Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

UPDATE: After 2 years the machine broke exactly at the time of the warranty expiration. I could be okay having issued after 5 years. the machine would be worth the cost. 2 years? I definitely cannot recommend it. Couple of our friends loved the machine then bought one around same time as we did. 4 out of 5 are now sitting on a dud. That is a ridiculous…. WHEN PURCHASED: Let me start with the biggest selling point for me - I am not a morning person and just pressing few buttons while getting Starbucks like coffee at home, makes it worthwhile to me. Below are few things I noticed you might find helpful if you are considering the machine: BEFORE YOU BUY - Make sure you get the model with the auto milk frother. It works great, and is worth the extra $. The idea of the machine is to be fully automatic, so not getting this defeats the purpose for me. - The machine is very loud. It is not for morning people who have kitchen close by to their bedrooms and family that has a light sleep. I have a new born and to her it is like "white noise" but be aware - machine IS loud. - The machine DOES NOT have to be used with whole coffee if you don't want to, but to me that was one of the reason we bought it. Make sure you look for whole beans and look for roasting date - the closest to the date of purchase, the better taste it will have. If not that, same as everything else - longer expiration date, better off you are. - The machine cannot accommodate tall coffee mugs - Auto Frother - don't just dump unused milk, you can easily take it off the machine and put it in the fridge for the next use! POSITIVES - Since I mentioned Starbucks above, get the syrups - IT WILL TASTE LIKE STURBUCKS. I got mine from Amazon and they are a great addition to the set, and a definite hit when someone comes over - Since we are on Starbucks subject, the money you pay for the machine, should pay itself off, if you are a big coffee drinker/purchaser - unless you do it for social reasons, not going out and buying a coffee but making it at home, will have you pay off the machine in about 130 coffees you make - if you like me, that is about few months (If you are trying to convince yourself that this is a worthy purchase, hope this will help! It sure did help me!) - Did I mention yet that it produces great results? - Looks professional and really well finished without any blemishes. It's plastic, but well made. - Its easy to clean, it tells you when the base is full of water (from self clean) and when to dump used coffee, which is great - you don't have to clean it after each use DISLIKES To me loudness mentioned above already is the only one I found. Beside that one option I wish this machine ha was morning timer. At the same time, the machine cleans itself before 1st coffee to maximize the freshness, so I guess omission of that can be forgiven