I've been eyeing the Philips 5500 for a while and haven't seen a deal on it posted here, so I thought I'd share in case others are looking for a super-automatic espresso machine too. It's currently $200 off, so it's coming in at a pretty decent price considering the features, and I think it's a great middle-ground without jumping to a more expensive Saeco or De'Longhi. I will likely wait until it's Black Friday to see if the discount gets any better, but what do you think?
Links
Note: Philips site uses a .philips TLD, which was concerning at first, but seems legit and can be accessed from
https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-ho/coffee.
Summary from Williams Sonoma Website:
- Expanded drinks menus, with 20 hot and iced coffee presets – espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, iced coffee, Americano, caffè crema, caffè latte, travel mug, espresso lungo, ristretto, flat white, café au lait, iced latte, iced cappuccino, iced Americano, iced caffè crema, iced café au lait, iced caffè latte and iced espresso – and hot water and stand-alone milk froth options.
- LatteGo attachment instantly steams milk into silky-smooth base for lattes, cappuccinos and more, with powerful cyclonic frothing technology that also works with plant-based milks.
- Patented SilentBrew technology is Quiet Mark certified, making 40% less noise than earlier models.
- Full-color touch-screen display makes choosing drink and setting preferences easy – adjust aroma, strength and volume of drinks.
- +AromaExtract system balances temperature with aroma – keeping water between 194°F and 209°F – while regulating water flow to extract maximum taste and aroma from fresh beans.
- QuickStart function allows you to power on machine and brew coffee right away.
- Smart connected through HomeID app, providing expert instructions and recipe recommendations.
- Includes measuring scoop, water hardness strip test, grease tube and LatteGo storage lid.
I looked at the Ninja LUXE too since it's more customizable and might have a slight edge in flavor. But I've heard durability isn't its strong suit, and I want something that'll last with minimal fuss.The Philips 5500 seems like a good deal for someone wanting an automatic espresso experience? It's barely within my price range, but I wouldn't want to pay the full price of $1100 for it. The next step up to consider would be the De'longhi Eletta Explore... at 40+ and 50+ drink options, but also cost more like $1600.
Any thoughts on whether to go for it now or wait it out?
Ps: this is my first deal post and I missed the icon.... Looks like I can't fix that after posting. :/
19 Comments
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1. Price: 5400 costs $700 right now, 5500 cost $900 on this sale.
2. Coffee Options: 5400 have 12 preset options. 5500 have 20 preset options.
3. 5500 have more grind settings
Not sure what else.
One of the alternative I was considering was De'Longhi Dinamica Plus Connected Espresso & Coffee Machine with Automatic Milk Frother which is on sale for $1200 on Amazon. It has mobile app function, but that's $300 more...
De'longhi Eletta Explore ECAM45086S is $1580 on sale on amazon, but has 50+ preset options and app. It apparently makes much better foam and flavor... : https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-E...0CGL7878G/
Even the refurbished(?) de'longhi eletta explore ECAM45055 is $1300. https://reebelo.com/products/de-l...nicad=true
The Delonghi makes micro foam w/ far better texture than the philips 5500.
but those are much more costly. :/
1. Price: 5400 costs $700 right now, 5500 cost $900 on this sale.
2. Coffee Options: 5400 have 12 preset options. 5500 have 20 preset options.
3. 5500 have more grind settings
Not sure what else.
This does seem to be a good deal, but I'm wondering if 5500 is too much of an overkill. I don't know much about the 5500, but the 3600, 4300 and 5400 were known to be essentially the same machines — with just interface and programming differences mostly.
The last couple of deals for 5400 was for $850. Thai seems to be the new line (3300, 4400, 5500). If the 5400 can be had for $700 that would definitely be the better buy. 12 coffee options are good enough.
This does seem to be a good deal, but I'm wondering if 5500 is too much of an overkill. I don't know much about the 5500, but the 3600, 4300 and 5400 were known to be essentially the same machines — with just interface and programming differences mostly.
The last couple of deals for 5400 was for $850. Thai seems to be the new line (3300, 4400, 5500). If the 5400 can be had for $700 that would definitely be the better buy. 12 coffee options are good enough.
Could have sworn I've seen it new on williams-sonoma and a couple others too, but I'm not seeing it now. Maybe I misread it when i posted that.
Could have sworn I've seen it new on williams-sonoma and a couple others too, but I'm not seeing it now. Maybe I misread it when i posted that.
I'm tempted to get this. But every review I read states that the hottest temperature is quite low. I personally like my coffee piping hot, so this is giving me pause. It's a shame because I was set on buying one of the Philips models, but the temperature thing is looking to be a dealbreaker.
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I'm tempted to get this. But every review I read states that the hottest temperature is quite low. I personally like my coffee piping hot, so this is giving me pause. It's a shame because I was set on buying one of the Philips models, but the temperature thing is looking to be a dealbreaker.
For the temp, looks like people are saying that the milk is what cools the coffee down, but philips says the water range from 195-205F? Is that not hot enough?
For the temp, looks like people are saying that the milk is what cools the coffee down, but philips says the water range from 195-205F? Is that not hot enough?
Supposedly, even at highest temperature setting, the milk is at 140 F for the first drink. The first drink is supposedly a bit cooler much than the second, which will be at around 150F. It seems if you use the startup rinse function, the milk will be warmer even for the first drink. But of course, you have to wait around longer.
I know myself. I'll be used the microwave every time after brewing to heat up the drink a bit more. Wondering if that is going to bug me every time.
Supposedly, even at highest temperature setting, the milk is at 140 F for the first drink. The first drink is supposedly a bit cooler much than the second, which will be at around 150F. It seems if you use the startup rinse function, the milk will be warmer even for the first drink. But of course, you have to wait around longer.
I know myself. I'll be used the microwave every time after brewing to heat up the drink a bit more. Wondering if that is going to bug me every time.
Makes sense. Hotter milk would be nice if you're wanting really hot milk based coffee.
I ended up buying it from the philips homeappliance website due to impatience and because the deal on the philips home-appliance website says "*Offer expires 12.07.24.". That might indicate full black friday/cyber monday price, as cyber monday is Dec 2,2024. Feels like the 5500 is unlikely to have further drops in price, as it's only in williams sonoma and the philips home appliance site... they seem to be bad on deals anyway.
But if it does drop a lot I'm returning it and rebuying it... XD
Honestly, if I'm buying for myself I'd go with the Ninja Luxe semi-auto. I don't mind the extra work. But it's for my husband, he likes the easy and smooth process of the 5500.
I was tempted with delonghi eletta, delonghi new rivelia, and the cuisinart KF8 too, but the price would be double or more compared to this.
There was a little black chipped plastic in the box, though, but we couldn't find where it could have come from.
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