Need a guide on mid-range espresso machines? Check out my comparison of Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 5400, two espresso machines with very intelligent and hip technologies.
Saeco Xelsis has every feature we look for in a modern appliance: excellent drink quality, a large selection of one-touch drinks, and extra cleaning choices. In addition, it offers a variety of user accounts where we may keep our recipes without interfering with the experiences of others. Therefore, it makes a much better choice than Philips 5400 if you want a device that serves a good group of 4 users.
The Philips Lattego 5400 came in second place and is also designed with a variety of one-touch beverages that provide a convenient experience for even novices. However, this model isn’t very consistent in espresso extraction.
Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 5400: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 5400: Differences
Saeco Xelsis wins 3-0 and ties once against Philips 5400. Both machines have great functionality and presets, but Saeco Xelsis excels with more variable user profiles, one-touch beverages, and a convenient HygieSteam.
Espresso extraction
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Saeco Xelsis and Philips 5400 are equipped with a Dual Thermoblock heating element, so they have a single heating element dedicated to brewing espresso and another one for frothing milk foam. So temperature-wise, I’m satisfied with what the pair has to offer.
As for the flavor, they use the same 15-bar pump pressure to extract coffee essence. And this is where I start to notice differences in extraction, despite the devices sharing the same brewing technique.
The results for the Philips 5400 have been highly variable, which can be attributed to an issue with the pump pressure. I can still obtain rich cups of flavor from this model, but the likelihood that the cup of lungo I just drank is too diluted and bitter-tasting is higher than I experience.
Saeco Xelsis makes great espresso. The device will satisfy your needs if you want sweet and well-balanced espresso. Regarding consistency, Saeco Xelsis is much better than Philips 5400.
Milk frother
Tie
Both machines’ automatic milk frothers are good options if you are interested in airy and thick microfoam. In addition, with Philips 5400 milk carafe and Saeco Xelsis’s variable container of choice, users can store milk in the fridge in the same container after each use instead of pouring milk into the same carafe or container every time you want to make yourselves a milk-based recipe.
Saeco Xelsis offers varying milk texture, which not every espresso machine, from affordable to mid-range or high-end, has. I understand it may come across as a surprise, but a vast number of espresso machines that I have tested don’t have variable milk texture, mostly when they come with a milk carafe, which is an automatic pre-programmed system.
As for the milk programs on Philips 5400, the milk length is adjustable but not the milk texture. So the flexibility is less impressive with this device.
One-touch beverages
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Saeco Xelsis is designed with a total of 15 one-touch recipes, and there are 14 on Philips 5400. The difference isn’t big, but the former still wins the round. The drinks that you can brew with the pair are:
- Saeco Xelsis: espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte macchiato, caffe latte, flat white, espresso lungo, Americano, espresso macchiato, ristretto, espresso doppio, cafe au lait, froth milk, warm milk, hot water
- Philips 5400 LatteGo: Espresso, coffee, Americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, flat white, café au lait, caffe latte, caffé crema, ristretto, espresso lungo, travel mug function, frothed milk, hot water
Cleaning
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
The auto-purge function, built into the Philips 5400 and Saeco Xelsis, temporarily runs water through the brew route to eliminate any remaining coffee grounds and odor. This preserves the quality of the espresso after several brews. The auto-purge feature is also very practical and sanitary. I wouldn’t say I enjoy the concept of germs or leftover coffee growing into the mold within my machine due to forgetting or not giving it a good enough washing.
What’s special about Saeco Xelsis, you may clean Saeco Xelsis using its various cleaning cycles in varying degrees of depth. The most impressive feature is HygieSteam. High-pressure hot steam is used to clean the milk tube and brew route in seconds. Make this fast and easy approach for the finest espresso quality after each brewing session.
Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 5400: Similarities
Are you wondering what the similarities are between these 2 machines? Check them out right below!
Various user profiles
Each machine is designed with a set of user profiles that save every adjustment to recipes that users apply to any presets of the espresso machines. Saeco Xelsis offers 6 personal profiles, while Philips 5400 has 4. Depending on the number of users in your household, you should consider this carefully. Each profile doesn’t clash with the others, so you can save any adjustment, from coffee volume to espresso strength.
Ceramic grinder
A ceramic grinder is very favorable because the material isn’t heavy on heat conduction, so it doesn’t roast the beans further and makes the espresso taste more burnt. Ceramic also is quite long-lasting and delivers even ground consistently. I advise users to always pick ceramic grinders with a conical shape due to their intelligent durability in terms of texture performance and construction.
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
- 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 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Philips 5400
Product Video
Related Articles to Saeco Xelsis
- Saeco Xelsis vs Xelsis Evo: 2 Versions Of The Xelsis Line – Which One Is Better?
- Saeco Xelsis vs Miele CM 6350: Honest Review Of 2 Potent Mid-range Espresso Machines
- Saeco Xelsis vs Siemens EQ 9: Which One Should You Choose?
- Saeco Picobaristo vs Xelsis: Ultimate Guide To Choosing #1 Espresso Machine For You
- Saeco Xelsis vs Philips 3200: Do The Prices Reflect These Espresso Machines’ Value?
- Jura J6 vs Saeco Xelsis: Why You Should Pick One Of These Poweful Espresso Machines
- Jura E6 vs Saeco Xelsis: What Brewing Conveniences Do These Espresso Machines Offer?
- Jura Z6 vs Saeco Xelsis: Which One Should You Invest Money In?
- Jura Z8 vs Saeco Xelsis: The Unequal Debate Of 2 Potent Espresso Machines
- Saeco Xelsis vs Jura Ena 8: Which Brews Better Coffee And Boasts A More Powerful Milk System?
- Saeco Xelsis vs Jura E8: A Close Call For The Title Of Best High-end Espresso Machine
- Gaggia Accademia vs Saeco Xelsis: Compare The 2 Advanced Espresso Machines
- Gaggia Babila vs Saeco Xelsis: Which Is The Ultimate Super-automatic Espresso Machine For You?
- Saeco Xelsis vs Gaggia Cadorna Prestige: Top Differences Between 2 Mid-range Machines
- DeLonghi Eletta vs Saeco Xelsis: Why You Should Choose One Of These Espresso Machines
- Saeco Xelsis vs Jura S8: Which Brews Better Coffee And Milk-based Drinks?
- Philips 3200 Lattego vs Saeco Xelsis: Comparing 2 Popular Models For Milk-based Coffees
- Breville Oracle Touch Vs Saeco Xelsis: Hot Comparison You May Not Know
Related Articles to Philips 5400
- Delonghi Dinamica Plus Vs Philips Lattego 5400: Which Should I Choose For Delicious Milk-Based Coffees?
- Philips 3200 Vs 5400: An Honest Comparison Between Two Machines With Various One-touch Beverages
References:
- Saeco Xelsis: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/SM7684_04/xelsis-super-automatic-espresso-machine
- Philips 5400: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/EP5447_94/philips-5400-series-fully-automatic-espresso-machines
I am Ralph Mason and I am a passionate coffee drinker. I worked as a barista for a few years and since 2012 I have been trying to convince as many people as possible of good coffee.
I started writing on the barista blog on RepublikCoffeeBar in 2018. It was a pure hobby site and I tested coffee products like coffee machines, beans, mug, and other accessories. After the first year, my blog is becoming a well-known coffee site with about 100 thousand visits per month.
In 2019 I decided to focus on RepublikCoffeeBar only. I became a full-time coffee blogger and was declared crazy by many.