I have the earlier version of the 870 series with steam & a grinder. It's my third machine (first Breville) and I've had it since 2012. It's pretty intuitive to use for a first-timer. Key is to get good quality espresso beans, make sure you clean the machine (the 870 has a light that reminds you to do so) and practice.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/breville-reg-the-barista-express-trade-espresso-machine/3244573?strategy=pdp_cav

The spouse has the big one, similar to or the same as the one Spanish linked. I wish the small one had been purchased. :)

The big one has been reliable and pretty good, once the learning was done. Most of the learning was about getting the grind right which you won't need to do with the smaller machine.

I don't know if they share the same guts though.

I have the same Breville as 1929Spanish-GW. Love it so much I just ordered my 2nd. It’s used multiple times daily and after 6 years it had lost a bit of pressure in the pump. Finding a good espresso bean is important.

My son has the one in the original posting. He makes it work, but since he is a coffee snob (has his own side gig roasting coffee) he is saving for a higher end machine. I think it is adequate for the regular user though my DIL has some trouble with it (I think she just likes to have my son serve her a latte with a pretty leaf or heart on it;).

It you're not a real coffee lover, it seems a lot of money. You can get machines with the soft pods that are a fraction of the cost, and heat and froth your milk in a pan. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Senseo&ref=nb_sb_noss

$500 seems pricey to me for a coffee maker, but I suppose the one you referred to is more than just a percolator. I put some instant coffee in a cup, sweetener, chocolate powder if desired, and some creamer. I add water while mixing, then put it in the microwave at full power for 1 min 15 sec and I have a cup of hot drink. I make a cut of tea the same way. The results tastes fine for me, however, if one is entertaining and several cups are needed, a coffee maker makes sense.

It does get good reviews although one review on whole latte love says the torque to insert the portafilter is too much. I have that issue with my Gaggia pro classic.

I would buy it.

At the time I was researching similar espresso makers, somewhere I read that the internal water system in the Brevile will corrode and this came about because I bought a used, but new looking, breville espresso maker and it stopped heating water after 2 months. An electrical engineer friend took it apart and told me what the issue was and the corrosion on the heating.

Anyway, while deep researching, (not page one on google lol) I read the Gaggia had a great heating system and was better than the Breville. That was the only reason I bought the Gaggia over a Breville. That and a few other minor things.

Gaggia or Breville this is a good article

When considering the Breville I learned it was supposed to make great "micro foam" for lattes.

Apparently the Gaggia makes wonderful foam for a dry cappuccino, my morning drink of choice.

And regarding beans, they are a personal thing, I've tried many of the top rated ones, the latest being Intelligentsia Black Cat, which I found vile, and keep coming back to Lavazza Super Crema and Starbucks espresso, which I like best of all but I keep exploring!

Bumblebeez, I like Illy. It's a secret, of course, embarrassing, practically like admitting to liking Nescafé.

Honestly, if you're going after a latte, I'd just keep it simple:

1) Medaglia D'oro instant espresso powder. No, I'm not kidding. We love really strong, bitter-but-smooth coffee so we do an 8-cup Chemex drip every day or so. Peet's Organic French Roast or Illy Intenso.

But this is my fallback and has been for decades. It makes dynamite mochas, too.

2) A simple battery-operated milk frother. We have a friend who adores steamed milk so I bought her this. She LOVES it.

Aerolatte Milk Foamer, The Original Steam-Free Frother

For less than $25 you can make your latte every morning, and quickly too.

My daughter and son-in-law bought me this one years ago. I don't like frothy milk in my lattes, so I heat it in a pan on the stove. This works like a charm and makes enough for 4 espressos. Or in my case: one large latte.

Find a roast that you like then find a maker. Espresso is a type of roast not a flavor.

I drink lattes only and I do like the crema that comes from the machine. I actually tried two stove top makers and they did not produce sufficient crema. And I usually don't bother frothing milk, I just heat it in the microwave. But that crema! Yum

Thank you, everyone!

BB,I had to google the definition of "crema"....I really am SO ignorant about coffee! ;)

Debby, can you tell me what that machine is called?

Jakkom, the Medagalia instant espresso powder sounds interesting.