Philips 3200 vs Saeco Incanto: The True Winner And How To Detect A Worthwhile Espresso Machine

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After testing all the features of these machines, I have decided on the true winner of the debate between Philips 3200 vs Saeco Incanto. For me, Philips 3200 has performed much better so far.

The winner Philips 3200 is equipped with a classic single boiler system that performs far better than most machines with the same heating element I have tested. Its grinder and pump pressure consistency is also very impressive, allowing the machine to deliver delicious espresso shots after shots. If you want a straightforward model with good drink quality and light indicators for all the cleaning schedules, this is the one that I suggest.

As for Saeco Incanto, I like the espresso flavor on this one. It’s balanced with just the right kick. But, the leaking problem is really annoying. When I leave it on after each brew, the machine sometimes dispenses water (no, it’s not auto-purge). This affects the dosing amount of the espresso shots from time to time because the machine doesn’t stop the leaking on time.

Philips 3200 vs Saeco Incanto: Comparison Chart

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THE WINNER (#1)
PHILIPS 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/Milk Frother, Black, EP3221/44
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Saeco Incanto Carafe Super Automatic Espresso Machine with AquaClean filter, Stainless Steel, HD8917/48
Model
Philips 3200
Saeco Incanto
Dimensions (LxWxH)
9.8 x 17 x 14.6 inches
8.5 x 16.9 x 13 inches
Color / Material
Black / Plastic
Silver/ Stainless Steel + Plastic
Water Tank Capacity
61oz
61oz
Weight / Power / Voltage
16.5 Pounds / 1500W / 120V
15.8 Pounds/ 1600W/ 230 V
Bean Hopper Size
9.6oz
8.8oz
Grinder type
Ceramic burr grinder
Ceramic disc grinder
Used Coffee Drawer Capacity
Up to 12 servings
Up to 15 servings
Grind Settings
12 settings
5 settings
Empty water tank indicator
Milk-based one-touch beverages
Heating system
Single boiler
Single boiler
Clean/ descale indicator
Spout with adjustable heigh
Milk frother
Classic Panarello wand
Milk carafe
Programmable Drinks
9
8
What I Like
Price
$499.96
Price not available
THE WINNER (#1)
Image
PHILIPS 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/Milk Frother, Black, EP3221/44
Model
Philips 3200
Dimensions (LxWxH)
9.8 x 17 x 14.6 inches
Color / Material
Black / Plastic
Water Tank Capacity
61oz
Weight / Power / Voltage
16.5 Pounds / 1500W / 120V
Bean Hopper Size
9.6oz
Grinder type
Ceramic burr grinder
Used Coffee Drawer Capacity
Up to 12 servings
Grind Settings
12 settings
Empty water tank indicator
Milk-based one-touch beverages
Heating system
Single boiler
Clean/ descale indicator
Spout with adjustable heigh
Milk frother
Classic Panarello wand
Programmable Drinks
9
What I Like
Price
$499.96
More Info
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Image
Saeco Incanto Carafe Super Automatic Espresso Machine with AquaClean filter, Stainless Steel, HD8917/48
Model
Saeco Incanto
Dimensions (LxWxH)
8.5 x 16.9 x 13 inches
Color / Material
Silver/ Stainless Steel + Plastic
Water Tank Capacity
61oz
Weight / Power / Voltage
15.8 Pounds/ 1600W/ 230 V
Bean Hopper Size
8.8oz
Grinder type
Ceramic disc grinder
Used Coffee Drawer Capacity
Up to 15 servings
Grind Settings
5 settings
Empty water tank indicator
Milk-based one-touch beverages
Heating system
Single boiler
Clean/ descale indicator
Spout with adjustable heigh
Milk frother
Milk carafe
Programmable Drinks
8
What I Like
Price
Price not available
More Info

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Philips 3200 vs Saeco Incanto: Differences

Philips 3200 wins 3-1 against Saeco Incanto thanks to its much more stable operation and espresso extraction. With Saeco Incanto, the leaking problem has been very troublesome, and it seems that there is no other way than to send it back to have it fixed. But how do these models work for me freshly out of the box? Here is my experience with the pair.

Espresso extraction stability

Winner: Philips 3200

Flavor-wise, Philips 3200 and Saeco Incanto both do a great job on their good days. But in the long run, Philips 3200 has my vote. I had owned the machine for a long time before I got the Saeco Incanto, and so far, the machine still does a great job after more than a year of extracting daily espresso. I get to pull delicious cups of espresso with the right mellow to bitter flavor ratio.

As for Saeco Incanto, I was generally impressed by its espresso flavor at first. It was nutty, strong, and everything we can expect from a good espresso machine. But after 2 weeks of owning it, I started noticing the leaking problem with the distributary mouth that had a hard time sealing the water flow after finishing extraction. And after over a month, it has evolved into a much more serious “water break.”

Saeco Incanto doesn't have a stable espresso extraction
Saeco Incanto doesn’t have a stable espresso extraction

This is not a very good look on an espresso machine because dosing correctly and consistently is crucial to maintaining a pleasant user experience.

One-touch recipes

Winner: Saeco Incanto

Saeco Incanto has a more elaborate one-touch system. Users can brew espresso, espresso lungo, cappuccino, and latte macchiato with a touch of a button. In addition, double pressing the beverage button will make the machine go into twin brewing mode if you want to make a twin brewing session. For busy users, the one-touch feature sure lifts the hassle away.

As for Philips 3200, the one-touch recipes are espresso, espresso lungo, coffee, and Americano. So there isn’t a quick latte or cappuccino with this model. But, with the integrated milk frother, there is no reason for us not to be able to pull the milk-based drinks.

Grinder type

Winner: Philips 3200

Philips 3200 boasts a conical burr grinder with a cone shape, while Saeco Incanto is equipped with a flat disc burr grinder. Both are ceramic. What is the catch here? With a cone-shaped grinder, the coffee beans will come out evenly and don’t get stuck inside the grinding well.

Philips 3200 boasts a conical burr grinder with a cone shape
Philips 3200 boasts a conical burr grinder with a cone shape

As for the flat grinder on Saeco Incanto, the texture of the result coffee ground will be even more smooth without rough lumps, but there is a higher chance of coffee beans getting stuck and jamming the machine.

This is the theory, but I haven’t experienced jams with this device so far. Regarding the noise level of the grinders, I find the Saeco slightly less loud. But compared to other espresso machines, both Philips 3200 and Saeco Incanto are considered quiet for the market.

Utility

Winner: Philips 3200

As a forgetful espresso machine owner, I don’t enjoy keeping up with the cleaning schedules. When do I have to descale? When is it time to perform monthly deep cleaning? These are the questions that bug me to answer. So, I always appreciate a modern machine with a simple light indicator system that notices me when the device needs cleaning. This is what I can expect from Philips 3200.

As for Saeco Incanto, I have to keep track of the cleaning schedule, so I clean it after each time I test brew to avoid forgetting to discard the pucks and cleanse the system.

Philips 3200 vs Saeco Incanto: Similarities

I want to highlight 2 similarities that are very important for the making of beverages of Philips 3200 and Saeco Incanto: the milk frothing performance and the heating system. How do they perform? You have the answer below!

Milk texture

Philips 3200 is equipped with a classic Panarello wand, and Saeco Incanto uses a milk carafe to froth milk foam. In terms of milk texture, I find them to be exactly the same. Both can froth creamy steamed milk with a small amount of foam. But microfoam isn’t their strength. I recommend these models if you like lattes or flat whites. The one-touch recipe of Incanto doesn’t seem very impressive after all.

Single boiler system

Despite having a single boiler system, these models are much quicker heating up than I expected. I only have to wait a minute for them to prep the water. As for the espresso temperature, both can pull hot cups, but Philips 3200 is more stable and brews hotter coffees.

Philips 3200 has better temperature performance
Philips 3200 has better temperature performance

Quick Rundown Of Philips 3200

Sale
PHILIPS 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/Milk Frother, Black, EP3221/44
  • Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted.Product note: Please refer to user guide or user manual (provided below in PDF) before first use
  • Enjoy 4 coffees at your fingertips, makes espresso, hot water, coffee, Americano, Espresso Lungo. The classic milk frother allows you to create a silky smooth cappuccino or latte macchiato with ease
  • Intuitive touch display, frequency: 60 hertz
  • Adjust aroma strength and quantity
  • 12-step grinder adjustment

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Stable and consistent espresso extraction
  • Good drink temperature, the coffees come out hot
  • One-touch Americano
  • Potent steam wand that can froth dry foam
  • Quiet operation, even during the grinding step
Cons
  • No milk-based one-touch recipe

Quick Rundown Of Saeco Incanto

Saeco Incanto Carafe Super Automatic Espresso Machine with AquaClean filter, Stainless Steel, HD8917/48
  • Elegant design, best materials, and high quality workmanship
  • Creamy cappuccino and latte macchiato at the touch of a button thanks to detachable, hygienic milk carafe
  • Professional disc grinder made of 100% ceramic for consistent performance and natural taste
  • Easy maintenance and cleaning thanks to removable brewing unit and automatic cleansing and descaling procedures
  • Large capacities in compact design: 8.8 ounce bean container, 15x waste container; 60.9 ounce

Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • 4 preset drinks with milk-based recipes
  • Full and aromatic coffees
  • Quiet operation during the bean grinding step
  • Hot coffee temperature
  • Simple interface and control
Cons
  • Leaking problem
  • Vertical-pull water tank

Product Video

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