Espresso Machines > Traditional Espresso Machines > by Integrated Coffee Grinder

Advantages: makes espresso, steamer, easy to use, safe, looks good, cheaper than most other similar models
Disadvantages: has a cappuncino milk frother but no thermometer

I have always wanted my very own Espresso machine and after being a good boy all year Santa brought me one for Christmas after my wife informed him that I really wanted one. My wife may have told him I wanted one, but I did end up paying £129 for the pleasure of ensuring Santa left it in my stocking. Fed up to the back teeth with plain old filter coffee, or god forbid, instant freeze dried filth actually having the Cubika now sitting in my kitchen ...
...morning and is officially the boys toy that my friends and I spent most of Chjristmas day playing with and frankly it is so user friendly, we had steaming hot espresso flowing freely within 30 minutes of removing it from the box. There are no fiddly parts that require construction so it is just a case of removing it from the box, placing the main water tank within the machine and pluggig it in. Obviously ground coffee beans are required but that ... 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: 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: Good quick coffee, good crema, fun design, fair price
Disadvantages: Dripping, water holder bit fiddly, cup warmer does not heat, poor service from Kenwood

...the machine went back to Kenwood service department (who incidentally were very slow to respond to emails) and we were generally unimpressed with how they handled our problems. They were too ready to try and blame us for not cleaning the machine properly. This was untrue - we followed the manual to the letter. Cleaning instructions which came separately from the service department contained a bit that involved unscrewing a nut from the filter head ...
...a price! However, this Kenwood got us started on espressos and is a pretty good little machine at a good price - and has a fun look. The coffee is made quickly, it produces a good crema. I have seen very similar designs by another manufacturer for at least twice the price. ... Read review

Advantages: stylish, efficient
Disadvantages: few

...me. I like this gaggia it gets hotter and steams much better then the krups. The filter spoon is much bigger and heavier (better for keeping your brew hot) I dont find the water tank a problem at all, just dont fill it too full, The clear tank is great for keeping an eye on the water level inside. The smaller filter basket supplied is ideal for pods, gaggia pods make a great espresso but I also like ones from cafepods.com. I bought my machine reconditioned ...
...and seems as good as new. So I can recconmend this machine as I can find little wrong with it, These types of machine come in many different price ranges but I feel you would have to spend a lot more to get a significantly better machine. And why go to all the fuss of a grinding machine just use pods. ... Read review