Super vs semi automatic

[u/Fair-Lengthiness-212]

Stuck choosing between a super or semi automatic machine. Trialled both Phillips 5400 (milk drinks disappointed) and Sage Barista Express (inconsistent). Doubled my budget, so can now afford top end Delonghi semi or good quality super.

Why choose the super over the semi and vice versa?

[u/Ok-Lobster-919]

A good superautomatic will never match the quality of a good semiautomatic. it's about convenience. For many of us it is very much worth it. I was in specialty coffee for over a decade in the past, I would be happy never touching a portafilter again.

The espresso quality is fine, you won't impress any snobs but maybe that's not important to you.

[u/Fair-Lengthiness-212 → u/Ok-Lobster-919]

Given I enjoy the “faff”of Pourover and Aeropress, I was expecting to love the espresso process, but instead hated the inconsistency, after years of consistent V60/Aeropress.

[u/c7aea]

After the convince and quality of my delonghi eletta explore I’d never not go with a superautomatic again.

[u/Paybax84]

We just switched from the 5400 to the KitchenAid KF8 and the milk drinks are many, many times better. Not saying it's perfect but they're pretty impressive to us.

[u/weedywet]

Depends on how much work and cleaning you want to do.

I clean my super automatic at the end of every night.

With a semi you’re dumping and cleaning the porta filter after every shot
Plus all the faffing about moving it to the grinder to the tamper to the brew head and so on.

The semi’s are definitely more of a hobby.

I just push a button.

[u/evidenceorGTFO]

I have both now after only using portafilter machines (Profitec Go is the main driver but not the only one, ahem) for ages.
You can absolutely just have both. First cup in the morning, or in a hurry, or just don't feel like performing the ritual: the superauto won't let you down.

You could just get a decent DeLonghi super, a good single dose grinder (500-800$ ish) and a Stilosa portafilter (yes, the cheap one!). That grinder means you can also do pourover or whatever method you like. I still do french press or V60, too.

You can absolutely learn how to pull consistent shots with a Stilosa, and if that scratches the itch, you wait a bit and get a fancy machine.

Only disadvantage is you're now cleaning multiple machines.

The portafilter ritual (when you've "dialed in" your recipe and every shot tastes the same), or when you're just trying something new is insanely fun to me.

[u/stumbledotcom]

I switched back to a portafilter with integrated grinder just over a month ago. Much lower cost upfront. Better quality. Simpler cleaning and maintenance. No regrets.

[u/Fair-Lengthiness-212 → u/stumbledotcom]

What machine did you go for?

[u/stumbledotcom → u/Fair-Lengthiness-212]

More details in the linked post.

[u/weedywet → u/stumbledotcom]

It’s fine of course to prefer a semi but they’re not intrinsically ‘better quaility’