by De'Longhi Lattissima Touch EN550W Automatic Coffee Machine - Black

I discovered years ago the speed and convenience of Nespresso machines, and the wonderful coffee they make. But until now I've put up with a primitive stove top maker, assuming that convenience comes at a (prohibitive) price! The luxury branding as a premium, top-end product reinforced this impression, and for years I've set aside 5 minutes each morning for a routine which ends in washing coffee grounds from my hands. Then a few weeks ago an accountant friend who is obsessively careful with his own money, dropped into a lunchtime conversation that he had bought himself a Nespresso machine, and was now saving money hand over fist by spending less in coffee shops. Our highly paid IT contractor friend and I protested in a superior manner that our stove tops were cheaper to run, representing a more traditional and somehow "purer" approach to making coffee. But the seeds of doubt were sown. By coincidence shortly after that conversation I spent four nights in a hotel in which Nespresso machines and a small range of free capsules were provided to guests. The penny soon dropped that - although Nespresso coffee is twice as expensive by weight as the best ground coffee sold loose in supermarkets, the machines are so efficient that only half the coffee is required for the same strength as a cup from a stove top. And highly-reviewed reusable steel capsules available on Amazon give Nespresso owners the freedom to use loose coffee in any case! Anyway, back to the Lattissima Touch... Not sure if other reviewers have mentioned it but the machine is made in Italy, where manufacturing standards are amazingly high nowadays. Apart from the satisfaction of buying a European-made product, the design and build quality of this one are simply awesome. It is such a great feature to be able to remove the milk container from the front of the machine straight to the fridge, without even pressing a button. The machine is stylish, fuss-free, works beautifully and is great value. It also has the immense advantage over perhaps every other machime in this price range of making a cappuccino or lungo with a single button press. I simply can't fault it. Sampling the 16 different capsules is also huge fun, and they are all flavoursome and diverse - I expect to be placing copious orders in the coming year!

The seller has been so helpful in getting us up and running with this great coffee machine which holds lots of milks for our various coffees and fits in our space perfectly. Great seller. Thanks so much.

Firstly, the packaging is outstanding, easy to open, easy to lift the machine out the box, easy to setup, if you get one you'll understand what I'm on about. Started out on a high note, that's why I mention it.Setup was easy, just read the first few pages of the manual, test your water with the included tester, flush it, your done.Now I am a decaf drinker, even for us poor souls, lol, there are four different varieties of official Nespresso capsules, way more than other machines, not to mention lots more compatible capsules from other manufacturers. For regular coffee drinkers there are lots, lots more. The machine comes with I think 18 different pods included. Handy for me when friends visit.I also ordered all four types of decaf from a supplier on Amazon and a stand to keep them in.I tried the decaf Lungo and right away my first words were, "OMG, That's a good coffee", I can see me knocking a few of those back during the day, delicious. The other three were just as good and of varying intensity. Delicious.Now for the milk frother, finally!!!, someone has mastered no mess froth. The froth was thick and the milk hot and delicious, exactly what I'd hoped for and a million miles away from my previous Senseo Latte Select machine. Super easy to clean, just one button push. Your ready for the next cup. The jug is easy to fit and remove and it fits in the fridge drawer. It does need a full clean every two days by hand or in the top shelf of the dishwasher. Easy peasy, I got the latte I was expecting with very little noise compared to the steam whistle of my old machine, lol.Early days, but I'm loving it's looks, simplicity, ease of cleaning, six coffee styles and above all the taste and quality over my old Senseo and my Tassimo, this is definitely better than both.