I'm not to familiar with espresso machines but this one works great for me. You will need to read the guide or you will possibly be lost unless you know how to work them. Its not too difficult but something new, you may need some help. It heats up rather quickly so theres no long wait. It's not an overly large machine so it fits on my counter without taking up so much space. It's easy to clean as well which is a huge plus. It doesnt make super strong drinks but more of a medium. I'm not a super strong drinker anyways so this works out well for me. I really like it! It is stainless steel with a 1.2 quart tank which is easy to fill up. High quality and seems as it will last a while!