I'm in the market for a new espresso machine and would appreciate everyone's input on the matter.

I recently gave my Starbucks Athena machine to my parents when I moved and am not sure if I want to buy the same model again. I really had no complaints about the machine at all but I am aware that better ones are out there.

I dont really have a budget but would like to keep it under 600 dollars if possible.

Aside from the Starbucks machines I'm also looking at the Saeco refurbished machines on ebay. I usually try to avoid refurbished goods but these seem to come with a decent warranty and I really like the features they have.

I have also owned a Krups machine although that was about 10 years ago and don't know where the company stands now with their goods. I would like to find out what machines everyone elses uses and why you either like them or dont like them. The most important factor for me is the water pressure going through the coffee. I've seen some weak ass machines out there and don't want to get stuck with something that cant deal with tightly packed coffee. I would also like a machine that steams the milk well, although that is not as important as the quality of the water pump.

I'm also fairly new to the machines that can do pretty much everything for you. That intrigues me but I dont want to get involved with a high maintenance machine (have had zero problems with the Athena).

cliff notes:
need new espresso machine
600 dollar budget
taking advice on others experience with machines
- why you like them, why you dont
also considering refurbished w/ warranty

 

i have the older version of this, i know its out of your price range but from a brand stand point, i think its great. My uncle has a Saeco Easy which i think was ~$500 and he also loves it.

 

sorry link doesnt work http://www.1-800-espresso.com/saeco-...fort-plus.html

 

try www.wholelattelove.com - they are pretty good.

I had a Saeco semi-automatic espresso machine that was decent. Lasted about two years before the pump broke. I then went to a Gaggia semi-automatic and that was awesome. Very sturdy and reliable.

I soon grew tired of grinding and tamping manually, so I bought a Saeco Royal Digital Plus and it's worked great for the last 1.5 years. I can make a great latte or cappucino in less than 2 minutes. Much better than going to Starbucks. Since it grind, tamps, and discards the grounds all by itself, there is no mess.

 

Thats what really draws me to the new machines. I've been grinding and tamping for my espresso for a good 13 years and I'd like to move away from that.

 

Damn I had no idea they cost that much. That's a lot of trips to Starbucks.

 

I have an isomac relax. Great machine, that damn thing paid for itself the first couple of months i owned it. Its not totally automatic, but I dont mind grinding and stamping...

I have a Gaggia grinder.

 

The machine counts how many shots you've made. Based on that, I've made almost 400 lattes in the last 1.5 years. That's the equivalent of $1,600 at Starbucks. The machine costs $1,300 - so it's already paid for itself .

 

^-Thats what I use to justify spending a lot on the machine. I was keeping track for a while with my old machine. I was making two lattes (2-3 shots each) per day nearly every day. It quickly paid for itself. More so when I was living at home this summer. I'd make 2 lattes, my dad would make at least 2, and my mom would make 1.

 

So almost a year later I finally wound up with an automatic espresso machine. I was in Starbucks last weekend and the Delonghi machine was marked down from 1200 to 450. Couldn't pass it up. Machine works great.

 

Damn... I've been happy with my Bialetti Brikka for the past three years. IIRC it was like $40

 

Im pretty happy with my Flava

 

How many shots are you up to now?

 

Delonghi stuff is sweet! I like the jura capresso machines at williams sonoma. They had one at a hotel I stayed in last summer and I was sold. Costly, but IMO, worth every penny!

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/...juri/index.cfm