KRUPSXP100050 Steam Espresso Machine with Frothing Nozzle for Cappuccino, Black

To be clear, this is my first espresso machine. For years I have toiled out much hard earned money for that savory sweet espresso from coffee shops but always assumed the mystical process was somehow beyond my reckoning. Thanks to the college where I work having installed a Starbucks recently, I suddenly found myself spending too much there and figured that I would give it a go. Picking out an espresso machine leaves you with little in between, there are 40-100$ range models, and then you start getting fancy and pricey exponentially quick from there. As this was an experiment, I wanted something in the under 100 category and finally settled on this model after browsing the variety. We have had the machine for a little under a week but it has already earned its keep; here's my thoughts.Pros: Affordable, simple, nice looking, easy to clean, effective, quick.For the price, this machine is great, truly. It takes a little bit of practice to get the whole system down, but after about three or four uses I had it pretty much figured out. Now, after having made about a dozen drinks with it, from start to finish its takes under 10 minutes to make the drink and do a basic clean up. The instructions are a bit odd but with a little getting used to, it makes good and easy sense. A few things to keep in mind: only use as much water as you will use (don't overfill) and always let the steam run out when you shut the machine down (letting steam stay in the line will kill a steam system - I've done it to a steam mop personally). When you are done making the drink, unplug it. The element in the tank is super hot and while it seems really sturdy , leaving an element on with no water is very dangerous. After everything cools down a bit disassembly and clean up is really easy and quick.Cons: Steam nozzle doesn't swivel, very basic.The only real con I can see so far is the steam nozzle is a bit annoying to get to, particularly if you are using a tall cup. In such a case, I have to pull the machine close to the edge of the counter and turn it so I can squeeze the cup up to the nozzle. This is not a huge con and perhaps the lack of swivel action might make it sturdier in the long run, thus not a major complaint as it is easily overcome. Some might find this model just too basic, as it is essentially just the bare-bones model. However, I would rather have a basic model from a good name brand company (Krups has great customer service ratings) than a higher end model from a questionable company.All in all this unit is a 5 star no-brainer if for no other reason than it has literally already paid for itself. Now, every day that I go to work and I wave to the Starbucks folks without stopping in, I'm not spending another 4 or 5 bucks. Now I'm just drinking in the profit, so even if it doesn't last forever, I can live with that; it's earned its keep.

I've only been using this for a few days now but so far it's done great. I don't use the steam wand so I can't comment on that part of it's performance, but with the proper grind this machine makes a good cup of espresso.I'm not sure what all the bad reviews about the tank cap being too hard to torque down are about because mine is not difficult at all. Mine does not leak either and I've used it about 10 times. The only design problem I found was that the decorative "rail" around the top tends to get in the way when you're applying the portafilter. Just nit picking there.As for the comments that it "doesn't have a pump so it's not an espresso maker"; that's just silly. The original espresso makers were stream driven. Fact of the matter is some of the best espresso I've ever had came from a Moka Pot. I promise you those don't have a pump. If you're only making espresso to be cool, go buy yourself a manual piston driven machine...then you'll be an espresso connoisseur.Only time will tell if this machine is durable but for now I'll give it five stars for it's performance in this price range.

I have used Krups espresso machines for over five years and was very disappointed in this product. I bought this a few days ago and am extremely disappointed.I agree with several of the reviewers on here.Agree: 1) There's this oval-ly shaped shelf with a silver railing that serves no purpose whatsoever. Unless you imagine teeny little people hanging out up there and clutching the railing so they won't fall over. It makes it difficult to tell just where the filter holder fits underneath it. I had to tip it over and fill my way around. Good thing it wasn't hot yet!Agree and the worst part of the machine: 2) Let's hear a big sigh for this one...SIGH...the frothing tip is too close to the machine, and it's too far down to be able to put a normal size silver frothing mug underneath. The tip does a horrible job of frothing milk. If you can call it frothing (I never got it to froth), because I didn't get a bit of froth. In fact, it didn't even heat up the milk - just sorta warmed it up. I should give it negative 100 stars for this because the best part of an espresso machine should be the milk frother.Agree: 3) The lid to the water reservoir is just too large and a major design goof. It's designed to be palmed and turned one way or the other. But, you would have to have Schwarzenegger sized hands to be able to do so. I turned my hardest and still didn't get it closed enough. The steam was so hot it burned my hand when I tried to turn the knob from espresso to steam.Agree X2: 4) The knob on the left to switch between espresso, off and steam is too difficult to turn. It's very difficult. It's ridiculously difficult. And, because it sits directly beneath the lid, where all the hot steam is pouring out of, it makes it even more difficult to turn. I threw a pot holder over the lid to cut down on the steam and had to use two hands to turn the knob.Agree: 5) No "Ready" light. A light goes on when the machine is heating up. However, there's no light that tells you it's ready to steam milk. Since it suggests that you steam your milk before making the espresso, it should have a ready light so you know when it's time to switch from espresso, where it needs to be to get hot, to steam.

Exactly what I wanted - compact and cute - and makes a wonderful cup of coffee or espresso. It's the modern version of my 30-year-old one, but with the added cup warmer on top.

Just what I wanted. Make a great cup of coffee as well as wonderful lattes. Will recommend it to all our friends.

Great expresso machine

Excellente machine à espresso et idéale pour un jeune couple!