Saeco Xelsis Vs Philips 5400
Are you torn between choosing the Saeco Xelsis and the Philips 5400? Wondering which machine is the better pick or the right fit for you? Here’s the short answer: the Saeco Xelsis takes the lead in nearly every category.
The Saeco Xelsis stands out with superior build quality, a wider variety of one-touch drink options, and enhanced customization for every beverage. On the other hand, the Philips 5400 shines with its much more affordable price, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Saeco Xelsis Vs Philips 5400: Specs & Features Comparison
| Feature | Saeco Xelsis | Philips 5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 15.5 x 11.3 x 19.1 inches | 9.7 x 14.6 x 17 inches |
| Weight | 23.2 lbs | 17.7 lbs |
| Interface | Touch display | Non-touch display |
| One-Touch Drink Options | 15 | 13 |
| Grinder Type | Ceramic flat burr, 12 settings | Ceramic flat burr, 12 settings |
| Heating System | Dual thermoblocks | Single thermoblock |
| Milk System | Auto-frothing, brews two milk-based drinks simultaneously | Auto-frothing |
| Cup Clearance | 3–6 inches | 3.3–6.9 inches |
| Water Tank Capacity | 1.7 liters | 1.8 liters |
| Bean Hopper Capacity | 0.34 kg | 0.27 kg |
| User Profiles | 6 | 4 |
| Additional Features | Supports pre-ground coffee, optional filters | Supports pre-ground coffee, optional filters |
| Buy Now | Buy Now |
When comparing the Saeco Xelsis and Philips 5400, several key differences emerge that can help you decide which espresso machine is right for you.
The Saeco Xelsis is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 15.5 x 11.3 x 19.1 inches and weighing 23.2 lbs, compared to the Philips 5400 at 9.7 x 14.6 x 17 inches and 17.7 lbs. It features a sleek touch display for easier navigation, while the Philips 5400 comes with a non-touch display.
The Saeco Xelsis offers 15 one-touch drink options, outshining the Philips 5400’s 13. Both machines are equipped with a high-quality ceramic flat burr grinder with 12 grind settings, ensuring consistent results and no overheating. However, the Xelsis has an edge with its dual thermoblocks, providing faster brewing and steaming, while the Philips 5400 uses a single thermoblock.
Both machines have an auto-frothing milk system and dual spigots, but the Xelsis can brew two milk-based drinks simultaneously. Cup clearance ranges from 3–6 inches on the Saeco Xelsis and 3.3–6.9 inches on the Philips 5400.
In terms of reservoirs, the Xelsis has a 1.7-liter water tank and a 0.34-kg bean hopper, slightly smaller than the Philips 5400’s 1.8-liter tank and 0.27-kg hopper. Both machines support pre-ground coffee and have optional filters for better water quality.
What sets the Xelsis apart is its advanced features, including six user profiles for personalized drink preferences, compared to the four profiles offered by the Philips 5400.
What I Like:
Saeco Xelsis
- Dual thermoblocks for faster performance.
- A wide variety of one-touch drinks.
- Ability to brew two milk-based drinks at once.
- Six user profiles for customized beverages.
- Durable and stylish design.
Philips 5400:
- Compact and lightweight.
- Great ceramic burr grinder.
- Four user profiles.
- A variety of one-touch drinks.
Ultimately, the Saeco Xelsis is ideal for those seeking advanced features and versatility, while the Philips 5400 offers excellent functionality at a more affordable price point.
Saeco Xelsis Vs Philips 5400: Differences
The Saeco Xelsis comes out as the clear winner against the Philips 5400, with an impressive score of 4-0. But does that make the Philips 5400 a bad choice? Not at all!
COFFEE FLAVOR & BREWING SYSTEM
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
BUILT-IN GRINDER
Both the Saeco Xelsis and Philips 5400 are equipped with a 12-level ceramic flat burr grinder. Ceramic grinders offer some great advantages over stainless steel counterparts—they generate minimal heat during grinding, preserving the natural oils in your coffee beans and resulting in a richer, more flavorful espresso. They’re also more durable and operate quietly.
Each machine allows you to adjust the grind with 12 different settings, and both include a pre-ground bypass chute. While it might seem counterintuitive to use pre-ground coffee in a bean-to-cup machine, this feature is handy in emergencies when you’ve run out of coffee beans.
HEATING SYSTEM
The Saeco Xelsis clearly has the edge with its dual thermoblocks. This means it can brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously, ensuring each component is served at the perfect temperature.
The Philips 5400, on the other hand, features a single thermoblock. While it can’t multitask like the Xelsis, its system heats up quickly, efficiently brewing espresso first and then steaming milk just seconds later. It’s fast enough to keep your morning routine smooth.
BREWING SYSTEM
Both machines come with pre-infusion, a feature that wets the coffee puck with hot water at low pressure before extraction begins. This process helps enhance the flavor and balance of your espresso.
However, the Saeco Xelsis takes it a step further with an adjustable pre-infusion feature. Using the “Taste” bar, you can customize the length of the pre-infusion step, allowing for even more control over your coffee’s flavor profile.
Both machines also employ a 15-bar pressure pump, ensuring proper extraction since 9 bars is the minimum required for a quality espresso shot.
That said, the Philips 5400 has a notable drawback: its espresso tends to be on the weaker side. The issue stems from the oversized holes in the filter basket, which cause the espresso to brew too quickly, preventing full extraction of the coffee grounds. This results in a less robust flavor compared to the Saeco Xelsis.
DESIGN & CONVENIENCE
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
DIMENSIONS & USER INTERFACE
- Saeco Xelsis: 11.3 x 15.5 x 19.1 inches, 23.2 lbs
- Philips 5400: 9.7 x 14.6 x 17 inches, 17.7 lbs
Both machines are made from durable black plastic with stylish stainless steel accents, giving them a sleek and modern look without inflating the price. The Saeco Xelsis is larger and heavier, but thanks to its front-loading water container, you don’t need to move the machine for refills—just like the Philips 5400.
The Philips 5400 features an intuitive control panel with touch buttons and a small LCD screen displaying brewing settings and progress. Meanwhile, the Saeco Xelsis ups the game with a touchscreen that offers a swipe-and-scroll experience similar to a smartphone, making it simple to navigate its wide array of customizable settings.
SPOUT TYPE & CUP CLEARANCE
- Spout Type: Both machines feature dual spouts.
- Cup Clearance: Saeco Xelsis (3–6 inches), Philips 5400 (3.3–6.9 inches).
Both machines have adjustable spouts to accommodate various cup sizes, a standard feature for super-automatic coffee machines. While both can brew two cups of black coffee simultaneously, the Saeco Xelsis stands out for its ability to do the same with milk-based drinks, such as cappuccinos—a rare and highly convenient feature.
WATER RESERVOIR & BEAN HOPPER
- Saeco Xelsis: 1.7 liters water reservoir, 0.34 kg bean hopper.
- Philips 5400: 1.8 liters water reservoir, 0.27 kg bean hopper.
Both machines have front-loading water tanks, making refilling easy. Their brew groups are fully detachable for thorough cleaning, and their removable drip trays come with a floater to indicate when they’re full and need draining.
MILK FROTHING SYSTEM
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Both machines offer automatic milk frothing systems, making it effortless to prepare cappuccinos or latte macchiatos. However, neither provides control over the frothing process or creates the microfoam needed for latte art.
The Philips 5400 features the innovative LatteGo system, which includes a clear milk container and an outlet to direct milk into your cup. The tubeless design prevents leftover milk from crusting, and the system is easy to clean under the tap or in the dishwasher. However, it lacks rubber grips on the lid, making it prone to slipping, and the milk texture is basic, with just a light foam layer.
The Saeco Xelsis uses the LatteDuo system, which includes a premium milk carafe. It automatically flushes the milk system with hot steam after each use, and the carafe can be stored in the refrigerator. The foam produced by the Xelsis is denser and more flavorful, making it ideal for a satisfying cappuccino or latte. Saeco’s attention to detail shines here, delivering a superior milk frothing experience.
DRINK OPTIONS & PROGRAMMABILITY
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
DRINK OPTIONS
Both the Saeco Xelsis and Philips 5400 offer an impressive range of one-touch coffee specialties, with the Xelsis featuring 15 options and the Philips providing 13. While this variety might seem overwhelming for home use, it’s always better to have more choices than fewer.
Both machines also allow the use of pre-ground coffee, which is perfect for decaf drinkers or when you run out of beans. Additionally, they both provide a hot water option for tea or other beverages, which is a thoughtful touch.
PROGRAMMABILITY
When it comes to personalization, both machines offer several adjustable settings:
- Philips 5400: Lets you customize coffee strength, shot volume, brewing temperature, and milk volume, each with five levels. It also includes four user profiles, distinguished by color instead of names, to save your favorite settings.
- Saeco Xelsis: Goes a step further with its Coffee Equalizer. Using slider controls, you can adjust the temperature, milk froth texture, coffee strength, and even decide whether milk or espresso is dispensed first. It also offers six user profiles for even more personalization, making it ideal for households with multiple coffee preferences.
Quick Overview Of Saeco Xelsis
The Saeco Xelsis is a premium choice that offers:
- 15 coffee varieties: From classics like espresso and cappuccino to specialty drinks like flat white and Americano.
- 6 user profiles: Save personalized preferences for every family member.
- LatteDuo milk system: Brew two milk-based drinks simultaneously.
- Dual thermoblocks: Dedicated heating for brewing and steaming, ensuring precise temperatures.
- Ceramic grinder: Maintains coffee bean integrity and prevents overheating.
⏩ Pros:
- Extensive drink options.
- Dual thermoblocks for efficient brewing and steaming.
- Brew two milk-based drinks at once.
- Easy customization and six user profiles.
⏩ Cons:
- Requires time to master all settings.
Quick Overview Of Philips 5400
The Philips 5400 is an easy-to-use machine with:
- 12 coffee options: Prepare aromatic favorites like espresso, cappuccino, and latte macchiato at the touch of a button.
- LatteGo milk frothing system: Creates silky smooth milk froth and is simple to clean.
- Coffee customizer: Adjust coffee aroma, intensity, and volume with ease. Four user profiles: Save preferences for different users.
⏩ Pros:
- User-friendly and easy to clean.
- Stylish design with a ceramic burr grinder.
- A great selection of one-touch drinks.
⏩ Cons:
- Espresso lacks strength.
- Single boiler, which limits multitasking.
Conclusion:
- Customization: Saeco Xelsis offers superior control with adjustable pre-infusion, coffee strength, and milk texture settings, making it ideal for coffee enthusiasts. Philips 5400 provides simpler customization, suitable for casual users.
- Drink Variety: Both machines offer over a dozen drink options, but Saeco Xelsis allows for more nuanced personalization and can brew two milk-based drinks simultaneously.
- Milk System: The Saeco Xelsis features the LatteDuo system for denser, well-textured froth, while the Philips 5400’s LatteGo is easier to clean but offers less control over milk texture.
- Build and Design: The Saeco Xelsis is bulkier but boasts a more advanced touchscreen interface. The Philips 5400 is lighter and compact, with an intuitive, button-driven display.
- Ease of Use and Maintenance: Both are easy to clean, but the Philips 5400’s LatteGo milk system is particularly low-maintenance.
- Budget: The Philips 5400 is a more affordable option, making it great for those prioritizing value over extensive features.
Final Verdict:
- Choose Saeco Xelsis if you value advanced customization, premium features, and brewing versatility.
- Opt for Philips 5400 if affordability, simplicity, and ease of use are your top priorities.
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