Philips 2200 Series EP2230/14 Espresso Machine: features and who it suits

The Philips 2200 Series EP2230/14 is a fully automatic espresso machine: you add beans and water, touch a button, and it grinds, brews and (for milk drinks) froths. It is aimed at people who want espresso, coffee or cappuccino at home or in a small office without learning barista techniques.

What "fully automatic" means

A fully automatic machine, often called super-automatic, combines a grinder, a brewing unit and a drinks menu in one body. Beans go in the hopper, and each press of a button grinds fresh beans and brews a single drink. Philips lists three varieties on this model: espresso, coffee and cappuccino.

The trade-off is control. You adjust strength and quantity within the machine's settings rather than tamping, timing and steaming yourself.

The touch display and My Coffee Choice

Drinks are selected on a touch display. Philips describes the My Coffee Choice menu as letting you change the strength and the quantity of a drink, with three settings for each. Philips also says its Aroma Extract system keeps the brewing water between 90 and 98°C, which is the range commonly used for espresso extraction.

Ceramic grinder and Aroma Seal

The listing names a 100% ceramic grinder. Ceramic burrs typically hold their sharpness for a long time and run cooler than many metal burrs, which is why they are often promoted for preserving aroma. The Aroma Seal is the lid on the bean hopper, which is designed to limit how much air reaches the beans between drinks.

How the LatteGo milk system works

LatteGo is Philips' name for its milk jug that attaches to the front of the machine. Philips says it produces a smooth layer of milk froth for cappuccino. Compared with a steam wand, a system like this is generally simpler to clean, because milk flows through a small number of parts rather than through tubing. Check the manual for how to rinse it after use.

AquaClean and descaling

The machine takes an AquaClean water filter. Philips says that if you replace the filter when the machine prompts you, you will not need to descale for up to 5,000 cups. That figure depends on following the prompts, your water hardness and how you use the machine. Descaling frequency matters because limescale can build up in the heating parts over time.

Size and where it fits

The listing gives dimensions of about 10 x 15 x 17 inches (roughly 25 x 38 x 43 cm) and a weight of 21.1 lb (about 9.6 kg). Philips lists home and office as recommended uses.

What to check before you buy

• Space: measure the counter width, depth and the height under any cupboards, including room to fill the water tank and bean hopper.
• Drinks you want: this model lists espresso, coffee and cappuccino, so check that the menu covers your usual order.
• Water hardness: it affects how often the filter needs changing and how soon descaling is needed.
• Upkeep: read the manual for rinsing the milk jug, emptying the drip tray and cleaning the brewing unit.
• Beans: most machines like this use whole beans; check what the manual advises about oily or flavoured beans.
• What's in the box: confirm the filter and milk jug are included.

The short version

• A fully automatic espresso machine making espresso, coffee and cappuccino at the touch of a button.
• Touch display with three settings each for strength and quantity.
• 100% ceramic grinder, Aroma Seal hopper lid and brewing water kept between 90 and 98°C, according to Philips.
• LatteGo milk system for frothed milk, designed for simple cleaning.
• AquaClean filter, with descaling needed up to 5,000 cups apart if the prompts are followed.

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