For British coffee aficionados seeking café-quality beverages from the comfort of their kitchen, the fully automatic bean-to-cup machine represents the holy grail. The Philips 3200 Series (Model EP3246/70) has long been a standout contender in this competitive market. But does it live up to the hype, and is its current price reduction a genuine bargain?
We put this popular machine through its paces to see if it can deliver the perfect espresso, latte, or cappuccino without the complexity of traditional machines.
First Impressions & Key Features
Right out of the box, the Philips 3200 Series boasts a sleek, modern design that wouldn't look out of place in a stylish modern kitchen. Its intuitive interface, featuring a bright display and simple rotary dial, makes navigation a breeze.
The magic lies in its automation. This machine handles the entire process:
- Fresh Beans to Rich Espresso: An integrated ceramic grinder offers 12 adjustable settings, ensuring you can fine-tune the coarseness to your exact preference for optimal extraction.
- One-Touch Specialties: Crave more than just espresso? The dedicated buttons for espresso, coffee, cappuccino, and americano deliver your chosen drink with a single press.
- The All-Important Milk System: The included Aeroccino milk frother is a game-changer. It effortlessly creates either hot, silky foam for lattes or a lighter froth for cappuccinos, all with minimal cleanup.
- Fully Customisable: You can personalise the strength, volume, and temperature of your drinks, saving your preferences for the perfect morning brew every time.
Performance & Taste Test
Where it truly counts—in the cup—the Philips 3200 Series delivers impressively. The pre-infusion feature gently wets the coffee grounds before full pressure is applied, a technique used by professional baristas to unlock a more complex and balanced flavour profile.
The result is a rich, full-bodied espresso with a beautiful crema on top. The milk frothing system consistently produces microfoam that's ideal for latte art, elevating your home coffee experience to a new level.
The Crucial Question: Is It Worth The Money?
The manufacturer's suggested retail price often sits around £599. However, savvy shoppers will find it frequently discounted. At the time of writing, a significant price drop brings it down to a far more palatable £449—a substantial saving of over £150.
At this reduced price point, the Philips 3200 Series presents a compelling value proposition. It packs features and performance typically found in more expensive machines, making it an accessible entry into the world of fully automatic espresso.
The Verdict
The Philips EP3246/70 3200 Series is a superb all-rounder. It expertly balances ease of use with the ability to craft barista-level coffee. It's an ideal choice for households where multiple people crave different coffee styles without the fuss.
Pros:
- Exceptionally easy to use and clean
- Produces genuinely excellent coffee and milk foam
- Highly customisable settings
- Significant current discount offers great value
Cons:
- The internal water tank can be slightly small for larger families
- Like all bean-to-cup machines, it requires a dedicated counter space
If you've been dreaming of a fully automatic machine, the current price reduction on the Philips 3200 Series makes it one of the smartest buys on the UK market right now.
