Very good espresso - good value when you consider quality
Pros:
Excellent, excellent quality espresso. Ease of using machine. Simple, fast clean-up.
Cons:
Espresso could be hotter. Cappucinos can be watery. Capsule price arguably high for home espresso.
The Bottom Line:
If you like excellent quality espresso, I highly recommend this machine. Coffee capsules are maybe a bit expensive, but when you factor in the quality, it's still good value.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I was coerced into buying this machine by a buddy of mine. Our wives were out of town and we had a few drinks. He kept going on and on about how amazing the espresso from this machine was -- he just wouldn't let it go. He had just experienced it a few weeks before at a friend's house and couldn't get over it. When I awoke the next morning, I wondered just what I had done. I assure you that since then, there has been no looking back.
The D-150 is a very good machine. I have an old espresso maker, but it doesn't even compare in espresso quality or convenience to the D-150. It makes an unbelievable cup of espresso. The stuff you buy at Starbucks, Panera or wherever you buy good coffee drinks is no better than what you can make at home -- no kidding. From the moment you plug it in and turn it on, you have an unbelievable espresso and are cleaned up in perhaps two minutes, tops. This was a huge selling feature for me, as I love to make a great espresso for my ride to work, but I don't have time in the morning to clean and dry a whole machine.
Like other reviewers, from what I can recall, I considered other machines in the line, but honestly, they were only more expensive and fancy. Fundamentally, they don't do anything extra for you but maybe look cooler. This machine is all you need; very solid and it works quite well. I love espressos, but I didn't know what "crema" was until I got this machine. This thing does truly make an aficionado out of you -- you learn to love a well made espresso.
I have not used my old machine since I have had this one. I used to stop at a coffee shop on my way to work a few times a week, drop four bucks and waste fifteen precious morning minutes. I have not done it once since having this machine.
Incidentally, if you like coffee but have to drink decaf - the quality of the decaf is unreal. I keep some on hand for my mom or late at night, and honestly, the decaf tastes like anything but.
My complaints are limited and I still give this product two very big thumbs up. First, you really should heat up your cup before use, as the coffee cools off fast. Also, I'm not sure the cappucino milk-steaming function is as great is it could be. My cappucinos are coming out just a bit watery, which could be that I use 2% milk rather than the recommended whole milk. Also, I think $.45 / capsule is a bit high for a cup of home made espresso. But when you factor in the quality of espresso you get and consider the price of buying it elsewhere or the quality loss from a lesser machine -- those darned people from Nespresso really have you. Quality tends to justify the value proposition. It's great stuff.
