Pro instead.)
That said, one of the biggest perks of the Philips Series 5500 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is that it can also brew cold drinks. And yes, all at the press of a button.
Quality of Coffee
Overall, the coffee quality is good. It's certainly nowhere near cafe quality, but that's the compromise you make with the convenience of fully automated, bean-to-cup coffee machines — you don't have as much control over the process.
That said, you can most definitely enjoy a decent latte, espresso, or beyond from the Philips Series 5500 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. It can even log your coffee preferences and customizations, like brew strength, temperature, and drink size. So, I can see the appeal for those seeking convenience. Plus, you can add syrups to enhance the flavor, much like how you'd make a Nespresso coffee taste better.
In terms of cleaning, it's worth noting that you cannot take the burrs out of the grinder to clean with a bean-to-cup machine. Darker roasts are typically more oily and can build up in the burrs, but if you switch between roasts, medium and lighter beans will actually act as cleaning agents for this, so keep an eye on it.
Should You Buy the Philips Series 5500 Fully Automatic Coffee Machine?
If you are after a sleek bean-to-cup machine, you can't go wrong investing in the Philips Series 5500 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. It's slim, it's stylish, and it has so many different drink options. So, for someone tight on time (and counter space), this machine would be a worthwhile investment.
However, I wouldn't recommend this machine for people who want a more hands-on or technical coffee-making experience. Part of what I love about my morning coffee ritual is being part of the routine. For that, I'd recommend something like the Kitchenaid Semi-Automatic Machine or even the Rok Presso Smartshot Manual Coffee Machine.
Other Philips Coffee Accessories
Selecting the right espresso machine versus a coffee maker for your space is a highly personal process. It all depends on what you want from your coffee and your life schedule. If convenience is your priority, then the Philips Series 5500 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is a fabulous choice.
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