I knocked one star for the loudness of the machine, and because the price of the pods which is too near cafe prices in my opinion if you drink them plain and compare with plain coffees/Americanos at the shops. Home use machines should be vast amounts cheaper than coffee shops, by comparison. That's the point of brewing at home rather than going to the shop, is to save loads of money.I spend about $200 a month on a major coffee chain. I actually prefer Nespressos taste on some pods, and at least liked ALL the samples I tried. I spent a while trying different coffee machines at home and was always let down. I then realized I should be making espresso for what I like, so I tried a cheap espresso machine and it always came out lukewarm and was difficult for an amateur to master.Then I bought this masterpiece of a machine. Simple to use and I'm overjoyed with it. It has the right amount of water and grounds automatically, and throws the used pod down to the chamber for easy disposal and cleaning later on. It also tastes better to me. I made a couple plain lattes and they were great. Got to find the right percent of espresso and milk for you. I actually prefer the 'lungo' option plain to lattes because the grounds are tasty. I think it's pretty close to an Americano. It's thicker and richer and fuller and has a crema, as well, which I much prefer all of those things to the drink I used to love at the cafe. I used to live to get my coffee there and now I have had no cravings for it. In fact I crave Nespressos instead. I think my cravings for Nespresso are stronger than my cravings for the cafe were. I do wish the machine brewed more, as I'm used to 16+oz cups of coffee like it's a 3-4oz. When I first used it I remember saying aloud "thats it??" And I'm sure a lot of others experienced the same thing on their first use. I knew it wasn't much, but it still threw me off to see it in the mug. But depending on what you like (and what you try as alternatives in the machine) you can save money with a Nespresso.PRICE COMPARISON WITH CAFES:-Lattes at home vs at cafe---If you buy a $5-6 latte at this particular chain, possibly plus tip, you'd be saving big by making your own with the easy and tasty Nespresso pods (about $.70 per pod on the nespresso website. Free shipping on bulk orders over $50).-Straight from the machine vs cafe coffee---As for Americano or black coffee fans, the price difference isn't as great. At around $.70 a pod, it's $2.10 for three shots to make your own 12oz of lungos, vs about $2.45 (without tip) at the cafe chain for around the same size. So if you intend to drink it plain in the hopes it'll save you money, unless you try a cheaper non-nespresso brand of espresso pods or a reusable/refillable pod or sealing cap, you won't be saving as much. Or if you only really want 3-4oz of espresso in the morning.Cheaper options to Nespresso pods---there is also third party brand coffee in Nespresso compatibe pods to try for cheaper here on Amazon, not to mention the reusable plastic or metal pods I intend to check out with mine. Or the resealable lids for reusing old pods as well.I tried to cover a used pod with foil and reuse it like I saw on a YouTube video before buying the machine, but the bulk of the foil folded over the edges (no matter how small I snipped the foil down to) kept it from spinning in the machine, and the puncturing mechanism couldn't poke adequate holes in the loose fitting foil. I tried a few times to get it tight and smooth, but it would be a waste of grounds to do that every day until you get it right. Also you have to insert the used Nespresso pod at the same angle as the first time to avoid punching three new holes in the bottom. Over all not a good alternative for saving money that way. Makes more sense to buy the lid replacements on Amazon, but you'd still get limited use out of used pods, as eventually the holes re-poked at the bottom each time would get too big and water down the espresso.CONCLUSIONS:Either way it's worth it in my opinion for the (for me, at least) better quality coffee at an slightly to moderately lesser price point depending on what you're making with it. Not to mention you don't have to drive down to the cafe and spend unnecessarily on car gas for a coffee run. And you get that crema which is fun, you don't even have to froth the milk for lattes if you don't want to. You can make all the same fancy drinks at the coffee shop for cheaper once you get it right. Making the espresso is the easiest part.CONSIDERATIONS:-The machine is VERY loud. Like a blender. It brews quickly, though. It could wake up a light sleeper in another room. Not sure if other Nespresso models are quieter.-It is literally the easiest coffee or espresso machine I've ever used. No wonder pod machines are so popular.-Also, like I mentioned earlier, it makes 3oz cups in espresso and 4oz cups in lungo, so keep that in mind if you like a large cup. You may need to brew 2 or 3 pods.If you've been looking for an automatic espresso machine with the minimum acceptable 15 bar (this is 19), for under $100 US, though pump driven, the new Inissia is the model you and I have been waiting for. You will soon find, that for the budget, this little gem was worth the wait!For comparison, the U is about $150 (depending on model, and without frother), the Essenza can be found for under $100 from time to time, and the rest of the line jumps up (eg. Pixie, others with milk frother options) to over $200 and well upwards from there.The coffee, if bought on Nespresso's website, ranges from .50 to .70, depending on whether you insist on pure Arabica (and you should!). Amazon and it's vendors do both better and worse than this, so you HAVE to shop if you want to maintain your budget. Because of the skyrocketing popularity of this line, there are many more fulfillment by Amazon and Prime options now if you hunt for them.Also, Sams and Costco have started carrying this line, but both of them locally (assuming Amazon charges tax in your area-- some fullfillment by do not), are a $40 savings on this Inissia at this writing if you buy on Amazon. Because Inissia does not have the downside of ruining cups with experimentation you find with the Essenza, it is already becoming hard to find.How can ANYONE deliver 19 bar, in a dependable machine, for under $100? Well, they can't. This machine costs about $290 to manufacture bare bones. So, yes, this IS razor and blade and you ARE married to buying the little cups from Nespresso. There is NO BETTER WAY to get low cost, high quality espresso, with the convenience of automated brewing as simple as drip, for far less than Starbucks, even with the razor/blade strategy.That said, I'm a Barista instructor, and if you do take the time to buy green, roast your own, and use a Moka pot, though technically not espresso at 6 bar, you can get better coffee, more controlled by you, for a LOT less per cup. But here comes some honesty my students would kill me for: YES, sometimes I prefer fast coffee, far better than Starbucks, fully automated, easy clean up, and zero work! I still roast my own and use a variety of techniques from Moka to Turkish to get a devlish range of wonderful tastes, but for the effort, this new little Inissia truly fills the bill!The Barista association has been kind enough to let me try a full range of machines and techniques on their dime for over 7 years, and I've worked with espresso makers and systems that range from Mr. Coffee to $35,000 commercial machines. I can't say much more than the fact that THIS is the model I've waited for, even though I was painfully tempted by the Essenza. And also be warned, if you move beyond Nespresso for a modular system, you are NOT getting true espresso, but razor and blade drip.If you read criticisms on the web that Nespresso has a poor range of offerings between first crack, City ++ and deeply dark, oily espresso, check the date on the review/complaint. I've now found that their range is just as broad and deep as any direct green or roasted bean you can get. Nothing is as good as roasting and grinding your own, but even with sophisticated taste buds, this system comes very close, and is certainly WAY better than Starbucks. Besides, even roasters/ Moka folk need a break once in a while, and will unlikely settle for drip when they can even get Americano if you like it less strong, with this system!The other models in this series are known for durability and ethical customer service from Nespresso, but at this writing no one can tell you that about their newer technologies. I can tell you that poor mechanical performance would kill this at Sams before they even got out of the gate, so I'm betting on durability, but can't honestly opine on that parameter.All in all, highly recommended. Please use the comment and question features for any details you need, or email me, or check out the Nespresso dot com website for details between models, or questions you might have on this little gem. As a bonus, if you check their site, you get to see Jimmy Kimmel trying the brand with Penelope Cruz, not a reason to buy, but still FUN! ;=)eMailer answer: YES, this does accommodate large cups, unlike the Essenza, and yes, you can just push a button without having to time the brew.I was given one about three years ago and I used it until it died. I bought this One and it works just as good as the first. I love it. I have the espresso cups and it makes a perfect 2 ounce cup. I buy MAUD’S ESPRESSO PODS They’re pretty good. I will buy again when this one dies lolThis coffee machine is dreadful! I've had a Nespresso machine for 10 years and bought this as a replacement.It frequently jams and squashes the capsules. I'm not surprised that it has been discontinued!! I'd like to return it, but don't have the packaging. Please help!!Jean [email protected] disliked nothing that's why i bought the machine.Purchased machine. Unable to use to not being UK PlugAbsolutely fantastic