A Review of the Philips Senseo HD7860
On September 21, 2009 in Food
Although it isn’t a Bean to Cup Coffee Machine, the Philips Senseo HD7860 is the latest incarnation of easy to use, relatively instantaneous real coffee makers, using coffee pads.
We have reviewed the model. First impressions are ….well …. impressive. It’s described as a machine for people who prefer straight lines to curves. It does have one or two curves, as it happens, but is a very good looking, yet compact machine (standing around 17 cm wide, 22 cm deep and 25 cm high). It comes in black or white.
So what is the Philips HD7860 like in day to day use?
It has two spouts, so you can make either one or two cups at any one time. And has a height adjustable base for the cups, so different cup / mug sizes can easily be used. Mugs or cups up to 115 mm high can readily be accommodated..It takes around 30 seconds to brew one cup, or 50 seconds for two.
The water tank holds 1.2 litres, enough for at least 8 cups, very generous. The output for each serving is 120ml.
The HD7860 has an automatic shut-off feature after 30 minutes, which is very useful.
The coffee pads are much better value than the coffee pods that have been traditionally used in such machines. You can buy the recommended Douwe Egberts pads at around 15 pence each. However, there are many cheaper alternatives and it pays to shop around. Any coffee pads need to be circular to fit the Philips Senseo HD7860.We have used original and substitute coffee pads and the coffee produced by each has been excellent.
This is a great coffee machine. Its unique selling point is its looks. The HD7860 will look particularly good in a modern kitchen with darker worktop - much better, we think than the traditional, more curvy machines.