I compare the machine with my previous fully automatic, DeLonghi ESAM a 04,110 B Kaffeevollautomat Magnifica New Generation, black. That may not seem entirely fair, because I see the high-end with a Saeco Delonghi from the lower end of the price scale. But other comparisons I did not and maybe it interested one or another whether the considerable additional cost for this luxury product worth.
The housing of the Saeco is almost entirely made of fine, brushed stainless steel. Visually it evaluates so on any kitchen and is anything but a disturbing foreign body. However, the machine should be free, not under a cabinet, because otherwise you can not remove the water tank. That was solved better at my DeLonghi because you could see the water tank forward pull.
The DeLonghi had no programs. You could choose only water and coffee quantity, so always had to at least adjust the amount of water between the preparation of a normal coffee and an espresso. The optimal settings you had to remember. When Saeco there for each beverage (espresso, coffee, Caffe Lungo, Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato) a button. Pleasant, I find this the ways to customize the taste: First, there is the front of the coffee spout a possibility to adjust the taste of all programs of time. Then you can program the coffee strength for each drink separately. And finally you can before output spontaneously deviate by pressing a button on the programmed settings, for example if someone among the guests of the coffee is too strong. Thanks to the display, the machine can always easily and intuitively. Also on necessary maintenance activities you will be pointed in plain text. This is a huge advantage over machines without a display, often only communicate via different flashing LEDs to the user. Of course, the output quantity per drink can be programmed individually.
When preparing the Saeco is pleasantly quiet. In particular, the milling differs positively from the "screeching" my DeLonghi. The pump works quietly, the machine will however vibrate significantly, which may spread to the worktop.
The coffee tastes already awarded without major adjustments! In particular, I have decided not to adjust the grind. I expect just that the manufacturer already adjusted the grinder optimally at the factory. Here this is obviously the case in the DeLonghi the grind was too coarse something. The crema is optimal, the milk froth in the mixed drinks very strong, even when using whole milk. However, the machine injects neatly at the end of the milk output. The machine and the area in front of it you must wipe it. By the way can be even the biggest latte macchiato glasses filled, because even if the highest setting of the outlet is not sufficient, this can be removed, and if even that does not fit, you can still remove the external drip tray. Then even fits a coffee pot under the spout. ;-)
The water tank should be Manchem too small. I'm single, so I have no problems. On the contrary: In infrequent use of the machine you should leave the water never to stand long in the tank. This is good for neither the taste nor health.
Naturally, demand fully automatic coffee machines for a non-negligible maintenance and cleaning. This is a crucial point that you should be sure to be included in their purchasing decisions. Those who are not prepared to do so, should generally stay away from fully automatic. The Saeco makes it to its owner, however slightly. The display says in plain text, you have to do. For my taste, you have to the internal drip tray and, associated with it, empty the grounds container too often. I know that not so, the DeLonghi had no such internal drip tray, but only a large, which also sticking to the inside of the machine. If you have been careful to place a cup under the spout during flushing always, you had the shell hardly ever empty. When Saeco the inner shell is sometimes brimming after 5 cups, whereby the pulp container must also be emptied, but is not even half full. Because I am single, but the machine is usually off with me after only two cups and thus rinsed. Nevertheless: In this point my DeLonghi liked better.
Again, well I like that all containers of the machine are easy to clean. When Delonghi drip tray and coffee grounds container were very winding, the water tank was even so narrow that it was hard to wipe him with his hand.
The milk system is also a good solution. A short cleaning automatically every time you snap back the output of the milk container back into the basic position. There is also a cleaning program, in which the milk leading system is rinsed with water and very effective when you want with a detergent. Nevertheless, the (very detailed) guidance requires an additional manual cleaning of the milk carafe and its components once a week included in the lid. Whether this is really necessary, everyone must decide for himself and is probably dependent on the frequency of use of the milk carafe.
Summary:
Positives:
- Looks very classy
- Low noise emission
- easy handling
- Delicious coffee, good crema
- Cappuccino and Latte Macchiato succeed easy and delicious
- Maintenance easy cleaning without problems
Negatives:
- Strong vibrations in the preparation
- Small water tank, high water consumption
- Internal drip tray to fill up fast
- Splash in milk output
Overall, Saeco is still a great machine that is absolutely worth the money. The coffee taste is very good and the handling and cleaning of the milk carafe straightforward exemplary. Nevertheless, the machine is in my eyes not perfect, but that's a whining at a high level. Nevertheless Given the price, I think only 4 stars are justified.
