ONE OF THE BEST ESPRESSOS
922293
Love the flavor of this espresso.  I look forward to it every morning.
3647523
This is a pair of beautiful, sleek and elegant machines that make the perfect espresso drinks, every time. There is no guess work, you push a button and it just does its thing like magic!
The Vanilla Cream color looks really nice on my counter, and the pair takes up very little space. I am especially impressed with the Aeroccino frother, we use it to make flavored "steamers" for the kids, and the best hot cocoa and chai you've ever had.
I went back and forth between a Nespresso or a Keurig for months, and after tasting the quality of this espresso at an in-store demo,  it was no question which is the better machine.
What it does:
1. Makes espresso. That's basically it. But it's far from a one-trick pony: If you prefer American style coffee to espresso, you can simply press the button again with no capsule in place to dilute your espresso shot with hot water for an "Americano"
What it doesn't do:
1. Make tea, cocoa, or 500 different flavors of "coffee". But, the Aeroccino as I mentioned makes the perfect consistency of hot milk&foam to add to cocoa or tea, and of course you can buy your favorite flavored syrups for a coffeehouse experience at home.
2. Save money. Well, maybe it does. The jury's still out. A coffee shop drink is anywhere from a buck fitty to upwards of 4 dollars. But, I don't necessarily buy one every day. At a whopping 75 cents to a buck per capsule, Nespresso isn't cheap. Especially if you make a double- or triple-shot-whatever. And they're so fun to make, it might become a daily habit. There is a less expensive company (HiLine) that makes INCREDIBLE coffee pods, they work flawlessly in this machine and cost about 1/3 less. Still not thrifty, but a considerable savings. And a word to the wise-you cannot buy capsules in stores. You must order from Nespresso or HiLine. Both ship very quickly, but you must plan ahead and order before you run completely out!
Pros:
-small, space-efficient
-elegant looks, multiple color choices for any decor
-saves time, if not money
-fun, fast, and very simple to use
-authentic espresso taste and nice "crema" (the tan foam that is the mark of a high-quality coffee and proper extraction)
-Aeroccino is versatile, milk can be used in many other drinks and can use with almond, soy, hemp, coconut milk, etc. as well.
-Inissia model is very competitively priced against other single-serve coffee makers
-capsules (from both Nespresso and HiLine) are fully recyclable in curbside/co-mingled recycling programs

Cons:
-cannot buy capsules in stores
-Noise. The motor in this model is rather loud-no more so than a coffee grinder, but something to be aware of if you are an early riser with other people still sleeping in the house!
-only makes one espresso/enough milk for one drink at a time. Double- or triple-shot, you will have to repeat the process 2-3 times
1353337
This is the ONLY pod espresso I have ever tasted that I would call excellent. There are many varieties of the pods available. The espresso blend is very strong, tasty. One of the things I like about the Illy is the quality of the crema is really good. The machine does not ship with pods, so order your pods separately.  Hope you love it as much as I do.
1229597
After long research and purchase of many low and high end espresso machines I decided on trying this one. I was going to buy the Napresso C100 but I changed my mind because unlike the Napresso capsules ( 80% arabica and 20% Robusta ) the iperespresso capsules are made with 100% Arabica coffee which as you might know is the ultimate coffee for espresso. This machine comes also with a steam wand for frothing which is not available in the C100. I received it last week and tried it couple dozen times. The result is outstanding. It is a very well made machine, makes espresso in 30 seconds. No maintenance, needs descaling every 3 months. The espresso quality is excellent and better than any one I tried. The crema is quite thick and rich and the whole experience is very rewarding. The froth mechanism is great, I made one Cappuccino comparable in quality to any you get in the best coffee shops. I do not care about the lack of varieties of the capsules. I want either espresso or cappuccino as this is the whole main idea behind the machine. You may like the lungo capsule if you like a bigger volume however I did not try this variety yet. So for 15 pennies more than the napresso you can get far better shot of espresso. The C100 has 19 bar pump which is not really important as some espresso machines costing a few thousand dollars come only with 15 pump pressure. I still wish one day the iperespresso capsules come down in price but until then I'll continue to enjoy my 100% arabica espresso coffee.
4043177
I am an espresso addict and this is my first machine. I did a lot of research before buying and it became clear that this machine has the best internals, functionality, and reputation in this price range.  I wish I could afford a really expensive machine but for now, this thing is awesome and makes great espresso every time. The process took a little getting used to (making sure I do everything right and keep the machine clean and running properly) but that I know what to do (watched some youtube videos and read some of the instructions) I am making great espresso and know how to care for my machine so it lasts a long time.  The process of making the perfect espresso is really part of the enjoyment of the whole experience.  This machine has everything you need and is perfect for small spaces.  I highly recommend this machine if this is price range you are looking at.  It works really well and makes great great espresso/cappuccino.  The only downside I have found with this machine is that it is not very tall and you have to lean most cups over to use the steam wand but it is easily doable, but it would be nice if it was 1" taller, but I still love this thing.
1298841
As a barista on a budget, I wasn't expecting to get any espresso machine comparable to the 5 grand ones I'm used to. This this little espresso machine is impressive for the price! Still not comparable of course, but I believe it's as close you can get without spending a fortune.

The build quality is solid, it steams great, and the espresso comes out creamy. When you power on the machine, the top surface heats, which is a great amenity if you don't want your hot espresso pouring into cold cups. I can make every hot drink I'd make in the shop with this machine. The extra features are nice too. The bottom slides out to easily dump excess water or espresso, and there is a hidden compartment to store various things. The accent lighting behind the buttons is a nice touch too for anyone who appreciates a machine that's also eye catching. There's also an attachment that goes over the steam wand (mine came pre-attached, but you can pull it off) that makes the drinks extra frothy.

It comes with a milk pitcher and espresso tamper. All you may want to invest in is a couple of shot glasses. Overall, it was a great purchase.
1583622
I purchased this machine as a replacement for another DeLonghi espresso maker (which is 5 years old and still works great! and my sister now loves it).  The packaging it comes in is first rate and the machine arrived in perfect condition.
  I only make espresso with it so I can't dispute the claims of others talking about lukewarm milk in their latte and cappuccino.  My experience with the espresso is that the DeLonghi machines still make a great cup of espresso, no matter what your taste.  I experimented with the settings until it made the cup I was looking for (double-shot, extra strong).  Obviously the beans you choose have a big effect on the taste of your espresso!
  I have only had the machine for a couple of months so I can't testify to it's longevity, but hopefully it lasts as long as my previous machine.  No problems cleaning or leaking so far.
3255453
Agreed! this is one Amazing, simple espresso machine.....Best espresso machine I've owned and I've gone through quite a few of the mid-range consumer pump driven units. The Nomad makes espresso on the same level as machines costing thousands of dollars. Truly a marvel of a product.
641790
I had a Breville Cafe Roma, a good machine, but one that I would regard as entry level.  Although the Breville had no trouble making espressos with a nice layer of crema, the (recently upgraded) steaming wand was still a weak spot.  Also, there's no hot water dispenser on that model.

After extensive research, I decided to purchase the Gaggia Espresso Color.  Although no reviews of this model were available, I really liked the price, the color, the overall design, and the favorable reviews I had seen for other machines in the Gaggia line.  This machine is compact, stylish, and includes elements found on higher end machines like a commercial portafilter, a stainless steel boiler, and a Pannarello attachment for the steaming wand.  Also, I kept coming across the same brand names over and over again with a sterling reputation in the espresso world, and Gaggia is one of those names.

I am very happy with my Gaggia.  I really feel that it is a cut above my old Breville.  The insides of the machine (the boiler, the heating elements, the valves) are top notch. It is a very efficient machine which does a great job and is worth every penny.

There is a learning curve with this machine because the commercial portafilter does not contain a pressure mechanism like the filters in thermablock systems.  The requisite pressure for properly extracted espresso is very dependent on the fineness and consistency of the grind and the pressure used to tamp the coffee.  This machine is all about the ritual of making espresso, meaning you need to pay attention to details like prepping and preheating the machine, and minding the coffee grind and the tamp.  The reward, however, is an excellent espresso that trumps what is sold at the typical coffee shop.  The Pannarello attachment to the steaming wand removes a lot of the guesswork for making steamed milk and foam.  The foam I have had from this machine is dense and luscious and makes my latte feel like a mini-vacation;-).  The espressos and lattes I have had from this machine far exceed what I had from the Breville.  They're also a lot better than what I (used to) get from Starbucks.  Thanks to my Gaggia, I can now get my espresso fix at home (and save beaucoup bucks at the same time)!
448293
We love this machine; it takes a little more time to figure out just what settings you want for what espresso but when you do this you get hipster coffee house quality espresso, lattes and cappuccino.  All of the components of the machine look and feel high quality, they have packaged it will all of the accessories you will need. The espresso bean hopper is a good size, the removable water tank is also a good capacity, and easy to remove once you get the hang of it. You can grind your own beans or use already ground espresso. They've really thought of everything. When you have a machine like this, you realize you don't need to pay a fortune at Starbuck's, and that maybe it never tasted that good anyway!
4418471
I've had one of these machines for 5 years and just purchased another one as a gift. I've never had problems with it and loving how it makes my espressos. I drink about 3 espressos on average a day, and i don't make too many lattes so i don't get to use the frothing wand very often. Keel that in mind as you're reading this review.

I've read many reviews which state that their machines leak or have a pump failure of sorts. I don't understand why so many people are having these issues but i suspect that it could be to too strong of a thumping pressure being used when compacting the coffee. If i compact mine too hard then the machine struggles to push water through, and if i compact it too lightly then it makes an americano and not an espresso. Therefore the outcome is highly dependent on how hard or light one compacts the coffee.

Secondly, it is important to use correct coffee and correct grind. I use Lavazza Rossa because that is what i grew up drinking in Italy, and it works flawlessly with my machine.

Thirdly, after using tap water for the first four years or so i have switched to demineralized water and the outcome is that i have to decalcify my machine twice a year at most, vs quarterly decalcifications triggered by machine pump making struggling noises.

So after five years of moderate use i have not had one issue w this machine. I can confirm that the frothing wand is not the greatest but then again i care not for it since i exclusively drink espressos.

For those that say the machine is too light and moves when thumping the coffee grind, they can lightly hold it with their second hand/arm which is a foot away from the machine (if that) while they are doing the thumping. Also, for ones that say the machine twists when they tighten the handle into it, i can suggest using less tightening force. Perhaps the aforementioned circumstances (hard thump and heavy tightening) are what causes their premature pump failures and leaks. This is a 200$ machine, not 2000$ machine so that needs to be taken into consideration by all "baristas" who "know" how to make an espresso because they read an article or watched a YouTube video on how to do it.

For others who care about drinking a tasty espresso this is the best machine under 200$. There is another retro looking one for <99$ that makes just as good of an espresso that is most likely the best bang for the buck. (Unless your appliances are stainless steele).
1367728
You really can't go wrong with this Espresso machine. My wife made me promise that I would learn to make her lattes and proper espresso shots when we bought the Breville Infuser. After a month or so, I was able to move to the non-pressurized baskets and my Espresso shots are perfect. Be sure to read up on the maintenance of this machine because you'll need to change the water filter and clean this machine to keep the quality high.

Also, I'd highly recommend the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-The-Smart-Grinder-Pro-Coffee-Bean-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless-Steel/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Breville BCG820BSSXL The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel</a>&nbsp;to compliment the Infuser so that you can precisely grind your coffee beans since each bean is different. NEVER use a spice grinder for your coffee beans if you want the best possible espresso experience.
4314540
I love this espresso maker!  Since all of the internal specs are the same among the machines, I wanted to dip my toes into the Nespresso world with their entry level unit and boy am I hooked.  The espresso comes out consistently every time and I have learned to make one mean latte with the aeroccino.
2315378
Excellent.  The espresso does draw out in a single stream when the grounds are packed right.  Definitely a must-have for an espresso lover.
3954964
Great espresso machine. I love making good quality espresso in the morning. Also great for espresso based drinks. You need to adjust the grind when switching brands of beans, otherwise the espresso with taste weak or bitter.
47904
When it goes on sale and is comparable to 8oclock I usually stock up as it is some really good coffee. The Colombian Supremo is spot on, dark and sweet with very little acidity and super smooth, perfect for espresso.
749866
I looked around at a lot of different espresso machines and found a great deal on this one.  I was hesitant to spend a little extra money on this model, but I am really glad that I did.  It makes great espresso and the occasional time that I use the frother, that works well also.  It does take a while to get the milk really hot, but it gets there.  I have used an earlier Krups model that had a different frother, and the type that is on this one is much better.