I have owned several espresso machines from inexpensive to exorbitant. I have never tried the Delonghi brand until recently but I'm now a huge fan. This little machine performs just as well as my largest most expensive espresso machine. I now exclusively use the Delonghi Dedica Arte which is well worth it as a small footprint saves me a lot of counter space. I have not experienced any problems using it however I do recommend a thorough read through of the instructions for new users. The machine cleans up quickly and easily and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys great tasting espresso at home.