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I bought this after reading many reviews of many machines. In the end I decided to go with what I know: My parents already own an earlier model of this machine and it's worked beautifully for years. And now mine does, too. This machine makes great espresso and frothed/steamed milk and is worth the price. Some reviewers have complained about the clogging, but that is their fault for grinding the coffee too powdery and probably not cleaning out the holders. If the holders do get clogged, the machine comes with a fine needle-point tool that cleans out the filter in a snap. I've only had to do this once in all the years my parents and I have owned our machines.

If I could give negative stars I would. Not only does it pull mediocre espresso, I have gone through two machines in two years. Both with the same problem, it won't turn on. What a Joke for $400 a pop.

Caveat - I have only owned this machine for a couple of hours and just pulled my first couple of espresso shots.

I settled for this machine after lusting after some more expensive rigs (i.e. the $600 Rancio Silvia). Espresso experts on various message boards almost convinced me that spending any less than $600 for a machine (and $300 for a grinder) was a huge mistake.

I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much, so I picked up the Breville.

After making a double espresso and a latte, I must say I am very satisfied with the Breville. The espresso shot looked and tasted as good as any shot that I have ordered from local restaurants. The machine is extremely easy to use and looks and feels solid as a rock. Unless you're an espresso connoisseur with an extremely refined palate, you will be very happy with this machine for all your home espresso needs. I'll update this review if I have anything to add after a few weeks of use....

I had this unit for over 2 months and used it almost daily. I'm not a coffee snob and I found the espresso it produced to be fine for my needs.

What I found problematic was the errant coffee granule that would block that tiny hole in the portafilter even after I cleaned the portafilter and poked and poked that tiny little hole in the filter basket with the needle tool supplied with the unit for that express purpose.

The mess that was created when trying to pull a shot and nothing would come out got to be too much for me even though it was infrequent, By the way,I am fully familiar with the grind level and tamping needed to make this unit perform as was intended by the manufacturer.

So I returned it and was fortunate to get the second to last in stock Gaggia Classic here at Amazon. Wow!, What a difference. Better taste, better crema, tons of micro foam and no wet puck or clogged porta filter.

It's the first time I have bought an item like this. So I guess my opinion would not count as much. But so far am impressed and hopes it gives me my monies worth.