Espresso Machines > 150 GBP to 299 GBP Espresso Machines

Advantages: Very stylish and easy to use
Disadvantages: Slightly expensive

The Delonghi EN 680 Latissima Nespresso can create a more or less perfect cup if espresso. It is completely unique with it's patented extraction to aid the flow of water through the ground coffee. Nespresso's specially designed coffee-filled capsules are used to give the unique taste you only get with Nespresso. A bit pricey at £300 but certainly a long term investment. Style The Latissima Nespresso is very stylish (see picture) and is ...
...saucer and a sample pack of Nespresso capsules. Conclusion Overall, the Delonghi EN 680 Latissima Nespresso is a very stylish, great espresso machine. The espresso's created are top of the range and are really unique (and taste great) - a great addition to any kitchen. ... Read review

Advantages: Quaility, Quality, Quaility
Disadvantages: You wont ever use instant again

...when you buy your second Gaggia its not because the first broke down, its because you have decided to move up in the brand. My old one is salivating my girlfriend now, so I can now get great coffee when I stay over with her. I use Illy coffee with my Gaggia BABY, and it just means that you get grade A high quality coffee shop coffee when at home. I purchased when in Brown Thomas's in Dublin, the price for me converted was £198 which is pretty par ...
...good quality suppliers. The Gaggia comes with a 15 bar pressure Pump, this is an important feature as my expert friend Al tells me as its what gets the flavor out of the beans. Removable water tank 1.6 litre capacity, it makes it easy to refill without spilling or splashing. Though some times I find it a little awkward to get out. I use ground Illy mainly, but occasionally buy beans and grind myself. This is an excellent addition to go for, it so ... Read review

Advantages: Quick, simple, sturdy, stylish
Disadvantages: Can lose important 'bits' if not careful

So - I lost the whoosit for steaming the milk properly and now I only use the coffee making part, heating the milk up in the microwave. But, in the Gaggia's defence, I have had it for a long, long, time (5 years plus), moved house with it as well, hence the loss of the whoosit, and I still couldn\'t get through the day without the wonderful coffee it makes for me every morning. I could also replace the whoosit direct from Gaggia's site, but I have ...
...machine daily. It needs a good descale every now and then - I just use the same stuff you would use for a kettle, brew it through a few times and then rinse a lot, but I\'m pretty sure it came with some descaling instructions as well. Its also worth using filtered water to keep it happy, but that goes for every machine you can buy. If you are comparing this with the 'pod coffee' machines bear in mind how much you will use it and how much cheaper ... Read review

Advantages: Makes excellent espresso, cappuccino and latte coffee
Disadvantages: Needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly

...usually get them from a Gaggia stockist (their own stores are few and far between), or alternatively from the Gaggia website. We like our machine, it's been very reliable, and it makes an excellent cup of coffee every time, with the only difference in taste being if we change our brand of coffee at any time. It produces an impressive crema layer on the top of each espresso, not unlike a miniature glass of Guinness in appearance, and while I had ...
...of a long-winded performance, in fact it's very simple indeed. Given the right circumstances, I'd happily buy one for my own home, and having become used to drinking well-made espresso coffee and cappuccino, it really is quite sacrilegious to go back to the blandness of the instant variety. Recommended without hesitation. Footnote: A quick look around the internet tells me that the Baby Dose is currently on sale at around £225 - more information ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to set up/pour normal drinks eg. tea/coffee / stylish and modern look.
Disadvantages: Can be messy and inconvenient when changing pods. Pod prices.

My Dolce Gusto machine was given to me by a good friend when i began working from my home office. He thought it may be more convenient than having a kettle anyway! I was suprised at how easy it as to set up and the modern, stylish look! Once the machine was set to go I reached for the Nescaffe pods and instruction cards and had my heart set on a Chocochino! I followed the instructions and inserted the pods etc but was a little miffed to find that ...
...and then swap again to get the right "layering effect" and taste. Apart from the fiddling about with leaking pods I was impressed by the taste! The water compartment or orb on the top acts as a kettle with the water heating up by simply pressing the on switch to the side. You then move the lever to either red or blue for hot or cold water, or when using the pods, the pod needs to be inserted into the machine and then the water runs through the pod. ... Read review