Contents
Thanks to the divided bean compartment, the Dutch coffee machine brews two different types of coffee. We tested the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900.
Table of contents
- Two bean chambers
- Easy to use
- Balanced filter coffee without weaknesses
- Hassle-free care
- Philips All-in-1 Brew: prices and models
- Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900 in the test: conclusion
Among the Fully automatic coffee machines Philips has distinguished itself through its LatteGo models developed into a crowd favorite with a practical milk cup system and an excellent price-performance ratio. The Dutch also try the same trick with the Filter coffee machines. The technology jack-of-all-trades came up with something for the top model. We tested the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900.
Two bean chambers
The highlight of the Philips All-in-1 Brew is the bean container on the top. In contrast to most filter coffee machines and its sister model HD7888/01, the removable storage compartment of the tested HD7900 is divided into two parts. You can switch back and forth between one chamber and the other using a rotary control. This is practical, for example, if you use decaffeinated beans in addition to filter coffee with caffeine or use different types with different flavors. That’s not all: you can also use both bean chambers, each of which can hold just under 225 grams (g), at the same time. This means you either have a large storage compartment with a capacity of up to 450 g. Or you can experiment with your own filter coffee blends from two different types of beans. We’re giving you a little upgrade for this.
A conical grinder beneath the bean container grinds the coffee beans into powder. The mill achieves a very high volume of up to 88 decibels (dB) – not ideal for living situations with thin walls. The grinding level can be infinitely adjusted and delivers fairly homogeneous ground material. This ensures that you find the ideal grind level for your coffee beans and your taste.
One floor below is the swivel filter, which swings out to the left. The removable filter carrier has a drip stop function. The valve prevents hot coffee from spilling onto the countertop when you remove the pot. The scope of delivery also includes a simple permanent filter made of plastic with a nylon net. For reasons of durability, a permanent filter made of stainless steel or with a stainless steel mesh would have been nicer. If you prefer to use paper filters or want to buy a permanent stainless steel filter, size 4 filters fit in the filter holder.
On the right side of the coffee machine you will find the water tank, which holds around 1.25 liters. That’s enough for about ten cups of 125 milliliters (ml). The tank is removable for easier cleaning and has markings to show you the water level. Great: The water tank is not automatically completely emptied during preparation. So if you just want to brew a quick cup in between, you don’t have to fill the tank individually for each brewing process.
With the Philips All-in-1 Brew you also get a glass jug that holds 1.25 liters. Since the pot does not insulate, a warming plate ensures that the coffee remains at temperature after preparation. And for a long time: the function can be activated for up to five hours. The majority of coffee machines with heating plates keep the coffee warm for between 30 and 60 minutes.
Easy to use
Below the water tank you will find the control panel with eight sensor buttons. Above this there is an approximately 2 inch (5 centimeter) LED display including the time display. The screen is easy to read and provides an overview of all important information. You can use the buttons to set, among other things, the coffee strength (three levels) and the number of cups (one to ten), program the timer function, start preparation and switch the machine on or off. The operation is simple and largely self-explanatory. That’s a good thing, as the scope of delivery only includes a very brief manual. The detailed operating instructions You can only find a practice online that Philips (and its subsidiary Saeco) has also introduced its fully automatic coffee machines. After all, no questions remain unanswered when studying the online manual.
For the preparation, including the grinding process, you should first clarify the standards: Is the bean container full? Is there enough water in the tank? Have you used a filter? And is the jug under the spout? If you can answer all questions with a yes, first set the desired amount of coffee and the coffee strength. Then press the start/stop button and it starts. For the maximum quantity of 1.25 liters (= ten cups), the All-in-1 Brew takes around 8:40 minutes. The grinding process takes around 40 seconds and the very quiet brewing process (only 33 dB) takes just under eight minutes. When it comes to power consumption, the device is on average economical at 14 watt hours per cup. In standby, the machine only consumes 0.5 watts.
Balanced filter coffee without weaknesses
The Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900/50 also has to pass our taste test. We used medium-finely ground specialty coffee with notes of milk chocolate for filter methods. We use 6 g of coffee powder per 100 ml, so with the maximum quantity of 1.25 liters it is 75 g. The result after preparation is a balanced filter coffee that leaves a good impression in terms of flavor notes, strength, acidity and bitterness as well as body. The bottom line is that the coffee from the Philips machine ranks behind the variants from the Severin Filka, Technivorm Moccamaster KBG Select and Beem Fresh Aroma Perfect III in the top coffee quality group.
Hassle-free care
For regular care, the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900/50 offers an automatic descaling program that is completed in just a few minutes. If the machine wants to be descaled, the device will notify you. It is best to stick to the operating instructions linked above. The filter holder, the permanent filter and the coffee pot can also be put in the dishwasher, but you have to do the water tank yourself. Since the tank can be removed and offers enough space for dish or bottle brushes, this is easy. Due to the somewhat bulky design (43.4×27.7×24.5 cm), cleaning the surface takes a little longer than with more compact filter coffee machines.
Cleaning the grinder is relatively easy. First, you should scoop out the coffee beans in the storage compartment and grind any leftovers. Then set the rear rotary control of the bean container to the open position (symbol with open lock) and pull the container upwards. You can remove the coffee ground residues in the grinder with the cleaning brush provided or use a vacuum cleaner. Once that’s done, you can put the bean container back in place and turn the dial to one of the chamber positions. Last but not least, turn on the machine, press the care button twice and press the start/stop button. The grinding shaft below the mill opens automatically and can be cleaned of powder residue with a brush and/or vacuum cleaner. Then press the start/stop button again and the chute will close. Overall, cleaning the mill and grinding shaft takes between five and ten minutes.
Philips All-in-1 Brew: prices and models
The Philips All-in-1 Brew is available in three different versions. In addition to the tested model HD7900/50, there is also the technically identical version HD7900/01 and the HD7888/01 with a simple bean container. The price for the HD7900 models is around 220 euros; you can get the HD7888 for 150 to 200 euros.
Test results
Test results
| Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900 | |
|---|---|
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Manufacturer information |
Models: HD7900/50, HD7900/01 (two-part bean hopper), HD7888/01 (single bean hopper) Price: 220 euros Power / filter size: 1000 watts / 4 Water tank / coffee container capacity: 1.25 l / 1.25 l |
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Furnishing |
Prepare 1 to 10 cups at a time Glass jug (non-insulating) included Integrated grinder (stepless), removable bean container (2 x 225 g) Swivel filter, filter holder removable Permanent filter, coffee spoon and cleaning brush included Coffee quantity (1 to 10 cups) and coffee strength (3 levels) selectable Drip stop, heating plate, water level indicator and timer available Anti-slip feet and automatic switch-off available Grade: 1.7 |
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Service & |
Easy to use via sensor buttons and 2-inch LED display Detailed operating instructions only online Just one touch to start the brewing process (1.25 l in 8 minutes) Good filter coffee taste Grade: 1.7 |
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cleaning |
Descaling program available Cleaning the surface is a bit difficult Easy to clean water tank Filter holder not dishwasher safe Pot is not dishwasher safe Grade: 2.1 |
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Technical tests |
Average power consumption when making coffee, very low in standby Very quiet brewing process, very loud grinder A bit bulky Grade: 3.2 |
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Upgrading |
Two-part bean container -0.1 |
|
Test results |
good (grade: 1.9) |
Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900 in the test: conclusion
If you like to experiment with different types of beans or want to drink decaffeinated coffee every now and then, the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900 is the right filter coffee machine. Even apart from the two-part bean container, the equipment is extensive. Added to this is the easy handling and the good coffee quality. The only real drawbacks are the very loud grinder and the rather bulky design. The price is also a bit high. Apart from that, the coffee machine impresses in all respects.
