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Need help choosing an espresso machine

tcheckleytcheckley
edited January 1970 in Espresso Machines
I'm looking to get an espresso machine, preferably one without the grinder built in. I want to purchase a burr grinder separately, as I hear they give a consistent grind when compared to blade grinders (any advice on this is also appreciated).

I came across the Breville BES840XL, which gets great reviews on http://coffeemachinereviewer.com. I've also heard good things about the rancilio silvia.

It's a lot of information to take in, should I just go for the Breville and be done with it? What do you look for when reviewing espresso machines?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.
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Comments

  • GaryatGalaGaryatGala
    Hello and welcome to the forum. Like most things when shopping, get the best your money/budget can buy. What is your budget? The Breville BES 920 is a better machine than the 870. Get an extended warranty, strongly recommended. If your budget is over $2000 then  a Italian made machine would be the go. Enjoy the journey.
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  • Brett HBrett H
    Hi and welcome.  Forget the Brevilles in that price range.... seriously!  Just read through the threads of unhappy owners, here, over there and everywhere and do yourself a favour.... If you must buy an appliance to make coffee save yourself a couple of hundred and buy a Sunbeam EM7000.  Conversely, if you wish to but a good machine fit for purpose in the medium to longer term (depending on how you treat it) buy a Lelit or Silvia single boiler.  You'll get better service, better resale later and own a piece of functional art. Just my opinion, not the forum owner or cognoscenti!
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  • LacehimLacehim
    Personally I think an NS Oscar or similar would be better than a Breville. They are around the same price.  The Brevilles can be good but too many people have bad experiences when things go wrong!  Machines disappear into repair places for ages and come back with the same issues.  If you go that way as Gary says get the extended warranty. You could get a decent HX for around $1500.  The silvia is good but if your steaming milk I would bypass it.
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  • GeekKopiGeekKopi
    As others have stated above I would avoid a breville due to their reliability. There are many better options. What is your budget tcheckly?
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  • BigalBigal
    By now you will most likely have purchased. If so, let us know what you got and impressions? If not, check out my video here on the EM7000; Im happy with mine - it makes lovely coffee with relative ease. As for burr grinder you can barely get away with a $100 Sunbeam EM440, or prefer the $300 Sunbeam EM0700; neither of these is the ideal grinder but IMHO best for price. I dont sell Sunbeams; just had a good service with them and support in NZ is great.
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  • MoonMoon
    Bit odd that tCheckley asked for advice and that was it. 1 post  :rofl: * Thanks for your suggestions/advice fellas. Much appreciated. I ended up getting a xxxxxxx lol .. had to be done Thread can now Rest In Peace  :angel:
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  • Brett HBrett H
    Perhaps he spent the funds on a Nikon and is waiting to unveil himself on that thread.  Let's have some fun. I reckon he bought a Lelit Combi.
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  • GeekKopiGeekKopi
    on 1441613611:
    Perhaps he spent the funds on a Nikon and is waiting to unveil himself on that thread.  Let's have some fun. I reckon he bought a Lelit Combi.
    I was looking at the lelit combo with PID for a while but just couldn't convince myself that a grinder within the machine itself would be a good idea. If one fails then the whole unit goes back. Then there is he heat issue of he boiler next to the beans. That or me off personally plus I always choose against what my better half wants. [emoji108]
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  • MoonMoon
    on 1441613611:
      Let's have some fun. I reckon he bought a Lelit Combi.
    Nah .. said he preferred a separate unit. My Sister has a Lelit (not combi) $620. Has worked well for her .. and me when I go up to the Gold Coast I'll say he got the Breville he was looking at .. along with a cheapie burr grinder. I preferred a burr grinder when looking around .. only they were either cheapies or ultra expensive .. no in-betweens around $400-$600
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  • BigalBigal
    Nah, he got a Pod.
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