Delonghi Esam3300 Vs Philips 3200 Lattego: A Face-Off Battle

Delonghi Esam3300 Vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Comparison Chart

Delonghi Esam3300 Vs Philips 3200 Lattego: Differences

Coffee Flavour

Winner: Delonghi Esam3300

Built-in Grinder

The Delonghi Esam 3300 features a built-in stainless steel cone grinder, while the Philips 3200 boasts a ceramic flat burr one. Right off the bat, they spare you from buying a separate grinder, saving both your precious time and hard-earned money. Better yet, the burr grinder also has a reputation for producing a more uniform particle size, leading to better extraction and flavor consistency.

The Philips 3200 grinder is made from 100% ceramic, which is less likely to transfer heat to the coffee beans during grinding. That way, it can preserve the beans’ essential oils and flavors, thereby resulting in a more flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee.

To dial in the right grind size for your perfect brew, the Delonghi Magnifica offers 14 different grind settings, whereas the Philips 3200 has 12 settings, ranging from extra coarse to super fine. Bear in mind two golden rules when adjusting: a counterclockwise turn yields a finer texture (and vice versa), and never play around with the grind size when the grinder is off.

Avoid using dark roast beans (or oil beans) since the oiliness can potentially lead to a clogged grinder. But if you still insist on using dark roasts, I have an alternative: Crush them with a separate grinder suited for such beans,  then utilize the bypass doser

Heating System

The Delonghi Esam3300 is a dual thermoblock boiler machine, which is great as not many models priced below one grand have this feature. Having two boilers means this one can simultaneously brew espresso and froth milk without any delay. Moreover, each boiler has its own designated temperature, so each task always gets the optimal temperature for optimal results.

On the other hand, the Philips 3200 has only one thermoblock boiler, which performs two functions one by one. So there is a waiting time for the machine to switch from one to another. But you will not need to wait too long since the thermoblock technology is able to heat up in just 20 seconds, far quicker than the lengthy heat-up process of traditional boilers.

Both also have a cup pre-heating tray on top, used to warm up your cup to ensure your espresso is always at the optimum temperature while preparing milk froth. I always appreciate such a small but practical feature.

Brewing System

These machines brew espresso at up to 15 bars of pressure, while 8 or 9 bars of pressure are more than enough to pull a proper espresso shot. Before that, they moisten the coffee grounds with hot water to make them bloom for better extraction and reduce channeling – the key to receiving a round, balanced, and flavorful cup of espresso. This stage is called pre-infusion and can be found on most super-automatic espresso machines.

I found the Delonghi Esam3300 to pull a well-extracted shot topped with a thick layer of crema. As for the Philips 3200, the espresso was a bit weak and watery, while the crema layer was really thin. I suspect the primary issue here is an overly rapid extraction: this one pulled a shot in about 15 seconds, which is half the 30-second typical duration.

Milk Frothing System

Philips 3200 LatteGo features a fully automatic milk frother called LatteGo, distinguishing it from another version that uses a manual steam wand. Naturally, this one allows anyone to have milk foam or steamed milk at the press of a button.

The clever LatteGo system simply consists of three parts: a plastic milk pitcher, a black holder, and a lid. Putting them together is child’s play, but ensure the milk jug is firmly clamped into the holder, or you’ll end up with a mess on the kitchen countertop. This one will mix milk and air at high speed in an inner round frothing chamber before dispensing milk froth into a waiting cup.

I loved that the holder features some convenient markings to indicate how much milk you should pour to prepare a certain drink, but it would be better if it had a different color for better visibility. The top lid also feels like it could fly off at any moment because there is nothing to hold it in place securely – Introducing a hinge mechanism could help.

Another gripe is that the milk pouring spout is a bit too high, especially if you want to make a smaller drink like a cappuccino, meaning milk has to drop a long way down before reaching your cup. Consequently, precision in cup positioning is essential.

I found the Philips 3200 only made thick foam, which is good for a nice cappuccino, and, of course, couldn’t make latte art. It would be better if this one had a mechanism to customize the microfoam’s texture.

On the flip side, the Delonghi Esam3300 has a panarello steam lance instead of a fancy “one-touch” milk system that can be found on De’Longhi’s higher-end models like the Delonghi Dinamica Plus. This type of wand is designed to make frothing easier than a traditional wand, but it still requires a greater degree of manual involvement than a completely automated milk frothing system.

I bet every aspiring home barista would actually prefer this wand-equipped machine, as it can create both frothy milk for cappuccinos and the finely textured microfoam needed for lattes or flat whites. Additionally, it presents an entry point for coffee lovers aiming to delve into the world of mastering latte art.

Design & Usability

Winner: Philips 3200 Lattego

Dimensions, Footprint, & Weight

I liked that these bean-to-cup machines are compact, meaning they won’t take up much space on your kitchen countertop. They can even easily fit under upper cupboards as long as you ensure that there is enough clearance above to load their bean hoppers. They are somewhat heavy, so it’s best to pick a permanent spot for your next espresso machine.

Pre-programmed Coffee Options

If you are looking for something that can turn your kitchen into a refreshment station with a bunch of one-touch drinks, these machines are definitely not for you. Nonetheless, if your needs are as straightforward as a morning espresso pick-me-up or a velvety milk-infused indulgence, these options have got you covered.

Another notable feature is their bypass chute for pre-ground coffee, which is handy for those moments when you fancy a decaf or want to sample coffee beyond your usual freshly-ground beans. You can also use their hot water function to make an Americano (by making espresso) or quickly brew tea.

Both offer some customization options for each preset drink. The Philips 3200 allows you to customize each preset drink for 3 levels of aroma strength, length of shot, amount of milk froth, and brewing temperature. Meanwhile, the Delonghi Esam3300 has 4 brewing temperatures and considerable scope to calibrate coffee strength and espresso quantity. After creating countless permutations and finding the right combination of settings for your beans and personal palate, they’ll be remembered and accessed effortlessly with a single touch.

Their dual espresso dispensing spouts are height-adjustable. You’ll want them to go all the way up to fit some of the larger cups or have them lowered as close to your espresso cup as possible to avoid breaking that lovely crema layer. The Philips 3200 has a wider cup height range, potentially accommodating various cup sizes with ease.

I liked their double shot function, which is a real double shot. I mean, while many models out there simply use double the water with the same coffee grounds, they brew two separate espressos.

Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper 

The water tanks are thoughtfully positioned at the front, eliminating the need to move the entire espresso machine for refills. Considering that they are designed for home use, one reload per day should suffice unless, of course, you’re substituting your daily water intake with caffeine-loaded drinks.

The Philips 3200 holds an edge over its rival with its ability to accommodate an AquaClean water filter in its tank. Using it is optional, but if you do, you’ll only need to descale the machine every 5,000 cups, or at least that’s what the manufacturer claims. To put it in perspective: if your household consumes three espressos daily, you might go nearly five years without descaling. Quite impressive!

They both do a great job of preserving the aroma of the beans, as they have airtight lids that protect the beans from air and sunlight exposure. As a result, every espresso you brew is brewed with beans that are aromatic to the core.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Winner: Tie

The good news is that cleaning or maintaining these machines isn’t difficult or time-consuming. They have an automatic descaling mode, making this chore a breeze. You don’t even have to set your own reminder since they will alert you when it’s time for descaling.

There are a few removable parts that need to be cleaned manually, including the drip tray, dregs drawer, water container, and brew unit. Additionally, it’s a good practice to occasionally wipe down the machine’s exterior with a damp cloth to keep it free from splashes and everyday dust.

Regarding cleaning the milk system, the Delonghi Esam3300 will flush a jet of steam to purge any potential milk residue, and all that’s needed from your side is a quick wipe of the steam wand with a cloth. Likewise, the Philips 3200 also runs a cleaning cycle after each preparation of milky drinks, and you should deep clean its milk pitcher under the tap or place it in your dishwasher from time to time.

Utilities & Other Features

Winner: Tie

Auto Shut Off

For those who might occasionally forget to turn things off, the automatic shut-off feature in these devices is a fantastic safety measure. It not only ensures that energy isn’t wasted but also significantly diminishes potential fire hazards.

Quick Rundown Of Delonghi Esam3300

Quick Rundown Of Philips 3200 Lattego

Floyd J. Alcock

I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.