The Gaggia Espresso is a great beginning machine and works great.
Positive Product Points
> Easy to use > Cheap cost > Easy to clean
Negative Product Points
> Small water reservoir > Small water catcher > Portafilter only allows certain cups > Steam wand -- with the "magic frother" is too large to allow even the smallest of pitchers under
Detailed Commentary
The Gaggia Espresso is a great machine to start out the adventure into the wonderful world of espresso. It's cheap for all the people who haven't figured out that if you want good espresso, it's going to be expensive (how I was two years ago) and yet still a great machine in which you can extract a "perfect shot." If you don't use perfect frother (or whatever it is called) that it comes with, the milk will be a lot easier to steam, not to mention the steamed milk will be better.
The machine is easy to use. Everything is self-explanatory and extremely well-planned out in terms of how to use it and what exactly each button does (which shouldn't be that hard anyways).
Like i said earlier, the machine is a great beginning machine or, if you don't feel like spending the close to $600 for a Sylvia. However, I believe I will upgrade to a Sylvia soon, or if not soon, then sometime in the future. I enjoy making espresso on the Gaggia. I recommend for sure!
Buying Experience
Whole Latte Love is a great vendor. They shipped on time, and everything was in perfect shape. They made me happy -- not only because it was my first machine so i was ecstatic anyways -- but also because the site is easy to navigate and to pay. Overall service was great.
