Ultimate Comparison of Philips Coffee Machines: 1200 vs 2200 vs 3200 vs 4300 [UPDATED]

Philips fully automatic coffee machines are a great way to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee with a press of a button. But with several models to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.

I put together this comprehensive comparison guide to help anyone interested in a Philips coffee machine.

Best LatteGo Pick – Philips 3200

This model offers features, variations, and value for price. With the Philips 3200 LatteGo, you get all popular milk-based coffee settings in addition to espresso and coffee with automatic frothing.

If you are not a fan of milk-based coffee drinks, you can opt for the classic frother version to save some money and get all the classic coffee drinks: espresso, lungo, coffee, and Americano.

Continue reading below to learn everything you need about the 3200 model and others.

Philips 1200 vs 2200 Series

The 1200-series is the base model in the Philips coffee machine line of super automatics. It is where it all started, and Philips kept improving on it to create the next models ahead.

Model Variations Is The Only Difference

The 1200-series has a classic steam wand only, while the 2200-series is available as a classic wand or LatteGo variation.

Design-wise, when these systems first came out, there were two other differences: design and aroma strength.

Philips 1200 was all plastic and did not have aroma strength selection, but as of updating this post (2023), it now looks identical to the Philips 2200. Both have the same metal accents and have aroma strength settings.

I highly recommend that you skip the 1200-series as I find it no longer relevant. It is the same as the Philips 2200 (classic milk frother version) at the exact same price. So why go for the older version?

Philips 2200 vs 3200

The 3200-series offers additional coffee presets that the 2200-series doesn’t have. It’s also available in three model variations.

LatteGo Variation

Philips 3200 has a Latte preset and an Americano preset which the Philips 2200 does not have.

So how do you make these coffee recipes using the Philips 2200?

To make a Latte on the Philips 2200: Press the Cappuccino button, choose the highest coffee volume then press start. That way, the machine will make more coffee and pull more milk froth to make a longer cup of a latte.

To make an Americano on the Philips 2200: Press x2 Espresso, then when the espresso is ready, press hot water to fill the cup and complete the Americano recipe.

Both models can make the same coffees, it’s just more convenient on the Philips 3200.

Milk Froth Options

While both machines have the same LatteGo frother, the Philips 3200 has an option to adjust froth level, but the Philips 2200 does not have this selection.

The Classic Milk Frother Variation

The 3200-series gives you more presets for black coffee drinks like lungo and Americano, which the the 2200-series does not have.

The Philips 3200 has one additional variation that has an Iced coffee option, which you can read about below.

The user interface on both 2200 and 3200 models is similar. None of them has a touchscreen display, but instead, they use backlit touch buttons.

The Philips 3200 offers better coffee presets in all its variations. You get the latte option and the adjustable milk froth. But if you don’t drink lattes, you’ll be more than happy with the Philips 2200 and its default setting for a cappuccino.

Philips 3200’s Three Model Variations

This particular model is available in three different versions: one equipped with a Classic frother, another featuring a LatteGo automatic frother, and a third variant incorporating both a LatteGo frother and an Iced Coffee option.

1- Classic Milk Frother

Since this machine uses a classic steam wand, the presets on it are only espresso, lungo or coffee. There’s also the steam option. You will brew your coffee or espresso shot, then you will manually heat and froth your milk by switching on the steam wand.

2– LatteGo and Iced Coffee

this model has espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte and iced coffee options. It is missing the ‘Americano’ option that the other LatteGo version has. Scroll down to read and watch a video on how Iced coffee option works.

3- The LatteGo

This one replaces the Iced coffee option with an Americano, which is a longer 6 to 8 oz brew of coffee. Everything else is the same.

Philips 3200 vs 4300

The next model up the line is the Philips 4300, let’s compare it to the 3200 model.

User Interface Comparison

The main difference is the control panel design…

In addition to the touch buttons that the Philips 3200 uses, the 4300-series adds a colored display for more intuitive navigation of settings and options.

You get to see more options for coffee volume, temperature and milk level if you’re getting a LatteGo version. The screen also gives you detailed messages when you need to clean the system or if it ever runs into an error.

LatteGo Drink Selection

Let’s say you opt for either model with the LatteGo frother, what preset coffee drinks will you get out of each model?

Drink Presets on the Philips 4300 and 3200 are somewhat similar. The 4300 model might use some different names for a recipe (Coffee Lungo vs Caffe Crema… both are a Lungo, just named differently).

The Philips 4300 LatteGo model features a selection for espresso, coffee, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Cafe au Lait and then there’s the More Drinks button, which will take you to a menu that pops up on the display and gives you additional selection: Caffe Crema, Ristretto, Hot Water and Hot Froth.

Philips 3200 LatteGo has two milk options: Cappuccino or Latte.

The extra option that you get on the Philips 4300 is Cafe Au Lait, which is coffee with hot milk. The hot froth only option is not available on the Philips 3200.

Classic Frother Drink Selection

The classic milk frother models have the same drink presets. The Philips 4300 has Ristretto, which is a shorter espresso shot, and Caffe Crema, which is another name for a Lungo.

User Profiles

The one thing that the Philips 4300 model has that is NOT available on the 3200 is Profiles. This feature lets you save recipes under 2 profiles. Selecting a profile will recall all saved recipes a specific user.

Number of Coffee Strength Options

Last, but certainly not least, the Philips 4300 offers 5 coffee strength settings while the 3200 has only 3 settings.

The Philips 4300 model offers a better experience: it is easier to use and has more presets and user profiles to save your recipes. But there is a big price difference compared to the 3200 model. If the 4300 model is within your budget, go for it.

Philips 1200 vs 3200

If I compare the entry model and the mid-range model of Philips coffee machine models, what would be the difference?

Model Variations

• The 1200-series is only available with a steam wand.
• 3200-series is available in a steam wand or LatteGo variation.

Coffee Options

• Philips 1200 has espresso, coffee and hot water option.
• Philips 3200 presets depend on whether you get the steam wand or LatteGo version. The steam wand version has: Espresso, Espresso Lungo, Coffee, Americano, Hot Water and Steam. The LatteGo version has Espresso, Coffee, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Hot Water. The third 3200 has Iced Coffee option instead of Americano.

Overall, Philips 3200 model has more variations and presets, giving you many options to choose from. Philips 1200 is a basic entry-level model.

Common Features in All Models

There are several features that are available on all Philips coffee machine models:

Temperature settings: 3

Coffee Strength: 3 to 5 levels depending on the model.

Coffee Volume: 3 settings

Grind settings: 12

Milk Frother: classic steam wand or LatteGo

They also have the same ceramic grinder and water reservoir capacity.

How To Choose the Right Philips Coffee Machine for You

Each model comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, and these differ from one person to another.

You don’t have to get the most expensive model to get the best coffee. They all make the same quality of coffee.

So here’s what you need to decide on first and foremost:

1. Decide if you have a budget in mind: (please note that prices are constantly changing, these are the “Average” sale prices… always check for current prices)

• The entry-level Philips model is the 1200 usually available for about $500 or so. I don’t think this model is worth it over the 2200 model, unless it’s heavily discounted in price.
• Philips 2200 series is around the same price range as the 1200, so I would prefer it to the 1200 model. the LatteGo version adds around $50 to $100 and gives you automatic Cappuccino preparation.
• Philips 3200 is the most popular model. It’s the mid range price and has a great set of features. It’s available in three versions: classic wand, LatteGo and LatteGo with Iced coffee.
• Philips 4300 is at around $1000 or so. And for that price, you get the most user-friendly model of them all. It’s also great if you are sharing the coffee maker with several users, thanks to the Profiles feature.

2. Decide if you want a classic frother, where you will manually heat and steam your milk, or if you want the LatteGo system. Models that use a classic frother won’t have presets for milk based drinks like a cappuccino or latte, instead, you’ll find ‘steam’ button so you can froth your milk manually. Models with the LatteGo system will have presets for milk based drinks as well as espresso and coffee.

Getting these two decisions before you even read about the specs of each model will help you eliminate what you don’t need, making your decision a lot easier.

Philips LatteGo vs Classic Steam Wand – Which To Choose?

LatteGo is the automatic built-in frother you see attached to the machine. This type of frother works fully automatically from heating, and frothing to dispensing the correct amount of milk for the recipe you chose.

Customizable Settings

The foam is customizable by selecting the level of froth you want. All you have to do is select your drink: latte or cappuccino and then change the froth level (this feature is available in Philips 3200 and 4300 models)

If you opt for the Classic steam wand, you’ll have to do all that work manually. Pour in your milk in a frothing pitcher, hold it to the steam wand until it heats and froths.

Ease of Cleaning

Many users are concerned with cleaning built-in frothers. Not the LatteGo. This is a propitiatory design that is made of two parts only.

This automatic frother by Philips does not have a plastic tube or many parts. Both parts are detachable and dishwasher safe.

The steam wand is not particularly hard to clean, either. You do have to purge is after every use. Then detach the wand and inner plastic nozzle and wash them by hand.

Frothing Results

LatteGo being an automatic frother, you can expect it to give you consistent results every time, without any work on your part.

With the steam wand, many users struggle at first to get the milk to the right temperature and texture. Frothing manually takes some practice until you get it right.

If you want an out-of-the-box solution and consistent results, go for the LatteGo system instead.

Type of Milk You Can Use

You can use dairy or non-dairy milk with either milk system. But your results will vary depending on the type of milk and its fat content.

Full fat milk always performs best. Low fat milk, either diary or non-dairy, can give you thin foam.

If you are using non-dairy milk, I recommend that you use Barista style milk, which work best for creating foam.

You can refer to this video to see how the LatteGo performs with alternative milk. But do note that they are not using Barista style milk, just the regular non-dairy milk.

How Does the Iced Coffee Option in Philips 3200 Work?

Using the Iced option, the machine will brew at a slightly lower temperature and a slower rate, which produces a strong yet smoother brew. This will brew better over ice and will not melt your ice entirely.

Will it make a difference using the Iced Coffee option vs. brewing regular coffee over ice?

Yes, it should make a difference if you like your iced coffee less bitter and acidic. Being able to brew the coffee using lower temperature (not cold, but lower heat) makes a difference in how the coffee tastes.

Hot Water Option – What’s It For?

The hot water button provides you with boiling hot water instantaneously. You don’t have to heat water manually or use an electric kettle to bring water to boil, with the Philips Carina, it’s as simple as pushing a button to get hot water to use for tea, instant meals or whatever else you might need it for! The hot water goes through an independent spout, so you don’t have to worry about any coffee taste or residue in your hot water.

Philips Coffee Drink Sizes – How Many Ounces in Each Coffee Drink

What Is the Largest Latte Size the Philips 3200 Can Make?

You can expect the largest size of Latte to be around 8 oz + a shot of espresso, which in total is less than 9 oz. This might not be large enough for some users, but all you have to do to make a larger serving is use the same drink setting twice to make double the size. Or if you don’t quite want double, adjust the milk volume the second serving

Philips Coffee Recipes Explained

Espresso vs Coffee

A lot of super automatic machines only brew espresso, which is a shot that is made by extracting a strong brew using high force of water. To extract a shot of espresso, machines use a 15-bar (sometimes 19-bar) pump pressure. That’s why espresso machines operate on a totally different level than a drip coffee maker.

Espresso is either drank on its own, or with the use of frothed milk, can be used as a base for many specialty coffee drinks like Cappuccinos, Lattes or Macchiatos.

What about those times when you don’t want espresso, but would prefer a classic cup of coffee instead?

A machine like Philips espresso machines can make both espresso and coffee. Although the machine does not drip coffee the same as a classic coffee maker, it uses low pressure to replicate it and produces a long cup of coffee that’s just as good as a traditional drip machine’s.

Coffee vs Americano

Here’s what the Americano option on Philips will do:

• Brew a single or double shots of espresso, as you choose. The machine will pause…
• Then, it will dispense hot water until it fills up the cup according to the volume you picked.

How much water does the machine add?

The default volumes are 4, 6 and 8 oz for the full cup. So when choosing Americano, your ratio will depend on whether you choose a single or double espresso. Once it fills up the desired espresso volume, the rest of the cup will fill up with hot water.

Selecting the Coffee option on the Philips coffee machine will brew a single or double shots of espresso and it will run water through that one puck until it fills up the cup. No hot water is used to dilute the espresso shots. So it’s a lot like a Lungo.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Dee

Addicted to all things coffee. I keep up with espresso and coffee makers to bring all my knowledge to this blog.

Latest posts by Dee (see all)

• Bottomless Portafilter Too Fast? Slow Your Flow! -
• Bottomless or Spouted? Which Portafilter Should You Use? -
• Is a Bottomless Portafilter Better Than a Pressurized One? Here’s a Comparison Between Them -