Saeco Xelsis

Great machine until now – Unfortunately the machine now has an issue. Apart from an initial service issue all has been great. NOW the discharged coffee grinds are not dry but waterlogged and I can't establish why...often a mess of saturated grinds..why? Show details ·  1

for those stuck in a descale loop – I have had the xelsis for several years and is still working well. However, after about my first year I ran into the frustrating problem of getting stuck in descale mode at it telling me to empty the drip tray when I had just emptied it. After much pulling out my hair and research I found the answer for my machine (don't remember where) and it has… Read more ·  1

never happened again. When the drip tray is emptied there is a small compartment (on the side that is covered) that you need to be sure does not accumulate coffee residue. When I found this solution, I first cleaned out my drip tray thoroughly with soap so no coffee residue was on it. Now every few times when I empty the water, I uncover that right section and run the faucet water in it. Before I descale, I make sure that small compartment in the drip tray is clean. I assume there is a sensor right above it that cannot work properly if there is accumulated coffee residue in it. I hope this can help someone out there.

Expensive Piece of Rubbish! – POSITIVES: -We use good quality coffee beans and the coffee is awesome (If you drink it straight away- see negative comments). -It automatically rinses before and after making coffees so there's less manual cleaning. -The fingerprint scanner and ability to have several coffee settings for each person is fabulous. NEGATIVES - Very high… Read more

maintenance machine! It's rare that you can make 2-3 coffees without having to empty the drip tray and/or refill the machine.

-Machine was expensive (but it would be worth every cent if the negative comments weren't such a big deal).

-The milk comes out at approx. 40-43C (just 'slightly warm') so I have to microwave my 'hot' chocolate EVERYTIME! When this 'slightly warm' milk is mixed with hot coffee, it's ok (just acceptable) if you drink it immediately. Our neighbour asks us to microwave her coffee slightly (just after we make it) every time she's here. One would expect this with a cheap coffee machine, not a $2000-$3000 coffee machine. One would expect that the coffee would be around the same temperature as a coffee shop (where the milk is 65-70C). This is on the hottest setting of the machine, yet it's still not hot enough (and we're not the kind of people that like REALLY hot coffee).

-Customer service is beyond poor!! We spoke with customer service about the issue (milk not hot enough) within a week of purchasing the machine- they looked at options (using the smallest milk carafe tubing, etc.) but in the end said 'that's how it is- Italians don't like hot coffee.' (and coming from an Italian family - Italians DO like HOT coffee.)

Don't buy one! You'll end up regretting it if you do!

Saeco Xelsis – Purchased mine in 2010, what a great machine with auto programming & manual programming for up to six people. I adore my Saeco Xelsis. I keep it clean both internally & externally. Yes does make some spatters but that's expected during the process. But recently found that the milk frothing from the carafe is not happening. I cleaned thoroughly… Read more

even pulled it apart & have done this a number of times now as per the instruction manual. It has not improved. I also tried frothing manually from the front left but still will not froth the milk but does boil it. The pressure bar all seems to be working as would not heat if the pressure not working & certainly would not make all the high pitch pressure noises. I am putting it down to the milk, I think Devondale may have changed something in it as I noticed they are promoting a special frothing milk in stores that it equivalent to the Devondale 2% fat that I have been using for years.

I will try some fresh milk when able to get some and hope this fixes it.

I have had for over three years now & if I need to replace would certainly buy another as by the counters I have made over 3000 cups of variety of coffees. Easy to use & good looking machine Small holding for rinse water

Brilliant machine – We are coffee crazy at home and wanted a machine that produced quality coffee and milk. For true coffee drinkers the optimum beverage temp is around 55-60 degree celcius which is just what the machine does, although some like steaming milk which we do with frother if they want. We have had it for 4 years and have had it serviced twice but we made… Read more ·  3

sure we got the extended warranty so all fine.

We make about 6 - 10 coffees per weekday and more on weekends, since we bought it 4 years ago and love it..!

Have the xselsis for 12 month now, exellent Machine – Model HD8946/03 - drip tray The small flaps in the drip tray are dislocating ( falling out ) quite easily and susequently Water spills under the Machine when tray is only half full.  Show reply

The best I have owned – I have had automatic coffee machines before but this is by far the best. It makes a lovely hot cappachino. A lot of different strengths and settings can be individualised for various users. If I had to pick a fault I would say the drip tray needs to be a bit bigger so you don't need to empty it as quickly. Love this machine. Very easy to use.  Show reply

Very bad value for money – Coffee is good, as it is mostly dependant on the beans you use. However, when it comes to ongoing maintenance it is atrocious. It constantly requires the drip drawer and the grinds to be emptied and washed... every second use!!! Descaling is required on average every 75 coffees and it is pretty much a 2 hour commitment to do the whole cleaning.… Read more

Worst of all is that it doesn't warn of low water levels, so if you try and make a coffee the machine first grinds the beans and then tells you there is no water for your coffee. Once water is added the ground coffee is discarded and a new lot of beans need to be ground... a waste.

The telephone assistance service is absolutely useless.

For the money I would have expected a much better machine.

This was my second Saeco machine... and it will be my last.

What a piece of expensive rubbish! – I have owned this machine for a few years now and it has spent endless time being in and out of repair. I regret buying it and for well over $3000 I would expect a much better machine. Problems with leaking, steam wand dripping, steam wand not heating, getting stuck in descale loop....the list goes on. I am sick of forking out money to fix it.… Read more

Once again the machine is stuck in the de scale loop (seems to be a common problem....with saeco only giving descake instructions....yes I have already followed the instructions). All I want in my morning coffee!

So unhappy....don't recommend unless you have the money to fix it.

Terrible machine: I would not go near Saeco fully automatic coffee machines – This is our second Saeco and will forever be our last. It is a machine geared towards a SINGLE person who has only 1 coffee a day. It worked flawlessly for two years and since then has suffered the typical 'water priming error' that afflicts so many of Saeco's products that just happen to leave warranty. We have spent close to $500 in… Read more

repairs to simply be told its a gremlin and that it would require being sent to Saeco for further analysis.

Second machine in 4 years.

Very, very expensive.

When the machine worked it works BRILLIANTLY, even though you only got 4-5 coffee's from it before having to completely empty the machine.

Absolute piece of garbage – Worked fine up until a descale. Now it's stuck on descale. I've run step 2/2 about 5 times. Filled it with maximum water. Keeps asking me to do it... Turned it off at the wall and left for half an hour. Back into descale mode... Rang the 1300 number and the incompetent idiot on the phone couldn't tell me how to manually reset it or get… Read more

out of descale mode but offered to give me the number of a service centre to which i'd have to take it in to get looked at....

Do not buy this machine. I'm so close to throwing it off my balcony and its now just an expensive paperweight. Why would you make a product WITHOUT a master reset button?

Good design phillips, good design....

Needy machine – Upgrade to this from a Royal Deluxe as it was getting a bit old. Cant say we are impressed. This thing needs so much daily - hourly maintenace compared to our old machine. Seriously this could not be used in an office as it has to be emptied and filled so often it is silly. Now on a descale cycle it has got stuck in an endless loop and we can't… Read more

get out of it. Surely there should be a reset option but no luck finding it.

I would not recommend this machine specially considering the very expensive price, to anyone. Yes it makes a nice coffee, but the maintenance really gets on your nerves. And now we are going to have to take it somewhere to get the damn thing repaired.

Do Not Buy This Machine! – I was terribly disappointed with this machine after 14000 cups of great coffee with my previous Saeco. This very expensive and pretty machine has some unnecessary bells and whistles and leaves out what one does every day. There is an advertised empty coffee bin sensor and an advertised full dredge drawer sensor. Neither of these work. I had… Read more

the misfortune of taking it to the local service who held on to the machine for almost two months and sent it to another larger center to find the non-existant sensors. I finally returned it to Costco with a full refund and was then foolish enough to buy another one with exactly the same problem. "Customer (I do not) Care" told me to take it back to the same local service center.......

Do not waste your money on this machine.

Endless problems...terrible service – Bought this machine and initially loved it....nice style, easy coffees (especially if using the smaller tubes which make hotter milk), good coffee. However, it started making random coffees or pouring out hot water/steam..without any button being pressed. Retailer tried to repair and after keeping it for 3 weeks - were unable to fix it because… Read more

they couldn't fine fault (intermittent). It worked for a while after I got it back (maybe transport knocked sense into it), but then failed again. This time I videoed it. Retailer wanted to repair, but I demand replacement. They then ignored me, and after I mentioned Consumer Law said I had no right to anything other than repair which is illegal. They also tried to claim it was out of warranty (just over a year), even though fault arose in first year and manufacturer's warranty is 2 years. I tried contacting Philips who asked for more information but never got a response after I sent the information. Finally I went to Fair Trading. The I got a response from Philip .."Please post machine to xxx"...that was the best they could do. No explanation as to what they would do...just post it. Finally retailer looked at machine again, said they couldn't fix it, that no replacement was available, and gave me a different machine (not as good but not bad). Terrible experience and no effort to comply with Australian Law. Considering raising with ACCC.

We love our Saeco Xelsis coffee machine (s)! – We had a series of dud coffee machines (Delonghi - don't get me started!!) before we switched brands and came to Saeco. We LOVE our coffee machine so much. It never breaks down (unlike the aforementioned brand) and makes fab coffee, fast and hot! Loved it so much we bought one for the office too! Again, no problems and it runs like a dream - or a good coffee machine…! Happy! Makes great coffee, easy to use, reliable zip

Worst machine I have ever bought – We bought this coffee machine thinking if we pay what we thought at the time around $3,000 we should have an awesome home coffee machine. Wrong Wrong Wrong, The machine sits in the kitchen and we just boil the jug like the old days, the coffee is never hot enough, the milk is luke warm at best , everything else seems fine and if you only drank Ice… Read more

coffee it would be perfect, called the rep a few times but in the end gave up hope, IF ever Phillips read this info your help and assistance would be welcome. So far this machine has been the worst coffee machine we have ever purchased. IT looks the part never hot enough, luke warm at best

Great Purchase! – I love this coffee machine! Every morning I wake up and make myself the perfect coffee. I find it very easy to use. Then to clean it is no problem. The milk is very hot and the coffee is brewed perfectlyl! I love this coffee machine so much. Well done Saeco!! Makes me the perfect coffee Nothing

VALUE = Nuisance – BIG DISLIKES: * spend more time doing stuff for the machine than getting coffees. * wastes a lot of water. It uses about 1/2 the water tank in the self-clean and the other 2 or 3 cups for a coffee. * water and milk spits everywhere * high cleaning needs: grinds collector, water collection, water tank lids, coffee bean tank lid,… Read more

water collection grille - everything.

LIKES:

* more compact machine size

* sales pitch - that was why I bought it. Next time I would test a machine in shop by running through at least 6 coffees to find out what happens first.

* service from Saeco Espresso (Scarborough Beach Rd, Perth). Brilliant and always reasonable.

COMPARISON:

Previously owned the Magic Saeco Deluxe. Best machine. Had it 15years. Good size water tank, changed the boiler twice and had a big grind collection bin. Always used filtered water so the boiler lasted well.

THIS Philips Saeco product is dreadful. I want my money back. In fairness, it is probably on par with other brands out there for it's size.. Saeco seem to have gone backwards with design. It is a SMALL machine. Every3 or 4 cups I have to ADD WATER or EMPTY GROUNDS or EMPTY WATER COLLECTION. But the really annoying bit is that if it doesn't have enough water, it will still draw a coffee until it runs out of water - you could end up with as little as 1/4 cup coffee. Waste's the beans. Does the same thing with the beans. AND this whole self-cleaning thing is a load of rubbish. I used to spend much less time cleaning my old machine out, maybe once or twice a week (based on between 5 - 12 cups of coffee a day. (I used to have craft days at my place and every lady knew how to make her own coffee). THAT is saying something, one button push and add milk!!! Sometimes I had up to 8 ladies. (Over 4hrs, at least 2 coffees each) and the only thing we had to do was add water!!!!! Sales pitch, size and colour Efficiencies, wasteful of water, beans, power and time

DON'T BOTHER BUYING, NOT WORTH THE MONEY – Bought this machine after having previously owned a different saeco machine for 9 years and it was fabulous. So disappointed with this machine. The box was missing the cleaning tablets and water filter, did a live chat on the saeco site and was told to order it through spare parts and I would have to pay for them, so emailed saeco asking them… Read more

about the missing parts and after more than a week still haven't heard anything. For an automatic machine, it needs constant attention. I am emptying the drip tray at least twice a day. It seems every time I make a cup of coffee the machine is telling me to either empty one thing or the other, or fill something else. The machine makes an absolute mess when using the milk jug, spraying milk everywhere except in the cup. When it goes into standby mode it does a self clean which sprays old coffee all over the outside cover, so you end up cleaning the outside of the machine after every use. Considering how expensive this machine was, I am going to return it and swap it for a different brand. Good looking machine and does make a nice cup of coffee Expensive. Everything is too small, dip tray, milk jug, water container. Makes a mess when dispensing milk.

I LOVE My New Xelsis in My Kitchen ... Perfect Cuppa Every Time! – How wonderful to wake up knowing there is a great coffee waiting to be drunk. The machine is warmed up and ready to go thanks to the timer. The instruction manual is easy to follow, with photos. I'm glad I read it, as I would have stuffed my machine using flavoured coffee beans on its first run! I love that you can individually program all aspects… Read more ·  1

contributing to that "perfect cuppa". The customer service team were most helpful - the tablets and filter were missing from my initially purchased product - these items arrived ASAP in the post. I have experimented using the additional milk tubes for hotter milk. They worked very well - however a little too well with soy milk, which curdles when heated up too much. However, I do find these tubes cause the carafe to spatter when expelling the milk, particularly with the first cuppa in a series, creating quite a mess. I have tried running an extra "Clean" cycle before making my hot chocolate / chai latte. Whilst this helps, it doesn't completely solve the problem. I also keep a stainless steel carafe under the dispensing spout, on the water recovery tray. This all but eliminates the need to keep emptying and rinsing this tray with all the "cleaning" the machine automatically does on startup and standby. For the cost of the machine, I was surprised a small stainless steel milk carafe was not included for heating milk with the steam wand. I change the water and empty the coffee grounds drawer and drip tray as a matter of routine at the beginning of a coffee run so as not to be inturrupted by these demands throughout coffee making. These are all but small inconveniences in the scheme of having a fantastic cuppa available at my whim, without having to get in the car and drive to the nearest cafe ... and far, far cheaper in the long run. Thank you Saeco for tantelising my sense of smell and taste buds each day! Reliable, clear instruction manual, variety of options available, easy to program, automatic rinsing, easy to maintain, helpful customer service team Milk carafe spatters when using finer tubing, no stainless steel milk carafe included to heat milk with the steam wand.

Love the machine – I have had the machine since Oct 2012, I must say i am impressed with it and it makes a great cup of coffee as long as you buy the right beans. I love the versatility of being able to froth the milk yourself or if your in a hurry using the automatic jug. Nil complaints about this machine Combination of self frothing or automatic Emptying drip tray often and smaller water container Show reply

Just okay.. Just – It's okay, but it makes coffee in a strange order when you press the preset buttons ..ie milk first, then coffee.. So, now I just press espresso first, then special beverages - > hot milk. Secondly, the milk temperature from the carafe is unacceptably low.. Have to microwave after completed the coffee. And there is no way to adjust it. Simple presets. Milk temperature, can't change presets, small reservoir.

Very Happy – Ha ve had my xelsis for a year and a half. I am very happy with it. I agree the drip tray needs emptying often but I dont find that a problem. When using the carafe the milk isnt very hot but have got in touch with Saeco and they are sending me a milk tube kit which consists of narrower tubes and therefore the problem should be solved. I warm… Read more ·  1

the cups in the microwave before the coffee and at the moment I froth the milk manually on the machine. All in all I am glad I bought it. Reliable and easy to use empty drip tray which isnt really much of a con

Not value for money – I've had this machine for about 6 months now, long enough to give it a good run. The end result is one great cup of coffee, but the process to get there leaves me feeling a little ripped off. It seems every time I use my Saeco, it needs something done first. Refill the water tank, empty grounds, empty drip tray, refill milk container. I get nagged… Read more

enough by my kids, thanks.

And finally, when I've attended to everything on its wish list, it produces a magnificent cup of coffee...

that's cold.

Just as well I have a reliable microwave.

Seriously, for the amount of money I paid for this machine, I'd at least expect my drink to be hot. Makes a great tasting, fully customisable coffee. Needs too much attention. All of its reserviors are too small and consequently need emptying and refilling almost every time I use it. My coffee is always cold.

The perfect all-in-one coffee machine – I've looked into pods, manual coffee machine, commercial ones, basically everything on the market and gave them all a try and see the difference in taste. I couldn't be happier to recommend this machine to anyone that it works real great that I can make myself a manual milk frothing with coffee art or just a quick auto milk frothing when I need a… Read more

quick coffee when I'm really busy. Made my day! Reliable, Affordable Auto milk frothing can be improvised with delivering hotter milk and would be nice if it spurts to smaller area so less cleaning required.

Good features but milk too cold – Great features, coffee tastes fine. The milk frother works ok however the temperature is a bit too cold making a warm coffee. The water tank and dregs tray could be bigger so you dont have to empty it after 4 cups. The unit looks great and grinds coffee ok. We dropped the milk jug on the floor and cracked it. I ended up gluing the [censored word… Read more

removed] back together when I found out a new one was $200.00.

I like the machine but wouldnt go as far as to recommending it. Looks and the fully automatic way it makes a coffee. Too expensive, milk not hot enough water milk and dregs tray could be bigger

extremely disapointed – bought this machine having owned saeco in the past, and boy what a disappointment. the coffee is cold, very confusing with that finger print thing, the overall result is terrible. This machine is nice looking but that is the only good thing about it! the milk jug is flimsy, was replaced twice, milk comes out cold. was told in store by saeco… Read more

repthat they reduce the heat for legal reasons and that my coffee at home would be much hotter. HE LIED!! the froth is airy and cold and the machine is noisy. they have a 3 month instore replacement warranty and now i know why. I have swapped it over twice, and i was told on the sly by a harvey norman sales person that they are the worst machines on the market. I ended up swapping my machine for a JURA Z7!! far better machine, hot coffee, better froth, and not noisy! ahhhh now to get back to my hot cuppa!

Dissapointed – Although it looks nice and is easy to use I find that the coffee is bitter even after talking to a Saeco rep and changing the coffee grind settings. When using the automatic process the coffee is suspended in the middle of the cup for a cafelatte with milk underneath and on top. The automatic milk dispenser is not hot enough, you get a good… Read more

coffee when manual frothing the milk but this is supposed to be an automatic machine. Not good enough for the price paid. Looks good and easy to operate Although it looks nice and is easy to use I find that the coffee is bitter even after talking to a Saeco rep and changing the coffee grind settings. When using the automatic process the coffee is suspended in the middle of the cup for a cafelatte with milk underneath and on top. The automatic milk dispenser is not hot enough, you get a good coffee when manual frothing the milk but this is supposed to be an automatic machine. Not good enough for the price paid.

We have the version with digital fingerprint recognition – Great coffee every time, you have to get your finger on the pad exactly in the right place for the machine to recognise you. you can use the scroll menu to find users as well. once you do, it makes exactly what you want. i do use a little boiling water from the kettle to top it up as I haven't worked out how to get it any hotter, its European… Read more ·  1

style I guess.

It's easy to clean, the milk carafe gets stored in the fridge, but i like to clean it every couple of days as it starts to smell around the top seal.

I use decaf which you put in at the top, cant believe how much flavour it gets for a decaf.

it starts quickly,is quieter than our old krups was when grinding, consistent coffees and it looks impressive. Great standard of coffee, exacting every time. we use clear bodum coffee glasses because you get such great differentiation between the layers. Having to clean the milk carafe every couple of days

Better than going to a cafe! – We had our old Saeco for about 7 years and never had a problem with it. We were sick of frothing our own milk so decided to upgrade to this machine and have not regretted it for a moment! Saeco now include 2 additional milk frothing tubes to get hotter milk...we installed the medium tube but there is another tube that would make it even hotter.… Read more ·  2

The fact that all the coffees can be customised for each user is brilliant, and has been very handy with guests who don't like their coffee that same as ours. We have also used the machine to make babycinos for our son which is great. I also think it's fantastic that the coffee dispenser can be removed as my husband and I make a coffee in our travel mugs before we go to work each morning. In the past I had to make the coffee in a mug then pour it into the travel mug but now it can go straight into the travel mug. I cannot speak highly enough of this machine. Yes it's expensive, and perhaps the fingerprint ID is a little unnecessary (albeit a snazzy touch), but when you add up the cost saved from going out to buy coffee then this machine is a little beauty. Reliable name, 2 year warranty, ability to customise so easily, everything really! The only negative I can think of is that the fingerprint ID is not really necessary, it's really just for the wow factor.

Glad I got a super deal – Purchased after owning Saeco machine for 10 years. Was going to buy Exprelia but found a super deal of $1200 as machine is white and no one wants that apparently so yay for me who has a new white kitchen. Anyway if I had paid $3000+ I would be disappointed. Machine looks fantastic, easy to use, took awhile to set how we liked but got there… Read more ·  1

after several cups.

Milk is definately a problem, it doesnt get hot enough, contacted Philips/Saeco and they sent me two tubes to improve temp. It did improve but now having to reset as on smallest hottest tube not enough milk dispensed... Will let you know how I go with this.

Old machine had to be filled once/twice a week this machine at least once per day. Dregs tray once/twice a day.... ahhhhh it's annoying. and it rinses when turning on, turning off... wastes water, and our old machine only rinsed when we told it too. I miss that..

Overall its a good machine, lots of features, looks good, makes great coffee if only hotter.

glad I got a super deal.. Easy to use, looks, taste, set for each person. Rinsing too often, milk temp, price.

At Last Promise Automatic Cappuccino Machine Met – I am fanatic about coffee. My mornings are usually too rushed to deal with the manual process of making a good cappuccino. For these reasons, I have tried several of the competing brands in this category, and generally been disappointed. The disappointment has generally centered on either poor reliability and lack of vendor support (Krupps) or… Read more

poor coffee (Breville).

I have to say, with the Xelsis, Saeco got it right. The machine is easy to use, has proven reliable in the 4 months I have used it and makes a real good coffee in the morning. The multiple user profiles with preset setting are good for a household where not everyone sees things my way.

The only downside is the water reservoir and the sump are a bit small and demand more frequent attention than I might like Coffee

like it but not estatic when you consider the price – I find the milk does not get anywhere near hot enough. The milk container is definitely flimsy considering the cost - do something about Saeco and recall all those you have already sold. The milk container is also not big enough. Not sure I will keep this machine. Too expensive for the quality.