Are you considering the Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 5400 and wonder which one is better, or at least suits you best? My short answer is that the Xelsis outperforms in almost every aspect.
The Saeco Xelsis boasts better construction, offers more one-touch drink options, and provides you with greater control over every single drink. As for the Philips 5400, its primary advantage lies in its significantly lower price tag.
Saeco Xelsis Vs Philips 5400: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Saeco Xelsis Vs Philips 5400: Differences
The Saeco Xelsis clearly outperformed the Philips 5400 with a decisive score of 4-0. Does that mean the Philips 5400 is trash? Not really!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Built-in Grinder
Both come equipped with a 12-level ceramic flat burr grinder, which is pretty nifty if you ask me. I don’t know which brand was the trailblazer in ushering ceramic into the realm of built-in grinders, but they have some serious perks over their stainless steel counterparts.
Ceramic grinders crush the beans with minimal heat, which keeps the oils in your coffee beans safe and makes your espresso rich and burst with flavor. They also last longer than steel grinders and are whisper-quiet when running.
Both also have a pre-ground bypass chute. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Who buys an automatic bean-to-cup machine to use pre-ground coffee?” And you’re right, but it really is a lifesaver when you run out of coffee beans.
Heating System
Without beating around the bush, the Saeco Xelsis has dual thermoblocks, whereas the Philips 5400 has one. What does this mean? The Saeco Xelsis can brew espresso and prepare milk froth at once – all at the perfect temperature for each task.
Still, the Philips 5400 doesn’t leave you hanging around the counter waiting for your morning cup of Joe since its thermoblock system heats up very fast. The machine extracts the espresso first, followed by steaming the milk in just a few seconds.
Brewing System
If you are a knowledgeable coffee lover, the fact that both of these machines have pre-infusion would perk up your ears. But if you’re new to the game, let me tell you that this step is very important. By moistening the puck with hot water at low pressure before the main extraction begins, pre-infusion can lead to a more nuanced and balanced cup.
The Saeco Xelsis is even better with the ability to adjust the length of the pre-infusion step by sliding the “Taste” bar. The manufacturer might have left this tidbit out, but now you’re in the know.
By the way, both also use a mighty 15-bar pressure pump, which is another good thing with extraction since a pressure of 9 bars is the minimum to get a real shot.
All the things are good, but the espresso is on the weak side on the Philips 5400, and I know why. The espresso brews too rapidly, and this is due to the filter basket having holes that are too large. These oversized holes don’t permit the coffee grounds to be extracted properly, which results in a less robust espresso.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Dimensions & User Interface
| Saeco Xelsis | Philips 5400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.3 x 15.5 x 19.1 inches | 9.7 x 14.6 x 17 inches |
| Weight | 23.2 lbs | 17.7 lbs |
Both are made of durable black plastic with a couple of stainless steel accents that give them a stylish and modern look without actually raising the price. The Saeco Xelsis is the bulkier and heavier option, but this isn’t much of an issue since its water container is front-loading, eliminating the need to move the espresso machine for refills, and so does the Philips 5400.
The Philips 5400 features an intuitive touchscreen display, but in reality, it feels more akin to a high-tech control panel peppered with touch buttons. Indeed, there are a lineup of touch buttons for drinks and control, as well as a small LCD screen in the center displaying all the settings and information about the brewing process.
The Saeco Xelsis also has a touchscreen that truly mimics the swipe-and-scroll experience we’ve all come to love on our smartphones, so there’s no steep learning curve here. The real fun begins when you dive into its vast ocean of settings to craft the perfect coffee recipes.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Saeco Xelsis | Philips 5400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 3-6 inches | 3.3-6.9 inches |
Their coffee spouts are adjustable to fit various cup sizes, a feature that’s pretty standard fare across the board for super-automatic coffee machines, so it doesn’t blow my mind.
Both can brew two cups of black coffee drinks at once, but unique to the Saeco Xelsis is the ability to do this with all the milk-based drinks. Sure, there aren’t many machines that can prepare two cups of cappuccino at the same time so this feature definitely gets a thumbs up for convenience.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Saeco Xelsis | Philips 5400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.7 liters | 1.8 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.34 kilogram | 0.27 kilogram |
As I mentioned above, their water tanks are front-loading, so removing them to top up is super easy. Their brew groups are fully detachable as well, which is a good thing since you’re better off getting into the habit of frequently removing this part and rinsing it thoroughly. Their drip trays are removable as well and both have a floater that indicates when they get full and should be drained.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Both have the ability to steam milk automatically, so you almost don’t have to do anything to make a cappuccino or latte macchiato. Sure, they don’t give you any control over the frothing process and are unable to create the microfoam necessary for intricate latte art.
The Philips 5400’s innovative LatteGo milk frothing system includes a clear container and an outlet for directing milk into your cup. Attaching and detaching the milk container from the coffee machine is a breeze. Just be careful when positioning your mug under the system – if placed too far back, it may lead to spills.
You don’t need to worry about leftover milk crusting, thanks to its tubeless design. The whole system can be conveniently washed under the tap or placed in the dishwasher for cleaning.
Still, I have a few complaints about the LatteGo system. One issue is the absence of rubber grips on the lid, which requires extra caution to prevent the lid from slipping when moving it to and from the fridge. Additionally, the system doesn’t do a good job of texturing milk, just resulting in a slight layer of foam on the surface.
On the other hand, the Saeco Xelsis’s milk system, which is called LatteDuo, also includes a high-quality milk carafe. The machine also flushes its milk system itself with hot steam after each use, and the carafe can also be stored in the refrigerator.
The foam that comes from the Saeco Xelsis is somewhat dense, yet at least it’s delicious and elegant for a nice cappuccino and decent latte. Saeco has clearly learned a few tricks.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Drink Options
| Saeco Xelsis | Philips 5400 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Ristretto Espresso Lungo Americano Flat White Latte Macchiato Cappuccino Caffe Latte Cafe AU Lait Cortado Milk Froth Warm Milk Hot Water | Espresso Coffee Americano Cappuccino Latte macchiato Caffe latte Flat white Café au lait Cafe Crema Espresso Lungo Ristretto ToGo Mug Hot Water |
Both bring to the table an array of over a dozen one-touch coffee specialties. I think this extensive selection may seem excessive for home use, potentially leaving many options remaining underutilized, but it’s better to have a wide range of choices at your disposal.
Both machines also provide the option to use pre-ground coffee, which comes in handy if I run out of whole beans or if your guests are in the mood for decaf drinks. Plus, if you’re just looking for hot water for tea, they’ve got that covered too.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Saeco Xelsis | Philips 5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | Yes | No |
The Philips 5400 offers me the flexibility to adjust the bean strength, shot volume, brewing temperature, and amount of milk, each with 5 levels of customization. I can then save these settings to a user profile. Interestingly, it features four user profiles, which are differentiated by colors instead of names.
The Saeco Xelsis also allows you to adjust the temperature, milk froth and coffee dosage for your drinks via sliders, just like an audio equalizer allows you to adjust the bass and treble on your tunes. The fun doesn’t stop there, though. You can also decide whether milk or espresso is dispensed first. This one is also very impressive, with six user profiles for personalized drinks.
Quick Rundown Of Saeco Xelsis
- With Philips Saeco Xelsis easily make up to 15 coffee varieties from common Espresso and Capuccino to specialty coffees like Flat White or Americano. Simply swipe the touchscreen to select the drink and customize it with our intuitive Coffee Equalizer.Filter type:Reusable.Power consumption stand-by : 0.5W, Drip tray capacity : 500 ml
- 15 Coffee Varieties at Your Fingertips: Explore the world of coffee - Espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, and a range of specialty drinks
- Personalized Preferences: Everyone’s custom coffee favorites can be saved in up to 6 user profiles for instant selection. Personalize each profile down to the finest detail
- LatteDuo Milk System: Prepare and enjoy single or double serving of any coffee recipe with one touch, including Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato
- Double Thermo Blocks: Dedicated for both brewing and steaming offer accurate temperature controls for every drink in your recipe book
Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Philips 5400
- 12 delicious fresh bean coffees, easier than ever Easily make aromatic coffee varieties like Espresso, Coffee, Cappuccino, and Latte Macchiato at the touch of a button. LatteGo tops milk varieties with silky smooth froth, is easy to set up, and can be cleaned in as little as 15 seconds*
- Silky smooth milk froth thanks to the high-speed LatteGo system Top your coffee off with a silky-smooth layer of milk froth. The LatteGo mixes milk and air at high speed in the round frothing chamber, then adds a splash-free, creamy layer of milk froth to your cup at just the right temperature.
- Easy selection of your coffee with the intuitive display There's little standing between you and your next delicious cup of coffee with our easy-to-use display. In a few steps, you can customize your fresh-bean flavour and flow smoothly from craving to cup.
- Adjust aroma and volume with the coffee customizer Make any coffee your own with the coffee customizer's easily adjustable settings for intensity, coffee, and milk length.
- Even more flavour thanks to the extra shot function Boost your drink's intensity with the coffee customizer's extra-shot feature, which adds powerful flavour without bitterness.
Last update on 2024-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Saeco Xelsis: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-ho/coffee/saeco-automatic-espresso-machine
- Philips 5400: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/EP5447_94/philips-5400-series-fully-automatic-espresso-machines
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.