Philips Senseo Review

What the reviewers like:
The majority of owners are very happy with the Philips Senseo, saying it makes an excellent cup of coffee, with a thick layer of creamy foam. Some of the Senseo's advocates say it tastes "European." This model can make either one or two cups, and its detachable water reservoir holds up to 20 ounces. A wide variety of coffee pods are available for the Philips Senseo.

What the reviewers don't like:
A few people complain about the flavor and unavailability of Senseo's prepackaged coffee pods, but others point out that the Senseo one-cup coffee maker accommodates any similar-size pod. If you are considering the Senseo, be sure to figure in the cost of the coffee pods, as you can't use regular drip coffee. Some owners wish the coffee had a stronger espresso-like flavor; others suggest using two pods to get stronger coffee.

Philips Senseo review highlights

According to reviews, the Philips Senseo is the best pod-type coffee maker, which makes one or two cups at a time using special single-serving pods. The majority of owners say a nice variety of coffee pods is available for the Senseo. They also note that the coffee taste good, with a layer of creamy foam on top. The main complaints come from people who were hoping the coffee would taste more like espresso (it's still coffee). Some other owners say the pods can be hard to find and are more expensive than regular drip coffee. Making coffee with the Philips Senseo takes a couple of extra steps for priming and cleaning, but if you want this type of coffee maker, reviews say the Senseo beats competitors like the Black & Decker Home Café (*est. $60).

We found a handful of professional reviews for the Philips Senseo pod-type coffee maker, along with close to 1,000 owner-written reviews. Although Consumer Reports includes the Philips Senseo in its tests, editors are sparse with details. The Senseo is also included in short reviews at The New York Times, About.com and Good Housekeeping. But the best reviews for the Philips Senseo come from Amazon.com, where close to 700 owners have offered feedback about the Senseo, often in lengthy, detailed write-ups. We found other owner-written reviews at Epinions and Cooking.com.

Also see full report: Coffee Makers

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Amazon.com
Philips Senseo reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

At Amazon.com, the Philips Senseo single-cup coffee maker gets a whopping 700 owner-written reviews. Cumulatively, the Senseo gets a four-star average rating (out of five). Most owners say that the coffee tastes great, though it's still coffee and not espresso. Most seem happy with the Senseo. A few aren't sure it's worth the extra effort of priming the machine, buying pods and cleaning.

2. Consumer Reports
Pod coffeemakers
Editors of Consumer Reports
Feb. 2007

Consumer Reports tests ten pod-type coffee makers, including the Philips Senseo. The ten coffee makers are rated on temperature consistency, brewing speed and convenience, among other factors. No rating for coffee taste is given, however.

3. About.com
Top 5 Small Drip Coffee Makers
Sean Paajanen

The Philips Senseo tops this list of small-capacity coffee makers. Reviewer Sean Paajanen compliments its great tasting coffee, nice layer of foam and quick operation. He also says the Philips Senseo is easy to use.

4. Epinions
Philips Senseo HD-7810 5-Cup Coffee Maker reviews
Contributors to Epinions

Well over 100 owners have written reviews at Epinions for the Philips Senseo coffee maker. Most owners like the Senseo coffee maker. The main complaints center on the cost, availability and taste of the coffee pods. A few say the coffee is too weak for their taste.

5. Cooking.com
Philips Senseo ratings
Contributors to Cooking.com

There are a couple of dozen reviews here for the Philips Senseo, which gets almost entirely positive ratings from owners.

6. The New York Times
A Barista Buzz, Home Style
William Grimes
Nov. 10, 2004

William Grimes includes ratings of three pod machines, pointing out that taste is determined less by the machine and more by the coffee. Of the three pod models tested, which include the Philips Senseo, the Melitta One:One and Black & Decker's Home Café, there is no clear winner.

7. Good Housekeeping.com
Cutting-Edge Coffeemakers
Editors of Good Housekeeping
Dec. 2004

Using blind taste tests, Good Housekeeping rates four different one-cup coffee makers, although no other testing details are included, and each model gets just a one-sentence write-up. The Philips Senseo gets the highest rating overall. According to editors, it has the best tasting coffee, is easy to use and can prepare one or two cups at once.

Also see full report: Coffee Makers

Philips Senseo Review