Philips 3200 vs 5400 – Which is a Better Buy?

Are you ready to take your latte love to new heights? Explore the coffee charisma you can create with the Philips 3200 and 5400 fully automatic espresso machines. Invest between $700 and $1,100 and watch them brew several specialty coffees at the push of a button. 

But while both guarantee top performance within their capabilities, one is undoubtedly the superior option with its significantly upgraded features and innovative settings. Read on to discover which is a better buy – the Philips 3200 or 5400?

Philips 3200 Overview

The Philips Series 3200 fully automatic espresso machines are available in two models. Philips 3200 EP3221/44 includes a classic milk frother, and its retail price is $699.99. On the other hand, the Philips 3200 EP3241/54 has an in-built LatteGo milk technology for superhigh-speed milk frothing. Hence, it is $300 pricier than the first model.

However, in this comparison blog, we will only discuss the Philips 3200 – EP3221/44 in detail to contrast Philips’ older superautomatic espresso machines with the newer ones. In this model of the Philips 3200, you get 4 default options for specialty coffees. Like the other coffee machines in the Philips superautomatic product range, this version too comes with a burr grinder, an easy-to-use touch-screen display, double-cup spouts with adjustable heights, an AquaClen water filter system, and a separate brew group. 

With a $699.99 price tag, the Philips 3200’s sleek, glossy black design and seamless performance will elevate your coffee routine.  

Philips 3200 LatteGo

Elevate your coffee experience with advanced features like a ceramic grinder and the LatteGo milk system for silky froth in seconds.

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Read Philips 3200 LatteGo Full Review

REASONS TO BUY

• Reasonably priced coffee machine 
• 4 preset coffee varieties 
• Double cup option 
• Intelligent touch display 
• 12 grinder settings 
• AquaClean water filter

REASONS TO AVOID

• Classic milk frother 
• Noisy grinder 
• Cannot create user profiles 

Philips 5400 Overview

The Philips Series 5400 range is just one step down from its latest Series 5500 fully automatic espresso machines. Hence, it is superior to its predecessors in functions and features. 

The first and most noteworthy aspect of the Philips Series 5400 is that all the models include a LatteGo milk frothing system instead of the steam wand. Second, you get up to 12 preset specialty coffees, and the last and most advanced feature is its ‘My Coffee Choice Profiles’, which allows you to create 4 user profiles for customized coffees. 

The Philips 5400 range includes various models, including EP5441/50, EP5446/70, and EP5447/90. However, in this Philips 3200 vs 5400 head-to-head comparison, we will only discuss the features and specifications of EP5447/94 in detail. This model is available for sale in the USA and may be a better buy for those needing a luxe coffee experience right at home. 

Philips 5400 LatteGo

The ultimate choice for coffee lovers, offering 12 drink options, personalized profiles, and a durable design that ensures lasting performance.

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Read Philips 5400 LatteGo Full Review

REASONS TO BUY

• 12 options for specialty coffee
• Intuitive touch-screen display
• Double cup function 
• LatteGo milk frother 
• 12 grinder settings 
• 4 user profiles and 1 guest profile

REASONS TO AVOID

• Very expensive 
• Some specialty coffees are weak
• Loud burr grinder 

Features and Specs Comparison – Philips 3200 vs 5400 

The following side-by-side comparison table lists the technical specifications and features of Philips 3200 and 5400. 

Coffee Roast Level, Flavor and Grinding

Whether you like the kick of freshly grounded coffee beans or are a packet-to-pot person who likes experimenting with different flavors of pre-ground coffee, with the Philips 3200 and 5400, both are a possibility. The Philips superautomatic espresso machines are equipped with a durable sharp-edged burr grinder. Its 12 settings can be adjusted through a knob. So, regardless of the roast level of your coffee beans, you can grind them between fine and coarse to suit your preference. 

However, if early in the morning, the noise of the coffee grinder hits you like shrapnel, you can scoop some pre-ground coffee mix and add it to the small compartment next to the burr grinder. Be sure to close the lids on the compartment and the grinder to seal the aroma and ensure perfect extraction. 

The only exceptions are flavored coffee beans. Philips advises against their use because the oils (additives) extracted from the flavored coffee beans leave behind a sticky residue and clog the machine. Moreover, the aftertaste of flavored coffee beans is unpalatable for many. 

Functions and Settings 

While the basic features and functions of the Philips 3200 and 5400 are the same, some add-ons with Series 5400 take the overall experience to the next level. For example, with the Philips 5400 – EP5447/94, you get 12 coffee varieties.

However, with the Philips 3200 – EP3221/44, the preset coffee varieties are limited to four beverages. 

• Americano 
• Coffee 
• Espresso 
• Espresso Lungo

Similarly, in the Philips 5400, you get a better and more detailed thin film transistor (TFT) user interface that allows you to create up to 4 user profiles and has a setting for a guest profile to ensure that recipes can be customized and saved for everyday use. It is a lot like ordering your “usual” at a coffee shop. However, these features are absent from the Series 3200 coffee machines. 

On the good side, both the Philips 5400 and 3200 allow you to adjust the aroma strength, temperature, and quantity of the beverage in the cup at just the touch of a button. 

Milk Frothing 

One cannot deny that adding milk to the coffee makes it taste better. And if you have never experienced the love for coffee, wait till you add rich, creamy, hot & sweet, frothed milk on top of your espresso shots. Lips-licking good!

With the Philips 3200 and 5400, you can froth the milk in seconds and add it to your caffeine shots. However, their milk-frothing mechanisms are completely different. While the Philips 3200 includes a classic milk frother, the Philips 5400 has LatteGo technology. 

The classic milk frother is a stainless steel steam wand that jets out pressurized air into the milk, heating and frothing it to the right texture. You must wash the detachable steam wand after each use to prevent residue build-up. 

In comparison, the LatteGo milk carafe is filled and attached to the machine. Once the button is pressed, the milk is steamed, warmed, and spun inside this container to create foam. It has a separate spout, so the frothed milk automatically spills into the adjacent coffee cup. 

Water Filter System

With the Philips 3200 and 5400, you get hygienic and flavorsome coffee in each cup. Both espresso machines are compatible with the AquaClean water filter system, and the first filters are included in the purchase (up to $20 in value). 

You can make up to 5,000 cups of coffee with clean and pure water without changing the filter. You must follow the AquaClean installation process step-by-step to ensure that when the tank is filled with tap water, its ion-exchange technology effectively removes calcium, magnesium, chlorine, and other impurities, making it 99.9% fit for human consumption. 

Moreover, the absorption process prevents the build-up of limescale inside the machine to increase its longevity. 

Power Consumption 

The Philips 3200 and 5400 are some of the most power-hungry coffee machines. Being fully automatic, they require 1,500 Watts of electricity to brew a cup of coffee. 

The good thing is that Philips (as a brand) takes environmental sustainability seriously, and to limit power consumption, the machines have an eco-setting. 

If you forget to switch the power off, the machines automatically go into standby mode, and the lights on the touch-screen display become dim. Enabling the eco-setting will also help conserve water during automatic descaling or rinsing.    

Portability

Made in Romania and designed in Italy, the Philips 3200 and 5400 reflect the Europeans’ minimalist lifestyle. While the body of the Philips 3200 is black with a glossy finish, the Philips 5400 has a sturdy black chromed body. Both are sleek, modern-looking, and compact, nicely blending with most home and office decor. 

The Philips 3200 weighs around 16.53 lbs (7.5 Kg). In contrast, the Philips 5400 weighs nearly 17.64 lbs (8.0 Kg). The difference in their weights is due to the addition of the LatteGo milk carafe with the Series 5400. 

However, the Philips 5400 and 3200 can be your perfect travel companion if you decide to move away from the hustle and bustle of life for a while. 

Price and Warranty – Philips 3200 vs 5400

Retail price is the one thing that draws a clear distinction between the Philips 3200 and 5400 coffee machines. There is no doubt the Philips 5400 is purpose-built for premium coffee drinkers. 

Priced at $1,099.95, Series 5400 with LatteGo milk solution is $300 pricer than the Philips 3200. You can purchase it from online stores like Amazon, Seattle Coffee Gear, or Walmart. The high price seems justified if you compare its advanced features and capabilities with the Philips 3200. 

Likewise, the Philips 3200 can be bought from Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Month-to-month financing options are also available for those who cannot fork out $699.99 for a one-off purchase. For example, Walmart allows customers to purchase the Philips 3200 espresso machine on a $44/month installment plan with the Affirm payment method. 

The Philips 5400 and 3200 come with a 2-year manufacturer warranty. So, Philips covers all repairs and replacements (required for accidental reasons) within this period. 

Better Reviews and Ratings – Philips 3200 or 5400?

The Philips 3200 and 5400 are among the top-rated coffee machines. While the Philips 5400 had a perfect 5-star consumer rating on Walmart, the Philips 3200 is not far behind. Its highest user rating is 4.5 stars on Best Buy. However, based on their average consumer rating of 4.375 stars and 4.6 stars, the Philips Series 5400 has won the race. 

Consumers have given their verdict in favor of the Philips 5400 and consider it a better automatic espresso machine because of its large selection of default coffee drinks, easy user interface, dishwasher-safe parts, and high-quality, great-tasting coffees. However, some users have mentioned that a few coffee varieties are weak. At the same time, some have recommended giving the machine time to adjust and produce the coffee according to the maker’s liking. 

Final Verdict – Philips 3200 or 5400? 

If you were vacillating between the Philips 3200 and 5400, let us put your mind at ease. Philips 5400 fully automatic espresso machine with the LatteGo milk frothing technology is expensive. A brand-new one costs $1,100 (and we don’t recommend buying a refurbished one because that could result in an endless cycle of malfunctions and repairs). However, if you conduct a long-term cost-benefit analysis, you will notice that you can save hundreds of dollars each year by making barista-style specialty coffees at home. So, from our side, if you have the money, go for it. 

However, if you are looking for a budget-friendly, convenient, easy-to-maintain espresso machine that can help you prepare coffee within seconds, the Philips 3200 fits the description. And if you want to explore an upgraded version without the premium $1,100 price tag, read our Philips 4300 vs. 5400 comparison blog to see what else is in store.