Espresso Machines

Advantages: Beautiful
Disadvantages: Doesn't work; AEG customer services very poor

Beautiful bit of kit that doesn't work! Problems are : 1. Bad design. Either that or it's broken (AEG now taken it back) 2. AEG customer services inability / unwillingness to do anything! It may be the design at fault. A microscopically small pellet of coffee is used. Around 25% of expected volume on a decent machine. The real problem is AEG customer services. Sent an engineer, who DIDN'T ACTUALLY TRY IT OUT just supposedly diagnosed a problem ... 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

Advantages: well priced, very easy to use
Disadvantages: steam arm is temperamental

I bought the Delonghi EC330S after realising I was slowly emptying my bank account paying for numerous Starbucks' every week (even more after they opened one a two minute walk from my flat). Definite plus point in its appearance, it looks stylish and fits in well in modern kitchens especially. It does make good coffee, and although you need to warm the machine up, once you're used to doing this it really isn't a hassle. Although the previous reviewer ...
...either buy coffee beans and a grinder or buy fresh coffee ground for espresso machines, as pods don't really make the most of having a machine such as this. A disadvantage of having this product are the steam arm is very temperamental and sometimes just doesn't emit much steam (despite being thoroughly cleaned). Also, if you want to make more than 3/4 cups at a time don't bother. It isn't so much the hassle, it's the steam arm - it can't cope with ... 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: Great espressos and regular filter coffee
Disadvantages: Espressos sometimes are not hot enough

...the range of things this Krups do. Is very easy to read, and bring amazing pratical information, that will help you to be the most renowned coffee maker among your friends. There you'll learn how to work with the Steam Function, that combined with a Cappuccino accessory, makes perfect cappuccinos, café crème, or whatever you wish! Another good thing, for those who like the ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) system, this is ready to receive those paper ...
...maker! I use it only to make decaf to those who don't need the caffeine. Very easy to clean and to refill with water, attention I wouldn't recommend you to use tap water, coffe my lose qualities. Although the price is not as low as it could be, I recommend this product very much. I'm a happy user for longer than 1 year! ... Read review