Philips HD7546/20 Filter Coffee Machine Review

As any hardcore coffee enthusiast will tell you, the type of machine you use to make your coffee can make or break the entire experience. While making filtered coffee is a fairly straightforward process, you would be surprised at how many coffee machine manufacturers miss the mark when it comes to producing a quality product.

Fortunately, the fine folks at Philips have not fallen into that category; their HD7546/20 filter coffee machine does a brilliant job of making high-quality, flavourful coffee with no hassle and no gimmicks. Well built with a simple yet elegant design, this filter coffee machine provides consistent performance, and it pours well with no messy drips to deal with.

This Philips HD7546/20 review will detail the basic features, pros and cons of this machine, so that if you’re considering buying one, you can have a well-rounded guide to help you make an informed decision.

Philips HD7546/20 review

What are you buying?

One of the biggest things that the HD7546/20 has going in its favour is the fact that it’s manufactured by Philips, the 125-year-old Netherlands-based company that is easily one of the world’s most innovative producers of consumer lighting and electrical products. Simply put, Philips doesn’t make any junk, and the HD7546/20 is definitely a solid reflection of the company’s commitment to quality design and usability.

One of the most outstanding features of the HD7546/20 is the fact that it has a stainless steel thermos flask instead of glass, which essentially makes it immune to thermal breaks. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the very unpleasant experience of having your glass coffee pot break due to the water being too cold, but if you haven’t, suffice it to say that it’s a real nuisance. Not only is the stainless steel pot of this machine highly durable, but it does a fantastic job of keeping your coffee hot for hours at a time.

Keep in mind that the HD7546/20 does not come with a hot plate on the bottom of the machine, because there’s no need for it; your coffee will stay hot for a long time after you’ve brewed it, without stewing or ruining its taste.

I’ve had several occasions where I would brew a pot and drink a cup immediately after it finished brewing, but then come back two (or more) hours later to find the coffee just as warm and drinkable as when I first made it.

The thermos also features a tightly-fitting serving lid that remains on whilst the flask is on the machine, and you can easily rotate it to switch between pour and fill modes.

Here’s a neat little feature I discovered about this machine as well: You can remove the jug whilst your coffee is still brewing (if you’re eager for a hit of caffeine), and as soon as you remove the jug, the flow of liquid will stop. Pretty cool if you ask me!

One jug of coffee from this machine will yield you about 4 to 6 cups of coffee (depending upon the size of your mug), and as I mentioned earlier, even if you have to wait a while before being able to finish the entire jug, you can be assured that your coffee will still be hot several hours later.

How easy is it to use?

As far as simplicity of operation goes, you really can’t beat the HD7546/20; it features a single “On” button that activates the brewing process; at that point, all you have to do is wait for the flask to be filled with fresh coffee (which takes less than 10 minutes), and it will shut off automatically when it’s done.

As mentioned earlier, its anti-drip function makes it a cinch to pour your coffee without any messes or stains on your worktop. The machine features a 1.2 litre water tank that is easy to reach and fill due to its large opening, and it also has an easy-to-read water level indicator, making it a breeze to gauge your proportions and fill the tank accordingly.

As you would probably expect, the HD7546/20 takes standard-sized filters (1 x 4), and it features a detachable swing filter to make the preparation aspect of brewing your coffee as simple as possible. As far as cleaning goes, you really can’t ask for anything simpler; the parts are dishwasher proof and the machine is comprised of handy wipe-down surfaces.

Even if you forget to shut the machine off, it will automatically power down after 2 hours, giving you peace of mind on those days when you’re taking the tube on the way to work and wondering if you remembered to turn coffee maker off or not (I’m sure that’s only ever happened to me).

Another excellent feature of this machine is that it’s quite a space-saver in the kitchen due to its compact design, and its elegant look can mesh well with practically any kitchen decor. Combine these elements of great form and reliable functionality, and you have a top-notch filter coffee machine that really can’t be beat!

What accessories are included?

As you can probably imagine, the Philips HD7546/20 doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles due to the fact that it’s a very straightforward filter coffee machine. Everything you need to make superb coffee is already “baked into the cake” with the HD7546/20, so there’s really no extra accessories needed!

Key features of Philips HD7546/20

Pros

• Unbreakable stainless steel jug that keeps coffee hot for hours
• Brews coffee in only 10 minutes
• Shuts off automatically after coffee is finished brewing
• Intuitive design and functionality
• Makes delicious coffee!

Cons

• Water reservoir is not detachable (some people like having this option)
• May require an adaptor for plug depending upon where purchased

Anything else you should know?

One important piece of information that I did not want to leave out is that the Philips HD7546/20 comes with a 2-year warranty, which is just further proof that the company stands by their product. Truth be told, you probably won’t ever need to use the warranty due to the quality construction of this machine, but it’s always good to know that it’s there just in case you ever need it.

Conclusion

I’ve had quite a bit of filter coffee machines in my day, and I don’t think I’ve owned a more reliable machine than the HD7546/20. It does its job well and with excellent consistency, producing rich and flavour-packed coffee every time you use it. I know that everyone’s experiences and opinions will vary, but I really have nothing bad to say about this machine. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make great coffee and keep it nice and hot, you really can’t go wrong with the Philips HD7546/20.

If you want to check other filter coffee machines that we have reviewed, please click here.

Where to buy?

• Amazon UK: Check today’s price