Siemens EQ900 Plus: two-minute overview
The Siemens EQ900 Plus is among the best bean-to-cup coffee machines for many who get pleasure from a latte, cappuccino or macchiato due to its wonderful milk-texturizing system. It brews an excellent espresso, too; however for me, the milk frothing is certainly 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 modify between completely 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 simply use to insert a scoop of floor espresso once you need one thing completely 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 intensive set of cleansing and upkeep applications do not embody 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 allows 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 measurement to swimsuit. It additionally encourages you to tinker to attain the flavour you favor. There are two customization modes (Consolation and Barista), with assist for 10 person profiles.
You’ll be able to even set your most well-liked drinks as “favorites”, very similar to the favorites checklist in your net browser, which is welcome and one thing I would prefer to see in additional espresso machines. I recognize not having to flick thru a menu to search out my fastidiously created customized cappuccino setting.
The sensible cleansing applications are one other key promoting level of the EQ900 Plus, and produce 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 organising the machine, and it means you’ll be able to 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 sensible cleansing is a welcome characteristic. Nonetheless, I am unsure it justifies the worth distinction between the EQ900 and EQ900 Plus. On the time of writing, the EQ900 Plus is just out there for the total checklist worth of £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300), whereas the usual EQ900 could be discovered for as little as £1,300 (about $1,600 / AU$2,600) on sale.
Siemens EQ900 Plus: worth and availability
- Checklist worth £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300)
- Not extensively out there outdoors Europe
- Will be discovered extra cheaply should you store round
The Siemens EQ900 Plus launched in October 2023, and has a listing worth of £2,199 (about $2,800 / AU$4,300) – though observe that it isn’t extensively out there outdoors Europe. That places it firmly on the high finish of the worth bracket for house bean-to-cup espresso makers, at about the identical worth because the Breville Oracle Touch (or Sage Oracle Contact, because it’s recognized within the UK).
The EQ900 Plus undoubtedly appears like a premium machine with its stainless-steel construct, enormous shade touchscreen, sensible cleansing, and superior customization choices. Nonetheless, for a extra reasonably priced model take into account the usual Siemens EQ900 (with out the automated upkeep system), which has a listing worth of £1,799 (about $2,300 / AU$3,600) and could be discovered for as little as £1,300 (about $1,600 / AU$2,600) should you 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 should you solely get pleasure from one particular bean. Personally, I recognize having the selection.
You will discover all of at present’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 (automated) |
|
Bars of strain |
20 |
|
Noise degree |
45dB (common) |
|
Consumer profiles |
10 |
Siemens EQ900 Plus
- Premium brushed steel 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 stainless-steel case and an enormous 6.8-inch full-colour touchscreen. It’s essentially the most spectacular show I’ve seen on any espresso maker I’ve examined to this point, and is even able to displaying easy animations (once you’re not utilizing it to swipe by the drinks menu and tweak the varied drinks to your liking).
On the high you’ll discover two hoppers which you could 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 add a scoop of pre-ground espresso should you fancy a change, however this twin-hopper system is even higher. Some coffees (reminiscent of these with notes of caramel) are effectively suited to take advantage of, whereas fruitier beans work higher black – with this method you’ll be able to select the perfect one to your drink on the fly. You might 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.
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The EQ900 Plus’s water tank is hidden on the left of the machine, and could be lifted out for filling utilizing the built-in deal with. It has a beneficiant 2.3-liter capability, and could be fitted with an non-compulsory filter to cut back limescale build-up to enhance the style of your espresso. Observe that there’s no clear panel, although, so you’ll be able to’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, nevertheless it is sensible and means you don’t must hunt round for the packet when it’s time for normal upkeep. That is the EQ900 Plus’s predominant level of distinction with the usual EQ900.
Most totally automated espresso machines have a separate container for milk that sits beside the machine. Right here, a tank slots into the aspect of the chassis, delivering a a lot neater design. The lid means you may as well 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 disbursed right into a bin that sits within the drip tray and could be lifted out for simple emptying.
Siemens EQ900 Plus
- Eight espresso profiles, plus two milk and two sizzling water
- Espresso presets are simple to customise and save to your profile
- Glorious milk frothing
- Espresso is sweet, however crema not as steady as some
Some automated espresso machines current customization as an non-compulsory further, nevertheless 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 essentially the most management, permitting you to decide on whether or not beans are taken from the left or proper hopper, select the right cup measurement, and tweak the energy (1-9), grinding degree (1-6), contact time (for 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), energy (mild, regular, robust, or further robust), and cup measurement.
When you’ve created a customized drink (which is straightforward due to the delicate touchscreen), you’ll be prompted to reserve it to a profile (the EQ900 Plus helps as much as 10, so everybody in your family and their friends can create their very own) and provides it a reputation. Typing on the EQ900 is surprisingly simple; the display screen is giant sufficient to accommodate a full QWERTY keyboard, making the entire expertise a lot much less irritating than it may very well be.
You’ll be able to even select a background shade, so you’ll be able to see at-a-glance whether or not your profile is the one chosen, and save your most incessantly made drinks to a favorites menu, accessible through a fast faucet of the star button below the display screen. Preset drink choices embody:
- 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 sizzling 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 strong jet of steam creates the proper 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 the direction of you to detach it, then disassemble the elements and wash all of them with heat water and dish cleaning soap. As soon as carried out, push it again into place.
Throughout testing, I discovered the water tank a bit of awkward to refit when stuffed 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 wash 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 have to completely 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 after I pulled it out. It is a minor flaw, however a shocking one for a premium machine.
The beanIdent system is fascinating, and lets the machine modify its personal settings to fit your two completely different beans so it may possibly decide the optimum setting for each. As soon as you’ve got loaded the 2 hoppers, you inform the EQ900 Plus the kind of bean you’ve got chosen for each (arabica or robusta), the roast (mild or darkish) and the mix, and it’ll set elements together with grind measurement and water temperature routinely.
After all, your preferences could also be completely different from these of the engineers and specialists at Siemens, so you’ll be able to 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 worth to match, however I do not suppose it does sufficient to justify how far 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 wash; however the water tank could be fiddly to clean and insert. |
4/5 |
|
Efficiency |
Brews an excellent espresso (though I discover the KitchenAid K8 barely higher), and is unbeatable in the case of milk texturizing. |
4.5/5 |
Purchase it if
Do not buy it if
Siemens EQ900 Plus: additionally take into account
Not completely certain that the Siemens EQ900 Plus is the appropriate espresso maker for you? Listed below are two different bean-to-cup machines to contemplate:
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 all the machine’s fundamental and intensive cleansing applications, washed and dried the dispenser, milk tank and water tank, and ran the frost safety program to take away water from the machine’s inner circuits. For extra particulars, see how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.
First reviewed February 2025