UPDATE - After previously giving this machine 4 stars, I am forced to reduce my rating to 1 star.It appears I've received a "lemon" as I've now had the machine break 3 times.I'm very frustrated because for all of the resasons I list below, I want to love the machine.However, during time I've had the machine, It's only briefly worked before needing to be retured for service. The machine comes with a one-year VIP service which is great since the online company I purchased it from only had a 30-day return policy.Unfortunately, in the four months I've had the machine it's been broken or out for repair for a majority of that time.Please respond to this review if you've had success getting your machine to work without sending back for repair.
Attention Buyers! - I would not buy this machine - the frustration of having it break three times is not worth your time or money. Learn from my mistake and look for a different brand and make sure to purchase from a store that has a return period of longer than 30 days.
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This was no small purchase for me.I've researched and waited for about 1 year before committing to this machine.The price dropped by about 40% from one of the Amazon online retailers and there was free shipping so I jumped at the chance.I've had the XP 7260 for about 1 week now and I mostly love this machine.When I first got the machine I spent an hour or so reviewing the instruction manual before I turned on the machine which helped me to realize a couple important tips (for most all auto-espresso machines).1 - you have to use very cold l% or 2% milk for best froth/foam and 2 - you should use non-oily beans. Also, I expected to get coffee shop quality from the first cup of expresso but have quickly realized that I haven't learned the proportions of espresso to water (for Americano) or milk (for latte & cappucino).I wish more than two recipes were included for first time users.
Pros:
Stunning appearance
Auto frothing attachment works excellent(if you use cold 1% or 2% milk)
Great tasting coffee/espresso
Doesn't take up too much room on the counter
Cons:
The biggest CON is that there is NO pre-ground coffee funnel - I big disappointment - no decaf drinks at night.
The Amazon description mentions that this machine is compatible with ground coffee but it's NOT!
Noisy!Similar to turning on a blener full of ice.The noise is short-lived so it's bearable.
Not enough recipes for basic coffee drinks - I have yet to perfect the Americano. Web blogs are all over the place regarding recipes.
Frequently filling the water container - not a big deal but if you have cabinets above your counter you have the pull the machine out far enough to access the water container.
Espresso cups, manual frothing pitcher, and coffee not included (auto pitcher is included). Plan to spend another $50 on these items before making your first cup of espresso.
Maintenance costs could be about $100 per year for water filter replacements and cleaning tablets.
Water filter and cleaning tablets are not easily available so I will have to purchase online.
I know, this sounds like a long list.I have a feeling many other espresso machines have similar cons so I wouldn't consider any of these a deal-breaker.
Overall an excellent machine but I really wish there was a pre-ground coffee funnel so that we could enjoy decaf expresso drinks at night.
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Krups XP7260 Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Auto Cappuccino KitProduct Description: Brew cafe-quality coffee drinks right at home with this easy-to-use fully automatic espresso machine. Simply add water and espresso beans, select the type of beverage and amount desired, and press the button--it takes care of the rest. The appliance grinds, brews, and tamps, then dispenses used grounds into a collection container. An oversized digital display and intuitive controls make it effortless to scroll through the on-screen menu and to follow detailed instructions for everything from set-up to brewing perfect espresso. In addition, the unit's commercial-quality built-in conical burr grinder holds up to 28 ounces of whole beans and comes calibrated to three optimal grind levels. Use the pre-ground bypass doser for pre-ground decaffeinated or flavored coffee--a handy feature when entertaining.
For added convenience, the espresso machine's innovative design combines the thermoblock brewing system and hydraulic jack into a single piece, which means an overall smaller build that takes up less space on the countertop. In fact, it's 30- to 50-percent smaller than most fully automatics available. The completely redesigned thermoblock comes cast in aluminum with stainless-steel tubing for precise control of the water and temperature and optimal heat transfer while reducing scaling and build-up of mineral deposits. Other highlights include a 64-ounce water tank, hot water on demand, and a steam function for cappuccinos and lattes. A patented auto-cappuccino system for foolproof milk frothing comes included. The 1450-watt espresso machine measures 12-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 14-1/4 inches and carries a one-year warranty.
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If you are willing to spend up to $1000 for a coffee maker the low cost of this filter is well worth it.It maked the coffee taste better while protecting your machine.
I recently upgraded to this model from a Krups steam espresso maker and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.I can't believe I did upgrade sooner.
I loved my Slate Essenza C90 manual machine for the 1st month. It was so easy and the espresso was delicious. Then one morning as I pulled my espresso, water started leaking out all over! The whole bottom tray completely filled with water and a lot overflowed. It had some kind of stoppage that forced the water to leak out. 
Seems expensive, but please add up your Starbucks expenditures for the past year and then buy this with no hesitation!
I received my coffee maker and loved it for almost a year, until it stopped dripping the coffee.I had followed all the directions for cleaning and servicing the machine.I called the Arabee company from whom I purchased it.
Either my machine is a lemon or there are some serious design flaws.In short, ours' clogs up very easily.I finally bought Lavazza beans at the recommendation of a Saeco retailer who said that the beans are that much more important with conical burr grinders.At first the lavazza beans seemed to solve the clogging issue but after about 8-10 coffees it happened again.I can't imagine Saeco would intend consumer to clean the brew unit every couple days and not everyone buys the "perfect" gucci italian coffee bean.Also, when my wife set the dial to 7 to make basically a full cup of regular coffee, part of it leaked out the bottom of the machine (it's happened twice now).It's amazing how quickly coffee will stain a countertop if yr not aware the leak is there at first.Needless to say, for marital harmony the machine is going back and I'm going to pop more $ for a gaggia or Jura Capresso.We had a Saeco Royal previous to this one and honestly we abused that machine with oily beans, we didn't clean it often and it just kept on ticking.When the Rondo did brew a shot in the last few weeks of use the coffee was very good with a nice crema.Saeco customer service blamed the clogging on the coffee beans I was using previously (Cafe Vivace - seattle) which I found hard to believe.We have not called them about the leaking as we've just given up at this point.It CAN make good coffee but either there is a serious design flaw, or again, we got the lemon.Just be advised since many of you know how poorly a day can start at 0530 when yr denied coffee.....
Yes, this machine is very expensive.I was lucky enough to get it at a very very good price when amazon temporarily reduced the price, otherwise no way I would spend so much on something like this....
We bought this machine from Williams-Sonoma and liked it so much that we stuck with the coffee through four separate units, each of which failed within three weeks for a different reason.My wife and I each drink 2-3 shots of espresso per day, for a total of 6-8 cycles of the machine (including self rinsing): this is within their warranty rate of 10 cycles per day.We use non-greasy beans and reverse-osmosis water, both of which are recommended by the manufacturer.At first I thought we just got unlucky -- every factory makes a few lemons -- but after four machines and four independent failure modes I'm convinced they're just poorly built.
We decided to try the SAECO Incanto RS SBS Classic after researching several "high end" automatic coffee makers, and we have not been disappointed in the choice.Easy to clean/maintain, easy manual, intuitive controls, and great coffee (and cappucino).Since we have only had the Incanto for a little over one month, it is premature to comment on reliability -- but not a single problem to date.Overall, we are extremely pleased with the coffeemaker.
I have purchase the new Jura-Capresso Impressa C5 before it had been released. So I had to wait for several weeks for its delivery. Once it arrived it took a good couple of hours to read through the manual, (the machine operation is not intuitive). It had all kinds of warnings for grinding: no oily beans, no flavored beans, and so on. (You could grind such beans in separate grinder and use it in the grinded beans compartment. I have not tried this yet). So, I have followed the instructions closely, and for about 5 to 7 days it worked fine. However, one morning, after the first cup of coffee I made, I could not make a second one. (There was no coffee coming out of the spouts). I try different approaches to solve the issue myself, however eventually called the company. The representative had walked me through some steps, basically squandering more and more of my good beans, but was not able to solve the problem. To his credit, once he realized he can not resolve the issue he offered to replace the body of the machine. The way it worked; the company has sent the new body and a label to send the old one back. (I had to remove all the removable parts: water tank, spout for cappuccino, and such)It took about a week for a new one to arrive. On arrival, I have noticed that the spout on the new one did not feet as well as on the old one, but I did tried to froth the milk yet. (I hope it works) 
I lived in Switzerland for four years and while there my standards for coffee changed quite dramatically. Hence on my return to the US my first purchase was this machine. While I was living in Switzerland I went through two Nespresso machines which were a pain in the patootie to keep descaled and operational. Both were hosed by the time I left. I was impressed with the Jura machines owned by Swiss friends and neighbors. I have had this machine for 8 months now and have never regretted my decision to purchase it. It is smart enough to tell you when it needs cleaning and the instructions (unlike the Nespresso machinges I have owned) were very clear. Cleaning is automated and a snap to accomplish. Just initiate the program and it will be through by the time you finish doing the breakfast dishes. The one downside is that it is quite large so you will have to devote quite a bit of counter space to it and if you are big coffee drinkers you will also have to fill the rather small water reservoir quite often but other than that the machine is a dream and if you buy the right beans (hint: buy Lavazza beans here on Amazon on auto order - VERY economical) you will have lovely coffee moments. No need for 'bucks unless you want WiFi.