Espresso Machines > Traditional Espresso Machines > 150 GBP to 249 GBP

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: 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: Looks Good
Disadvantages: Not great coffee, murder to keep clean.

I bought the Cubika last summer from Amazon. I was impressed with the speed of Amazon's delivery, and the "out of the box" experience. I had read very positive reviews for this machine, and it was the "style" which tempted me in the end. I wanted a pod machine, but my other half convinced me otherwise - her father travels to Italy a lot, so we have a plentiful supply of good quality reasonably priced beans. I have not been impressed with this machine. ...
...water tank, you have to remove the brew basket, move the steam nozzle round and then try to wriggle it free without crushing the rubber tubing that dips into the water. Not easy. When you get it out, the awkward shape is difficult to get most dish-brushes into. There is a "useful" feature that you can slide the tank along for side-on filling, but unless you use up the ENTIRE tank every day, you're still going to have to empty out your stale water ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap, quick, easy to clean, reasonable coffee
Disadvantages: Slightly ugly

"Espress' Value! Having broke my way through three different espresso machines during the last 24 months I was very sceptical of purchasing a coffee maker at the extremely low price of £9, particularly when it was becoming clear that what I needed is "help" and not a new coffee-inducing product. My previous buys had all been priced between £80-to-£100 and I'd killed them all with my addiction, but staring me in the face at Asda were a stockpile ...
...stripped-down versions of what I'd been using in the past. "Espresso Machine - £9" read the advertising…who wouldn't pick it up? I popped Asda's own brand 'Onn' OE001 in my trolley and continued about my business. Several hours later I was home, unpacked and fancied a brew. Herein lies the first minor point - had it have been a Gaggia or Krups it wouldn't have taken me seven hours to remove it from the box; the machine does indeed lack the desirability ... Read review