Philips - Series 1200 Fully automatic espresso machine (EP1220/04)

Philips Carina superautomatic. Seattle coffee gear has it on sale frequently. Super easy to use, easy to clean.

I have a Philips saeco superautomatic and use it for espresso based lattes and cappuccinos. Got introduced to an aeropress. They’re very different. Aeropress has replaced dripped coffee in every form but doesn’t have the concentration to replace espresso or espresso like drinks.

Get a super-automatic from Philips. Seattle Coffee co has a bunch of models. I have the Carina and it is amazing, easy to clean, and makes perfect espresso. edit: Listen, this thing has served me perfectly well for over 5 years. The only coffee implement that will be an heirloom will be a stovetop espresso maker. I get it, BIFL, but 5 years is a pretty good run. I love it, it was worth every penny.

Have you had one? The whole mechanism comes out of the Philips Carina and I can clean the whole shebang.

I've had it since 2020, use it multiple times daily. I paid around $400 for it. I clean it every month.

ppl gonna hate on my post but I love my Phillips superautomatic machine. I have the Costco cheapo model and it serves me well. Imo, better coffee than my Brera and other sub 1000 models i have owned. But all i drink is straight up expresso and don't really bother with the milk stuff. Phillips machines are below your budget level.

Mine does have the steam wand but i never use it... Some fancier Phillips models do have better milk features and are still within your budget. I just don't like all the mess. When i do milk, i will nuke it and just use a simple milk frother (see Bonsenkitchen Powerful Milk Frother on amazon)...easier cleanup. I am not a Phillips ambassador. Just happy with the quality and value.

As others have said, Bean to Cup machine pretty much always come with a milk frother of somesort too, as it doesn't cost that much to add but makes the machines significantly more appealing. I have a Phillips which I've found is very good, although only had it 6 months so can't comment on longevity. Its got lots of settings for grind fineness and some for how long the shots are etc, and does Americano with a decent sized water tank too. It has a separate latte part where you store the milk which is detachable so if you never make milk based drinks you can just leave it off tbh.

That is good to know. I keep running into strong recommendations for the gaggia.  We just bought and returned the Phillips super auto that Costco sells. Wouldn't make a puck. Preinfusion constantly pushed water through.