3 stars

I bought this for my mom since I had such good luck with my DeLonghi that I bought at Target. This one had the features I wanted but after trying it a few times, it was harder to use. The fact that you have to be aware of when the steam is ready (light indicator) is annoying compared to the DeLonghi which is automatic. If you're not careful, you will get water in your milk. This HB machine made good expresso for 6 weeks but then stopped working. The machine sounds like it's working but very little water makes it into the grounds. The lack of a small pot is an issue if you don't have something appropriate to catch the expresso but I didn't have any problems with the steamer length like other people did. Since the machine broke, I can't recommend this model and I think we will go with another DeLonghi model since that has worked well for us.

5 stars

This machine works beautifully! I live at 5200 ft above sea level and had no problems with a cold cup of espresso. The milk had no problem getting to 160 degrees+ as suggested by Starbucks (their website has recipes and brewing tips), and the espresso was about 140+ (haven't checked since my first brew). I read all the reviews, and overall it seemed like a good machine for the price...and it was better than I expected. The DVD was nice; meant I didn't have to read the instructions. I have been using a shot glass to catch the espresso and my mug to steam the milk. It doesn't come with a frothing pitcher, and space below the espresso is too small for any life-size mug. I have a 10 oz mug that I fill with 8 oz of milk (this will fit below the espresso drop, only if you remove the drip tray screen). Get a thermometer, it really makes the difference.

1 stars

This machine makes an excellent Latte, Looks better than the video. Fast and easy to use (You can work around the short frother) and if you take out the drip tray you can fit a small cup under the filter. Only real problem is the coffee brews at about 90 degrees and the frother doest heat the milk over a hundred (unless you let it heat up time and time again) so you get a beautiful luke warm cup of coffee.
My problem is I like mine about 125-130 degrees. I took the machine back. Second experience with Hamilton that failed. Last chance for them.

4 stars

The many reviews about being "too short" likely come from demonstrations on the video where the cup fits under the spout. Still, anyone whose been to a coffee shop, and awake, notes that they don't put the cup under the machine, they use a three ounce measure and then pour it into the cup. This simple work around works at home as well as at the coffee shop.

Other concerns about the frothing arm being too short seem to be unnecessary as well. It's simply not an issue with my stainless steal frothing mug.

Pro: The large water reservoir is worth not having to stop after each cup to refill like you have to on a lot of entry consumer level machines.

Con: My only real complaint is that the to get a what I consider a good pull, one must heat the water on the "frothing" setting which heats the water to a higher temperature then switch back to the espresso setting, then back to the frothing setting. This results in several extra button pushes and light blinking that are wholly unnecessary.

As for longevity, I've had it two weeks and been happy so far. We'll see what the future brings.

5 stars

This machine, as cheap as it is, is perfect. With practice and research I've gotten better at using it. Very quiet, user friendly, and easy to clean. Comes with a video, but I have not watched it. This machine takes ground coffee or premade pods. Ground coffee can be found anywhere. The pods can be found just about anywhere also. [...] Pods are easy to use, clean, and perfect for 1 ounce shots. If you want more than 1 ounce just follow instructions and place 2 espresso cups underneath.
The only thing I don't like about it, is the height for cups. You can only use small espresso cups. Anything larger and they will not fit underneath. But other than that, prefect machine.

5 stars

I feel like a real barista with this! A 10 minute VHS movie gets you started with the basics and warns you about the possible pitfalls (like letting the water reservoir run dry) in both english and spanish. Like the professional models, it allows you to make two shots at once. There is an easy to follow laminated recipe card to keep nearby (we've tried them all!). I purchased the machine in our local store, so I was able to pick up a couple of 9.7oz espresso mugs that fit neatly underneath as well as a frothing pitcher (a 2-cup size worked great). Try it with a quality Espresso grind - you'll love it! (and YES, the coffee pods in your grocery store will work - but you get a pretty lame espresso) :-)

1 stars

Just wandered if anyone knew where I could get the pods to fit htis I got this to do a quick job not a complicated one PLEASE help me !!!!

4 stars

This summer I spent a month in Italy and drank cappuccino a few times a day. When I came back I bought this and I think it turns out pretty good stuff for the price (I don't really think a cappuccino a day is worth a several hundred dollar machine). The frothing wand is a bit short as is the clearance space for the cup but I have a set of teacups and I just use those to froth/steam the milk and transfer the espresso to a larger cup. I have never had a mess with the frothing wand so I'm not sure what was going on with the other review(s). Also...the picture shows the handle all the way in the locked position - I wouldn't try that, it doesn't seem to want to go that far and I'm not about to try to force it if it doesn't need it.

2 stars

I really wanted to like this machine. It has the features I was looking for and looked like a good deal for the price. Previously, I had a low-end Briel machine for ten years that was made of high quality materials and made consistantly good espresso and capuchinno. I could even use ground espresso that had been in the fridge for months and still get good crema on the espresso. We finally gave it away, and decided to replace it. Big Mistake!!

With the Hamilton Beach, I knew the price was cheap, so I could overlook the awkward and too short frothing wand, I could overlook the cheap metal and plastic material and the bogus "warming tray."
The 15 bar pump was the big feature that we went for.

For the HB, I used the same stainless steel frothing mug and small steel espresso pitchers that I used so successfully with the old Briel.

The frothing on the HB was actually good, but messy due to the postion of the wand. The espresso, however was unnacceptable. The output of the water through the brewing cup was too fast to make decent espresso. What I got was very bland, poor quality espresso. Even the pods I tried didn't brew like they should. After a week of different beans, grinds, and tamping pressure with NO crema on the top of the espresso, we said the heck with it. I called Hamilton Beach (800 number), decribed the problem and their CS person said "take it back." Maybe I was spoiled by the Briel, but I know what decent espresso should look and taste like! This machine is a pretender.