(checked 2026-10-10)
The easiest machine here for café-style milk drinks, with a tiny footprint and automatic steaming that actually works. But Amazon owners often report units failing within months, and Wirecutter found shots harder to dial in than on its top picks.
Top complaints
- Stops working within months
Durability is a negative aspect in Amazon's review summary, with multiple owners saying it broke after about 5 months. Reliability gets mixed feedback, with some saying it stopped working after a month.
- Forced cleaning cycles; frother can over-foam
Amazon owners give maintenance mixed marks and say they are forced through cleaning cycles. Food Network found the frother can over-foam and the portafilter prone to dripping.
- Light body, limited wand reach, pricey for entry level
Walmart reviewers say it is so light you have to hold the machine down to remove the portafilter. Tom's Guide lists the limited steam wand movement and an entry-level price that is still high as its cons.
What owners love
- Excellent automatic milk steaming
Wirecutter says it has a strong steam wand with an impressive automatic function. Food Network calls the frothing very impressive, with adjustable temperature and foam.
Source: Wirecutter, Food Network - Easy right out of the box
Tom's Guide says it is beyond easy to master; ease of use and compact size are positive aspects on Amazon.
- Great espresso with PID
Tom's Guide credits it with great espresso and PID temperature control; espresso quality is a positive aspect on Amazon.
- You want a built-in grinder
- You want a machine with a strong long-term reliability record
- You want to tinker with every shot variable
- Beginners who want lattes with hands-free milk
- Small kitchens (about 7 inches wide)
- Pairing with a separate grinder
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Food Network: Best overall: an easy milk-sensing frother and a very good cup with little effort; the cons are a portafilter prone to dripping and a frother that can over-foam.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Former top pick, now 'worth considering': strong steam wand and auto-froth, but dialing in a shot was harder than on its current picks and the presets need reprogramming.
- Tom's Guide: One of the best machines for beginners, with great espresso and easy auto-steaming; pricey for entry level and the steam wand has limited movement.