PHILIPS 3200 EP3221/44 Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Philips 3200 is a popular fully automatic espresso machine that is designed to make cafe-quality espresso drinks in the comfort of home. It uses a 15-bar pump pressure system and smart extraction technology to deliver authentic espresso with a rich crema.

This espresso machine features a compact footprint that saves counter space yet still has a 12-ounce bean hopper, 1.8 liter removable water tank, and a 500ml milk container. The integrated milk frother allows you to make cappuccinos and lattes.

Overall, the Philips 3200 aims to provide convenience and consistency in brewing espresso-based drinks without the learning curve of semi-automatic machines. Its automation, intuitive interface, and dedicated spouts for espresso and milk make it straightforward for beginners to produce quality espresso and milk froth.

Design and Build Quality

The Philips 3200 EP3221/44 has an attractive and streamlined look thanks to its full metal body. The stainless steel and black color scheme give it a premium, sleek appearance that would look great on any kitchen countertop.

At 14.1 x 8.2 x 12.6 inches in size, the 3200 has a relatively compact footprint. It's large enough to hold a decent amount of water and coffee beans while still fitting under most kitchen cabinets. The materials used in the construction also make it a fairly sturdy and durable machine.

The metal parts like the portafilter, drip tray, and water tank feel solid and well-made. Little details like the rubber grip on the portafilter handle give it a nice ergonomic touch. The buttons and dial also have a smooth, quality feel when using them.

Overall, the build quality of the 3200 is excellent for its price point. It lacks some premium touches found on more expensive machines, but still looks and feels better constructed than other espresso makers in its class. The combination of stainless steel, black accents, and ergonomic design result in an appliance that looks great and performs reliably over time.

For those interested in another option, the CASABREWS CM5418BC-UL is also worth considering. This model offers a similar compact footprint and durable construction, with additional features that may appeal to espresso enthusiasts. The CASABREWS CM5418BC-UL boasts a user-friendly interface, excellent build quality, and a stylish design that complements any kitchen decor. Its reliable performance and attention to detail make it a strong contender in the market for high-quality espresso machines.

Ease of Use

The Philips 3200 EP3221/44 espresso machine is designed for easy, intuitive use. The interface features an LCD display with illuminated buttons that are clearly labeled for programming options.

• The buttons allow you to select from pre-programmed single and double shot volumes, adjust coffee strength, control milk frothing, and more. This makes it simple to customize your drinks.

• Programming is straightforward with the option to save your preferred volumes and strength as a preset. The buttons are tactile and easy to navigate even when half-asleep first thing in the morning.

• Cleaning and maintenance are simple on this model. The drip tray, water tank, and milk frother are all removable and dishwasher safe. The brew group can be accessed quickly for rinsing after each use.

• Descaling is assisted with prompts on the display to walk you through the process when needed. Overall, the machine is designed to make life easy for the user.

Another great option to consider is the De'Longhi COM532M. This model combines an espresso machine with a drip coffee maker, offering versatility for coffee lovers. It features a dual heating system that ensures optimal brewing temperature for both espresso and regular coffee. The machine also includes a steam wand for frothing milk, making it easy to craft lattes and cappuccinos. Its intuitive controls and easy maintenance make it a popular choice for both espresso aficionados and casual coffee drinkers.

Espresso Performance

The Philips 3200 EP3221/44 produces high-quality espresso with excellent pressure and temperature control for consistent results.

• The 15-bar pump provides ideal water pressure for extracting rich, full-bodied espresso shots. 15 bars is the standard pressure for quality home espresso machines.

• The Thermoblock heating system rapidly heats water to the optimal temperature of 90-95°C required for espresso. It maintains this temperature consistently throughout the brewing process.

• The Advanced Heater Control system precisely regulates water temperature, ensuring each shot is extracted properly without overheating or under-extracting.

• Users report the machine pulls shots with a nice, thick crema on top. The espresso has bold, intense flavor with low bitterness.

• The integrated 100% ceramic grinders preserve the beans' aroma and oils, resulting in fuller espresso flavor.

• The brew group is engineered to evenly saturate and extract each shot. The stainless steel parts are durable and easy to clean.

• Overall, the 3200 produces cafe-quality shots with excellent extraction, rich crema, and well-balanced flavor. The advanced heating and precision pressure control deliver consistent results every time.

Milk Frothing

The Philips 3200 comes with a panarello wand for frothing milk. The wand has a plastic sleeve around the steam tip that helps incorporate air into the milk to produce froth. The panarello wand makes it easy to froth milk without needing to use manual techniques like submerging the tip or swirling.

The machine comes with a 12 oz plastic milk frothing jug. The jug is a good size for making one or two drinks. The spout pours smoothly and cleanly.

In testing, the 3200 was able to produce thick, creamy, and smooth microfoam with just the right amount of air incorporated. The microfoam maintains its texture well and can be used to create latte art if desired. The panarello wand helps simplify frothing for beginners while still allowing experienced users to finesse the texture.

Overall, the 3200's steam wand and frothing jug combination makes it easy to create high quality, cafe-style milk froth to top your espresso drinks.

Grinder

The Philips 3200 comes with a built-in burr grinder, allowing you to grind beans right before brewing for maximum freshness. The grinder has 12 adjustable grind settings, so you can customize the grind size to suit different types of coffee beans and your preferred coffee strength.

The conical burr grinder provides a very consistent grind, extracting the full flavor from the coffee beans without over-extracting or producing fines. The grind consistency is excellent across all the settings. The grind adjustment knob clicks positively between settings, making it easy to precisely dial in the right grind size.

The integrated grinder is convenient and efficient, eliminating the need to pre-grind coffee or purchase a separate grinder. It has a 125g bean hopper capacity, which allows you to grind enough beans for several shots at a time. The grounds container can hold up to 15 portions of used grinds before needing to be emptied.

Overall, the built-in grinder is a high-performing feature that adds value and versatility to the Philips 3200. The quality burr mechanism and precise grind settings help optimize the flavor of your espresso by allowing you to grind beans immediately before brewing.

Automation

The Philips 3200 EP3221/44 has several automated features to help simplify the espresso-making process and ensure consistent results every time.

• Programmable Options: You can program the machine to dispense espresso or coffee in the desired volume, from 30ml to 240ml, so you don't need to stand by while it brews. There are also settings for coffee strength and temperature. Once programmed, the machine will automatically stop dispensing when it reaches your pre-set volume.

• Auto-Frothing: The built-in milk frother has an auto-frothing function. Just fill the carafe with milk, fit it into the frother, and press the button. The frother will automatically heat and froth the milk to the ideal texture for cappuccinos and lattes. You don't need to manually steam the milk or monitor the process. The carafe even detaches so you can pour the frothed milk directly into your cup.

Capacity and Speed

The Philips 3200 EP3221/44 has a 1.8 liter water tank which allows you to make a decent amount of espresso without having to refill it constantly. The larger tank also means you can pull multiple shots back-to-back without the machine overheating or losing temperature stability.

The used puck container can hold up to 10-12 used pucks before needing to be emptied, which is pretty standard for home espresso machines. This allows you to make espresso for a few days before having to empty out the container.

One downside is the machine takes about 45-60 seconds to heat up initially when powered on. This is a bit slower than some other espresso machines which can heat up in 30 seconds or less. However, once heated up the Philips delivers consistent temperatures and recovers quickly for back-to-back shot pulling. The slower heat up time is a minor inconvenience but shouldn't affect everyday use too much.

Overall the capacity and speed are decent but not outstanding. The water tank size and puck container are ample for home use. Faster heat up time would be nicer but isn't a deal breaker. As long as you keep the machine turned on, the shot pulling and steaming speeds are quick enough.

Additional Features

The Philips 3200 comes with several useful additional features that enhance the coffee making experience.

Adjustable Spouts

The machine has adjustable spouts that can accommodate different cup sizes. The spouts can be adjusted to fit anything from a small espresso cup to a large travel mug. This allows you to brew directly into your preferred cup or mug.

Accessories Included

The 3200 includes several handy accessories in the box. You get a tamping brush for pressing down the coffee grounds, a measuring scoop for the beans, and a water hardness testing strip. The box also includes a milk container for frothing and a cleaning brush. Having these accessories included is a nice bonus that makes it easier to get started with making espresso drinks.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact, sleek stainless steel design that looks great on any countertop
• Convenient one-touch system for espresso, coffee, cappuccino and latte macchiato
• 15-bar pump provides excellent pressure for rich, creamy espresso with thick crema
• Advanced heating system delivers consistent temperatures every time
• Easy to use, intuitive touchscreen interface and programming
• Adjustable spout to accommodate different cup sizes
• Removable milk frother is easy to clean and provides silky smooth foam
• Large capacity water tank and used coffee container means less refilling and emptying
• Fast heat up time so you can brew immediately

Cons

• Smaller water tank capacity compared to some competitors
• Fairly loud operation
• Requires coffee beans to be ground very finely, so need a capable grinder
• May not satisfy coffee aficionados looking for more controls and customization
• Milk frothing results are decent but not on par with the best machines
• Lack of a bypass doser for pre-ground coffee
• Automatic cleaning and descaling programs would be useful additions