Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine

The wand does not swivel in "ball joint" style like almost every other machine on the planet. That makes it impossible to get a pitcher under the wand, or remove it without spilling steamed milk. It's silly that you have to put it up on a block, or put it next to the sink, or do the other kluges that reviewers are happily recommending. Spend a few dollars more and get a decent machine! (Or, drink only espresso.)

(Posted on 4/16/13)

After three weeks of ownership and daily espresso making, I am very pleased with the Saeco Aroma. As others have said, it produces considerable crema and flavor. "Molto meglio" than Gaggia machine that gave up the ghost at Christmas.

(Posted on 3/31/13)

After owning my Aroma for one year and using it nearly everyday; I figured it'd be time to post a review. This machine is a true work horse for your kitchen. It has always been reliable and consistent for me. If you're looking for an entry level espresso machine this is the one for you.

(Posted on 3/29/13)

I have had this machine for 5 years. I had the cord replaced and one of the buttons would not light up so we had that replaced....Great machine, very dependable.....I would buy another one!!

(Posted on 3/21/13)

It does have great crema on the top. Better than any machine I've had before. I like not having to tamp. I always make a cappucino with it once a day. The frother works great. I don't have a huge cup for it, so I'm able to get it under there fine on the counter top. Haven't had to descale and all that yet.

(Posted on 2/28/13)

I got this machine to replace a heavily used Via Venezia. The two machines are pretty similar. There are two primary differences between the two machines. The water tank on the Aroma is easier to access than on the Via Venezia. The steaming wand is less convenient on the Aroma; it doesn't swivel, and I usually have to tip either the machine or the pitcher to place a pitcher under the wand. This is the only major problem with the Aroma (if you consider it major) It was suggested that people put the Aroma on a block to raise it up off the counter, but it's not that big of a deal for me. Some people complain that the Aroma makes too much foam, but I love a lot of foam, and this machine delivers. I like to put a light drizzle of syrup on top of my latte and I need foam to do that.

(Posted on 2/20/13)

This was a gift for our daughter ar Christmas, she is a latte lover, ex Sbux employee. She wanted a machine to save her the 100 a month she was spending on coffee... So we chose this one. Very affordable, works well so far, no troubles except do not run the water reservoir out, you will have to prime the pump to get it to work. Not a big deal, but not something most people would know how to do, or even figure out that is the problem.
Well this has made me a daily latte drinker also, so much for the drip my hubbie makes daily.
One thing it does sound like a freight train half the time, and the wand is too long for normal coffee cups, we just keep it next to the sink, to enable more room to get a cup under. No biggie.

(Posted on 2/20/13)

We've enjoyed some wonderful espresso drinks with our Saeco Machine in the last two months. There's definitely a learning curve required for the machine and I've been hit or miss with a stable foam. There are no instructions in the manual about technique but the Seattle Coffee Gear web site has lots of instructional videos and other opportunities to learn. One word of advice, do read the manual! And when you take the Panarello (steam wand) apart for cleaning be sure to pay attention to where the washers go. There IS a video on the site but it's a lot easier if you take care with these washers. If not properly put back in place steam can escape and burn you. Don't ask me how I know this:). This is a great machine! Read the manual!

(Posted on 2/20/13)

This is the second one of this little machine I have purchased (the first had the power switch go out after 6 years of heavy use) and I just love it. It makes a great espresso with a good head of crema. I can't really speak to the frothing/foaming capability because I very seldom use it, but I crank out at least 3 cups of americano every day and it always turns out great.

(Posted on 1/14/13)

I was very disappointed in the machine. After reading all the reviews i thought this would be an outstanding machine but it turned out to be a big let down. I wouldnt recommend this model to anyone. The milk has way too much foam even after i adjusted the steam and it then stop working. I would pass this one up.

(Posted on 1/5/13)

I have had this product for almost a month, and I love it. It produces a good shot of espresso, and is easy to use. The only issue, which has been stated before, is the panerello wand clearance, or lack thereof, and getting your pitcher under it. I just locate the machine at the edge of the counter which makes it easier. In the future I plan on getting a nice wood block to raise it up.

(Posted on 1/2/13)

I have nothing but praise for this machine!!!! We purchased it a little over 4 years ago, in 2008. I have used it a least once a day since. It works as great today as it did when it was brand new. Still looks great too! I have never had to do anything to it, other than the basics to keep it clean and functioning well. It has more than paid for itself. Thank you Saeco for making a great machine!!

(Posted on 12/30/12)

I had an inexpensive espresso machine that I found very unsatisfactory. It seemed to never have enough pressure to steam the milk. The Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine is a very easy machine to use and it makes a great cup of espresso.

A couple of things to be aware of - the cup clearance is for an espresso-sized cup, not a regular coffee cup. Although some have commented about the steam wand not having much flexibility, I have found it's swivel design works just fine. I would highly recommend it!

(Posted on 11/12/12)

Bought the refurbished Saeco Aroma for our vacation home. We have a Rancilio Silvia at home and love it. I mention this so that readers will understand that I know good espresso drinks from a home machine. We wanted something serviceable and more economic for this place as we spend a lot less time there than at home. The Aroma is quick and consistent; it makes thoroughly decent microfoam and good shots. There is less involvement than with the Rancilio in regard to several steps of the process, namely tamping and steaming, but I can live with that since the results are very good. I bought this particular Saeco model for the shallow reason that it had the steaming wand on the right side (other models on the left) and we had space for it on the left side of our sink--so it fit in easily without shifting a bunch of kitchen stuff around. This is a real good value for the money.

(Posted on 10/5/12)

I have tried many machines in the $100. - $250. Range seems I never can afford a good machine when I need one :( I make aprox 3 -4 Lattes' a day. This is a great machine. My last machine was a
Cuisinart for the same price, Absolute JUNK! Lasted 4 months. Was never any good.
My best advise if you by this machine and use it as much as I do, is baby it! Keep it like new. As I find machines in this price range tend not to last me more then a year or so.
★My Very BEST ADVICE is decide what you can spend then go with the go with The Very Educated Advice of Seattlec✹ffeegear ! ★ They know their business ! Thank you Happy w/ Mine:)

(Posted on 9/17/12)

5 years now and had cord replaced and still running great!!

(Posted on 9/14/12)

I've used fully automatic high-dollar espresso machines but they cannon be annoyingly temperamental. This tiny soldier requires a bit more effort from me but produces a cup of expressly every bit as good. Sturdy construction and a wonderful value .

(Posted on 8/13/12)

This is our second Saeco machine,the first lastest 6 years used daily. Works great at home,but would not support a work place with a lot of users standing in line to get coffee. My wife loves the milk foamer,so a latte starts her day.No bad remarks to make on this machine.

Pros:
Easy To Use,Large Water Container,Great Taste,Quiet,Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 6/5/12)

When my trusty but rusty Saeco '2002' finally gave out after 20 years, I got this machine (the stainless version) to replace it, and I am overall very happy with it – so long as I make double shots. The pressurized portafilter and double basket make good espresso with plenty of crema, even with pre-ground coffee. It took me a little while to get the hang of the steaming wand, but now I get a nice balance of foam most of the time (sometimes the bubbles are still too big).
Another bit of learning involved removing the double filter basket from the portafilter, where it is an extremely tight fit. After alternately burning and tearing up my fingers trying to remove the basket, or prying it free every time with an oyster knife, I checked with SCG and found out it was OK to remove the little spring ring from the inside of the portafilter. Now the basket knocks out as easily as it did with the old machine.
Which leaves only the single-shot problem. every time I try to make a single, water and coffee leak out around the top, and what does come out the spout is undrinkable. I have tried it with the non-pressurized PF and baskets salvaged from my 2002, which appear to fit perfectly except for the length of the locking tabs. But no matter what combination of old or new portafilter, old or new single-shot baskets I use, nothing works. The filters don't look bent or damaged, so I don't know why they won't seal, but they won't.
Still, as long as I make doubles, this machine is everything I hoped for, and I use it nearly every day.

Pros:
Quick Brewing,Easy To Use,Great Taste,Large Water Container

Cons:
Single shot doesn't work

(Posted on 6/3/12)

We tried to talk ourselves into a higher priced Italian machine, but we could not get past the reviews of the Aroma, especially given the price. We replaced an old Starbucks Sirena that we ran into the ground after four years. Our machine is responsible for multiple (4-6) lattes per day, almost exclusively double shots and associated frothing. It is a great, straightforward performer, and puts out consistent shots without struggling. The only way I could justify spending more on an espresso machine is if we were concerned with aesthetics. Though portafilter is pressurized, we still use nice heavy 53mm tamp and grounds are easy to remove. Only "cheesy" part of this machine is the included knock box, but we don't use it anyway. Bottom line: absolutely a great machine, and a great price to boot. We have yet to be disappointed. Also, kudos to the gals and their videos, which helped us make a great educated decision.

Pros:
Best Bang for the Buck, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 5/31/12)

the bad is that the machine only fits small cups and the placement and design of the milk frothing system is a joke...works well but messy.

If you can live with these two drawbacks (which my other machines (Breville) don't have) you are looking at a great espresso maker with excellent tasting coffee and a beautiful crema. Very compact and you can't beat the price.

Pros:
Great Taste, Quiet, Quick Brewing

Cons:
Messy

(Posted on 5/27/12)

produces great crema and the steamer is very good.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 4/24/12)

Very attractive and easy to use. Taste test with Pavoni was close, though Pavoni slightly sweeter. The pressurized portafilter makes the process easier, but the sloppy puck is, well, sloppy.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Quiet, Large Water Container, Easy To Use

Cons:
Sloppy puck, Messy

(Posted on 4/14/12)

This is a formidable machine that rivals the $500+ makers. You do need to upgrade to the non pressurized portofilter and get a decent tamper. And just as important, you need an excellent espresso grinder. Spend the money on an excellent grinder - it's that important. And lastly, fresh coffee. If you live near a roaster, you're in luck. It's sturdy, in the 6 years I've owned it, I've left the brewer on overnight, overfilled the portofilter with the grinds, made the grinds too fine locking up the machine. It still works, no leaks. I learned to use my machine over the years, and I'm more gentle with it. It's a great entry level machine and no need to upgrade.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 4/6/12)

I love this espresso maker and use it multiple times in the morning to make shots for everyone in the house. I use it again at lunch every day to make about 2-4 more shots for an afternoon wake-up.
It makes consistent espresso and is not difficult to use. I agree with other reviewers that the steam nozzle is positioned low to the counter and my pitcher requires I tilt at a 45

(Posted on 3/27/12)

Had the previous model, Saeco Espresso Classico. Gave me 8 yrs of great use. The new design has some changes that I don't like- the on/off button placement, the panarello that produces too much foam. However, this little machine is a great value for the money and has proven to be solid, compact and dependable. I even take mine on road trips. Makes a marginal hotel room SO much better!

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Forgiving, Compact, Easy To Clean, Dependable, Large Water Container

Cons:
Bad location of on off, Panarello too boisterous

(Posted on 3/20/12)

Great little machine in many aspects, small but solidly built. Pressurized portafilter makes for easy but very good shot making. It also makes for more messy cleanup though. The steam wand is a little clunky at first but with the proper sized pitcher, the fit is fine. The steam wand is designed for easy frothing but if you want to do anything different with heating the milk you can't. The wand is also a little more labor intense to keep clean. If I were to get another machine for a vacation house or work this would be a great one for the money. This is a replacement machine and had hoped it would do a bit more but what it does for the price is outstanding. Ended up sending this back to get the Rancilio Silvia at a much higher price.

Pros:
Quiet, Great Taste, Large Water Container, Easy To Use, Quick Brewing

Cons:
Steam wand, Limited

(Posted on 3/15/12)

This machine brews a beautiful rich espresso with a thick crema. Easy for beginners to brew a commercial cup of espresso.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quiet, Simple and easy to brew h, Great Taste, Commercial Grade, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean, Large Water Container

Cons:

(Posted on 3/7/12)

We use our machine every day and love it, this is our second one. The first we had for 7 years and is moving to our camper.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 2/1/12)

After trying many inexpensive machines that were all disappointments I finally bought the Saeco Aroma....A friend suggested this machine and I did watch Gail and Kat's video's....I'm very happy with the performance and the quaility of the espresso it makes...It's fast and easy...I like how it froths the milk...The steam spout does sit a little low so it's hard to remove your pitcher once the milk has frothed...The machine itself is constructed well and made of metal...The drip pan is plastic and kind of a pain to remove and clean...The metal grate that sits on top is directional so you had to be careful when reassembling....When you clean the steam spout, be careful when removing the top, there are 2 washers in it that can be lost easy and have to be put back on a certain way...Thanks Gail for the video...Overall....I love this machine.

Pros:
Quiet, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Quick Brewing

Cons:
Steam spout sits too low

(Posted on 1/25/12)

This is my third Aroma in maybe 8 years. (I am a lax descaler and live in an area with very hard water so I don't blame the machine. THIS TIME I WILL DO BETTER!) It's a great machine for the following reasons: it is ready to go almost immediately. It is very forgiving on the coffee grind: consistently good crema on the shots no matter the grind (within reason). It's easy to produce good foamed milk with the wand. But there is a serious problem with the design of this Saeco -- the on /off button is on the side and when it is on there is no light on the front of the machine to indicate that it is on. It is very easy to forget to turn the machine off. I have very consciously popped it out when I am done but there are multiple users in the house and the chances it will be left on all day to burn out really worries me.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 1/23/12)

I really do like the machine, especially compared to what I had. The coffee is much better, no or little bitterness. Don't really have to add sweetener, but do at times.
I purchase this with intention of buying the non-pressurized filter adapter so I can enjoy the coffee making experience. It hasn't been available and I'm very disappointed in that. I hope it wasn't misleading advertising and will soon be in stock. I think the pressurized filter makes an aereated crema instead of just a true crema.
The frother bubbles the milk too much and is too thick to allow for nice latte art on the top. The foam should be finer I think. I've been using 1% milk, and maybe 2% or whole milk will foam differently. I don't know why machine have these plastic frother attachments. Most professional machines have just a stainless wand.
But, again, it make very good espresso, especially for the price. A good value.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quiet, Easy To Clean, Great Taste

Cons:
Foam is to bubbly, Crema is airy, Need Non pressure filter

(Posted on 1/7/12)

I have just begun to appreciate latte`s and this machine is perfect for me. Brews wonderful latte`s and saves me $. My gain is [@] loss. I agree with a few reviewers that the steam wand is a bit difficult, but not awful. I ordered the larger latte` pitcher - I would recommend a smaller one - that would make manuvering it a bit easier. But basicly, I'm happy!

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Large Water Container, Reasonably priced

Cons:
Steam wand a bit difficul

(Posted on 1/2/12)

He's still experimenting to get that perfect cup. Need to raise machine so it's easier to get pitcher under the steam wand.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quiet, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 1/2/12)

Follow the instructions and you should get results.
Did not have to pay big bucks!
Makes a good espresso like I got in France.

Pros:
Easy To Use, I am not an expert, The results are good, Great Taste

Cons:
I now drink more coffee

(Posted on 12/22/11)

First try was a cheap steam combo machine. Then I got a DeLonghi EC140 which was OK but small water reserve and vibrated so bad you have to hold the cups. The Seaco Aroma has a much bigger water supply and portafilter. The portafilter is harder to clean probably because it is deeper and straight sides. It was shipped missing 1 of 4 rubber bottom supports but no problem getting a new one from the supplier.

Pros:
Quiet, Large Water Container, Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 12/15/11)

I received this machine a year ago as a Christmas present. It still works just as well now as when I took it out of the box. I expect to get many years out of this machine.

It produces quality espresso shots, as good or often better than I find from various coffee shops in the area.

The only real draw back is, as many others have noticee, the steaming wand. It is compact and requires a bit of finess, but I can't say it is all that problematic, and it is easy to clean.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste

Cons:
Noisy

(Posted on 11/4/11)

Great product, easy to use!

Pros:


Cons:

(Posted on 8/21/11)

When our beloved 8 year old espresso make died, we needed a replacement right away. We looked locally but weren't ready to buy an ABS plastic machine. And although we use mostly whole beans, we love the convenience of ESE pods on occasion (travel to vacation rental, big dinner parties). Our son has the Saeco Aroma so we knew it would be compact, sturdy and good enough looking.We've been pleased with the shots we get from the pressurized porta-filter and very happy with the ease of using the ESE basket and the quality of the shots it produces. [...]

Pros:
Great Taste, Sturdy, Compact and clean design, Large Water Container

Cons:
Hard to see "ready" light, Hard to read "on" setting

(Posted on 7/28/11)

When our beloved FrancisFrancis X-5 died after 8 years of use, we needed a replacement quickly! We primarily use whole beans (Capresso grinder), but have loved the convenience of ESE pods for certain times (trips to vacation rental, big dinner parties). We realized that we weren't ready for an ABS plastic machine after looking at the Baby Gaggia in town. Our son has the Saeco Aroma and we knew it would be all metal and not too large.We are happy with the espresso we are getting. We think we might get even better shots with a better grinder --- we're using Capresso at maximum fine setting. And ... we're delighted with the ease of use and quality of shots from pods. The machine is not as beautiful as our previous one and the "on" switch is not lighted, nor is the "ready" light very easy to read in a well-lit room. Those are our only complaints and we are adapting![...]

Pros:
Easy To Use, Sturdy solid, Large Water Container

Cons:
Hard to read

(Posted on 7/27/11)

Saeco invented a system by which the coffee gets a bit of foamy texture. Perfect for capuccino if you add some milk.

I had the same coffee machine in Europe and bought it again over here.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Unique Saeco system, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 6/29/11)

Easy to use, alway ready to make a cup of coffee.
Best with expresso ground but can use regulator coffee. But not as good.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 6/28/11)

It's great! People wrote that its hard to use the steam wand but its not! It's really great!

Pros:
Great Taste, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Easy To Use

Cons:
Hard To Clean

(Posted on 6/16/11)

I have been really happy with my espresso machine. I was worried at first that this would be a low end product because of the cost, but I am very happy with the proformance.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Easy To Use

Cons:
Noisy

(Posted on 6/3/11)

I make myself a white-chocolate-toffee-nut espresso every morning. I take my hot, steaming, sweet cup of espresso on the bus to Seattle (a 45 min commute), and it just makes me feel...happy...especially when it's raining. I am totally enjoying what the Saeco offers. It heats up quickly and delivers really tasty espressos with great crema. On the down-side, its panarello doesn't allow enough room for the milk pitcher to fit; but Gail addressed this in one of her videos, so I knew this BEFORE I bought my Saeco. I bought it because I read the reviews, watched a lot of videos by Gail, and figured the Saeco was a really good buy. I actually bought two Saecos - I bought one for my daughter's family, and then I bought one for myself. It was money well-spent! Thanks for brightening my day, Seattle Coffee Gear!!! I'm home sick with a cold today, so I'm gonna go downstairs right now and fix myself a third espresso of the day. Life is good!

Pros:
Great Taste, Good price value, Large Water Container, Easy To Use, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Panarello is too long

(Posted on 6/2/11)

Makes a freat cup of coffee

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing

Cons:
Messy

(Posted on 6/2/11)

I agree the power button on the side is too easy to forget to turn off. Something I saw on your site taught me something new.... Froth before brewing-- it's better for the machine and the whole process seems to go faster than the other way around. It's a grate, inexpensive, machine

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean, Great Taste, Easy To Use

Cons:
The frother arm too short

(Posted on 5/29/11)

First time purchase from Seattle Coffee Gear, and I bought the Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine - Black (00347). For the price, it is a good machine, however there are some annoying features. The steamer is way too long and there is literally no space to put your stainless cup of milk to steam. Very awkward. There is also a very small space to brew the espresso into the shot glasses. It is easily bumped and spilled. The machine makes a great shot though, so for the money it is worth it. I read many reviews before purchasing from SCG, and I am happy so far. [...] I previously purchased a Jura Ena 3 from [@], and returned it because the steamer had issues of becoming loose and making a huge mess. So, I decided to downgrade and see how it goes.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Great Taste

Cons:
Messy, Small space to brew, Steamer is weird

(Posted on 5/26/11)

I bought one of those cheap machines, and I got what I paid for. It lasted for a month or two, and now it is in the trash. It was very slow, and then one day it quit working altogether. So I decided to buy a good machine that would do what it said it would do, and would last. I am totally satisifed with my new coffee maker, and would recommend it to anyone wanting a good machine that will last, and does not cost a fortune.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Easy To Use, Commercial Grade

Cons:

(Posted on 5/20/11)

My first Saeco Aroma lasted about five years. Then I thought the pump was getting weak and I couldn't imagine not having the machine while I ordered and installed a new pump in the old one. So I bought a new one at a great price from Seattle Coffee Gear. It is working perfectly. My new pump for the old one should come in this week, so I will have a second machine to put on the shelf or take to the office.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Durable, Easy To Clean, Great Taste, Serviceable

Cons:
None

(Posted on 5/2/11)

This is my first espresso machine (got tired of paying someone else for what I could do and have better control of the ingredients) and I love it! So easy to use and clean. The portafilter was a little tight at first but now it is perfect. I make delicious iced and hot espresso. I am going to order the non-pressurized portafilter when I get better at using the machine. Oh, and I use the knock box to store the portafilter and podkit.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quick Brewing, Great for beginner, Great Taste, GREAT PRICE, Easy To Clean, Large Water Container

Cons:
None

(Posted on 4/17/11)

This is my 2nd Saeco and I'm consistently impressed with the quality of shots this little machine delivers. I am using ESE pods from a supplier in Italy and the crema delivered is excellent, and without the mess. The machine's boiler heats up very quickly and is ready to pull several shots back to back. Foaming milk with the wand requires you to pull the unit to the edge of the counter due to the wand length, but this isn't too big of a hassle as I drink mostly espresso. I would buy this machine again in a heartbeat [...]

Pros:
Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Commercial Grade, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 3/24/11)

Thanks to the videos provided on SCG's website,I was able to choose this perfect "beginner" espresso maker. Preheating the portafilter and cups ensures a good hot cup of java. In addition to that 1st cup of coffee in the morning, we enjoy Affogatos (a shot of espresso over vanilla gelato)as a special dessert. The only con is having to raise the machine up off the counter to enable ease in frothing, that is a simple adjustment. I had a 2" high cutting board that accommodated the machine, knock box and all the necessary accessories needed for a cozy little coffee station.

Pros:
Easy To Clean, Easy To Use, No need for tamper, Great Taste, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 3/23/11)

I bought this machine to replace my old machine that cost quite a bit more. I was happy with the quality, not only in operation but in feel with the heavy stainless case. I was at first disapointed with the taste as I was using the included Pressurized porta filter. Tamp and grind seemed to mean little. I tried to obtain a non presurized unit but it looked not up to par compared to the included unit.

The solution turned out to be easy. I took the bottom off of the included porta filter, removed the plastic valve and spring then drilled out the hole in the middle with a small 1/8 inch sharp drill bit and screwed the bottom back on. Wallah! instant non-presurized porta filter.

And what a difference that made! Now this unit is producing BETTER tasting coffee than the old unit that cost twice as much.

After 6 months of use, I gues the best I can say is I am on the site today buying a second unit for my jobsite. Life is too short for bad coffee!

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Decent Price, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Presurized porta filter

(Posted on 3/23/11)

Brews a decent cup,however the steam wand leaves much to be desired. Found that with the frothing wand attached you can't heat the milk near hot enough, take it off and you can get it much hotter, houever you end up with a buyer mess. If you are making several cups in a row you have to reptile the pump fore more steam, dissent take long, just more steps than other machines. Owned a cafe prestige machine before this and liked it's brewing capability to brew and steam better. This is a much quieter machine though and if you want a black machine that's NOT plastic, this is it.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Not cheap plastic

Cons:
Steam wand lacking

(Posted on 3/6/11)

Great machine. My third after two disappointing Solis units. Much better at half the price. Great tasting coffee. Pro crema. Will upgrade to new frother. Great quality and close to Pro for a great price.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 3/6/11)

This machine replaced my old friend of 10 years that had to be put out to pasture. I was quite nervous bringing a new machine into the house. My espresso machine was my favorite possession. This machine has moved in and taken the place of my old favorite. It is simple to use. It is solidly built. It makes great espresso and steamed milk. It is much faster than my old friend and makes better steamed milk. I use the pressurized portafilter but may someday order the upgrade non-pressurized. It is spoiling me a little but I do miss the tamping a bit. My only complaint and it is minor, is the position of the steam wand. It is very close to the machine and can be awkward to hold your steaming vessel under. I purchased the Rattleware 16oz no handle pitcher from this site and it is a great fit but only for a single. If you want to produce more steamed milk you will need a short fat pitcher which I happened to have. Although sad to see my old friend go, I feel this machine is an "upgrade" even though the price was very reasonable. If you love espresso, cappuccinos, lattes etc. and have limited funds, you will feel like you have a top of line find in this machine! Enjoy! One additional note, some reviewers mentioned that raising the machine up off the counter helps with the steaming and that is true. While contemplating this idea, my daughter came up with a solution. There is a "as seen on tv" product called "counter caddy". It is a simple sliding tray that holds an appliance under your cupboards on the counter and then lets you pull the item forward on the counter. Not only is this nice to pull the machine forward, but it lifts the machine off the counter an additional inch which is just enough to aid in the milk steaming. I put some of that grippy shelf liner under the caddy, put the machine on the caddy and then can pull the machine away from the wall for use or filling with water. (this is in no way an advertisement for the caddy. I just found it really helpful in this situation and wanted others with this machine to know about it.)

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container

Cons:
Award steam wand

(Posted on 2/21/11)

This is my second Saeco same unit. My first one lasted 10 years, and still runs..but finally the pump became weak, and it was time to replace. I'd say for the the price these units are, its a great machine for how long mine lasted.

It makes great expresso...which I drink straight, so I don't use the Frother nozzle at all for myself, but have occassionally for guests, and it works fine also.

Nice Crema developed by this machine/Portafilter, which is a must for we straight Expresso drinkers.

I'm very happy with these machines, and happy with the price on my new one from Seattle Coffee Gear.

Pros:
Easy To Use, DurableEfficientCompact, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing

Cons:
None

(Posted on 2/20/11)

Perfect manual machine generating excellent level of coffee crema at really good price

Pros:
Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Great Taste

Cons:
Messy

(Posted on 1/25/11)

Big fan of Saeco Aroma but my original Black model rusted and left "rust dust" on the countertop. Finally bought the stainless version and solved the problem. Minor complaint with the newer model is on/off switch located on side of machine is easy to forget and leave on because it has no light.

The Aroma is great basic reasonably powered espresso machine for reliable everyday use at a modest price.

Pros:
Won't RUST, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 1/10/11)

We use it everyday and makes great espresso and lattes. It has a very fast recovering time to heat and foam milk. It can make thick foam in a matter of a minute. This is my third machine and by far the best. There are probably better machines, but I do not believe there is one at this price point that can do what the Saeco Aroma can do!

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 1/6/11)

I have owned one for 5 years and it has performed flawlessly. I just purchased this new one for my parents. This is an excellent machine for someone who wants easy espresso and has killed more than a few garage sale Krupps machines.

It comes prepped for ESE Pods (super easy) and with the Pressurized Portafilter (easy) so anyone can make excellent coffee drinks right out of the box, without worrying about grinding or tamping.

I have been using my Aroma with a non-pressurized filter for years. Paired with a good grinder (Rancilio Rocky), this thing can go toe to toe with much more expensive machines.

In my opinion, its unbeatable at this price -- which is why I can award it 5 stars. Plus the Seattle Coffee Gear service is outstanding.

Pros:
Great Taste, Versitle, Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 1/5/11)

I'll start with this. i'm replacing a Saeco Rio we bought at a yard Sale back in 1994 or so. this machine was still going and retired in 2010. Rio is going to the family Cabin. The Aroma is Awsome. The coffee has a wonderful carmel,frothiness. My mother in - law has gone through several other machines ( names withheld) even a barrista. We like to foam up a little milk every now and then. This machine will not dissapoint. I expected to spend some time waiting on this process. My rio steamed (frothed Milk) slowly. actually i never got foam. The aroma took less than 5 seconds. you will enjoy this machine. the price is perfect. Stop ordering out for a couple of months and it is paid for. I prefere a cup from home than my favorite place. This was a gift for my wife but i enjoy making her Coffee and her breakfast. Gourmet breakfast and a goumet coffee.

Pros:
Easy To Clean, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Great Taste, It wll pay for its self, Quick Brewing, Commercial Grade

Cons:
None

(Posted on 1/3/11)

This was a Christmas present for my wife. When I "describe yourself" above, I describe her. I am not a coffee drinker, but my wife and son (home from college for Christmas) are having a wonderful time making espresso. It's fun to watch them!

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 12/29/10)

Great machine for the money, very quiet, and large water tank! Steam wand has a poor design, but we all knew that! Just flat out a great machine for the money! I was surprised, that it has a pretty decent finsish on it. But the steam knob is kinda cheesey, but ya can live with it!

Pros:
Great Taste, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean, Easy To Use

Cons:
Steam wand

(Posted on 12/29/10)

Heats up fast. Switch to steam quickly. Good results without fussing, just fill up filter cup, install in machine, press start, press stop. Consistent results with the right grind. The seal where the filter screws into position has residual coffee grinds that are a little tricky to clean out. The pressurized filter always leave a little coffee. If you run the filter empty first, the residual coffee will get washed out into your cup. This simultaneous;y pre-heats your cup. When I ordered the Aroma I intended to order the non-pressurized filter but have not been able to find it. I was looking forward to being able to fine tune my techniques and get the "perfect cup" but the results with the pressurized filter is really great.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Heats up fast, Compact

Cons:
Hard To Clean, Messy, Steam wand awkward

(Posted on 12/28/10)

This is a great way to get into the espresso world. Get yourself a non pressurized portafilter and begin to experience real espresso for the first time at home. I get great results with this machine and a good burr grinder.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Large Water Container

Cons:
Short frothing wand, Panarello wand for steam

(Posted on 12/20/10)

I use it for coffee loving family and friends, and especially appreciate its dependability, relatively quiet operation, and speed.

Pros:
Great Taste, Fast, Easy To Use, Compact, Consistently good coffee

Cons:
none I can see

(Posted on 12/15/10)

I received this machine for my birthday and just absolutely love it. I'm a beginner at making coffee and I think I make it better then going to a coffee place. Simple to use other than the steam wand dosent come out far enough from the machine and very foamy when steaming milk. It's not stopping me from using and loving it.

Pros:
Easy To Use

Cons:
Creates too much foam

(Posted on 12/2/10)

The machine doesn't care much about grind type and tamping. It consistently makes great espresso. It could probably make an awesome espresso if I knew how to take it to it's limits. Simple, easy to use, solid metal construction, easy to clean - the wand can be taken apart and cleaned in a matter of seconds. I don't have to wait for the machine to cool down to remove the portafilter (like I did with our previous machine) to make more coffee. The steam wand could have been a bit shorter or placed higher so one can fit a tall glass under it without spilling the foam. No big deal - use a short cup or place the machine at the edge of kitchen counter.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Reliable, Consistent, Easy To Use, Great Taste, Any coffee grind, Solid metal body

Cons:
Steam wand a bit long

(Posted on 11/23/10)

The combination of compact size and the pressurized portafilter makes it a great machine for your office. Stop spending so much cash at the cafe! The included pressurized portafilter makes for easy and quick use, as the beans don't need to be ground perfectly with a pricy burr grinder and there's no need to tamp. I may buy another for home and "upgrade" to the non-pressurized portafilter and burr grinder to keep it real, but the Rancilio Silvia becomes tempting at that point. The only issue that I'm encountering is that the steamer isn't strong. About a 1/3 of the way into steaming a small amount of milk, the pump seems to loose strength, and it takes it a bit to recover and complete. Otherwise, it's a great little machine for the price. And I would recommend popping for the stainless model.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 11/2/10)

The pressurized portafilter makes it hard to clean and grinds get pushed up against the water output. You have to wipe the machine's under side and run it to get the grinds out as they tend to 'float' with the non-pressurized portafilter. The knock box that comes with it is not useful at all and should not be included.

The machine acts exactly as promised and brews lightening fast after the boiler heats up which only takes a few seconds. The coffee quality is outstanding (though I think it will be better with the non-pressurized portafilter). The 'silly' cup warming feature (basically because the hot water happens to warm the top) is actually really useful. Water reservoir is simple to replenish even if the hose does want to sit at an angle and must be coaxed to sit lower int he tank. The waste / spill catch is of good size, location and is easy to clean. The bottom of the machine is also easy to clean with a drain in case of spillage so you don't have a bathtub if your cleaning the portafilter out using the brew feature causes spillage (happens if you are cleaning or pre-heating without the basket).

Pros:
Great Taste, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing

Cons:
Hard To Clean

(Posted on 10/26/10)

The coffee/espresso maker had a defective portafilter(coffee holder that leaked around the sides). I called to troubleshoot to a bad portafilter with Seattle Coffee Gear and they had me call Saeco directly for a replacement. Saeco sent out a new portafilter 2 days later and that one worked fine.
Capacino/espresso is great. The milk frother works great. No complaints on this maching after 2 weeks of daily use. I used to have a similar Gaggia machine that was much louder and rusted away after 3 years. We'll see about the Seaco.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Large Water Container, Easy To Clean

Cons:
First portafilter was bad

(Posted on 10/21/10)

I'm so grateful to Gail and Kat and all the crew at Seattle Coffee Gear. If it were not for their YouTube videos I'm not sure where I would have bought my machine. It was clear to me that these folks know their stuff and are serious about coffee --- I think I made a very good choice!

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Commercial Grade

Cons:
Messy, Hard To Clean

(Posted on 10/18/10)

This is our first espresso machine for our home...I wanted something that was reliable, brewed great espresso, but was not huge (we live in a town house and have a small kitchen...no counter space!). I also couldn't afford the $1200 models....so this was the best find for our budget and needs. We have been thrilled so far!

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 10/3/10)

I am far from an Aficionado, but I enjoy a decent cup of espresso. I think this machine is perfect for the amateur person looking for quality, but not ready to spend for a Silva.

I have been using the machine for a little over 3 weeks now and feel the machine has more than delivered on its promises. It is:
* Incredibly easy to use
* Heats up quickly
* Pours a pretty decent espresso (only tried using the pressurized portafilter).

As expected it has a few minor drawbacks:
* Can be a bit messy and drippy
* The pressurized portafilter leaves a wet puck that can be a bit messy to clean.

Overall, minor drawbacks considering the ease to get a good cup of espresso.
I highly recommend the machine.

Other note: I can't speak on how easy it is to do a maintenance clean because I haven't owned it long enough.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Great Taste

Cons:
Messy

(Posted on 10/3/10)

This is definitely a good starter machine. It heats to brewing temperature very fast. The included portafilter is pressurized, so it is not fussy about grind quality, nor are you required to tamp the grounds into the portafilter. However, the shot quality from the pressurized portafilter is only average. To really get the best shot from this machine you need a good grinder and unpressurized portafilter.

The distance between the bottom of the portafilter and the top of the drip tray is very short. Plan accordingly.

If I were to do it again, I'd pass over the Aroma and spend the extra on a Sylvia. However, at this price point, it's hard to beat the Aroma.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 9/25/10)

This is my third Saeco machine, second Aroma. The coffee comes out great with a beautiful crema. We mostly use it for cappucino and it makes a great steamed milk with thick froth.

Pros:
Great Taste, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean, Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 9/11/10)

Things you should know: 1) for the best crema use a coarser grind with pressurized portafilter, 2) when engaging the pump, hold the handle of the pressurized portafilter to the right for 5-6 secs before releasing, 3) do not knock the pressurized portafilter to clear the grounds [you could damage the internal mechanism], and 4) after emptying and rinsing the pressurized portafilter, clean it by making one last espresso without coffee in the basket.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Manual could be better

(Posted on 9/4/10)

I set it up in under 5 min and had my first cup of espresso, it was better than a Starbuchs shot.
I will be telling all of my friends about this. If your thinking about getting this one stop thinking and just get it.

Pros:
Easy To Clean, Easy To Use, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 8/22/10)

I am happy with my Mochas now. The steaming arm is very close to the machine which can be awkward to fit the pitcher under but can be done. I am a fan again of expresso machines. The price is fair relative to other machines I've tried and not found to be as user friendly.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 8/15/10)

Very nice semiautomatic espresso maker that creates excellent crema and consistent flavor. I use it with a Capresso grinder. The combination gives very good control to achieve the result I want. Overall, very happy with it.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 6/28/10)

This is my first foray into the world of espresso and the first machine I have ever owned. I've been using the Saeco Aroma daily now for about 3 weeks and so far so good. It is affordable, easy to use, easy to clean, and makes a quick, delicious cappuccino. I started out with pre-ground coffee (Lavazza in Blu), which is very good, but I plan to experiment with other coffees in the future. We have extremely hard water here, so I also purchased an in-tank resin water softener. I have no idea if is working or not, since I have not tested the water. I'm just hoping it's doing the job. I plan to descale with Dezcal periodically anyway, just to be on the safe side.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 6/25/10)

After watching several of the videos from Gail and Kat, I bought the Saeco Aroma. I have it elevated on a cut-out piece of granite, which helps with the frothing wand. I make a carmel macchiato every day. They are so yummy! Regarding the messy portafilter I've read about, after I remove it from the machine I let it sit on the counter while drinking my coffee. The puck then comes out clean and easy.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Commercial Grade

Cons:

(Posted on 6/20/10)

This is a great manual machine, though, it would earn the full five stars were the steamer stem a little longer for reaching in to mugs.

Pros:
Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Commercial Grade, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 6/9/10)

Good/smallish size. Easy to use for my morning coffee ritual. Nice crema.

Pros:
Good price value, Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Wand drips, Knob has no forward stop, Flimsy drip tray

(Posted on 6/5/10)

Haven't yet mastered the frothing for capucciono, frequently use my own frother.

Very little wait to make the second double shot.

Still experimenting with coffee brands and grinds

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Looks Great, Good size footprint, Quick warm up, Large Water Container

Cons:
Shots a little weak

(Posted on 6/3/10)

We love our Aroma. It provides good quality espresso with less work (skill, knowledge, etc.) than a higher end machine and at a price point that's really reasonable. We're extremely happy with our purchase.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container

Cons:

(Posted on 4/10/10)

This is quite a small machine, but built like a tank, and will compliment any stainless steel equiped kitchen.
The saeco portafilter is such a solid classy item, and the whole machine feels like it will last years - my previous cafe italia did.
Espresso is brewed flawlessly, no matter how you tamp. The panarello wand was new for me, and seems to have been a source of complaints with some swapping it out for a Gaggia wand. I found it does a nice job, with really good microfoam produced and you just leave it to it unlike a manual wand that requires your constant attention.
Only downside to this unit is it takes a lot of turns on the control knob to switch on the steam fully, and thats about as minor as it gets.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Commercial Grade, Quick Brewing, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 3/22/10)

We got this as a wedding gift, and really couldn't be much happier with it. With the pressurized portafilter, it makes a delicious shot of espresso with great crema, with absolutely zero fuss or expertise required.

It's solidly built, holds enough water for a week of cappuccini for two, and is easy to clean and maintain. The only potential downside is the strangely placed steam wand, but we just put the machine at the edge of the end of the counter, and with the right size of frothing pitcher, once you slide the pitcher onto the wand, the pitcher just rests on the drip tray so you can walk away while it steams. Way to turn a liability into an asset, us!

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 3/21/10)

This thing looks nice, tastes good, and all around makes me feel awake. Make sure and uses espresso ground coffee though, and you will have awesome creme' shots

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Commercial Grade, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 3/20/10)

I use the Aroma every morning for my double shot and most afternoons for a single shot. My wife uses it for a daily latte.

I have only two complaints with this otherwise great machine: (1) Its pressurized porta-filter produces bubbly crema, not the really thick crema one gets with a manually tamped non-pressurized one. (The advertised non-pressurized porta-filter seems to be permanently out of stock.) (2) Because the Arome lacks a triple solenoid, its residue is wet and messy --- especially when one pulls a singe shot.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quick Brewing, Large Water Container, Great Taste, Very quiet

Cons:
Messy, Bubbly crema

(Posted on 3/20/10)

I am thoroughly please with my Saeco Aroma. It pulls a great shot in it's stock form. The only think I've noticed is after some use it seems to drip a lot more from the steam wand.

I have to give a great compliment to Seattle Coffee Gear here as well. I asked about a more expensive machine, setting myself up for an easy up sell, but the sales person who helped me didn't take advantage and told me my original choice (the Aroma) was a better one!

Major kudos to Seattle Coffee Gear!

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Messy

(Posted on 3/19/10)