The Philips 3200 LatteGo and the Breville Barista Touch are both exceptional home espresso machines, but they target different users. The Philips 3200 is a fully automatic machine prized for its convenience and one-touch operation, while the Breville Barista Touch is a semi-automatic machine that uses a touchscreen to give coffee enthusiasts premium control and customization over their brew.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which espresso machine from Philips or Breville is the right choice for your kitchen countertop.
Philips 3200 LatteGo
The Philips 3200 is a super-automatic espresso machine that delivers on its promise of convenience. Its standout feature is the LatteGo milk frothing system, an innovative two-part frother with no tubes, making it incredibly easy to clean. This machine is designed for anyone who wants great coffee drinks consistently without a steep learning curve or complicated cleanup process.
- What it is: A fully automatic, bean-to-cup espresso machine with a simple button interface and an easy-to-clean milk frothing system.
- Key features: Patented two-part LatteGo milk frother, intuitive touch display for five coffee varieties, 12-step grinder adjustment, quiet ceramic burr grinder, and the AquaClean water filter system.
- Price: Around $700 - $800
- Style: Minimalist and modern with a combination of high-gloss black plastic and metal accents that fits well in most kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: The body is primarily high-quality plastic with some metal components. It feels sturdy and is built for consistent daily use.
- Pros: Exceptionally easy to use with one-touch drinks. The LatteGo milk system is simple to clean (dishwasher safe). Delivers consistent, good-quality coffee. More affordable than premium semi-automatic machines.
- Cons: Milk is frothed, not steamed, providing less microfoam for latte art enthusiasts. Plastic construction doesn't feel as premium as stainless steel. Limited customization compared to semi-automatic models.
The Philips 3200 is for the coffee drinker who values speed and simplicity and wants reliable results with minimal hands-on effort.
Shop this product: philips.com/p/EP3241_54/
Breville Barista Touch
The Breville Barista Touch bridges the gap between manual and automatic machines by offering professional-grade features with a brilliantly intuitive color touchscreen. It guides you through the process of making amazing, cafe-quality coffee, from grinding the beans to texturing milk for latte art. It is designed for the coffee enthusiast who wants control over every variable but appreciates a user-friendly interface.
- What it is: A high-end, semi-automatic espresso machine that features an integrated burr grinder and a touchscreen interface for guided drink creation.
- Key features: Intuitive color touchscreen with pre-programmed cafe drinks and options to save eight personalized coffees. Integrated conical burr grinder, 3-second heat-up time with ThermoJet heating system, and a powerful steam wand that automatically creates microfoam milk.
- Price: Around $1,200 - $1,500
- Style: A professional, commercial espresso machine look with a premium brushed stainless steel finish. A statement piece for any kitchen counter or coffee bar.
- Materials/Construction: Premium brushed stainless steel body with high-quality internal components built for performance and durability.
- Pros: Gives you full control over grind size, shot volume, and milk texture. The automatic steam wand creates perfect microfoam for latte art. Superior build quality with lasting materials. The touchscreen simplifies the learning process for making professional-quality espresso.
- Cons: A much larger investment upfront. Requires more hands-on involvement and cleaning than a super-automatic machine. Has a steeper learning curve for users who just want to push a single button.
The Breville Barista Touch is perfect for the aspiring home barista who enjoys the craft of coffee making and is willing to invest in a machine that delivers precision, control, and cafe-quality results.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/bes880
Philips 3200 LatteGo vs. Breville Barista Touch Comparison
Ease of Use & Workflow
The core difference between these two machines lies in their workflow. The Philips 3200 LatteGo is all about automation. You select your drink from the panel, push a button, and the machine handles grinding, brewing, and frothing without any further intervention. It's the definition of a one-touch experience, ideal for busy mornings.
The Breville Barista Touch offers a guided, hands-on experience. The touchscreen walks you through each step - grind, brew, milk - but you move the portafilter from the grinder to the brew head and place the milk frothing jug under the steam wand yourself. It's not one-touch, but it offers a much more involved and satisfying "cafe experience" at home for those who enjoy the process.
Milk Frothing System
The Philips LatteGo system is brilliantly simple. Milk goes into an external carafe, which clips onto the front of the machine. The system froths the milk and adds it directly to your cup. Because it has no tubes and only two parts, it can be rinsed clean in seconds or put in the dishwasher. However, it produces mostly frothy foam and not the finely textured microfoam required for latte art.
Breville's automatic steam wand is in a different league. It uses a professional-style steam arm to heat and texture the milk in a steel jug. You can adjust the temperature and texture level precisely, and it consistently creates the silky microfoam needed to pour detailed latte art. While it gets professional results, it requires cleaning the steam wand after each use.
Materials & Construction
The Philips 3200 is well-built for its price point, primarily using durable plastic for its chassis with some metal trim. It feels solid but does not project the same premium, long-term feel as an all-metal machine.
The Breville Barista Touch features a brushed stainless steel body that is robust, stylish, and built to last. This superior construction not only looks professional but contributes to the machine's durability and weight, which makes a difference in something you use daily. It feels like a serious piece of kitchen equipment, justifying its higher price.
Price & Value
At around $700-$800, the Philips 3200 offers excellent value for a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine. It provides a convenient, reliable solution for a wide range of coffee drinks without the premium price tag. For the price, you get fantastic ease of use and consistent results.
The Breville Barista Touch, costing nearly twice as much at $1,200-$1,500, offers value in a different way. The price reflects its premium materials, advanced ThermoJet heating system, and the technology packed into its touchscreen and steam wand. The value comes from its ability to replicate cafe-quality drinks and provide a rewarding hobby for coffee enthusiasts.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Philips 3200 LatteGo excels for users who prioritize speed and convenience over everything else. It’s perfect for families where different people want different drinks without hassle, or for busy individuals who need a quick, reliable cappuccino to start their day.
The Breville Barista Touch is built for the user who views coffee as a passion. It’s tailored for those who want to experiment with grind settings and latte art and who derive satisfaction from crafting a perfect cup of coffee. If you enjoy the art of being a barista, this machine provides the tools and guidance to perfect your skills.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are excellent choices, but they are designed for very different types of coffee drinkers.
Choose the Philips 3200 LatteGo if:
- You want one-touch convenience and don't want to get your hands dirty.
- Easy cleaning is your absolute top priority in a coffee machine.
- Your budget is under $1,000, and you want great all-around performance.
- You want consistently good espresso and frothed milk without a learning curve.
Choose the Breville Barista Touch if:
- You want to get hands-on and control grind size, brew temperature, and shot volume.
- Learning to pour latte art is an exciting prospect for you.
- Premium build quality and a stainless steel design are important.
- You see your espresso machine as an investment in a rewarding hobby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Philips 3200 and Breville Barista Touch?
The biggest difference is automation level and user goal. The Philips 3200 is a fully automatic machine designed for "set it and forget it" convenience. The Breville Barista Touch is a semi-automatic machine designed for hands-on crafting, using a touchscreen display to guide you through a more professional-style brewing process.
Which machine is easier to clean?
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is easier to clean day-to-day, especially its two-part, tube-free milk system which is dishwasher safe. The Breville's automatic steam wand requires purging and wiping after every use, and its portafilter and drip tray require more regular hand washing.
Which one pulls a better espresso shot?
With its advanced level of control over grind dose and temperature, the Breville Barista Touch has the potential to pull a significantly better and more customized espresso shot. The Philips 3200 is consistent, but it doesn't offer the fine-tuning needed to perfect an extraction for a specific bean.
Which is better for beginners?
This depends on the beginner's goals. For a true beginner who just wants great coffee with zero effort, the Philips 3200 is the better choice. For a beginner who is excited to learn the craft of making espresso, the Breville's touchscreen makes it surprisingly easy to get started with the fundamentals.
Can both machines use pre-ground coffee?
Yes, both machines feature a bypass doser that allows you to use pre-ground coffee, which is great for making the occasional decaf or using a different blend without emptying the bean hopper.
Why is the Breville Barista Touch so much more expensive?
Its price is driven by superior materials (brushed stainless steel vs. plastic), a more advanced and faster heating system (ThermoJet), a color touchscreen interface, and a much more powerful and precise steam wand capable of true milk texturing.
How is the grinder quality on each?
The Philips machine uses a good ceramic burr grinder with 12 settings. The Breville incorporates its own renowned integrated conical burr grinder with over 30 settings, offering a finer degree of control over the coarseness of your grind.
Can I make regular coffee with these machines?
Yes, both machines can make an Americano, which is an espresso shot diluted with hot water. This is the closest substitute for a regular drip coffee, and both machines have a one-touch function to create it.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
