Philips LatteGo suits anyone who wants the easiest milk system to clean: two parts, no tubes, rinsed under the tap in seconds. De'Longhi Magnifica suits anyone who wants far more owner reviews behind the machine and the cheaper entry, and doesn't mind a carafe with more parts.
Both brands make the automatic machines most Australians buy. The Philips ladder (2300, 4400, 5500) and the De'Longhi ladder (Evo, Plus, Rivelia) line up almost exactly on price, so this comes down to milk systems and menus.
De'Longhi Magnifica Evo
Seven one-touch recipes, LatteCrema Hot carafe (220ml), 13-setting grinder, 1.8-litre tank, 15-bar thermoblock. 24cm wide. Owners rate it 4.4 from 250 reviews at The Good Guys; the carafe cleaning routine is the common complaint.
What We Like:
- Often the cheapest carafe automatic
- Most reviews of any machine here
- Colour touch icons
What We Don't Like:
- Carafe has more parts to rinse
Philips 4400 LatteGo
Twelve preset drinks including flat white, iced coffee and iced americano, two user profiles plus guest, LatteGo milk system, QuickStart so the first coffee brews as it heats, a 12-setting grinder, 1.8-litre tank, 275g hopper and an AquaClean filter rated for 5,000 cups before descaling. 24.6cm wide, 8kg. Owners rate it 4.7 from a small pool at The Good Guys.
Fewer reviews than the De'Longhi, and a lighter, more plastic build.
What We Like:
- LatteGo: two parts, no tubes
- 12 drinks, profiles
- AquaClean filter
What We Don't Like:
- Small review pool
The two ladders side by side
| Philips 2300 | De'Longhi Evo | Philips 4400 | De'Longhi Plus | Philips 5500 | De'Longhi Rivelia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $600–700 | $700–800 | $800–900 | $1,100–1,200 | $1,100–1,200 | $1,000–1,100 |
| Drinks | 4 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 16 |
| Profiles | No | No | 2 + guest | No | 4 + guest | 4 |
| Milk | LatteGo | LatteCrema carafe | LatteGo | LatteCrema carafe | LatteGo | LatteCrema, 500ml |
| Grinder | 12 settings | 13 settings | 12 settings | 13 settings | 12 settings | 13 settings |
| Screen | Touch panel | Colour icons | Touch panel | 3.5" touch | Touch panel | 3.5" touch |
| Tank | 1.8L | 1.8L | 1.8L | 1.8L | 1.8L | 1.8L |
| Weight | 8kg | 9.6kg | 8kg | 12.2kg | not listed | 12.7kg |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Owner rating | 4.5 (17) | 4.4 (250) | 4.7 (14) | 4.8 (92) | 4.9 (16) | 4.9 (62) |
Owner ratings are from The Good Guys.
What actually differs
Milk cleaning. LatteGo is a milk cup with a clip-on froth chamber and no tubes; it rinses in about ten seconds and the two parts are dishwasher-safe. LatteCrema is a carafe with an internal frother and a dispensing spout; it runs a one-touch rinse cycle and the parts go in the dishwasher, but there are more of them. Owners of both brands mention cleaning more than anything else, and Philips comes out ahead.
Milk capacity. LatteGo holds 260ml, enough for one large or two small milk drinks before a refill. The Evo carafe holds 220ml; the Rivelia's holds 500ml.
Menus and profiles. Philips gives more preset drinks at each price and adds profiles on the 4400. De'Longhi holds profiles back until the Rivelia.
Descaling. Philips' AquaClean filter stretches descaling to about 5,000 cups. De'Longhi uses a filter too but prompts descaling more often.
Evidence. De'Longhi's machines have far more reviews. Philips' scores are high but from pools of under 20 at The Good Guys.
Build. Philips machines weigh 8kg; the equivalent De'Longhi weighs 10 to 13kg. More metal on the De'Longhi, less to lift on the Philips.
FAQs
Which makes better espresso?
Neither has a clear edge. Both use a 15-bar pump, a ceramic or steel burr grinder with a dozen-odd settings and a thermoblock. Owners rate the coffee from both well; the differences people report are about milk and cleaning.
Is LatteGo really tube-free?
Yes. The milk cup sits on the front, froth is made in a small chamber by air and milk mixing, and there is no tube to block or descale.
Can the Philips machines use pre-ground coffee?
Yes, all three have a pre-ground chute, as do the De'Longhi Evo, Plus and Rivelia.
