If you’re in the market for one of the Best Espresso Machines with Built-In Milk Frother, chances are you care about more than just pulling a good shot, you want silky cappuccinos, creamy lattes, and velvety flat whites without babysitting a steam wand. In 2025, fully automatic milk frothing isn’t just a luxury anymore, it’s expected.
So, how does the Philips 5400 LatteGo stack up against other machines with built-in frothing systems?
We’re putting the 5400 side by side with today’s top contenders: De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, Jura E6, and Miele CM5300. From frothing quality to ease of cleaning, this is your definitive guide to espresso machines that actually nail the milk.
Why Built-In Milk Frothers Are a Game-Changer
Before we dive into the machines, let’s talk about why a built-in milk frother is such a big deal.
Convenience Meets Consistency
Manual steam wands offer more control, but they also demand more skill. Automatic milk frothers:
• Heat and foam milk to optimal temperatures
• Adjust textures based on drink types (latte vs. cappuccino)
• Require little to no user interaction
For households, busy professionals, or anyone not interested in learning latte art, this is where convenience meets barista-level performance.
Hygiene and Cleaning Matter More Than Ever
Let’s be real: milk systems are messy. They can harbor bacteria, clog up fast, and smell like bad decisions if not cleaned daily. That’s why the best machines aren’t just about milk frothing—they’re about milk system maintenance.
So we’re rating machines based on:
• Froth quality
• Cleaning effort
• Component design (tubes vs. tubeless)
• Temperature control
• Consistency across drinks
The Machines We’re Comparing
Let’s meet the line-up of machines that make milk magic happen automatically.
Philips 5400 LatteGo – The Low-Maintenance King
• Milk System: LatteGo (tubeless, dishwasher-safe)
• Drink Options: 12+
• Profiles: Yes, up to 4
• Cleaning: Rinse and go, no tubing
• Price: ~$999
The LatteGo system is what puts the 5400 in the top tier. It’s tubeless, meaning there are no internal hoses—just a two-part milk container you can rinse or throw in the dishwasher. This is espresso living made stupid-easy.
Foam quality is airy but adjustable depending on drink type. It’s not quite as tight or dry as Jura’s, but it’s perfect for creamy lattes and cappuccinos.
De’Longhi Dinamica Plus – The Textured Froth Pro
• Milk System: LatteCrema system
• Drink Options: 10+
• Profiles: Yes
• Cleaning: Auto-clean cycles; some tubing
• Price: ~$1,299
De’Longhi’s LatteCrema system gives you that barista-style foam: drier, tighter, and excellent for cappuccinos. It’s consistent and impressive, but it’s built with tubing, which means more cleaning. The container detaches easily, but internal tubes require auto-rinse and descaling cycles.
Jura E6 – Swiss Engineering, Streamlined Drinks
• Milk System: Fine Foam Frother (requires separate cleaning)
• Drink Options: 7
• Profiles: No
• Cleaning: Auto-rinse + manual for frother
• Price: ~$1,099
Jura focuses on espresso quality above all. Their Fine Foam Technology produces tight, microbubble foam—perfect for layered drinks. However, it’s not as plug-and-play as the LatteGo. It also lacks user profiles and doesn’t handle milk-heavy drink routines as fluidly.
Credits to Coffee Warehouse
Miele CM5300 – Luxury Feel, Average Clean-Up
• Milk System: Integrated frother with hose
• Drink Options: 8
• Profiles: Yes
• Cleaning: Semi-automated; hoses need cleaning
• Price: ~$1,099
Miele adds luxury finishes and good coffee, but the milk system is hose-based, which means cleaning becomes a chore. Foam quality is good—not exceptional—but the machine excels at delivering smooth lattes and flat whites with minimal user fuss (after initial setup).
LatteGo vs. The Competition – A Frothing Face-Off
| Machine | Milk System Type | Dishwasher Safe? | Tubing? | Daily Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 5400 | Tubeless | Yes | No | Rinse + wipe |
| Dinamica Plus | Tubed | No | Yes | Auto rinse + manual |
| Jura E6 | External wand | No | Yes | Manual rinse |
| Miele CM5300 | Tubed | Partial | Yes | Auto rinse + descale |
Philips offers the most balanced froth: it’s not too dry (great for lattes), not too wet (good for cappuccinos), and it heats fast. Jura wins in refinement, but loses in convenience. De’Longhi wins in foam, but requires more cleaning.
| Machine | Foam Texture | Foam Temp | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 5400 | Creamy, medium-dry | ~140°F | Lattes, macchiatos |
| Dinamica Plus | Dry, rich microfoam | ~145°F | Cappuccinos, flat whites |
| Jura E6 | Very dry, refined | ~142°F | Layered espresso drinks |
| Miele CM5300 | Mild, wet foam | ~135°F | Basic milk coffees |
The LatteGo dominates here. No tubes, no blockages, no gunk. It’s the only one you can fully clean in under a minute without disassembly or soap rituals.
Ease of Use & Interface
The 5400 is the most intuitive of the bunch. The color touchscreen and drink customization settings are leaps ahead of Jura’s LED interface or Miele’s basic button layout. Dinamica Plus is close behind, with smartphone connectivity for app lovers.
Real-World User Experience – What Buyers Are Saying
Philips 5400 owners consistently mention:
• “Finally, I don’t dread cleaning the milk container.”
• “My husband drinks cappuccino, I drink lattes—and we each have a saved profile.”
• “The LatteGo is insanely fast to clean—I rinse it while brushing my teeth.”
That last one’s worth its weight in crema.
Jura fans praise flavor and crema, but often complain about:
• No milk container included
• Limited drink options
• Less intuitive navigation
De’Longhi users rave about the foam, but it’s a toss-up between people who love the machine and those who forget to clean the tubing and end up with moldy regret.
Final Verdict – Does the Philips 5400 Hold Up in 2025?
So, does the Philips 5400 LatteGo still deserve the crown for milk-based drinks in its category?
✅ For everyday use – YES. Fast, clean, consistent.
✅ For shared households – YES. Multiple profiles, one-touch drinks.
✅ For espresso purists – MAYBE. Jura might be more your vibe.
✅ For milk foam fanatics – CLOSE. De’Longhi delivers tighter foam, but sacrifices simplicity.
If what you want is consistent coffee, silky milk, and absolutely no fuss, the Philips 5400 LatteGo is still the best-value espresso machine with a built-in milk frother under $1,000.
Written by José Luis Surjan
Your espresso-hunting, milk-system-scrutinizing, caffeinated content machine.
Disclosure: Our blog contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
