
Breville
Bambino Plus
Fast heat-up, easy for beginners; inconsistent shots, annoying cleaning.

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If you want the best results for your money, go for hand grinders, manual espresso makers. If you want something easier to start with, go with Breville with built it grinder
It depends on what your goal is. If you want the best espresso, get Flair PRO 3 Espresso Maker and you're left with 250$ you could the best hand grinder or a good electric grinder.
I used my Gaggia Classic for several years and just recently switched to a Flair Pro 3. Cheaper lever machines did not exist when I bought my Gaggia. Pros and Cons to both but i'm happy I made the switch. I always wanted a La Pavoni but never found a deal for one.
I just don’t know how they’re going to sell this to people like me that already have a Pro 3. Maybe it’s just not for us. They took away a very reliable method of preheating and traded it for a wood-handled portafilter.
But for the same price it’s better to get separate machine and grinder. This means the grinder will be better quality but also if one (machine or grinder) conks out you haven’t lost the whole machine as you would if you had an all in one
Yes on the flair. That would also work. Just not an all in one machine
You need Cafelat Robot or Flair Pro 3 You'll be completely free from malfunctions Especially the Robot, and perhaps your grandson might even inherit the Robot.
The Delonghi ECP3420 is currently on sale on Amazon for $119. If I was buying a semi auto this is what I would have gotten, but I just bought a Flair Pro 3 instead
Without any ability to preheat it seems like a bit of a downgrade. I imagine they will make an upgraded model in a year or so and charge an extra 1-150 for it Hopefully this isn't phased out in a year and half like the Pro 3... Kinda mad I bought my Pro 3 black Friday last year, haven't even got thru honeymoon phase before it was discontinued and replaced...

Breville
Bambino Plus
Fast heat-up, easy for beginners; inconsistent shots, annoying cleaning.

Cafelat
Robot Series
Manual, durable, exceptional espresso; no milk, effort for multiple shots.

Gaggia
Classic Pro E24
Mod-friendly workhorse, great espresso with mods; weak steam, poor temp.

Lelit
Bianca
Precise flow control, dual boiler; long heat-up, average build quality.

DeLonghi
Stilosa Series
Budget-friendly, moddable; flimsy build, needs upgrades for good espresso.

Ranked #1
Breville - Bambino Plus

Ranked #1
ECM - Synchronika II

Ranked #1
Lelit - Bianca

Ranked #1
Gaggia - Classic Pro E24

Ranked #1
Breville - Bambino Plus

Ranked #1
Breville - Bambino Plus