Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

If you listen to Starbucks and think this is a one stop latte machine you're not paying attention. You don't get 16 ounces of frothed milk from a tiny pod of powdered milk and water. My advice is to avoid the milk pods altogether, this machine shines as an espresso machine so I use it primarily for that. I usually prefer cold lattes, so I get my two shots of espresso from one pod, add any syrup, then the cold milk, then pour over ice. The espresso heats the syrup so it mixes well and doesn't end up all on the bottom, and the milk cools the espresso so it doesn't melt the ice. Tastes just like going into Starbucks, but a hell of a lot cheaper and easier. As far as the espresso, I love it. Just as good as the multi thousand dollar commercial machines make. The pods are obviously more expensive than buying whole beans and grinding them, but not so much more expensive that I care really given the convenience. A dollar for the pod, plus the milk and syrup isn't the cheapest option but it beats the $5 the barista charges you. It's faster than waiting in line in Starbucks, and it's in your kitchen. As for portion sizes, that's how big espresso shots are supposed to be, though again yes the milk pods do not magically produce 4 times the volume in milk. I have also tried the chai tea pods, and those are excellent as well. I think Starbucks made an awesome pod espresso machine, decided most people wouldn't buy it if it didn't say latte on the box so they worked out a halfassed way to make frothy powdered milk in the espresso machine. People get these home and expect to make exactly what they get at Starbucks and think the whole machine is no good when the milk sucks. If you need frothed milk there are plenty of other dedicated machines that can do that far better than this one can.