Evaluating the DeLonghi Eletta vs Philips 3200 LatteGo Fully Automatic Espresso Machines was no easy feat. But now I know which is better and why?
The DeLonghi Eletta has fewer reviews than the Philips 3200 LatteGo. But it has a higher performance rating. They both have programmable buttons, a stunning design to look at, and an automatic milk system.
But if you crave more one-touch coffee recipes, stick to the DeLonghi Eletta. Conversely, for faster and upgraded functionality, the Philips 3200 LatteGo is a fine choice.
Having said that, both have excellent features, so let’s move on to comparing what those mean for you…
DeLonghi Eletta vs Philips 3200 LatteGo: Comparision Chart
Last update on 2023-03-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
DeLonghi Eletta vs Philips 3200 LatteGo: Differences
It was essentially a tie between the DeLonghi Eletta vs Philips 3200 LatteGo. But I took one point away from the Eletta on account of its slower descaling/automatic features (3 – 4).
1. Size
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
The Eletta is slightly bigger than the Philips 3200 but in a good way.
It has a bigger water capacity – about 67 ounces – and the bean hopper which is at 14.1 ounces.
While it’s good to have a compact espresso machine at home, the Philips 3200 offers 60 ounces of water tank capacity and an 8.8 ounce of the bean hopper. What is also significant is that the DeLonghi Eletta weighs 24.2 pounds and the Philips 3200 LatteGo 17.6 pounds.
However, their dimensions are perplexing because the Eletta measures out to be a more compact choice despite its larger capacity. The Philips 3200 is higher than the Eletta because it’s taller and thicker.
Consider these measurements: The DeLonghi Eletta measures 18.3 x 14.1 x 10.2 inches and the Philips 3200 LatteGo measures 9 x 17 x 14.5 inches.
2. Automatic Coffee Drinks
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
Let me tell you that the Philips 3200 has 5 programmable buttons or coffee selections, The DeLonghi Eletta features 9 one-touch buttons for standard coffee, cappuccino, espresso, and the characteristic yet classic espresso-based drinks.
The Philips makes cappuccino, coffee, latte macchiato, and Americano.
For a beginner craving not only more espresso shots but exciting coffee recipes, the DeLonghi Eletta is surely more gifted, resourceful, and special for daily use.
3. Grinder Quality
The Winner: Philips 3200 LatteGo
The Eletta features a stainless steel burr grinder with adjustable controls. With a 14.1-ounce bean hopper capacity, it also includes a pre-ground scooper for decaf.
Philips 3200 LatteGo has a ceramic grinder with an 8.8-ounce bean hopper capacity. There’s even a small pre-ground container with a single scoop capacity, not more.
The grind levels are almost the same. The difference is just one level of grind size adjustment.
Performance-wise, the Philips 3200 LatteGo produces richer, creamier, and smoother espresso results than the Eletta. The Eletta might fail to produce a rich layer of crema for every cup, making the espresso watery and weak-tasting.
I’m talking about the crema each espresso shot produces as well as intensity. The winner offers espresso that’s strong and tasty and it stays that way no matter the coffee beans you use.
The ceramic grinder of the Philips does not overheat. It’s consistent and accurate to use. So you can add different types of coffee beans and the grinder of the Philips 3200 won’t disappoint.
Things are a little different with the Eletta. For starters, it is a stainless steel grinder so it not compatible with all coffee beans. Both grinders make a sound, but the one on the Philips 3200 is not very loud.
4. Temperature Control
The Winner: Philips 3200 LatteGo
What does “temperature control” mean for you, a homebrewer? It means how quickly, accurately, and consistently the coffee machine can heat up the water for espresso extraction and milk frothing.
On the DeLonghi Eletta, you have the two Thermoblock heating elements that run the temp. The Philips 3200 LatteGo features a single heating element with 3 levels of coffee temperature that you can adjust.
What this entails for the Eletta is faster performance with temperature control. Read the user manual to change the default temperature settings on the machine, to get hotter coffee every time.
This is a HUGE upgrade from DeLonghi’s predecessor because I had found that it did not brew the espresso at the optimal temperature.
But the Eletta most certainly does.
You can program the temperature, strength, and coffee amount as well. Just read the manual before using the machine for the first time. But if you’re happy with DeLonghi’s default settings, that’s okay too. Not as great as the Philips 3200 though…
You don’t need to manually override the Philips, which does save you some time. And you can also adjust the milk foam temperature in a breeze.
I would recommend keeping the temperature at the highest possible level. But the default is quite strong too! The espresso comes out at 140-degrees and the hot water at 160-degrees.
5. Bean-to-Cup Brewing Performance
The Winner: DeLonghi Eletta
Since both are bean-to-cup models, I’m sure you’re wondering about the usability of both machines. How easy are they to use? And which one is its easiest (and fastest too)?
Well, based on my comparative testing, the Eletta saves plenty of time right at the beginning, with its impressive one-touch buttons. Select the coffee drink you want and the DeLonghi will start brewing it right away while also preparing the milk froth.
The dual boiler system ensures smooth and fast operation. There’s a 6-inch or less cup clearance, which is for perfect for larger cups. You can also swap the beans for ground coffee if you’re using decaf. The spout that lets our frothy and hot milk will also release hot water for teas/black coffee/etc.
Once the programmable settings are set, the machine also runs an automatic brewing cycle to keep it ready for the next time. Do not remove the carafe before running a cleaning cycle. This means that you won’t have to wash it in the sink, saving you time and effort.
The Philips 3200 has a decent interface. Starting with the premium-grade grinder, it’s quick to adjust and produces precise results. The grinding mechanism is quickly followed by the extraction – this, too, is faster than usual.
The spout pours espresso directly into an espresso cup or cups that are below 5.9 inches. There’s a milk carafe that pours straight into the cup as well. It steams the milk and you can set different milk levels easily.
The machine cleans quickly and effectively with its removable parts. Such as the brew group, milk container, bean hopper, and water tank. It’s more time-sensitive which means you need to clean it regularly, or after every use.
6. Milk Frothing System
The Winner: Philips 3200 LatteGo
Both machines come with an automatic milk frother. The DeLonghi features programmable temperature and milk settings. There are multiple pre-set programs for you to choose from. The milk carafe not only pours frothy milk into the cup but is also a convenient tool to store milk in before and after frothing.
Once it’s emptied, the machine will run an auto cleaning cycle to get rid of tough stains and milk odour. So by the looks of it, it’s a multi-functional and durable tool, perfect for someone who wants to drink frothy drinks without having to use a steam wand.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a totally unique design for a milk carafe. It features an automatic milk frother with programmable settings. The milk jug comes with proper markings for how much milk you need to fill per cup. There’s a ‘max’ line, a double serving icon, and two more icons for the right sizes.
Here’s the catch though – the milk carafe on the Philips 3200 does not sit on the drip tray. It hangs above it. Making it easier to clean and let’s face it, more attractive! The froth level is more intuitive and consistent. It matches perfectly with the coffee drinks you choose.
7. Water Filter
The Winner: Philips 3200 LatteGo
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is fated to last for longer with its unique AquaClean water filtration. Not only this but almost all the important parts of the Philips are removable and dishwasher-safe.
Imagine NOT descaling your machine for a long, long time. Now, any other machine, including the DeLonghi Eletta, would break down this way. But the AquaClean filter of the Philips prevents this. It gets rid of all heavy metals from the water. Keeping it brew-ready, scale-free, and fresh for up to 5,000 cups.
The DeLonghi Eletta comes with its own cleaning kit for descaling but to keep it running as good as new, you have to descale once every 2-3 weeks.
DeLonghi Eletta vs Philips 3200 LatteGo: Similarities
1. Adjustable Grind Settings
Both machines have easy and quick grinder adjustments. You don’t have to refer to the manual at all. The grind size knob is sturdy and large enough for you to use. The grind sizes are marked down to avoid inconsistencies as well. The Eletta features 13 grinder settings and the Philips features 12 grinder levels – which is the perfect number for beginners and intermediates alike.
2. Programmable Coffee + Milk
Moving on, both machines allow you to adjust the espresso strength, aroma, temperature, milk foam, and temperature easily. You can customize them for each drink using their intuitive and responsive display screen. The margins are already programmed so you’ll know what you’ve selected without making blunders.
3. Automatic Shut Off
Both espresso makers come with a shut-off feature. After brewing and automatic cleansing, the machines will power down after a few idle minutes.
4. Double Cup Feature
You can 2 cups of espresso in a single brewing setting. Just keep two small espresso cups under each spout and the machine doubles the volume, grind size, and strength settings you’ve programmed. It won’t brew two separate drinks but the fact that it can brew 2 cups at a time is a big deal!
Quick Rundown Of DeLonghi Eletta ECAM44660B
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL Super-automatic espresso coffee machine with a patented AUTOMATIC CAPPUCCINO system that delivers a tasty barista-quality Cappuccino, Caffelatte, Latte Macchiato, hot Milk, Flat White in less than 3 minutes. Can be used with either coffee beans or ground coffee for preparation of two cups of coffee within a single brewing cycle.
- PROFESSIONAL Brew two cups of magic drink simultaneously with Top-of-the-line Delonghi bean-to-cup brews two cups. Great brewing without having to learn how to be a barista. This fully automated machine has an integrated silent coffee grinder with 13 adjustable grinding settings, a bypass doser, a pump generating up to 15 bars of pressure, a water filter, a double boiler system, an automatic milk frother, a milk jug and cup warmer, as well as electronic temperature control.
- USER FRIENDLY. A super-automatic espresso maker can deliver the coffee shop experience to the comfort of your home, any time you feel the urge. System equipped with a touch control panel, a front-loading water tank, a frothing unit, a telescoping spigot, a bean hopper & coffee-grounds container with a capacity indicator and also provides adjustable water, milk & coffee drink quantity.
- EASY TO CLEAN Automatic cleaning with Descaling, cleaning and rinsing programs with a Cappuccino System cleaning indicator. All removable components of the Delonghi super-automatic espresso coffee machine are dishwasher safe
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASE: Delonghi super-automatic coffee machine backed with an Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee and a 12-month Warranty. If you are not 100% satisfied, please CONTACT US immediately and we will help you right away. Our world-class customer support is available 7 days per week.
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Philips 3200 LatteGo EP3241/54
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- Enjoy 5 coffees
- Intuitive touch display
- 12-step grinder adjustment
- 20,000 cups of finest coffee with durable ceramic grinders
Last update on 2023-03-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
Related Articles to Delonghi Eletta
- Choosing Between Delonghi Magnifica S vs Eletta: Which Espresso Maker Is Worth The Investment?
- DeLonghi Eletta vs Saeco Xelsis: Top Reasons To Buy A User-Friendly & Fully Automatic Espresso Machine For The First Time!
- DeLonghi Eletta vs Jura E8: Find Out Which Is The Better Home Espresso Machine For Better Customization & Precision
- DeLonghi Eletta vs Eletta Plus: 5 Decisive Differences Between the Two Bean-to-Cup Espresso Coffee Makers
- Breville Oracle Touch vs Delonghi Eletta Review: 7 Key Differences Between the Two Espresso Machines with Adjustable Settings
- Delonghi Eletta vs Magnifica: Comparing What They Can Do For You
- Delonghi Magnifica XS vs Eletta – Choosing The Best Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- The Best Delonghi Dinamica Plus vs Eletta Review You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Delonghi Dinamica vs Eletta: What To Choose & Why?
Related Articles to Philips 3200 Lattego
- Gaggia Brera Vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Review 2 Cut-Price Espresso Machines For Beginners
- Gaggia Anima Prestige Vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Which Model Is More Affordable And Better Optimized?
- Gaggia Anima Vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Find A Convenient And Simple Espresso Machine For Your Apartment
- Delonghi Magnifica Esam3300 Vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Which Espresso Machine Is The Overall Better Model? Is It Ideal For Commercial Purposes?
- Philips 3200 Lattego Vs Delonghi Magnifica Xs: Which Espresso Machine Makes Better Milk-Based Drinks?
- Philips Lattego 3200 Vs 4000: Which Super-Automatic Espresso Machine Is Worth Buying More?
- Breville Barista Touch vs Philips 3200 LatteGo: 4 Important Differences
- DeLonghi Dinamica Plus vs Philips 3200 LatteGo: Which Is The Better Espresso Maker For Coffee Lovers?
- Philips 1200 vs 3200 Lattego- Which Similarities And Differences Do The Two Models Share?
References
- DeLonghi Eletta ECAM44660B from DeLonghi https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/eletta-automatic-espresso-machine-cappuccino-maker-ecam44660b/p/ECAM44660B
- Philips 3200 LatteGo EP3241/54 from Philips https://www.usa.philips.com/c-e/ho/coffee/espresso/philips-automatic-espresso-machine.html
I am a passionate coffee drinker. Since I left my job as a barista a few years back in 2012, I’ve been sharing my expertise on coffee and buying the best coffee equipment online. That’s how Wild Boar Coffee came to life.
I write about everything coffee-related under the sun. Where to buy the freshest coffee beans from? How to test coffee beans based on texture, aroma, and acidity?
I know all this from scratch – all thanks to my years and years of experience as a barista. So I’ve gotten real up-close-and-personal with coffee beans and different brewing techniques.