Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Very disappointing and a waste of time. I researched under $200 espresso machines before buying this model. This De'Longhi seemed possibly better than others in the same price range -- and higher price ranges ... as long as I didn't receive one of the lemons. The first couple espresso shots were fine, not amazing. My Illy didn't taste quite right, but the crema was okay. The next day, the machine struggled to push the water through my fresh grounds. I figured maybe I'd put in too many grounds. The next day, more noise and the pressure seemed weak. I thought that maybe I'd tamped a bit too hard for this machine. The next shot was a bit better but still noisy and slow. Drip, drip, drip. Cut to a week later, trying to figure out when the De'Longhi will/won't push water through the grounds, and the machine is making more noise as it strains to create one simple cup of espresso through a basket of minimal quantity grounds and only lightly tamped. Nothing. No espresso. Not even a drip. I had to buy from one of the chains on my way to work. My biggest surprise, and disappointment, after reading other reviews, is that the pressure on this machine seems very weak. Some other reviews state how strong the pressure is but certainly other reviews state the pressure is weak. My machine has weak pressure. This makes me think the quality-control is inconsistent; some people get good machines, and some get weak ones. I'd even bought the insurance for this espresso machine since I know that many of these under $200 models fail in less than 24 months. However, this one failed so quickly it goes back to Amazon. Maybe Amazon can complain to De'Longhi about all the returns. Update: I tried a couple other De'Longhi espresso machines, and I’m done with the brand. They aren’t the quality they used to be. (I’m enjoying my new Breville.)