Customer Reviews

Senseo SL7832/55 Single Serve Supreme Coffee Machine, Chrome

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

There was no bigger fan of the first generation of Senseo machines than my wife and I. We bought one when they first came out in 2001, and it made the richest, foamiest smoothest cup of coffee you could get without traveling to a Paris Bistro. It put Starbucks and all other coffee shop coffee to shame, not to mention all other coffee makers. It truly gave you something to look forward to in the morning.

Well, our original Senseo machine gave out after a decade of continuous use, and I ordered this new one. Out of the box, I noticed the water chamber did not fit snugly into it's slot like it was supposed to. It stuck out crooked by 1/2" from the back of the machine -- an obvious manufacturing flaw. I then followed the start up procedures to the letter, used the same water and Senso pods we always use, and out came the worst cup of coffee imaginable. Tepid, weak, practically no foam at all, and a strong plastic aftertaste that stays with you.

After comparing the coffee chamber to our old one, it has many differences. The most important of which is the top part of the pod chamber, which used to be all metal (like a fine espresso machine) is now all plastic. The pod chamber is the most important part of the machine, as it controls the temperature and pressure that extracts the coffee essence from the grounds in the pod, along with the level of foam that's imparted. The operating temperature, pressure and foam generation have all been reduced to accommodate the cheaper plastic chamber, which equals less coffee in your coffee. At the same time, the strong plastic taste imparted by the pod chamber gives you the feeling your getting your complete RDA of melted plastic in your body every day :-).

I called Seseo support, and they told me Phillips is no longer producing these machines -- Senseo is now owned and manufactured by Sarah Lee, so the Phillips Logo is only on there for perceived brand continuity among consumers. The support person admitted the mechanics of the machine had been completely changed from the first generation, and refused to refund my very expensive shipping ($46) to and from saying taste was a matter of opinion and they can't be responsible for that. I asked if she had ever tried coffee from the Senseo machines she's selling, and she said no, to which I replied that she might want to so she could see for herself that the coffee that comes out of their machine is so bad that it's a matter of public record, not opinion.

I can't offer any advice on what to buy instead, I'm still mourning the loss of what was the best coffee maker I will ever own in my lifetime, along with my $46 in shipping to and from. I welcome any suggestions.

I had gotten a cheaper model for my parents for Christmas one year and they love theirs. So I decided to get the Supreme model for myself. I've tried many different flavors and it works reasonably well. If you're seriously into flavor, you might want to stick with a pot machine and freshly ground beans. However, I really like the Senseo because it makes a 1-2 cups of coffee quickly and easily. It's very convenient.

My only complaint is that the spout is supposed to be adjustable with this model--and it is! But you only get an extra inch or so of height, which still doesn't accommodate my taller coffee cups. If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably get the cheaper model.

I previously owned the older (non-recalled) Senseo model and loved it; I used it daily for over two years. I recently purchased the deluxe, improved, model and the coffee tastes and smells like plastic. I've gone through an entire package of pods to see if the taste disappears; it has not. I don't know if the plasticy flavor and aroma is due to the deluxe model or the 'improvements' made in the overall design; however, I'm very dissatisfied with the system and will probably return it.

I did quite a bit of research before I made the decision to go with Senseo. What sold me was the price of the machine, the price of the pods, and the #1 review from consumer reports. My only concern was other reviews about the coffee tasting like plastic. Well I can tell you, nothing is further from the truth. This machine makes very good coffee. The machine is very easy to use. It takes about 60 seconds to heat up and about 30 seconds per cup after that. The coffee is actually very good. One pod will make a small to medium cup of strong coffee or a large cup of weak coffee. If you want a large cup of strong coffee, you will need to use 2 pods with the 2 pod holder. The machine comes with 3 pod holders. 1 for one pod, 1 for two pods, and 1 for espresso pods. As other reviewers have stated every coffee is made with a 1/8 froth topping.(Not unlike a very expensive espresso machine makes). I recommend you try the variety packs and figure out which you like best. Of the 8 flavors I've tried they range from good to excellent. Even though they sell pods for cappuccino, I found if you heat up about 2 oz. milk, add cinnamon and then set the machine for about 5 ounces of coffee, you get a cappuccino comparable to what you would get a Gloria Jeans. The pods are available at your local super market or you can get them on line. Amazon has good pricing and usually offer free shipping. You can also use pods from other coffee companies such as Baronet, Timothy, and others although these pods cost more.

Love both of my Senseos especially since I started buying coffee pods from cafejo.com. I prefer the French roast and Kenya since they both make strong cups of coffee. There are many other types of coffes as well as tea pods. As for the concern that the Senseo pods get stale, all of the pods from cafejo are individually wrapped in foil. These pods are not inexpensive but the quality of the coffee I get from my Senseo using these pods makes it worth the cost to me. Have been buying 12 boxes of pods at a time and have never been displeased.

I have a Keurig B60 and wanted to get another machine for the office for my own use. I looked at the Keurig Mini and read many reviews and was hesitant although I love my B60 which is around 3 years old and apparently before the current issues they seem to be having with motors and such. So i decided to try the Senseo.
Pluses: It is quieter. It has more cup size choices. It has a smaller footprint. If you want to use your own brand of coffee the adaptor is far better than Keurigs scenario. If you like the frothy top, you won't get that with the Keurig.
Minuses: As I like a 10oz. cup of coffee it takes 2 pods. Cost per cup must be looked at. Does not have near the choices of coffee as Keurig does. Water reservoir is smaller although, that keeps the water fresher if you don't drink alot. (could be a plus for some). Because the Keurig you just pop open, throw out the Kcup and go, it is easier to make the next cup than the Senseo, but not by much. You have to wiggle the pods perfectly in place if you use two, to prevent leaking around the seal.
The quality of the beverage produced seems to be better by the Keurig. My observation is this: If you consider that the Kcup is sealed in a plastic cup with a foil top, it will keep for a long time. The pods are a filter mesh that are placed in multiples in a foil like bag. Once the seal on that bag is broken, the freshness will degrade. SO even thought the machines are not at fault, the storage of the Kcups will give better freshness over time.
Hope this helps you decide which works best for you.

This is the best coffee machine ever! It has the foam that cappacino has, and a rich rich flavor! All the bugs of the older models have been worked out in this newest model. It's nice looking, holds more water, makes fast great coffee, doesn't ever jam up. I have ALL the other machines, like Tassimo for example, and hands down, Senseo just makes a better cup of coffee.

My neighbor has had an old senseo machine for years, and I always remarked that it made the best coffee ever. So I finally bought a new one for myself and the coffee tastes nothing like my neighbors coffee, and I'm using the same pods! What comes out is a flat, tepid, plastic tasting brew that is undrinkable in my opinion. Save yourself the headache and expense of returning this machine.

I researched most of the single serve coffee makers before purchasing the Senseo SL7832 Supreme Machine in Chrome. I've sampled the Kuerig coffee's, but was very unimpressed with the, "no better then a regular drip coffee maker flavor". I wanted a coffee maker with the quality of the expensive coffee shops without the high cost. I ran across reviews from Senseo owners that said how they made their own pods by using the small 4 cups filters (with the flat bottom, not the cone) and placed a couple of teaspoons of your own quality fresh coffee and just folded over the top. Then placed it in the pod holder and put a few drops of water for it to stay in place. Wow!!! Great coffee!! It has the great frothy layer on top with great flavor! I purchase freshly ground coffee usually once every week or two from the grocery store. I make a pod at the time I make a cup and it takes seconds. I did not like the (not fresh)quality of the dark pods that came with the machine. I like the adjustable spout, and serving size. I'm the only coffee drinker in the house so I can make myself a quick cup of coffee while I'm getting ready for work in the morning. My mother has the expensive Nespresso coffee maker and the quality the Senseo is just as good! I purchased the Senseo from amazon for [...] with free shipping and downloaded the $20 rebate from the[...]. It really does have the look of an expensive coffee maker.

Makes a great cup of coffee with a nice frothy top. Haven't had a single problem or bad cup of joe with this awesome machine. Another plus, once used the pods are compostable and biodegradable(no plastic). Overall I am very pleased.