Philips 3200 Lattego Review (September 2024)
The Philips 3200 LatteGo has gotten a lot of attention from home brewing enthusiasts.
It’s no wonder you’re considering this machine for your home kitchen, especially if you want to simplify the brewing process for making lattes and other milk-based beverages.
So, is this the right espresso machine for you? And how does it compare to other machines on the market?
Philips 3200 LatteGo Review – My Ratings & Top Features
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Key Features
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Things I Like
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Things I Don’t Like
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Why Should You Buy The Philips 3200 LatteGo?
Overall, I would rate the Philips 3200 LatteGo 4.4/5 stars.
It isn’t for everyone, but if you’re hoping to easily make coffee drinks with frothed milk, it’s the perfect choice for your home kitchen.
This fully automatic espresso machine offers maximum convenience for latte lovers, all thanks to these top features:
- Intuitive Control Panel - The LatteGo display makes it easy to customize your drink, flavor, and strength preferences at the touch of a button
- Fully Automatic Operation - This super-automatic espresso machine does all the work for you, so you can sit back and enjoy
- Silky Smooth Frothing - The updated LatteGo milk frothing system automatically froths milk to perfection with no effort on your part
- Brews 5 Specialty Coffee Drinks - Choose between 5 specialty coffee drinks, ranging from rich espresso to creamy cappuccinos
- Quick & Easy Cleaning - All removable components are dishwasher safe, and descaling is only required every 6 months
Who Should Buy The Philips 3200 LatteGo?
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy milk-based coffee beverages from home.[1]
If you don’t want to head to your local coffee shop for a latte or cappuccino, this is the one for you.
Because this is a super-automatic machine, it's super easy to use.
Brewing lattes and cappuccinos requires very little skill with the LatteGo, proving that good coffee can come at a reasonable price.
Why I Decided To Review The Philips 3200 LatteGo Coffee Machine
I've always been a fan of drinking lattes, but making a quality latte at home has always been challenging for me.
Frothing milk is all about having the right equipment, and up until owning the Philips machine, I was never fully equipped.
At first, I was on the fence about ordering this super-automatic espresso machine.
I’ve never owned anything like it, and the features almost seemed too good to be true. That’s why I’ve decided to review the 3200.
This complete review is for latte lovers like me who aren't entirely sure if the Philips 3200 series machine is the right option.
Here’s a bit more info on how I tested the Philips 3200 LatteGo:
Testing Conditions
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Days Tested |
30 |
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Cups Brewed Per Day |
2 |
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Level Of Experience Needed |
Beginner |
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Reviewer Background |
I'm a home brewing enthusiast with experience as a professional barista. I'm always looking for quality espresso machines to brew coffee-shop-quality espresso drinks at home. |
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Environment Tested |
My home kitchen |
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Money Saved Per Year |
I have saved more than $ 1,000 per year since I started brewing espresso at home! |
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Favorite Drink To Brew |
I use the LatteGo solely for lattes, cappuccinos, and the occasional espresso shot. |
What’s It Like To Own The Philips 3200 LatteGo
What’s In The Box?
Aside from beans and a coffee cup, I was pleased to find that the 3200 came with everything necessary to get started within minutes of opening the box.
The setup was fairly easy, although there have been some complaints about the user manual.[2]
In addition to the automatic espresso machine, my 3200 purchase included these helpful accessories:
- Measuring Scoop
- Water Hardness Test Strip
- AquaClean Filter
- LatteGo Storage Lid
- Grease Tube
- Plastic Milk Container
Grinding The Coffee Beans
Like any automatic espresso machine, this one has a ceramic grinder built-in. The 3200 uses a ceramic flat burr grinder with 12 settings.
Before choosing my grind size, all I had to do was add my coffee beans to the bean hopper located at the top of the machine.
I love that it can hold up to 1 pound of beans, and it has a solid seal to prevent the beans from getting stale.
After grinding, the Philips automatically portions out the perfect amount of coffee grounds to make the espresso drink of your choice.
Another nice feature is that the 3200 can handle pre-ground coffee just as well as whole beans.
If you prefer to use coffee grounds, just use the chute at the top of the machine, right in the middle of the main hopper.
My First Time Frothing Milk With The LatteGo Milk System
The LatteGo milk system works by mixing air and cold milk at high speeds.
It does this inside the milk container, and I was pleased to find that it takes no effort at all to achieve a silky milk texture that most people only find in coffee shops.
The standout feature is its simplicity. The milk froth system comprises two components (the spout and the container), which can easily clip and attach to the machine.
The container even has notches along the side to tell me exactly how much milk to add based on the drink I'm brewing.
Control & Ease Of Use
Out of all the espresso machines I've owned, this is one of the easiest to use.
Because it's a super-automatic espresso machine, making drinks requires minimal effort, and I can even manually program the 3200 to brew my beverage for me.
On the touch screen interface, you’ll see 6 different drink icons to choose from.
There are also buttons for customizing drink size and strength, and there’s even an option to adjust the ideal amount of steamed milk.
All in all, this machine gets 5 stars when it comes to ease of use.
It’s such a simple device, but it still allows for plenty of customization, and it even has an adjustable coffee spout for added control.
Look, Feel & Size Of The Machine
The design of the 3200 is definitely a bit too modern for my personal taste. I prefer classic, traditional aesthetics, but this machine is as modern as they come.
In terms of size, the Philips is smaller than most super-automatic espresso machines; it’s 17” deep by 14.5” tall by 9.5” wide.
Even though it doesn’t take up too much counter space, you’ll still want to confirm that this will fit well in your kitchen.
The 60-ounce water tank size is relatively standard, but it comes with a nice feature that's worth mentioning.
Most water reservoirs are located at the back of the machine. This one is located at the front, which means I don't have to pull out the entire machine every time I need to refill the tank.
What Drinks Can It Make?
In addition to a coffee quantity icon and strength icon, the 3200 has 6 different buttons for brewing one-touch drinks, including:
- Espresso
- Coffee
- Hot Water (Tea)
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Americano
For the espresso, coffee, and Americano buttons, I have the option to increase my coffee volume to 2 shots instead of 1.
As someone who fully admits to being a caffeine addict, I love having this option.
Ease Of Cleaning & Descaling
Cleaning has always been my least favorite part of owning a home espresso machine. At least, that’s how I felt until I owned the Philips LatteGo.
This machine is SO easy to clean.
Everything from the removable group head to the drip tray to the water tank is dishwasher safe, and most parts can simply be run under hot water.
It takes me all of 5 seconds to clean my Philips after each brew.
Because it’s geared towards ease of use and convenience, I’m not surprised that Philips put extra effort into the ease of cleaning.
The company even includes a water hardness test strip with the machine, which is super helpful for determining how often you’ll need to descale.
My Favorite Features Of The Philips 3200 Coffee Maker
There’s a lot to love about the 3200 coffee maker, but the standout feature is that it’s a fully automatic espresso machine.
On top of optimal convenience, I love that this espresso machine requires very little maintenance.
Everything from the milk container to the water tank is dishwasher safe, and it even has an automatic rinsing cycle to keep everything in tip-top shape.
The ceramic flat burr grinder isn’t the best I’ve seen, but it certainly gets the job done.
Having an integrated grinder is all about convenience, and the 3200 also accepts coffee grounds for those who prefer to buy pre-ground beans.
Another great feature of the 3200 is the automatic milk frother.
All you have to do is fill the milk container and let the machine work its magic.
My Least Favorite Things
My biggest complaint about the Philips 3200 has to do with espresso quality, particularly when it comes to strength.
If I'm brewing a single or double shot of espresso, I want it to pack a powerful punch. Still, to be fair, I do consider myself a coffee snob!
Unfortunately, the 3200 isn’t as capable of delivering a strong shot compared to other machines I’ve used, like the Barista Express or Barista Pro.
Lastly, I’m not overly impressed with the ceramic burr grinder.
I can’t complain too much because it gets the job done, but with only 12 settings to choose from, it’s not the best built-in grinder on the market.
Philips 3200 LatteGo Vs Similar Espresso Machines
Philips 3200 Series Vs 4300
The Philips 3200 Series is almost identical to the 4300.[3]
Both machines are manufactured by Philps, they have the same exact dimensions, and they're both automatic espresso machines that are ideal for making lattes and cappuccinos.
The biggest difference is that the 3200 has a higher capacity for programmable drinks.
While the 4300 can program up to 6 drinks, the 3200 can store 9 unique drink settings. For this reason, the 3200 is the better espresso machine.
Philips 3200 Series Vs 2200
Before the 3200, Philips released the 2200 fully automatic espresso machine.
It’s great for making regular coffee and espresso at the press of the button, although it doesn’t offer automatic milk froth capabilities like the 3200.
If cost is your biggest concern for buying a new espresso machine, then the Philips 2200 is the better choice.
If you want more versatility and ease when making coffee drinks, go with the upgraded Philips 3200 Series.
Philips 3200 Series Vs Jura E8
The Jura E8 is another one-touch espresso machine that can make milk-based espresso drinks at the drop of a hat.[4]
It’s similar in size, functionality, and features to the 3200.
The most significant difference is that the Jura E8 breaks the bank, costing over $2k.
The Philips 3200 definitely offers better value for money, making it the clear winner in this espresso machine showdown.
Related Article - Jura ENA 8 Review
Philips 3200 Series Vs De’Longhi Magnifica
Anyone on the market for a fully automatic espresso machine has probably considered the DeLonghi Magnifica.
It's user-friendly, with easy-to-use icons and buttons, and it makes outstanding coffee.
Both machines are reliable and efficient, but overall, the Philips wins in most categories, especially in terms of ease of cleaning.
FAQs
Can you just froth milk with the Philips 3200 series?
There is so much more to the Philips 3200 than just frothing milk. In addition to milk frothing for latte, macchiato, and cappuccino, the 3200 can make espresso, regular coffee, Americano, and tea.
Can you use ground coffee with the Philips 3200 LatteGo?
Yes, you can use ground coffee beans with the Philips 3200 LatteGo. The machine has a pre-ground coffee function, so all you need to do is fill the coffee grounds container and select your drink option.
Can the Philips LatteGo make hot chocolate?
Yes, the Philips LatteGo automatic espresso machine is perfectly capable of making a milky, frothy hot chocolate.
All you have to do is add your favorite chocolate drink mix into the milk container and froth the milk without brewing any coffee. Once it’s finished, the milk foam will be poured directly into your coffee mug overtop the chocolate mix. Stir, sip, and enjoy!
What is the water temperature for the Philips 3200?
The water temperature of the Philips 3200 ranges between 194℉ and 208℉. This is the ideal temperature range for extracting maximum flavor and aroma.
How long does it take for the Philips 3200 to heat up?
The Philips 3200 heats up in roughly one minute. From there, it takes about 40 seconds to grind and brew an espresso shot, so you’ll be happily caffeinated in less than two minutes from powering the machine on.
Is The Philips LatteGo Worth Your Money?
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is the epitome of convenience.
Anyone who wants to avoid the hassle and hardship of making espresso drinks at home will love this fully automatic espresso machine.
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Philips LatteGo
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Resources:
- https://tasty.co/article/michelleno/coffee-drinks-recipes
- https://www.documents.philips.com/assets/20210505/11d43c39993c4c958a30ad1f011465b4.pdf?_ga=2.96757343.1586065638.1692572397-1266473185.1690548837&_gac=1.115662324.1692572405.Cj0KCQjw0IGnBhDUARIsAMwFDLksrSWY8lHHnr0CxtljVG2ng7KyEguYfoStRV0GAFdhx20vXC5iLeUaAs1xEALw_wcB
- https://www.usa.philips.com/c-e/ho/coffee/philips-super-automatic-espresso-machines/4300-series-lattego.html?origin=7_700000002310876_71700000100980696_58700008071775114_43700073397150379&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-OkV7uLRdwP3g0w-9f05vkYsSMIXEhpgoES5vYdgu_hAb-bhciZGcz_xoCYQ0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
- https://shopjura.com/e8-chrome-naa.html
Parker Russell is a coffee professional and the founder of Black Ink Coffee. As an expert in the field of coffee roasting, cupping (professional Q-Grader) and brewing, Parker has established Black Ink as brand that fuels the grind of dreamers.