Last fall, Krups introduced the new Krups Sensation Milk M90 series. It includes:
– the basic C50 EA910810 with a Pannarello milk foam nozzle;
– the mid-range M90 EA912910 with an auto milk frother and separate milk frothing function, but without Filter Coffee or Latte programs;
– flagship M90 EA912B10 with an auto milk frother, Filter Coffee and Latte programs, but without a separate milk frothing function.
For reference, the German company Krups was founded in 1846 and manufactured scales. Its experience in developing and manufacturing coffee makers dates back to 1961. Today, this brand is popular in the capsule coffee machine segment. However, the company also continues to produce bean-to-cup machines. Since 1991, Krups has been owned by Moulinex, which in turn is part of the French consortium Groupe SEB.
Essentially, the Krups Sensation is an improved version of the compact Quattro Force, which has been successfully competing in the market since 2016. The new series uses the same platform and design.
The brewing system of Krups coffee machines fundamentally differs from its competitors. It uses a hydraulic drive to move the piston when forming the coffee tablet and forcing water through it.
This provides greater force and, consequently, a denser coffee tablet. In tern, thicker consistency increases extraction efficiency. The most baristas also attest to making richer espresso with this brewing unit. Moreover, coffee has a wider range of flavors. Unfortunately, the hydraulic drive significantly complicates the entire system, reducing fault tolerance.
The new series uses a similar hydraulic non-removable brewing unit, which holds up to 10 grams of ground coffee per serving and presses the coffee tablet using a water pump.
Platform
It’s similar to Quattro Force and includes:
– hydraulic non-removable brewing unit;
– 15 bar pump;
– 260-gram coffee bean hopper;
– grinder with 5 settings (conical steel millstones Ø ~40 мм);
– 1.7-liter water container;
– grounds discard container up to 10 coffees;
– 1,450W flow-through thermoblock.
To be honest, previous Krups auto frothers had two cons, including:
– no adjustable milk foam height;
– a milk foam volume limited to 150 ml.
The new Milk Maestro jug is similar in design to the Philips LatteGo.
It holds 300 ml of milk and is easy to wash.
Like the Delonghi, the milk foam height is adjusted using a separate circular mechanical dial on top of the milk jug.
It attaches to the plastic steam outlet on the front panel of the coffee machine.
At the maximum setting, the foam head is large and fluffy, but may to flake. Medium settings produce a finer, more moist froth, with a nearly perfect consistency.
Key Features
Traditionally for the Krups brand, the new Sensation series has the shallowest depth in its class at less than 35 cm.
The button with the heart is designed to activate ‘drink + selected strength + selected volume from three available’. Unfortunately, programming a recipe with a custom volume is not available.
Traditionally for most entry-level models, this series lacks a bypass chute for ground coffee and, therefore, doesn’t work with ground coffee. Therefore, Krups Sensation is unlikely to be suitable for decaf coffee lovers. Separately preparing hot or foamed milk is also unavailable.
Programs
The C50 EA910810 model with a Pannarello frother supports steam mode and has a hot water button. The coffee machine offers three water volume settings, including 100, 200, and 300 ml. The remaining four direct-access touch buttons are used to launch four black coffee programs.
Each program has coffee strength settings (three ground coffee amount settings) and cup volume (three fixed settings – M, L, XL):
– Ristretto (small espresso) – 20, 25, and 35 ml;
– Espresso – 40, 55, and 70 ml;
– Long coffee (Lungo) – 80, 120, and 180 ml;
– Filter coffee – 120, 150, and 170 ml.
This is a new brewing mode. It always uses only the maximum strength and a longer spilling due to intermittent pump operation. In fact, it’s a successful imitation of filter coffee, similar to the LONG program in Delonghi models. It will appeal to lovers of a classic Americano (espresso + hot water).
The Krups Sensation Milk EA912910 and EA912B10 have slightly different program selections.
EA912910
– Ristretto, Espresso, and Long coffee with the same settings as the C50 EA910810;
– Cappuccino (milk foam + coffee on top) – three cup volume settings from 100 to 150 ml;
– Latte Macchiato (milk foam + coffee on top) – increased cup volumes up to 300 ml depending on the milk foam height setting; preset M, L, and XL volumes;
– Frothy milk.
EA912B10
– Espresso, Long coffee, and Filter coffee with the same settings as the C50 EA910810;
– Cappuccino and Latte Macchiato with the same settings as the EA912910;
– Caffe Latte (classic recipe – coffee + milk on top) – up to 300 ml.
Conclusions
Krups M90 EA912910 and EA912B10 with automatic milk frother cost ~ € 450, C50 EA910810 with Panarello is about € 50 cheaper. For comparison, the prices of DeLonghi Magnifica Start and Plus ECAM320, which are similar in functionality, reach $ 500 and € 600, respectively. To be fair, the Italian brand’s models offer more settings and ‘classic’ recipes. But the difference in price is a significant advantage in favor of the French coffee machine. Furthermore, it offers superior espresso thanks to its unique hydraulic brewing unit. Finally, the impeccable reputation, backed by a century and a half of impeccable quality, of Krups products completes this list. In general, the superb price-quality ratio promises cloudless marketing prospects for the series.
This video demonstrates the unboxing and installation of the Krups Sensation Milk.