Siemens EQ900 Plus: two-minute evaluation
The Siemens EQ900 Plus is among the best bean-to-cup coffee machines for individuals who take pleasure in a latte, cappuccino or macchiato because of its wonderful milk-texturizing system. It brews an excellent espresso, too; however for me, the milk frothing is unquestionably the standout characteristic, and simply compares with the outcomes an skilled person can get with a guide steam wand – with not one of the effort.
One other key promoting level of the EQ900 Plus that differentiates it from many of the best coffee makers is the truth that it has two hoppers, which make it simple to change between totally different beans or roasts on the fly, or change to decaf within the night. Another bean-to-cup espresso makers I’ve examined (fashions from KitchenAid, for instance) have a chute that you just use to insert a scoop of floor espresso whenever you need one thing totally different to what’s within the hopper, however this method is extra handy. The one draw back is that the hoppers aren’t removeable, plus the in depth set of cleansing and upkeep packages do not embrace a operate for emptying beans and grounds from the machine, which makes it difficult to purge the system.
The machine gives a system known as “beanIdent” that permits you to describe the beans you’ve got loaded into every hopper (together with sort, roast, and mix) after which adjusts elements together with water contact time and grind dimension to go well with. It additionally encourages you to tinker to attain the flavour you favor. There are two customization modes (Consolation and Barista), with help for 10 person profiles.
You’ll be able to even set your most well-liked drinks as “favorites”, very like the favorites listing in your net browser, which is welcome and one thing I might wish to see in additional espresso machines. I respect not having to flick through a menu to search out my rigorously created customized cappuccino setting.
The good cleansing packages are one other key promoting level of the EQ900 Plus, and convey one other level of distinction over the usual EQ900. The Plus has a hatch above the milk tank the place you insert two tablets – one for cleansing and one for descaling. You will be prompted to do that when establishing the machine, and it means you may run a full cleansing cycle at any time when the machine wants it with out having to hunt round for the required provides or take away the brew unit so as to add a tab.
One of many greatest issues I discover with bean-to-cup espresso machines is that the time you save grinding beans and adjusting brew settings is offset by the point spent sustaining the machine, so this good cleansing is a welcome characteristic. Nonetheless, I am undecided it justifies the worth distinction between the EQ900 and EQ900 Plus. On the time of writing, the EQ900 Plus is just obtainable for the complete listing value of £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300), whereas the usual EQ900 will be discovered for as little as £1,300 (about $1,600 / AU$2,600) on sale.
Siemens EQ900 Plus: value and availability
- Checklist value £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300)
- Not broadly obtainable exterior Europe
- May be discovered extra cheaply if you happen to store round
The Siemens EQ900 Plus launched in October 2023, and has an inventory value of £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300) – though observe that it isn’t broadly obtainable exterior Europe. That places it firmly on the prime finish of the worth bracket for dwelling bean-to-cup espresso makers, at about the identical value because the Breville Oracle Touch (or Sage Oracle Contact, because it’s identified within the UK).
The EQ900 Plus undoubtedly seems like a premium machine with its chrome steel construct, big coloration touchscreen, good cleansing, and superior customization choices. Nonetheless, for a extra inexpensive model think about the usual Siemens EQ900 (with out the automated upkeep system), which has an inventory value of £1,799 (about $2,300 / AU$3,600) and will be discovered for as little as £1,300 (about $1,600 / AU$2,600) if you happen to store round.
There’s additionally a model of the EQ900 with a single hopper, priced at £1,599 (about $2,000 / AU$3,200), which can be preferable if you happen to solely take pleasure in one particular bean. Personally, I respect having the selection.
You will discover all of at the moment’s finest costs for the Siemens EQ900 Plus under.
Siemens EQ900 Plus: specs
|
Identify |
Siemens EQ900 Plus Bean to Cup Espresso Machine |
|
Kind |
Bean-to-cup |
|
Dimensions (W x H x D) |
15.4 x 12.4 x 18.5in / 39.2 x 31.5 x 47cm |
|
Weight |
30.4lbs / 13.8kg |
|
Water reservoir capability |
81oz / 2.3L |
|
Milk frother |
Sure (computerized) |
|
Bars of stress |
20 |
|
Noise degree |
45dB (common) |
|
Consumer profiles |
10 |
Siemens EQ900 Plus
- Premium brushed metallic construct
- Two bean hoppers
- Intensive self-cleaning system
- Cleverly designed milk system
The Siemens EQ900 Plus is a premium bean-to-cup espresso machine with a brushed chrome steel case and an enormous 6.8-inch full-colour touchscreen. It’s probably the most spectacular show I’ve seen on any espresso maker I’ve examined to this point, and is even able to displaying clean animations (whenever you’re not utilizing it to swipe by the drinks menu and tweak the assorted drinks to your liking).
On the prime you’ll discover two hoppers that you may fill with two various kinds of espresso beans. Another espresso machines I’ve examined (the KitchenAid KF6 and KF8, for instance) include a chute to which you’ll be able to add a scoop of pre-ground espresso if you happen to fancy a change, however this twin-hopper system is even higher. Some coffees (equivalent to these with notes of caramel) are effectively suited to exploit, whereas fruitier beans work higher black – with this method you may select the perfect one to your drink on the fly. You could possibly additionally hold one hopper full of normal beans for the morning, and the opposite stuffed with decaf for after lunch. A blue mild will illuminate when one of many hoppers wants refilling.
Picture 1 of 2
The EQ900 Plus’s water tank is hidden on the left of the machine, and will be lifted out for filling utilizing the built-in deal with. It has a beneficiant 2.3-liter capability, and will be fitted with an non-obligatory filter to scale back limescale build-up to enhance the style of your espresso. Be aware that there’s no clear panel, although, so you may’t see the present water degree at a look.
Milk is saved in a smaller tank that sits on the appropriate, simply beneath containers for descaling and cleansing tablets. It’s uncommon for a espresso machine to maintain descaling and cleansing tablets on-board, however it is smart and means you don’t should hunt round for the packet when it’s time for normal upkeep. That is the EQ900 Plus’s principal level of distinction with the usual EQ900.
Most totally computerized espresso machines have a separate container for milk that sits beside the machine. Right here, a tank slots into the facet of the chassis, delivering a a lot neater design. The lid means it’s also possible to hold your milk within the fridge between makes use of.
The drip tray slides out simply for cleansing, with a detachable grille on the entrance and a slim part on the again that makes pouring clear and handy. Used espresso pucks are distributed right into a bin that sits within the drip tray and will be lifted out for simple emptying.
Siemens EQ900 Plus
- Eight espresso profiles, plus two milk and two scorching water
- Espresso presets are simple to customise and save to your profile
- Glorious milk frothing
- Espresso is nice, however crema not as secure as some
Some computerized espresso machines current customization as an non-obligatory additional, however it’s on the coronary heart of the expertise right here. There are two management choices, Barista and Consolation, relying on the diploma to which you wish to tweak your drinks; however all customers are inspired to tinker with their drinks to create one thing bespoke.
Barista mode gives probably the most management, permitting you to decide on whether or not beans are taken from the left or proper hopper, select the right cup dimension, and tweak the power (1-9), grinding degree (1-6), contact time (as an example, how lengthy the water is in touch with the grounds), milk ratio, and brewing temperature. Consolation mode is easier and designed for extra informal espresso followers, solely letting you set the aroma (delicate, balanced, or distinctive), power (mild, regular, sturdy, or additional sturdy), and cup dimension.
When you’ve created a customized drink (which is simple because of the delicate touchscreen), you’ll be prompted to put it aside to a profile (the EQ900 Plus helps as much as 10, so everybody in your family and their visitors can create their very own) and provides it a reputation. Typing on the EQ900 is surprisingly simple; the display screen is massive sufficient to accommodate a full QWERTY keyboard, making the entire expertise a lot much less irritating than it could possibly be.
You’ll be able to even select a background coloration, so you may see at-a-glance whether or not your profile is the one chosen, and save your most steadily made drinks to a favorites menu, accessible by way of a fast faucet of the star button underneath the display screen. Preset drink choices embrace:
- Espresso
- Espresso doppio
- Caffe crema
- Caffe grande
- Caffe XL
- Cappuccino
- Latte macchiato
- White espresso
- Foamed milk
- Heat milk
- Scorching water (sufficient for a cup of tea)
- Espresso pot (a bigger quantity of scorching water for pour-over)
The crema wasn’t fairly as thick as that created by the KitchenAid K6, which is a less expensive machine, and it didn’t final as lengthy both, regardless of being brewed utilizing the identical beans (bought contemporary that day).
Nonetheless, milk texturizing was spectacular, with the Siemens EQ900 shortly turning complete dairy milk right into a beneficiant layer of long-lasting foam. A robust jet of steam creates the right basis to your cappuccino or latte macchiato.
You’ll be able to slide the dispenser up and down simply, and in contrast to many bean-to-cup espresso makers, it’s simple to take away it for cleansing – simply pull it in direction of you to detach it, then disassemble the parts and wash all of them with heat water and dish cleaning soap. As soon as achieved, push it again into place.
Throughout testing, I discovered the water tank a little bit awkward to refit when crammed to the utmost mark; it’s important to place the underside of the tank, then align the highest whereas additionally folding the deal with down. The water tank and milk container are additionally difficult to scrub and dry inside, since there’s little or no area to your hand. The machine has a cleansing setting that removes all water from the inside, however you will nonetheless must totally hand-dry the tanks earlier than transporting or storing the machine.
The machine notified when the drip tray was full, however didn’t push out an alert to tell me that the used espresso grounds required emptying. Most bean-to-cup machines ship a warning after making about 4 drinks, however that wasn’t the case right here, and I ended up with some grounds caught to the realm above the drip tray once I pulled it out. It is a minor flaw, however a stunning one for a premium machine.
The beanIdent system is attention-grabbing, and lets the machine alter its personal settings to fit your two totally different beans so it might probably decide the optimum setting for every one. As soon as you’ve got loaded the 2 hoppers, you inform the EQ900 Plus the kind of bean you’ve got chosen for every one (arabica or robusta), the roast (mild or darkish) and the mix, and it’ll set elements together with grind dimension and water temperature routinely.
After all, your preferences could also be totally different from these of the engineers and specialists at Siemens, so you may tweak these settings to fit your tastes. However, they supply a really helpful place to begin.
Do you have to purchase the Siemens EQ900 Plus
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
A premium machine with a value to match, however I do not suppose it does sufficient to justify how rather more costly it’s over the usual EQ900. |
3/5 |
|
Design |
Twin bean hoppers are an actual promoting level, and the machine is refreshingly simple to scrub; however the water tank will be fiddly to clean and insert. |
4/5 |
|
Efficiency |
Brews an excellent espresso (though I discover the KitchenAid K8 barely higher), and is unbeatable on the subject of milk texturizing. |
4.5/5 |
Purchase it if
Do not buy it if
Siemens EQ900 Plus: additionally think about
Not completely positive that the Siemens EQ900 Plus is the appropriate espresso maker for you? Listed below are two different bean-to-cup machines to think about:
How I examined the Siemens EQ900 Plus
I examined the Siemens EQ900 Plus utilizing contemporary espresso beans from native espresso retailers Mokoko and Clifton Espresso (one in every hopper), and chilled complete milk. I used every of the machine’s preset drink choices, experimenting with settings in Consolation and Barista mode, and making a customized profile.
I additionally ran the entire machine’s primary and intensive cleansing packages, washed and dried the dispenser, milk tank and water tank, and ran the frost safety program to take away water from the machine’s inside circuits. For extra particulars, see how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.
First reviewed February 2025
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