10 reviews for Philips 5400 Series Bean-to-Cup Espresso Machine – LatteGo Milk Frother, 12 Coffee Varieties, 4 User Profiles, Intuitive Display, Silver (EP5446/70)

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Paul B (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Machine, Great Coffee, Easy to Use!
   We purchased a bean-to-cup machine due to the ongoing expense of our Nespresso pod machine. When I discovered we were spending nearly £1000 a year on pods, the large upfront cost of a bean-to-cup machine seemed worthwhile, considering the much cheaper per-cup price. I did some calculations and deduced that we would break even in the first year of owning this machine, so we decided to buy it.

   When comparing this machine to our previous Nespresso machine, two key points stand out. This machine produces vastly superior coffee (once you’ve dialed it in correctly – I’ll discuss that further on) but it requires more maintenance. Regular TLC is necessary to keep it in good shape, but it’s entirely manageable and, in my opinion, worth it for the superior coffee.

   Initially, I was a bit underwhelmed after making the first few cups of coffee with this machine. The coffee tasted somewhat watery, but it still surpassed the Nespresso machine. However, it wasn’t matching the standard I’d expect from a good coffee shop, which I was somewhat expecting given the price. As a novice, I knew nothing about dialing in grinder settings. Once I tweaked these settings, the coffee quality transformed from just okay to fantastic. I gradually adjusted the grinder until I found a setting that tasted best (3 with my current beans), which made a significant difference. Be prepared to experiment with this (please note, you can only change the setting while it’s grinding, which can be a bit irksome).

   I considered a few other well-reviewed bean-to-cup machines, but what attracted me to the Philips was its simplicity. We appreciated the convenience of a pod machine, so a bean-to-cup that offered a similar setup was ideal for us. This machine is incredibly easy to use and allows you to customize each coffee. You can adjust the strength, add less or more water, and save your preferences to a profile, so each family member can have their own preferred settings. I love this feature.

   My wife and I primarily enjoy straight-up coffee, so we weren’t concerned about some reviews noting the mediocre performance of the milk frother. If you’re interested in making milky coffees, it should suffice. A proper steam wand might yield better results, but learning to use it requires an extra investment of time and energy. There are cheaper Philips machines with a steam wand instead of the latte-go, so that could be an option if you prefer that. We chose this particular model (5400) because it was on sale, but I expect the other models in the range to produce equally good coffee, albeit without some of the additional features.

   There are a few things I don’t particularly like. The ‘latte-go’ milk holder feels somewhat cheap, and I fear a fall onto a hard floor could end it’s life quite quickly. There’s also a piece of plastic that slots into the drip tray and acts as the machine’s front fascia, which scratches easily. The machine rinses itself when turned on and off, which can lead to stale coffee water contaminating your clean cup if you forget about it. Also, the machine doesn’t recognize when the coffee grounds container has been emptied while the machine is off. It can be slightly annoying, but it’s manageable once you’re aware. Lastly, be sure to keep an eye on the water tank, as the machine doesn’t recognize when the water level is too low to make the selected drink. This isn’t a major issue as the machine will prompt you to refill the tank and let you continue with your drink, but it can be inconvenient if you’ve set your coffee to brew and left the room for a few minutes.

   Cleaning the machine is fairly straightforward. Every week, access the side panel found behind the water tank, remove the ‘group set’ or ‘group head’ (which is the core part of the machine and has group in it’s name), and rinse it under the tap to remove any coffee grounds. Let it air dry overnight. Be sure to heed the instructions that warn against using a cloth or anything that might leave fibers in the mechanisms. You’ll also need to clean the now empty area from which you removed the group set, as coffee grounds find their way everywhere. A slightly more challenging task is lubricating the group set/head. I’ve seen varying advice, even from Philips, on how often this should be done – it ranges from once a month, to once every 500 coffees, to once every four months if you drink 1-5 cups a day (more frequently if you consume more). I chose the once every four months option. It was a bit tricky due to the difficulty in seeing how much lubricant I was applying to the black plastic, but I think I managed. I haven’t had to descale the machine yet, so I can’t comment on that process, but I will update my review if it proves to be troublesome.

   Despite some minor flaws, I can’t justify deducting a star because the machine excels in all the important areas. The profiles and customization options are easy to use; the main challenge is figuring out the best settings for you. My final piece of advice is to invest in a decent bag of coffee beans. We tried some cheap ones, and the coffee was horribly bitter. If this is your first machine of this type, you might blame the machine instead of the beans. But if you choose to buy this machine, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Amazon Customer (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome !
   I got the machine on Prime deals day for a good price and was overjoyed when it came. It is so easy to use, clean and makes great coffee. It has a comparatively small foorprint too so looks great in the kitchen. So glad I went for this one.

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   James Tyler (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars Best coffee machine I have ever used.
   I used this at a family members home and was blown away by how easy it was to use and the quality of the drinks it made. I kept an eye on it on amazon for a while before taking the plunge for my birthday (used the pay for 12months option to help with the expense).

   Definiately worth it for anyone who drinks coffee daily. Easily set your own preferences, easy to clean, easy to refil.

   Can’t think of a downside other than perhaps it can be a bit loud, but no more so than others that actually grind your beans. Oh and having to refil the water often if a few of you use it constantly.

   Foam and milk is also great, especially on my lattes and cafe au lait.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Simon (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars Great coffee, no fuss
   When I realised how much I was spending on coffee ‘pods’ for my old machine I decided a bean to cup machine would work out so much cheaper, it would pay for itself after ~1.5 years (1kg of beans is £10!)
   Really nice coffee, easy to use and clean. Lots of coffee types but I only really use a couple.
   Recommended!

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Terrence M. (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   4.0 out of 5 stars Makes great coffee and easy to use
   Owned for well over a year now. Very good and easy to use, would give 5 stars, but like a lot of these machines it only makes about half a cup at a time, so have to do 2 cycles, but not too much of a problem

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Michael.S (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coffee, simple to use and easy to clean.
   Had this machine about 4 months now, and can honestly say it’s the machine i was hoping it would be.

   I was on the fence weather or not I could justify buying a fully automatic coffee machine, when a french press sort of does the same thing for less than a tenner. But i love it! And i have no buyers remorse!

   It’s been well used over the last 4 months now by the whole family and freinds etc. Everything from latte’s to capachino’s, to just a good big hot mug of americano. It just works and takes seconds to dial in to your liking. We have a slightly cheaper delongi semi-automatic at work and although it makes a decent anough tasting coffee, there’s things i never liked about it, but the philips addressed them all. For instance, the delonghi wouldn’t make the coffee hot enough for my liking, nor would it fill a mug if i wanted to. Also when the water ran out the tank half way through making your coffee, you’d have to throw it away then refil the tank and start again.

   The philips on the other hand, pauses when it runs out of water and waits for you to fill it up then resumes..nice! Also the coffee is plenty hot enough if you want it. A couple clicks of the buttons and you make a coffee for a small mug or large, lots of milk of just a tad, strong or weak, Just what takes your fancy at the time and the philips takes care of the rest. Not to mention the philips just IMO a better looking machine for the kitchen worktop, it just has a quality about it that some machines I don’t think offer.

   As for the noise, (again comparing it to the delonghi at work) the philips seems a touch quiter, overall pretty quite i’d say.

   Cleanin is honeslt a doddle..maybe even one of the best features of a fully automatic machine, is there’s very little in the way of cleaning. Just whack the used grinds in the bin and gove a rinse under that tap. That’s it! The french press took more work for just 1 cup!

   The automatic milk frother does a great job at making latte’s and capachino’s.

   The machine is pretty quick at knocking out coffe’s, latte’s too. We’ve had an occasion when we had around 10 people visiting and the machine kept up better than any coffee shop!

   So to sumerise…no cons I can think of! It just really is a good machine! Honesly comparing it to a starbuks or costa etc. i’d say I like my philips better! Sure it’s not done with a speacial grinder and a super high pressure machine etc..but it’s coffee i’ve tuned in to MY liking, and I think that’s what really counts.

   So dont hesitate! Enjoy!

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Rose Wright (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars Nice coffee machine .
   I love this machine . For me it ticks all the boxes . Have tried 4 different coffees so far and all have turned out good . Make sure you know the size of your cup and how many millilitres it holds or you will get an overflow from your cup . A lot will be trial and error until you get used to how it performs and be careful how much you move the up and down markers for strength and quantity etc , or you will over fill your cup. But it`s a great machine .

8. 

   Rated 1 out of 5

   william (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   1.0 out of 5 stars Philips customer support is rubbish.
   The machine worked perfectly for about a year and a half the starting saying add water when there was plenty of water in it, I contacted philips who said no problem we will repair it free of charge “great” had to wait 1 week for it to be collected but no one turned up! Phoned philips again they apologized created a new return had to wait another few days, again no one turned up. It’s ridiculous spend your money elsewhere.

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   FlibbleJibblet (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars Worth waiting for. Ease of use for a lazy coffee lover
   After extensive research and having enjoyed a similar model at my parents’ home, I finally decided to invest in this coffee machine, opting for one that would cater to my preference for convenience over manual frothing. This machine perfectly accommodates my desire for a delicious, frothy coffee without the hassle of manual milk frothing, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate ease of use.

   Pros:

   • Convenience: One of the standout features is the ability to store the milk in its own container and easily place it in the fridge. This ensures that the milk remains fresh and ready for your next coffee.
   • User Profiles: The machine supports up to four user profiles, allowing you to customise settings for different users or preferences. This personalisation is a great touch, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their ideal coffee.
   • Customisation: You have a wide range of customisation options for each coffee, from strength to temperature, catering to a variety of tastes.
   • Ease of Cleaning: Cleaning is straightforward with several options available, which makes maintaining the machine relatively hassle-free.

   Cons:

   • Milk Froth: While the frothing function is effective, it doesn’t achieve the same thickness as manual frothing methods where you shake a pot vigorously. The result is slightly less rich froth, which might be a consideration for those who prefer a creamier texture.
   • Drip Tray: The drip tray fills up quite quickly, even if you’re careful with drips during the start and end of rinsing. It seems to capture drips from the coffee-making process as well, which means frequent emptying.
   • Customisation Saving: A minor annoyance is that the machine automatically saves any customised coffee settings as the default. If you make a one-off adjustment for a stronger coffee, it will be saved as your new standard, requiring you to manually revert the settings later.
   • Shortcut Options: The machine does not allow for changing the coffee options on the shortcut buttons, which means you might need to navigate to the ‘more drinks’ menu for certain types of coffee. It would be more convenient if you could customise these shortcuts.

   Overall, this coffee machine has proven to be a fantastic investment. It was worth waiting for the price to drop rather than opting for a cheaper model. Its convenience, customisation features, and ease of use outweigh the minor drawbacks, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality coffee experience with minimal effort.

10. 

    Rated 3 out of 5

    Stephen K. (verified owner) – August 9, 2024

    3.0 out of 5 stars It’s OK
    I previously had a Delonghi Dinamica for years which was brilliant, but it started playing up, so I decided during amazon prime day to treat myself to a new machine. I did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews and I chose the Philips 5400, as I’ve wrote in the title ‘ it’s OK ‘ I’m using the same coffee beans as before but I’m getting nowhere near the same amount of flavour! Which is very disappointing. It is also very difficult trying to turn the bean grinding knob to get to the required level, the Delonghi one was so much easier.
    Now the machine itself is really good, easy to use and my wife likes the fact that she can easily change the strength and amount of the coffee shot for the drinks, she prefers a milky coffee. The hot water part is very good and a lot better, due to the fact you don’t have to faff about with adding a water spout to the machine. The milk feature is easier to use and clean than my previous machine, and i don’t think it’s as noisy. Overall I give it a 5 out of 10 I’m just gutted it doesn’t give the same depth of flavour as the Delonghi.