PHILIPS 4400 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine – 12 Hot & Iced Coffees, Quick-to-Clean LatteGo Milk System, SilentBrew, QuickStart, Ceramic Grinder, Black Chrome (EP4444/90)

Really like this machine. Fanciest prior was a grinder and K-cup machine, thought I was riding high with fresh ground coffee. I've always been the basic coffee, sugar, cream kind of guy. Like the Cappuccinos every once in a while if I was out and about (almost never). Got over espresso when I was stationed in Italy and had some fresh squeezed beans in a shot glass cup. My son kinda got me started on a Starbucks something/something fancy thing, but I couldn't remember the name of it. Twenty years USAF LE, coffee was life. So, saw the 3300 version on Amazon Day sale and figured why not. Was about to order it when I saw there was a 4400. Twice the cost? Why? Checked it out. That is when I found out that there was different types of coffee within coffee types. Who knew? Always thought a latte was coffee and milk, put some sugar with it, it's what I drank. Then saw a Latte Macchiato, figured latte with different name. Nope, seems there is a coffee to milk ratio that is different, not to mention milk vs frothed milk. Saw a few more options of the 4400, worlds of coffee creations started swimming through my head. Head started hurting...more than coffee, cream, sugar? And not needing specialty store that charges umpteen dollars a cup? Not to mention trying to figure out what the actual size of their cups are. Then saw there was such a thing as a 5500. Oh no! Looked, nope. May be turning into a coffee snob (cappas. lattes. crema. oh my), but cold brew? No. Coffee must be hot otherwise it ain't coffee and why bother. This line I cannot cross. So, got the 4400. Saw the reviews about leaks and such. Ain't had no problem. When I first put milk in the latte go container, it did leak. My fault, didn't snap the bottom closed. Water in the drip tray? Well, it does rinse out the nozzles, where do you think it goes? Did put a cup and then a bowl down to try and cut down on it, but it doesn't help. Doesn't matter anyway. The machine tells you when to empty the grounds container, empty the drip tray the same time. Played with the grind size when I got it. Switched back and forth, couldn't figure out which way was a finer grind. Didn't look at the marking either, so, oh well. At least it has pictures for the drinks, so I don't have to guess on that. I have been very happy with the coffee that has been coming out of this machine. The only complaint I have is that of quantity. I use a mug (why bother with cups) and end up having to brew two cycles of some types. Some let you do a double, others don't. No problem there either, doesn't take long from grind to finish. Not to mention I can mix they process. So far my favorite is brew a regular latte then brew a macchiato on top of that. Fills the mug nicely and tastes great. As for sugar, which I still use.. That goes in first and gets stirred up when the first latte coffee is brewing in, before the frothing takes place. Shake/roll the mug after the top goes on and the sugar dissolves through nicely. Yeah, all this just to say this machine makes good coffee, runs well and I'm glad I paid the extra for the added choices. Not to mention being able to keep the mechanics of the thing cleaner and oiled. Should last quite a long time. Now, excuse me while I drink down my double caffe crema with a frothed topper.

The media could not be loaded. Had the PHILIPS 4300 LatteGo for a little over week now. First impression: I love this thing! I have coffee every day. Usually an Americano or Latte. In addition to the coffee beans in the hopper, I also love the flexibility of the ground coffee bypass chute. I keep some decaf beans on hand and grind as needed and just scoop it in and brew a drink when wanted.I did a ton of research and almost bought another brand a few times while trying to decide. Ultimately, this PHILIPS machine had the right features for me. And cleaning it is pretty simple (very important for daily use).It's certainly an investment, but I drink coffee every day and my wife and I love being able to easily add frothed milk to chai or hot chocolate as well.Initial Set-up:It was a breeze. You're prompted through each step on the screen. You do a water hardness test with a paper strip held under your faucet a few seconds and then set that based on the result. You install the water filter. The machine calibrates and rinses itself out. Brew some initially weak espresso (yeah, I know - just dump it). That's about it. Oh, on recommendation I also bumped the temperature up to high.How's the coffee and features?While you do have the pre-programmed buttons for all the usual drinks from Coffee and Espresso to Lattes and Cappuccinos (and they all work great), you really could dial in your preferences and make almost any style espresso drink and even do the shots and froth separately - so keep that in mind if you're real particular.I was warned (and please keep in mind) that the system calibrates and starts to make better coffee over time. For me, it's been over a week and leaving the grind setting at the factory default (as recommended at first), I'm just now starting to get the espresso pucks instead of a more watery coffee ground consistency in the grounds container. So, I believe patience is key here - leave the grind setting alone for a bit (I know, I know). Maybe stick to the milk-based drinks that can be more forgiving until things start balancing out.I can honestly say things have improved quickly and a regular espresso shot is pretty good now. I stuck with Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Whole Bean Coffee - since it's widely recommended for superautomatic espresso machines (no dark roast, oily beans whatsoever - unless you want to make the machine an expensive paper weight). I'll venture out and try other brands and types of coffee soon, but just went with what I knew would work OK to get started.Maintenance and cleaning:Daily:Empty drip tray of water as needed (a red indicator button will pop up when it's time to empty). I recommend keeping a cup under the spout between use to catch any water flushed during rinse cycles. The machine flushes itself once when turned on and when turned off. There's also a rinse cycle you manually run after making a milk-based drink to clear the LatteGo container (you just push a button and it does the work). You'll also be prompted to empty the coffee grounds container as that fills up - maybe every few days depending on use. Oh, and obviously wash the LatteGo container after use or refrigerate with remaining milk (I love that this milk system has no tubes to clean).Weekly:Take the brew group out and rinse well under warm water to clear any coffee grounds, then let air dry completely (no soap, no towels - there's water proof grease on parts that needs to stay on and fibers can be left behind). Wipe the inside compartment with a damp cloth. The PHILIPS website and YouTube videos are your friend for understanding the cleaning process - just search on the model number. Also read the short manual - understand the machine and taking care of it is pretty darn easy.Semi-Monthly:The machine will tell you when it's time to descale every few months - which is really just running a solution through the unit. Occasionally you'll also put some food grade lubricant on the moving parts of the brew group. Also the water filter will need periodic replacing to keep the water tasting good and the system running smooth - again, the machine will let you know when it's time.Overall, I'm super-happy with this machine. Having lot's of fun and love the flexibility in the drinks it makes. It'll pay for itself very quickly with no over-priced coffee shop trips. So far so good. Cheers!

Watery espresso shots. No matter the combination of different grind size or less water amount still pulled a nasty shot. Pucks were supper soggy and thin. I purchased this machine to replace a Saeco odea giro go that I’ve had for over 10 years. This item doesn’t even come close to the way the Odea pulls a shot. From the first time I used it excellent pulls no need to “learn” or adjust itself. No watery pucks and thick pucks in comparison to this new machine. Made an iced latte like I usually do on my old machine, NO flavor what so ever. All I tasted was the oat milk and I only use 1/4 cup and 1 tablespoon of sweet cream creamerBLAND!!! Added a second shot no help at all. It actually made it taste bitter. Mind you this is the way I’ve made my lattes for the past 10 years so I’m not doing anything different other than using this new machine. I tried making a honey nut latte which I’ve made over the past two years exact measurements of honey and peanut butter powder and oat milk like I’ve always used with the old machine and it doesn’t even come close! I’m not gonna lie Bustelos instant espresso tastes 1000 times better than what this machine makes. I really wanted to like the machine but it makes horrible espresso. I ran about 3lbs of coffee through it hoping it would get better. It in fact did not! Don’t waste your money! As soon as I saw the quality of the shot I knew the rest of the drinks this machine is capable of making would not be up to my standard. Such a shame,for the amount of money people are willing to invest in an espresso maker it should at the least make a descent shot.