I tried a number of mid-range bean-to-cup coffee machines, and this was the one I was by far the happiest with. It's a fantastic-looking machine, with an exceptionally well-thought-out design. There are very few buttons and controls, as all of the options are selected via the touch screen, which is clear and easy to parse. This is the ideal machine for someone who wants a halfway house between a fully automatic coffee machine, and a fully manual option; you will have to tinker with the grind settings to find the ideal fineness, affix the portafilter (and dispose of the grains after you've made a coffee) etc, so it's relatively hands-on. At the same time, the machine guides you at every stage of the process, so it's idiot-proof, while fully automating the milk frothing stage (which is where things can often go wrong). The machine teaches you how to make subtle changes to your extraction method in order to ensure your coffee isn't bitter or burnt, so you learn valuable basics about making coffee as you go, and your coffee will likely improve as a result. I recommend that you buy the Sage grain bin so that you have somewhere to cleanly dispose of used grains. There will be a little more mess than if you were to use, say, a fully automated Delonghi machine, where everything is self-contained, but you have much finer control over the results, and I greatly prefer the hands-on feel. The amount of time is takes to make a latte is extremely short, as the water heats in seconds. Really couldn't be more pleased with the purchase. Read more