Styled in polished chrome, the Philips Senseo Supreme HD7832 is an amazing machine that prepares a variety of different coffee blends that rival even that of a gourmet coffeehouse. The Senseo Supreme is a step up from the deluxe model and has the added ability to adjust the cup size/volume -- from a small 3-ounce demitasse to a large 10-ounce mug. Like the deluxe model, the Senseo Supreme features an extra-large removable water tank and an adjustable-height dispensing spout.

We are impressed with this machine's easy setup and use; simply fill the water reservoir and follow the simple directions to "flush" the system with fresh cold water. The process takes a couple of minutes and you need to place a large bowl on the base to collect the water. During the initial flushing, the machine makes a loud humming noise and dispenses the equivalent of two large mugs of water.

Once it is set up, the Senseo is ready to brew. There are three main controls on the base: a "Power" button and "One Cup" and "Two Cup" brew buttons. At the top of the unit, a digital screen displays the cup size, with arrow buttons that let you adjust the size up or down. You can experiment with the different options to find your own preferred setting.

The unit comes with three interchangeable pod filter holders for one-cup coffee, two-cup coffee or tea; the tea filter can be used with special Pickwick tea pods to brew a cup of specialty tea. You can purchase an assortment of coffee pods at your local retail store or online from Philips. You can also purchase specialty "blends," which are essentially flavor pouches that are added to your mug before brewing to produce a truly decadent coffee blend. Our favorite is the vanilla latte, which has a pleasant taste that was not overly sweet.

The machine is designed to work best with its own Senseo pods, which are readily available. We also tried the machine with Maxwell House brand pods and it worked fine, even producing the characteristic layer of foam on top. The only thing to make sure of is that the lid closes properly since a tight seal is essential for the pressure brewing system to function properly.

The Senseo Supreme is incredibly easy to use; just pop a pod into the filter holder, close the lid and press a button. The only tricky thing is determining the appropriate cup size. We find it's simply a matter of personal preference. The "One Cup" button dispenses between 3-4 ounces of coffee, based on the selected cup size, and produces a stronger flavor. The "Two Cup" button dispenses between 5-9 ounces, enough to fill a standard-sized mug. The brew time ranges from 30-60 seconds.

Another advantage of the Senseo is its compact design; the unit occupies only an 8.5X13-inch space on your counter and needs about 13 inches of clearance under your cabinets.

We love the variety of choices. You can choose from espresso and cappuccino drinks, as well as coffee varieties including traditional, Colombian, Sumatra, French vanilla and more. The pods are some of the most flavorful we've ever tasted. The brewed coffee is wonderfully hot -- between 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit -- and has a delicious layer of foam on top.

The Senseo Supreme offers one-touch brewing with a wonderful variety of delicious coffee options to satisfy even the most discerning hot beverage connoisseur.


Pros: Adjustable dispensing spout, adjustable volume control with LCD display, one or two cup dispensing, three filter holders
Cons: Cannot accommodate travel-size mugs

Warranty
1 year, limited