Which coffee machine should I get?

[karmakameleon]

I have a budget of £400 for my new coffee machine. Last one was Francis Francis and bought more for aesthetics rather than function. DH hated it. I have a fondness for it, but admit it wasn't the best coffee ever.

So what should I get now it needs to be replaced? DH drinks straight espressos or americanos. I like lattes. Don't want to get a nespresso machine as I like the whole grinding coffee bit but think that DH would prefer minimal phaff.

So what do you all recommend?

Gaggia. We have the smallest one they do, had it 6 years and it's never let us down. Good coffee, good steamer.

I'd go for the pod machine (Nespresso) - no compromise on the flavour and far less cleaning and maintenance. Each to their own though!

We have the Dualit Espressivo and love it.
Easy to use and clean, can accommodate tall coffee cups, can use ground coffee or pods and a great crema every brew.
I think you can still get it for under £200 which leaves you enough money for a knock box, good burr grinder and some lovely coffee

DeLonghi Magnifica?

we have the older model and love it.

A Gaggia and a good grinder. I got both for Christmas and the difference from my old machine was amazing. Love them both

Gaggia, definitely, as you have the budget for it. I think those pod things are horrid- you never see them used in coffee shops do you?!

Big fan of Nespresso myself. Lots of my friends went for it after trying it at my house. I sometimes find the coffee in coffee shops of a lesser quality than mine. Clearly a question of personal taste!

I think the Nespresso pods work out expensive if you drink a lot of coffee (or run a coffee shop). But the result is excellent and you can keep a selection of different pods for different tastes. It works for us, but we're not huge coffee drinkers.

I have a tassimo. There's lots of choice, some of the coffee isn't fab though.

I have a Nespresso too ElsieR and love how it enables a broad range of different roasts and flavours - and agree, I can no longer drinks the gnats piss in coffee shops and many restaurants

god i LOVE our nespresso - but we are getting through 12 a day between the two of us, its costing us a fortune

has also turned me into a complete coffee snob, i will only drink tea when anywhere except my own house