When two espresso machines are made by the same parent company, you’d expect them to be pretty similar—maybe just a few tweaks in design or features. But when it comes to the Philips 5400 LatteGo vs Saeco Xelsis, what you get is more like cousins who grew up in very different households.
Both brands fall under the Philips-Saeco umbrella, a powerhouse in the super-automatic world. But while the 5400 is all about smart simplicity and fast functionality, the Xelsis is a luxury model aimed at coffee lovers who want total control and customization.
Let’s dig into what makes them different—and why each one appeals to a specific type of espresso drinker.
Shared DNA – What These Machines Have in Common
Same Core Brewing System
At their heart, both machines use Philips-Saeco’s Aroma Extract brewing technology—a system designed to automatically balance temperature and pressure for optimal espresso extraction.
Both also include:
• Ceramic flat burr grinders
• Removable brew groups
• Front-access water tanks
• Bean-to-cup brewing systems
So yes, they’re cut from the same cloth… but the tailoring? That’s another story.
User Interface – Color Touchscreen vs Espresso Command Center
Saeco Xelsis – Fully Customizable Experience
The Xelsis takes personalization to another level. You get up to 15 different drink recipes, each fully customizable for:
• Temperature
• Volume
• Milk texture
• Strength
• Pre-infusion
Philips 5400 – Intuitive and Minimalist
The 5400 features a bright full-color touchscreen with icons for over 12 drinks, plus 4 user profiles. It’s designed for speed—tap, customize, brew. Even tech-averse users can get the hang of it in minutes.
Perfect for households that want barista-style drinks without the barista-level learning curve.
And it allows for 6 user profiles—each storing those preferences. It’s more complex, but also more powerful. This is ideal for people who want total control without going manual.
Milk System – LatteGo vs HygieSteam
Philips LatteGo – Two-Part Wonder
The LatteGo system is what makes the 5400 such a crowd-pleaser. No tubes. No complex cleaning. Just two snap-on parts that rinse in under 20 seconds.
It’s fast, consistent, and makes frothy milk ideal for cappuccinos and lattes.
Saeco Xelsis – Café-Style Microfoam with More Cleanup
Saeco’s HygieSteam system uses an integrated milk carafe and steam wand combo. It delivers silkier foam, more suitable for latte art and café-style textures.
But it also requires more cleaning—you’ll need to run cleaning cycles and sometimes deep-clean the components.
In short: the Xelsis wins on quality, while the 5400 wins on convenience.
Espresso Flavor and Texture – Subtle vs Sophisticated
Philips 5400 – Consistent and Approachable
The espresso on the 5400 is balanced and beginner-friendly. With 5 strength levels and adjustable temperature, you can tweak your drink easily—but you won’t get lost in the settings.
It’s designed to keep your morning routine fast and painless.
Saeco Xelsis – Tuned for Precision
The Xelsis offers finer control over grind size, pre-infusion, strength, and brew temp—which means you can dial in espresso flavor far more precisely.
The result? Deeper body, richer crema, and more origin clarity if you’re using single-origin beans or specialty roasts.
For the flavor-obsessed, Xelsis takes the lead.
Build Quality – Solid Plastic vs Premium Chrome
Philips 5400 – Smartly Built for Daily Use
The 5400 is made of matte black plastic with a solid, ergonomic design. It’s not flashy, but it’s durable and compact. It fits beautifully into smaller kitchens and minimalist setups.
Saeco Xelsis – Luxury Feel with Premium Touchpoints
The Xelsis is wrapped in brushed stainless steel and chrome, with a luxury feel throughout—heavier, more polished, and undeniably elegant.
It looks like it belongs in a boutique hotel or high-end loft kitchen.
If you want aesthetics and presence, Xelsis delivers.
Cleaning and Maintenance – Hands-Free or Hands-On
5400 – Low Maintenance Champ
• LatteGo rinses in seconds
• Automatic brew group rinse
• Simple descaling alerts
You can go days without needing more than a quick wipe-down.
Xelsis – More Attention Needed, but More Features Too
• HygieSteam requires more rinsing
• Multiple alerts and cleaning cycles
• More internal parts to keep track of
It rewards attention with better performance, but it’s not ideal for “set it and forget it” types.
Price and Positioning – Mid-Range vs High-End
Philips 5400 – Best for Smart Homes and Busy Mornings
• Typically around $900–$1,100
• Ideal for couples and families
• Gives you 80% of the luxury experience at 60% of the price
Saeco Xelsis – Best for Enthusiasts Who Want Control
• Usually priced $1,400–$1,800
• Designed for serious espresso fans
• If you want something close to café performance, it delivers
So, Which One Is for You?
Choose the Philips 5400 if you:
• Want a plug-and-play espresso solution
• Care about fast cleanup
• Share the machine with others who have different preferences
• Want reliability and versatility without complexity
Choose the Saeco Xelsis if you:
• Want ultimate control over espresso and milk texture
• Appreciate luxury design and tactile satisfaction
• Are serious about bean quality and drink precision
• Don’t mind investing time and money in daily coffee joy
Final Take – Same DNA, Totally Different Missions
Philips and Saeco may be under the same corporate roof, but their espresso machines don’t walk the same path.
• The 5400 is like a perfectly balanced commuter car: reliable, smart, gets you everywhere in style with no drama.
• The Xelsis is a luxury coupe with sport mode—you don’t need it, but wow, it feels good to have it.
Both make exceptional espresso, but how much control you want—and how much cleanup you’ll tolerate—will point you in the right direction.
Written by José Luis Surjan
Writer, espresso nerd, and forever caught between convenience and obsession.
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.
