Saeco Intelia Class

So around a month ago it has arrived in the Australian market  the new fully automatic espresso machine from Philips Saeco – the Intelia.
After three weeks of using this machine daily, I now feel qualified to review it. I’ve followed that up with a summary of what I like/don’t like about the Philips Saeco Intelia, skip straight to that if you’re after my final verdict.

Some pictures…

What’s to like?

• The convenience – once you’ve got it all set up, it’s just a matter of pressing a couple of buttons, especially if you drink black coffee.
• It cleans itself (although you still need to clean it periodically)
• You can use beans or ground coffee
• Everything is adjustable and programmable
• It’s quiet for an automatic machine !
• There is almost zero mess.
• Usually the coffee grounds receptical is full at the same time as the water reservoir is empty
• The milk frother – remove the ‘cappucinatore’ for velvety-smooth foam
• Very good price , RRP < $1000

What’s not to like?

• The small water tank/coffee ground receptacle – they always need to be filled/emptied
• The plastic casing feels cheap.
• The steam wand (used manually especially) makes a mess.
• The drip tray is small

This product is for…
Home kitchens, people who want something better than nespresso or sunbean espresso machine but with even less fuss, those who drink milk coffee , someone with a budget less than $1000.
The Final Verdict
It gets massive points for convenience and usability- it’s very intuitive to use and quite straightforward.
However, to get a decent coffee out of it, it really needs to be properly adjusted. That said, I use it on its finest grind setting and maximum dose, and the shots just aren’t coming out as slow as I’d like.
Using high quality coffee beans gets the best result.

Saeco Xelsis Digital ID

Overall Rating
Price Value
Options
Ease of Use
Espresso Quality
Steaming Ability

Quality and convenience are the hallmarks of the Saeco Xelsis. It’s elegant design and touch screen interface redefines the term premium, and places it squarely at the leading edge of automatic coffee machines. With a combination of stainless steel and chrome the Xelsis enables 6 user profiles, each with 6 personalised beverage options at the press of a button. Add to these features a 2-step automatic cleaning cycle, two boilers, twin pumps and a build quality second to none, you have a machine that will satisfy the most discerning critic.
The Xelsis also provides an entirely integrated milk solution to automatic espresso machines, making it easier than ever to enjoy cappuccinos or lattes at home. The large external milk carafe with a built-in cappuccinatore hooks directly to the front of the machine, automatically frothing milk directly into the cup. The milk circuit is completely separate from the rest of the machine so that no milk operations involve the internal machine circuits. This makes milk carafe cleaning fast and immediate, with no intervention required from the user. Utilizing the finest materials such as stainless steel and chrome to offer an elegant and noble touch to this new machine, Xelsis fits easily into any kitchen décor. The robust and sturdy construction will result in long-lasting performance.

Saeco Royal Professional

Overall Rating
Price Value
Options
Ease of Use
Espresso Quality
Steaming Ability

Bring the coffee house directly into your business or small office with Saeco’s super automatic Saeco Royal Professional Espresso Machine. The Royal Professional makes gourmet espressos, cappuccinos and lattes easy and fuss free. the Royal Professional is Saeco’s most impressive super automatic coffee machine.

Its LCD display and programmable push-button technology make it easy for anyone to become a barista. Whole beans are perfectly ground, tamped, brewed, and discarded into a used ground container. Adjusting the Espresso Machine’s automated features to your preferences is simple; you can adjust the grind setting of the conical burr grinder, change the coffee doser amount, raise and lower the temperature and the amount of water used, and you can utilize the bypass doser to brew with a different type of ground coffee (Decaffeinated). No matter how you like your coffee, long, short, strong or weak, the Saeco Royal Professional can be adjusted to suit your taste.

If you prefer a cappuccino or latte, the Royal Professional has Rapid Steam® technology which means that there is virtually no waiting time to froth milk, use the steam wand or the built-in Cappuccinatore which makes it easy to steam and froth from a fresh milk source, straight into your cup.

• Adjustable coffee dispensing unit
• Automatic decalcifying cycle
• Cappuccinatore
• Saeco Aroma System
• Electronic programming of level of coffee per cup
• Hot water/steam nozzle
• Pre-grinding of dose
• Preparation of 2 coffee’s at the same time
• Removable brew group
• Digital display
• Adjustable coffee grinder
• Cup-warming plate