This is the easiest espresso machine, the brew is quick and the taste is very satisfying. It is comparable to the famous coffee chain we all to go to for convenience. It is a slight loud but it is tolerable. I have bought other espresso machines ( one I paid $500.00) and had to return.
It is very difficult to get the coffee cartridge out, and if you try to go about it the instructed way, it flings back into the machine and you have trouble fishing it out. Not a good buy in the end. Sorry!