Rachel Weisz / Philips
Over the course of my career as a Shopping Editor, I have tested various coffee machines across a range of price points, with all manner of features, but today is a very special day. I can finally admit I’ve found my for-life coffee machine in the form of the Philips Café Aromis Series 8000.
Now, I don’t take this statement lightly. As much as I love to identify as a coffee snob whose crema needs to look as good as the surface of a hazelnut-hued crème brûlée, it doesn’t feel right that a coffee fiend could love an automatic machine as much as a manual one. But I’m here to change your mind.
Below are my thoughts, feelings and findings on the Philips Café Aromis.
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Philips Café Aromis Series 8000 review verdict
- Our rating: 9 out of 10
- Why we rated it an 9/10: The Philips Café Aromis is one of the easiest and most efficient coffee machines on the market. When I say you’ll wake up to perfectly-brewed coffee at the touch of a button, I mean it.
Pros
- Extremely easy set up
- Fast brewing
- Fully automatic
- Cold and hot coffee functions
- Cold brew setting
- Large capacity water tank
- WiFi compatibility
Cons
- One of the most expensive coffee machines on the market
- Bulky (at 452mm long it should fit most countertops, but it is longer than previous machines I’ve tested)
- Small drip holes cause splashing on tray (not aesthetically pleasing)
What’s so special about the Philips Café Aromis?
The Café Aromis Series 8000 does what every automatic coffee machine aims to achieve: complete and total automation. Begone are the days of tamping and tinkering with grind settings, wondering why your froth was fine and even one day and frothy the next. From the get-go, my coffee tasted pleasant and naturally sweet, without a hint of bitterness.
Another feature worth pointing out is its various drink functions – 54, to be exact – meaning the whole family is covered. Whether you’re an espresso purist, cold brew fanatic or an iced latte fiend who goes no holds barred on the syrup, this machine has you covered. The LatteGo Pro milk system is suitable for both dairy and plant-based milks and is dishwasher-safe.
- 50+ hot & cold drinks
- Seven intensity levels and 12 grinder settings
- Velvety milk froth in up to 10 seconds
- An easy-to-use intuitive display with photographs of drink options
- HomeID app for remote brewing
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Two year warranty
Results from our test
Taste
Coffee machines often take a few tries to get the espresso tasting the way it should, especially automatic coffee machines that need a little tinkering despite their automaticity. I didn’t have that issue with the Café Aromis. I quite liked the default settings as they were, though there is the option to adjust the strength and grind settings.
I haven’t had the chance to test all 54 drink recipes; however, the ones I have tried – from iced lattes to hot cappuccinos and cold brew – have been incredibly pleasant. Each espresso shot came out long and clean, leaving a pleasant flavour rather than a burnt, bitter or astringent aftertaste. I never felt as if the coffee was over- or under-extracted, unlike with some automatic coffee machines that need a touch more manual handling.
Touch
The touchscreen is another feature that makes this automatic coffee machine true to its one-touch promise. Personalised user profiles can also be created on the screen or through the app. The controls are simple, with images making it easy to prepare your coffee exactly to your preferences.
Teething issues
There weren’t many teething issues with the Café Aromis. I was surprised by how easy the setup was and have since found the machine pleasant to use.
While I don’t have anything negative to say about the machine itself, there are some design issues I have noticed. The milk frothing spout is very short, so spills can happen if you don’t nail the mug placement. While I haven’t had any issues yet, I do tend to keep a close eye on the extraction in case anything goes awry.
My final qualm is the rinsing function, which occurs when you turn off the machine. The drip holes are very small, so water can end up all over the place and make the machine look messy. I would also watch out for splashes if your coffee machine is in a carpeted area, as mine is. That being said, I’ve not seen spills past the tray as of yet.
Overall, is Philips Café Aromis worth it?
At $1799, this unit is easily one of the highest-priced automatic coffee machines on the market right now. However, if you’re after a machine that does everything for you without the worry of getting the extraction or grind right, this machine is a perfect investment. I particularly love this machine because I tend to rush in the morning, and now I don’t have to fear that my coffee won’t come out perfectly and I’ll end up running late.
While I absolutely wouldn’t recommend this model for anyone on a budget, it is genuinely the best coffee machine I’ve ever used.
Where to buy Philips Café Aromis
You can purchase the Philips Café Aromis Series 8000 at Harvey Norman for $1799.
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