DeLonghi ESAM6700 Gran Dama Avant Touch-Screen Super-Automatic Espresso Machine

- Automatic burr grinder built in that grinds from a pre-filled bean reservoir. This is very convenient and it makes a fresh and fragrant cup of stuff.

- Good temperature on the coffee, and it gets to that temperature very quickly. Never overly hot. Never tepid. Just right.

- The unit is surprisingly small and compact considering all that it is capable of. It fits perfectly into the slot that my old Capresso coffee pot occupied -- a machine that only made coffee, nothing else.

- Does it make a good cup 'o joe? Answer: Yes. It makes just as good a cup of regular coffee as what I get from the Peets store down the street. And this is what I was ultimately looking for. For the coffee alone, it is great. Far better than any machine I have ever owned previously (I have owned, I think, five machines from three manufacturers, at this point).

DeLonghi ESAM5500M Perfecta Digital Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Metallic Blue

I purchased this baby about six months ago and have already brewed 2,000 cups of cappuccino. I have settled on Illy beans and it is a real luxury to wake up, press one button, and have such a tasty treat. It does not create true coffee-house foam but it is close enough. Indeed, I am now accustomed to the slightly larger bubbles and find real cappuccino a bit too creamy. In any case, the beast has worked like a charm so far. It is expensive but life is short and little luxuries like this make it so much more enjoyable. I also bought an aerolatte electric milk frother, which makes much thicker and more authentic foam for when I really want creamy foam. But it is so easy to just pull the little milk frother that comes with this machine out of the fridge and press the button that I rarely use the aerolatte device, which is a shame because it was 90 bucks itself. But as I said, life is short and little luxuries make it sweeter. One issue is that it can be fussy to mate the milk jug with the machine: you gotta pull it off and push it back in sometimes to get the thing mated. The nice thing about a true super automatic device such as the perfecta is that you are not tied to coffee pods: it grinds whatever beans you give it. All in all, I am glad I bought it and paid off the credit card bill accordingly.

Gaggia Accademia Espresso Machine

Rise through the ranks with the Gaggia Accademia, a smartly appointed super automatic espresso machine, whose charming good looks and responsive performance are sure to earn it place at the top of its class. With a contemporary stainless-steel front panel, durable metal frame, and a bright display, the Accademia embodies refined design aesthetics. Anchored by one-touch, programmable push-button controls for espresso, hot water and milk outputs, the Accademia dispenses perfect beverages on demand. Just select your desired beverage from one of seven dedicated buttons capable of delivering the following drinks: espresso, caffe, caffe lungo, cappuccino, latte, Latte macchiato and hot water.

Jura-Capresso 13548 Impressa J6 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center

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This machine replaced a Spidem Divina. Although the Divina made good coffee, it was very temperamental and required numerous calls for on the phone repair. Finally, we just gave up. The Jura was twice the price and well worth it. We have not had one problem and love the coffee. I whole heartedly recommend this machine, you won't be sorry. We purchased from a brick and mortar Sur La Table store. They said if there is ever any problem, just return and they would replace if they were unable to diagnose the problem. But, as I said, not one issue. 

Jura-Capresso 13531 Impressa C5 Fully Automatic Coffee Center, Piano Black

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Purchased this machine about three months ago and have been totally pleased with it. Owned a C 1000 and upgraded with the frothXpress PLUS as well.... Easy to program, easy to use and easy to clean. I have been through two cycles of cleaning with the tablets and the cleaning took about half the time the C 1000 took... It uses special Cearly Blue filters.. no discounts on these. They are a standard price and you replace them with every cleaning so there is a little expense with this.

The frothXpress is great and I use it only when I am making a few cappucinos. It comes completely apart and cleans easily.

All in all, I could not be happier. The only thing that coul be better are the initial directions on how to use the machine. Having owned the other one, this one was easier to maneuver. The directions for the frothXpress PLUS are almost non-existent but I found some directions online which helped.

It is a hefty price for a machine but I value good coffee. You will not be disappointed.