Philips Series 5500 EP5544/90

Name: Philips Series 5500 EP5544/90
Brand: Philips
SKU: 50327

Manufacturer: Philips

The Philips Series 5500 is a fully automatic coffee machine designed to handle both whole beans and ground coffee without relying on proprietary capsules. It features a touch screen interface and can prepare up to 20 different drinks, making it a versatile option for home use. Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone control are supported, and the machine includes a cup warmer along with adjustable cup clearance to accommodate different cup sizes.

Inside, the Series 5500 houses an integrated burr grinder with 12 grind settings and a 275 g bean hopper, paired with a built-in milk frother for automated milk-based beverages. The removable, transparent water tank holds 1.7 litres and includes an integrated filter. The machine operates at 1500 W, weighs 8000 g, and measures 433 mm wide, 371 mm tall, and 246 mm deep. Maintenance features include a cleaning alert, drip tray indicator, overheating protection, and a sleep mode, all managed through the onboard display.

Pros

Supports both whole beans and ground coffee without requiring proprietary capsules, offering flexibility in coffee sourcing
Integrated burr grinder with 12 grind settings allows for consistent, adjustable grinding without a separate appliance
A menu of 20 drink options combined with a built-in milk frother covers a wide range of coffee-based beverages
Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone control enable remote operation of the machine
The removable, transparent water tank with an integrated filter makes monitoring and refilling straightforward
Useful maintenance aids including a cleaning alert, drip tray indicator, and overheating protection help keep the machine in working order

Cons

No automatic rinsing for either the coffee or milk circuit means these cleaning steps must be done manually
Cannot brew and steam simultaneously, so milk-based drinks require sequential steps
Lacks a PID controller, meaning brew temperature cannot be precisely adjusted by the user
No hot water outlet, limiting the machine to coffee and milk-based drinks only
Does not support a direct water line connection, requiring manual refilling of the 1.7-litre tank

Who is this for?

This machine is well suited to home users who want a versatile, all-in-one coffee setup without the need for separate equipment. With an integrated burr grinder, built-in milk frother, and a selection of 20 drinks, it covers a broad range of everyday coffee preferences. The Wi-Fi and smartphone control add convenience for users who appreciate being able to start or adjust their machine remotely, while practical indicators for cleaning and the drip tray make it manageable for those who want straightforward upkeep without detailed technical knowledge.

Who is this NOT for?

Users with a hands-on approach to espresso preparation will find this machine limiting, as it lacks a 58 mm portafilter, E61 group head, and PID temperature control — components typically expected by those who want precise manual control over the brewing process. Similarly, anyone who requires simultaneous brewing and steaming for efficiency, or who needs a hot water outlet for drinks like Americanos or tea, will find the feature set insufficient for those specific workflows. The absence of automatic milk circuit cleaning also makes it less practical for users who prioritise fully automated maintenance routines.

General info:

Type	Automatic
coffee type	Ground, Beans
volume	39518.178 cm³
operating power consumption	1500W
Doesn’t use proprietary capsules	✓
weight	8000 g
warranty period	2 years
thickness	246 mm
height	371 mm
width	433 mm

The Philips Series 5500 is an automatic coffee machine compatible with both ground coffee and whole beans, and it does not require proprietary capsules. It operates at 1500 W and has a total volume of 39518.178 cm³, with physical dimensions of 433 mm wide, 371 mm tall, and 246 mm deep. The unit weighs 8000 g and comes with a 2-year warranty.

Components:

Has a pressure gauge	✕
Has a 58mm portafilter	✕
Has a steam wand	✕
Has a commercial steam wand	✕
Has an integrated grinder	✓
Uses E61 group head	✕
bean hopper capacity	275 g
Has a display	✓
Has cup warmer	✓
Has a rotary vane pump	✕
Has burr grinder	✓
group heads	1
has a touch screen	✓
Cup clearance is adjustable	✓
Has integrated milk frother	✓

The machine includes an integrated burr grinder with a 275 g bean hopper and a single group head, along with a touch screen display and an integrated milk frother for preparing milk-based drinks. Cup clearance is adjustable, and a cup warmer is also present. It does not feature a pressure gauge, a 58 mm portafilter, a steam wand, a commercial steam wand, an E61 group head, or a rotary vane pump.

Water source:

Has PID controller	✕
Has a removable water tank	✓
Water tank is transparent	✓
Has integrated filter	✓
Has direct water connection	✕
can dispense hot water	✕
water tank capacity	1.7 l

The machine uses a removable, transparent water tank with a capacity of 1.7 litres, making it easy to monitor and refill the water level. The tank includes an integrated filter to help manage water quality. It does not support a direct water connection, does not have a PID controller, and cannot dispense hot water through a dedicated outlet.

Maintenance:

Has sleep mode	✓
Has cleaning alert	✓
Indicates when drip tray is full	✓
Prevents overheating	✓
Automatic coffee circuit rinse	✕
Automatic milk circuit cleaning	✕

The Philips Series 5500 includes several practical maintenance features, among them a cleaning alert and a drip tray full indicator to help keep upkeep on schedule. A sleep mode is available for energy saving, and overheating protection is built in as a safety measure. However, the machine does not offer automatic rinsing for either the coffee circuit or the milk circuit, meaning those cleaning steps need to be handled manually.

Features:

Has a pre-infusion function	✕
Can brew and steam simultaneously	✕
Has a shot timer	✓
number of grind settings	12
number of drinks	20
supports Wi-Fi	✓
supports a remote smartphone	✓

The machine supports a menu of 20 different drinks and offers 12 grind settings to adjust coffee coarseness. A shot timer is included to track brew time. Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone control are both supported, allowing the machine to be operated remotely. It does not have a pre-infusion function and cannot brew and steam at the same time.

Final Verdict

The Philips Series 5500 presents itself as a capable automatic coffee machine for home use, built around the convenience of an integrated burr grinder with 12 grind settings and a broad drink menu of 20 options — all without dependence on proprietary capsules. Its combination of smartphone control, built-in milk frother, and practical maintenance indicators reflects a clear focus on ease of use and daily versatility. Where it falls short is in the areas of manual brewing control and automated cleaning, which may leave more technically demanding users underserved. For those seeking a straightforward, feature-complete machine that handles grinding, brewing, and milk preparation in a single unit, the Series 5500 is a coherent and well-rounded choice.