espresso machine reviews
If you’ve ever been to Italy you’ll know they’re pretty crazy for their coffee.
In this article from Mary O’Brien, she describes a cafe in Italy which sounds like it has a queue outside like a new Apple store.
And it happens every morning. Maybe because they roast their coffee over an open fire?
If caffeine is as integral a part of your life as it is mine, you’ve probably slowly come to realize that there is a huge difference in how fast espresso picks you up compared to coffee. The Gaggia 90950 Platinum-Vision automatic espresso machine is serious about providing your daily fix of concentrated caffeine any way you like it.
The concentrated blend of coffee and milk we call espresso has been around since 1884. Since then, the popularity of espresso machines has spread to all over the world. Now you can bring home the authentic taste of a café espresso with the Gaggia 90950 Platinum-Vision espresso machine.
When you’re talking about an Italian company that has been producing espresso machines since 1948, you expect a certain level of quality. Gaggia has been creating top-of-the-line espresso machines for over 50 years and been a major component in the popularity of espresso in both Europe and the United States.
From small home brewing machines to professional-grade equipment, Gaggia has a strong track record, and the 90950 Platinum-Vision is no exception.
Customer Experiences
Most customers have found the Platinum-Vision a good fit for their home espresso cravings. Some have found they even enjoy it more than local restaurant espresso.
Pros
The pros to this machine are that is fairly affordable when compared to other espresso machines of this caliber. The self cleaning feature is a major advantage and saves you a lot of time. The ability to schedule when the device starts making espresso is great, too.
Cons
Many common complaints center on the computer system. Many have reported that it is difficult to use or even stops functioning all together. It is important to consult your warranty and be sure you understand your options if you do experience such a problem.
You can get a good price for this machine at the moment at Amazon. Check out the latest price here.
The Gaagia 90950 has some serious power. Check out some of these great features:
Espresso Plus Beverage System
If each member of your family has specific preferences on how strong they prefer their espresso, the Espresso Plus system allows you to adjust how much caffeine is concentrated in your cup. Adjust it to the individual user’s preference for the perfect cup.
Temperature Control
Everyone knows the temperature of water when brewing either coffee or espresso plays a huge factor in the taste and body of the drink. The Platinum-Vision features an automated temperature control system to get it right every time.
Aqua Prima Water Filtration System
Don’t pollute your perfect cup of espresso with impurities from the tap. The Gaggia 90950 has a built in filtration system to make sure only the purest water makes it into your mix.
Serious Hardware
Out of the box, you’ll immediately get the idea that the Gaggia 90950 Platinum-Vision is a professional piece of equipment. From the sleek, metallic exterior to the digital touch screen, this is truly a luxury espresso machine.
Touch Screen Interface
The touch screen interface is not just a fancy gimmick, it makes it very easy to program in exactly how much and what kind of espresso you want to make. It also alerts you when you’re running low on water or the unit needs cleaning. Elegant and futuristic, the computer interface does it’s job well.
Electric Dip Tray
I never would have thought of this feature, but it is pretty cool to watch the machine adjust the needed height to whatever size cup you happen to be using. The machine automatically corrects for different size cups so you don’t get any mess.
Frothing Wand and Milk Island
Espresso is all about getting that perfect foamy surface. The revolving frothing wand is perfect for making lattes, americanos, cappuccinos and other drinks.
Add in the Milk Island accessory with mail-in rebate and you have a espresso-making super machine ready to go. Frothy milk is key in creating the perfect espresso. The milk island accessory is powered by the Platinum-Vision and keeps the milk at the perfect temperature.
Ceramic Coffee Grinder
No espresso machine would be complete without a coffee grinder. The ceramic burr coffee grinder is very consistent and surprisingly quiet. Like all other parts of the Platimun-Vision, it is clearly of high quality construction.
Intuitive Design
One of the greatest things about the Gaggia 90950 Platinum-Vision is the fact that it is designed so well for day-to-day and regular use.
The ability to program in a daily schedule for when the machine will turn on and get your espresso going is truly innovative. The computer system offers a myriad of other options as well:
Programmable Schedules and Alarms
Low Maintenance
Anyone who has ever owned an espresso machine knows that there are a lot of moving parts involved that need regular cleaning. This can be a big job! The Platinum-Vision delivers in this aspect as well.
The computer system automatically tracks usage and knows when it is time for a cleaning. When that time comes, will you be scrubbing the inside of tubes by hand?
No you will not. The Gaggia 90950 Platinum-Vision is self cleaning too!
Just drop in one of the included cleaning tablets, and run the cleaning cycle. The machine takes care of the rest. This is one of the most convenient features about the unit. The Platinum-Vision does what it can do serve you.
Every component of the Gaggia Platinum-Vision is well-constructed and sturdy. This could easily fulfill the espresso needs of a small coffee shop or restaurant.
There is nothing quite like the taste of a freshly brewed espresso. Now you don’t have to go to a restaurant to get the level of quality you’ve come to love. The Gaggia 90950 Platinum-Vision brings the eye-opening aromas and rich flavors of Italian espresso home to your own kitchen.
When we did our research we found Amazon had one of the best online deals for this machine.
Chances are you have heard the name DeLonghi, possibly even long before your fascination with the perfect cup of coffee or espresso. Jura, on the other hand, may not be on your radar at all in terms of brand recognition, but maybe it’s time for that to change.
In a hurry? It’s a close call but if you have $3000 to invest then we think the Jura Z7 just beats the DeLonghi ESAM6700
Let’s take a look at how these two companies compare, and maybe give you some insight on where to place your hard earned dollars.
Of the two companies, DeLonghi, an Italian firm, has been in the game of manufacture longer, starting its operations in 1902 making small industrial parts. They went on to create popular kitchen appliances, and in 2007, won the sought after Red Dot award for their Esclusivo line. They are, of course, now famously known for their high end espresso makers.
JURA started not long after in 1931, and claims an interesting accolade of creating the world’s first coffee machine based on the percolator principle which debuted at the 1937 World’s Fair in Paris, France. Jura, a Swiss company, got its name from its close proximity to the Jura range of mountains in Switzerland.
Jura claim to be a pioneer in the field of automatic espresso machines, and has been developing them since the mid 1980’s. Incidentally, Jura won the Red Dot award in 2011 for itsJura Impressa J9 One Touch TFT Coffee Machine.
In the United States, Jura products are marketed under the banner ofJura Capresso, Inc., which is owned by parent co. Jura AG of Switzerland. It’s interesting to note that all of Jura machines are 100% Swiss made.
So now that you know a little about the companies, let’s take a look at their websites.
DeLonghi use a Flash heavy interface, so if you don’t have the patience it can be a little tedious. The information is there, it’s just that it’s a little clumsy to find. When compared to many of its competitors highly polished, and well thought out sites it makes the navigation of their product feel a little dated.
You get the feeling that you will find more and better information by just searching for their products elsewhere, which makes you a brilliant shopper for being here, now doesn’t it? Seriously though, I’m not knocking DeLonghi or their product mind you, simply the website, after all the website is in no way a reflection of their manufacturing prowess.
Poking around the Jura website you will find plenty of information laid out in a logical format. There are the expected product descriptions, but the layers of information on each of the machines goes deep and you will be able to find plenty of info should you be a technophile or just interested in what exactly makes up a high-end machine.
There is even a section dedicated to factory serviced machines if you are looking to save a little money. You can find a rather interesting video background on the company ranging from the 1930’s through 2006, and a page that tells you more than you probably ever wanted to know about the actual name Jura. The point here is, if it is info you are looking for, you will find it here.
Both websites, as has become the fashion of high, and super high end machine makers, are chalk full of info, and offer plenty of interesting, and sometimes not so interesting pages to keep you busy. They both get an A for effort.
So we’ve covered a little about the two companies, but the part that really matters, of course, is the actual end product. Both companies offer a dizzying array of options to fill out their respective catalogues. Let’s take a look at a side by side, for the sake of simplicity I’m going to focus on the top-end offerings, but don’t forget to peruse our detailed specific model product reviews!
Typically, DeLonghi makes a fantastic looking machine and the ESAM6700 is no exception. The very first thing that comes to mind when you see this super high-end espresso machine is the compact footprint. With a list price of $4,200.00, although you will find it for much less here, one might expect a maker the size of a model you’d find in your local baristas shop.
Of course this is nothing like that machine, nor does it try to be. No, this is a top of the line super automatic. Learn more about super automatics here.
From my research findings, I think it’s safe to say that you can expect excellent coffee and frothed milk. There is a digital screen on this maker that is used for settings and the maker is also programmable for the normal things such as time, auto start, temp, strength, cup size, etc…
Some nice features:
Now this is, in this reviewer’s opinion, one very handsome machine, this is not surprising, as Jura simply do not make an unattractive product. The Z7 is quite comparable to the DeLonghi effort in not only size and weight, but in price as well.
Find the best price here. It may not be fair to claim that one company looked after the other’s product while creating their own, but if this is the case it has only served them well.
I do not simply review comments from one place, rather, I spend a lot of time finding as many comments as I can, and judging by the relentless passion with which many owners rate this product I can recommend it without hesitation, bar one.
Many consider Starbucks the gold standard for coffee and espresso, some prefer Peets others swear allegiance to their local “mom & pop” barista. I love them all for their own distinct traits, but the one thing I insist on is proper temperature. I cannot seem to bring myself to properly enjoy a cup that is not hot, so when I read more than once that the Z7 is not adjustable and worse still not set to automatically make espresso/coffee at or near 197*F but closer to 160*F that was a little disheartening.
There are some fiddly ways to increase the temp by messing with dials while the machine is making your favorite beverage, but to me this is outside the scope of what a super high-end super automatic should be.
Some of the nicer features:
So there you have it. One manufacturer is Italian, the other Swiss. Both have been doing this for a long time, and both make superb products.
The truth here, from what I have found, is that you really can’t go wrong with either company. It is possible that you will find a quirk with the product you buy from either manufacturer, and the truth is that I have not found a machine yet that is perfect for everyone who buys one.
What you can expect when buying from the top shelf is consistency, great taste, absolutely gorgeous looks that will make your friends jealous, and yes, perhaps the odd niggle here and there.
Owning a machine like one of these two examples is akin to owning an old British or Italian sports car, sure, they may give you a headache from time to time, but they are dead sexy and are the very best at what they do right.
Both Jura and Delonghi machines are available for a good price over at Amazon.com
While DeLonghi enjoy vast consumer brand recognition, the story behind Saeco may be a little less well known.
Those in the market for super-premium, or even relatively entry level espresso and coffee makers tend to be a pretty savvy circle, but if for some reason either firm has eluded your attention, or if you just want more information then you’ve come to the right place!
In a hurry? The DeLonghi is the unit I would buy, but the Saeco is the machine I would secretly lust after.
So let’s put these two titans head to head and see what we find.
DeLonghi is one of those companies that your grandma could have worked at, assuming she was Italian. Yes, they have been around for some time, since 1902 in fact, so it’s safe to assume that they know a thing or two about designing and building quality items.
In fact, while doing a little research I’ve found that I’m not the only one who thinks so. DeLonghi has won an exhausting list of awards over the years, more so than many of the other companies that I have profiled. Good job then!
Saeco, on the other hand is a much newer company, more likely your lucky brother or sister works for. I say lucky because apparently this relative fledgling, they got their start in 1981, is not only a creator of fine products, but of fine jobs as well.
You can be content in the knowledge that the product you buy from them was made by an equally content Italian employee. Saeco is no stranger to awards either, receiving an international product design award, the famous Red Dot in 2007 for their Talea Touch, with Milk Island accessory.
So does this upstart have the chops to unsettle the standard setter? Let’s keep digging.
The DeLonghi company website offers an “at a glance” view of their product. If you do a little digging, depending on how much you want, you will find most of the information you are after. If sticking to what you know is the right way in business then DeLonghi is to be commended for not losing focus, still, the competition seems to have the edge on the net. Does it all really matter?
Probably not.
The first thing you are greeted with at the Saeco website is a fantastic Flash sequence that animates the workings of a Xelsis machine. This happens to be the model that we look at in a minute, but their whole range including office, commercial and even vending machines is represented.
These aren’t the cheesy, old school coffee vending machines with playing card cups either, but of course, our focus is on the home market. The layout for the site is clean, and inviting if a little short on information when compared to some of the competitions almost relentless display of data.
Do you really need to know how much the screws weigh? If not you should be fine.
Now we get to the good part. Espresso machines for the most part can be considered a luxury item, certainly the super high-end super automatic espresso machine market, and because of this, the consumer is asked to pay a luxury price.
What you get these days for your money, however, is a fascinating cross-over of old world café perfection, met with the latest techno wizardry. I’m going to hand pick one model from each manufacturer’s line-up and take a brief look at the features; of course, you will want to look at what customers have said on specific models including the DeLonghi ESAM5500M.
Ok, so what we have here is another fabulous super automatic in a long line of great machines put out by DeLonghi. I was fortunate enough to witness this product in action, and I can tell you it’s a beautiful design and fits well in its intended place in their line-up.
What I mean by this is that the ESAM5500 is not their top of the line product, but it is, certainly, not anywhere near the bottom either. It’s interesting, when looking at these machines, certain comparisons come to mind, in this case a printer cartridge when the brew head is removed for cleaning, again, the technology represented by these makers is rather astounding.
You may see an MSRP listing for this model, or any other, but it’s important to note that the ESAM5500 can actually be found at a much reduced price. As always, check Amazon for the best price.
This DeLonghi unit is an outstanding performer, and offers good looks and performance according to owners. The only thing I would have liked to see DeLonghi do differently is the plastic body.
I get the feeling that DeLonghi used a plastic face more as a tool to distinguish this model from its more expensive siblings than as a cost savings. I believe the bean counters at DeLonghi would have plumped for a stainless steel fascia had the designers felt comfortable with the resemblance, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
Still, the ESAM5500 weighs in at a respectable 23.2 pounds so you’ve got to believe there is metal in there somewhere. I’m joking, of course, this is a solid machine.
Some nice features:
The very first thing that needs to be pointed out here is that this maker is in a different price range than the DeLonghi. So why did I include it here? Well, the MSRP of the two machines are quite different, in fact, the Saeco Xelsis SS is over one thousand dollars more than the DeLonghi model, but when compared at the more reasonable prices you find at Amazon I actually found the Saeco for “only” a few hundred more. Is it fair to compare these two? That depends on your perspective. If the difference in price is not a deal breaker, then you will want to know more about this machine.
Strictly speaking, the Xelsis SS is not Saeco’s top of the line super automatic, that job is reserved for Xelsis Digital ID. One of the reasons why I chose this model is because I am so darned excited about it.
Aside from the Digital ID, you are not likely to find a more high tech machine that happens to make espresso. Like the ESAM5500, I got to watch the Xelsis in action, and until you have seen it for yourself, it’s kind of hard to quantify the price tag.
The Xelsis is an impressive machine, with impressive features. Do you have a bunch of people vying for control of the machine? The Xelsis can accommodate by storing very specific settings for six different people, each person getting six specific drinks. How about a ceramic disc grinder?
What about looks? Well, the Saeco has it all over the DeLonghi with the stainless steel chassis and color digital screen. Keep reading though the DeLonghi hasn’t lost the battle yet.
Some nice features:
We have covered a little about these two companies and yet the question remains.
Which product would I buy and why? Well, to put the answer into perspective let me say that while the DeLonghi is an excellent machine, the Saeco is just a little more appealing, and with that, I would put my money on the DeLonghi.
Why?
The truth is that for a lot less money the ESAM5500 appears to do about the same job as the Xelsis. Both have excellent automatic milk frothing and cleaning capabilities and both make excellent espresso at the touch of a button, which at the end, or beginning, of the day is what really matters. The DeLonghi is the unit I would buy, but the Saeco is the machine I would secretly lust after.
Both Saeco and DeLonghi machines are available for good prices and free shipping over at Amazon.com
As a fan of single-cup home coffee brewers, I decided it was time to take the next big step and consider adding an espresso machine to the lineup of fun kitchen electronics and end my daily trips to the local coffee shot.
An initial search at an online retailer yields around one thousand results. Trying to figure out which brewer is best can be a very intimidating however, with some research and analysis of the different options we can narrow down our selection.
Here we take a look at the Saeco 641 Odea Go Super Automatic Espresso Machine. This product at a glance is appealing as a, “Super Automatic,” machine, which means that the entire process from grinding to brewing is done at the push of a button. Let us see what the Saeco 641 Odea has to offer.
The Saeco Company
Saeco has been present in the coffee world for over 20 years specializing in products that can bring specialty coffee to any home. Their goal, as stated on their website, “is to produce high quality services aimed at providing customers simple and convenient luxuries in their daily lives.”
To achieve this goal, they have remained innovative and constantly improved their machines. Today, they strive to merge design and technology in all products landing them among the top competitors of automatic coffee makers.
This sounds like something I would love in a company, but how does this translate specifically into the Saeco 641 Odea?
The best way to assess the success of a product is through those who have experienced the machine. Overall this product receives mixed reviews on retail websites such as Amazon averaging about three stars. Looking at the pros and cons of this product through the eyes of the consumer, the following conclusions are drawn.
The Pros: There were more positive reviews than negative ones which shed a very positive light on the product.
The Cons: There were three drawbacks to this product that stood out among the reviews.
The most important factors in the use of an espresso machine are flavor and ease of use and based on these reviews, I say it is a success.
The Warranty:
Saeco warranties their products for one year. The specific terms and conditions vary per product. Saeco has a customer service department accessible by phone or e-mail for any questions or concerns regarding their machines.
They also have an online live chat feature on their website. They have service centers available across the United States should something go wrong with the product offering repairs.
What’s in the box?
Now that we have the basics, it is time to take a look at what this model, the Saeco 641 Odea, has to offer.
The Setup:
Out of the box, the machine is ready in just a few simple steps.
The steps seem easy enough to follow and the best part is that the machine is assembled in the box. The only requirement to get the machine on its way is the steps above, which include initially moving water through the system.
Technical Data:
How to Use:
The manual includes detailed instructions and clear images describing best practices for lattes and a cappuccinos and lattes which require different steps.
Maintenance:
All espresso machines, no matter which brand you choose will require cleaning, however each brand has different considerations when doing so. The Saeco 641 Odea recommends a thorough descaling every three months or when indicated by the machine.
The process seems incredibly simple. Saeco offers a descaling solution but another brand may be used. Simply run the solution through the machine into a cup or container until the water tank is empty. This will prevent clogs in the machine from hard water or coffee grinds.
The machine also offers many removable parts that can detach and be cleaned as necessary between the recommended three month descaling. This is not difficult and can extend the life of the product.
Final Thoughts:
With an objective viewpoint of the product, I would say that three stars are lower than the product deserves. If the only negative aspects are a small water tank and a need to clean out the coffee grinds, then the product is a success.
The Saeco 641 Espresso machine is a very exciting product and had sparked my interest into the investment of an at-home espresso. After additional research into other brands of espresso machines, I would only consider them if they had the prominent features of the Saeco brand such as the ceramic grinder and detachable brewing unit.
Where Can I Buy It And How Much Should I Pay?
Check out Amazon for the best price. Should be around $600.
With Christmas almost here it’s time to start thinking about doing the dreaded Christmas shopping. Luckily, if you’re buying for a coffee and food lover there are hundreds of options ranging from cheap and fun to luxurious and expensive.
In a hurry? Check out our Top 7 Best Espresso Machine Reviews including the bestselling automatic espresso machine.
These days buying kitchen appliances online is extremely easy and can bag you some nice bargains.
[easyazon-image-link asin="B001B64I1Y" alt="Jura-Capresso 13421 ENA4 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, Ristretto Black" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31SMY4%2BSOPL._SL160_.jpg" align="left" width="160" height="160"]For example, coffee lovers would love the Jura-Capresso ENA4 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center which you can get for at least half price if you shop around online at Christmas.The price tag for that machine is a bit steep though. So if you know you’ve got an espresso machine to buy then you probably will want to have a look at the cheaper options too.
The best cheaper options include the Delonghi EC702 (the one I’ve got!) and the super cheap Delonghi EC155. Just remember you get what you pay for.
Breville Barista Express BES860xl
A good compromise between the more budget models and the expensive super-automatics is the Breville Barista Express. I consider it to be one of the best looking espresso machines AND it has a built in grinder.
That means you can put your fresh beans in the top and it will grinds them and brew the espresso all at once. And it’s well cheaper than a super-automatic. Pretty awesome.
But there are many more choices when it comes to espresso machines. For more options check out our espresso machine comparison table or see the best selling espresso machines updated hourly
If you’re just stuffing a stocking rather than buying a new machine check out our Top 9 Espresso Machine Accessories
