Delonghi EC152 Pump Espresso Coffee Machine

I make coffees at work in a restaurant, and if i do say so myself - i'm very good. I love it, have been accused of being obsessed, and contracted to create a training manual for it.
So you understand, to own a coffee machine at home has been something i have wanted very much for a few years now. I researched it, used other people's and came to the conclusion that i would realistically have to spend at least £200-300 for a decently built machine that produced good coffee and steamed milk well. I haven't been able to justify the cost, and would be incredibly disappointed to not re-create that which i take for granted at work.

Thank you, thank you DeLonghi for making this budget coffee machine that works like a dream.
And thank you to "Which?" for reviewing them, and my dad for pointing it out to me.

THE GOOD
1. It is easy to use - general operation is very simple.
2. It is quick - heats up quickly and has a high pressure (15 bar) for quick coffee and quick milk steaming.
3. It produces very good coffee with loads of crema on top.
4. It steams milk like a dream! I'm good, but this thing is better, you barely need to do anything.
5. It has a rigid biuld, and doesn't feel flimsy even though it's made out of plastic.
6. It doesn't look tacky.
7. It doesn't take up much space.

THE BAD
1. It is a bit noisy and rattles, but not excessively and only when begining to make coffee.
2. It doesn't have the most quality looking style, but the ends justify the means.

Overall this is amazingly one of the cheapest coffee makers out there, and it works beautifully. I have had it 3.5 months and hope it lasts forever.

Tips:
DO pre-heat a cup with some hot water first if making a latte/cappuccino.
DO keep a cloth nearby to wipe after use (coffee grounds left inside will burn and make the coffee bitter, milk
contains everything bacteria need to grow).

My original espresso maker packed up on me, and it produced very good coffee and pretty good milk. The bar was high so would this machine, be at all as good, considering it was actually cheaper.

Well the fact is that it is better, as already noted it produces a dense crema and the coffee tastes wonderful. The machine is quiet especially the frother which really froths the milk well.

Very happy with this machine, it is missing espresso cups so you will need to purchase some or use some flat coffee cups to make the espresso in.

Brilliant little machine which makes excellent caapuccino and espresso! A great buy at just over £50. Once you get the hang of it it's really easy to use.

A couple of useful tips I discovered 1) if you want to make a big cup of cappuccino, take out the drip tray so there's room for the cup! 2) rather than unscrewing the plastic bit off the milk steamer to wash it every time (which is a bit laborious) you just rinse out your milk jug with water after use and fill with clean water, then froth the water in the same way you would milk - which cleans the end nozzle!
*UPDATE 30/1/13 Machine still going strong! I never use the milk frother these days; I just put the right amount of milk in the cup first, put that in the microwave for 30 seconds, then make the coffee in the usual way. That way your milk is already heated and the cup is too. The coffee froths up by itself, so no need for the frother.. and you get perfect coffee every time!