Verdict
Pros
- Supports ground coffee ans ESE coffee pods
- Inexpensive to buy and use
- Decent speed
Cons
- Harder to use than pod machines
Key Specifications
- 15 bar pressure; Ground and ESE pods; 1.1L capacity
What is the Krups XP5210?
The Krups XP5210 is a pretty traditional espresso maker. It lacks the intelligence and ease-of-use of some other coffee makers, but that also means there’s less to go wrong, and you get pretty close to the style of a professional coffee maker without having to spend a ridiculous amount of money.
The only part of the machine that has to deal with the actual coffee grounds is the removable holder wand, making it a good deal simpler than a bean-to-cup machine. However, there is also a milk steamer, to the side of the coffee nozzle.
Using both ground coffee and ESE coffee pods that sit in the holder, the XP5210 makes it easy to avoid using expensive pre-packaged pods without an additional accessory.
SEE ALSO: Best Coffee Machines Round-up
What we liked
The Krups XP5210 is pretty simple to maintain, as it’s only the coffee holder that needs to be washed regularly.
It’s also a fairly fast and effective machine, with 15-bar pressure making it roughly as fast as more expensive machines.
What we didn’t like
For those who aren’t coffee enthusiasts, the XP5210 isn’t the easiest-to-use coffee machine. Rather than pressing a button, you have to rotate the coffee holder within its slot a certain amount to determine the size and type of coffee served. You’ll get used to this mechanism, but it’s initially confusing and does raise some slight concerns over the durability of the machine, as quite a yank is required.
During our testing, the coffee holder and its holster seemed strong enough, but general build quality is just ok. It’s outer part is slightly plasticky – which is showed up by how hands-on you have to get with the thing.
Verdict
The Krups XP5210 is a coffee machine for real coffee enthusiasts, using the same mechanism as a professional machine. It produces great coffee, but isn’t the simplest to get on with if you want great coffee with zero fuss.
Next, read more coffee machine reviews
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Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
