Best Saeco Minuto Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020:

Simplicity, compactness, personalized recipes and easy cleaning, these are the main arguments put forward by the Philips Saeco Minuto. This mid-range model has a ground coffee compartment and a nozzle for frothing milk. In addition to the performance promise, the machine offers an interesting space optimization despite its compactness; what is it really?

Presentation

The automatic machine with shredder that we tested, launched at 450 €, constitutes the middle of the Minuto range, which consists of 4 models: a basic entry-level machine called Pure (399 €), our model of the day * , * Classic Milk *, * equipped with a steam nozzle, a more elaborate Automatic Milk Cappuccinatore machine equipped with an automatic milk frother (549 €) and, finally, a high-end One Touch model with a milk carafe (€ 689).  

Unsurprisingly, this Minuto does not incorporate the same options as those observed on the higher-end models. It nevertheless offers common functionalities such as the settings for the fineness of the grind (5 levels), a selection of coffee intensity (also 5 levels), 2 keys with storage of the volumes served as well as a ground coffee compartment for alternating the tastes of coffees or prepare a decaffeinated. The appliance has automatic cleaning and descaling programs but unfortunately does not include a programmable energy saving function. So much for the main lines, let’s go deep …

Best Saeco Minuto Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020

1. Saeco HD8775/48 Philips Minuto Focus Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

2. Saeco HD8911/48 Incanto Classic Milk Frother Super Automatic Espresso Machine with AquaClean filter, 1.8 L, Black

3. Saeco HD8924/47 PicoBaristo AMF Automatic Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel, 21

4. Saeco HD8917/47 Incanto Carafe Super Automatic Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel

5. Philips Saeco Xsmall HD8645/47 Superautomatic Espresso Machine – Graphite & Black (Renewed)

Ease of use

Its dimensions (42.9 x 33 x 21.5 cm) attest to a real compactness and are similar to those of the Melitta Solo Caffeo (45.4 x 32.5 x 20 cm) tested recently. If we have agreed on the compactness of this Saeco Philips, we will not go so far as to qualify this machine with the same adjectives as those used to describe the Melitta Caffeo Solo (elegant, robust and with beautiful finishes). Indeed, the design of the Minuto shows itself on a whole new level: plastics and certain elements such as the adjustable spout, are classified in the radius of the low end. 

The spout is undoubtedly the element of the machine that inspires the least confidence both in the choice of cheap material and in its design. Unlike other automatic machines, it is not the entire block of the spout that goes up and down but an extension to be caught on the sides. Furthermore, even at its maximum, the spout remains too short for the espresso cups (40 ml) and the flow of coffee causes splashes on the walls of the machine.

As bad news never comes alone, using a small porcelain cup, in addition to the splashes, the particularly strong vibrations move the cup on the grid and the coffee ends up spilling next to it.

Another design criticism: the power off button is located on the back; an impractical location when the machine is placed against a wall. The location on the side seems more appropriate. Please note, the power cable is quite short and clearly intended for a wall outlet near the machine.

Easy maintenance

Still with the practical radius, note that to remove the drain pan you must first reassemble the spout and place the steam nozzle on the side. This water collector contains several compartments which constitute as many obstacles during cleaning.

The brew group can be easily removed provided that the drain pan has been dislodged beforehand, otherwise the service door cannot be opened. We particularly appreciate that it remains attached to the machine rather than completely disassembled. However, this implies providing space on the right side and will not necessarily be practical in all interiors. You can see packets of grease on the surface. Although it is not in contact with the preparations, it strengthens our feeling about the design: it gives the impression of a low-end device.

Automatic cleaning is part of it with a dedicated “CALC CLEAN” button on the front. This lights up to alert users that it is time to descale the machine. An operation which nevertheless requires taking the instructions to follow the steps.

Speed

Between starting the machine, rinsing and preparing an espresso, the first coffee in the morning will be ready in 1 min 45 s, a time that is found on the Panasonic NC-ZA1 models and the Melitta Caffeo Varianza and Barista T . Only the Melitta Caffeo Solo is faster at the moment, preparing an espresso in 1 min 24 s.

Power consumption

The device plunges into standby after only 30 minutes and, unlike the Melitta Caffeo, it does not have a programmable energy saving function which shortens this period. During these 30 minutes with the screen on, the device consumes 2 W. It is really necessary to turn off the machine (with the impractical button at the back) to fall to zero consumption.

According to our measurements, based on the preparation of 3 coffees per day, the use of this machine will generate an electrical consumption of 0.06 kWh, which represents approximately 13 cents per month. It is 2 cents more than that of the Saeco Minuto which can be programmed to dive in standby after 15 min.

Noise

The machine ranks among the loudest when grinding the beans (73 dB) and running the coffee (70 dB). By way of comparison, the work of the grinder of the Saeco Minuto amounts to 65 dB and the coffee extraction was measured at 48 dB.

CONCLUSION

If this machine has certain advantages such as the speed and the integration of a ground coffee compartment, it seems difficult to recommend it. Its low-end plastic design as well as the vibrations that require maintaining the small cups so that they remain in place on the grid sanction its final note. As for the functions offered, they are rudimentary.

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