The Saeco 30013 Traditional. You can find it on Amazon for around $350.

good question - my girlfriend and i are looking into one of these as well.

Hey sweetie. We love our Saeco Talea Ring. http://www.amazon.com/Sae...

I like to make my espresso with a Moka Pot. http://www.vimeo.com/7837...

check the last two windows Weeklies from TWIT Paul and Leo talk about the two they have.

Have a Starbucks built near your house (warning: highly addictive, expensive, oh-so worth it).

You gotta go for an old refurbished type. :)

I love the Hammer 1350.

http://youtube.com/watch?...

Second for the Saeco - its a fraction of the price of the big boys and works very very well. It builds pressure with a pump (reaching 15 bars) vs using heat to build the pressure (which burns the drink)... I've been doing a lot of research myself and it seems like you cannot beat the saeco for the price...check costco, about $50 cheaper than amazon

Check out the Clover coffee machine. I saw this video of it a couple of weeks ago.

http://link.brightcove.co...

Actually forget the clover...i've just seen the cost..Ouch.

Luckily the company just got bought by Starbucks , so expect to see them everywhere soon :)

Leo Laporte, The podcast King, uses a high-end illy Francis Francis (x5), $650; whereas his co-host on Windows Weekly, Paul Thurrot, recommends Ariete Cafe Prestige 1375 from Lello, $139. http://www.twit.tv/ww58

I' m a simple bumpkin - a plain, well-roasted black coffee w/sugar for me. ciao V.

Its not cheap, but I would totally recommend the Astra Pro http://coffeegeek.com/rev...

If I wanted a home espresso machine and had the money, its what I would get. But since we have professional espresso machines here at work, I get to use it here :)

I've used the Saeco Barista that Starbucks has sold for ages. Mine is about 10 years old and works great. I think it retails for $399 in the all stainless steel version ($50 less for the enamel finish in various colors) but they put it on sale several times a year. So far I've had to replace the main gasket that the brewhead basket locks into, but that was only $10 from Saeco's website, and easy to replace myself. Like Nick said, it builds pressure with a pump, so you get better extraction from the coffee, and effective steaming pressure that is regulated separately. They sell much more pricey models too, so it depends on how automated you want the process to be.

your going to love this one... http://www.amazon.com/Aer...

At work we have one from Lavazza, decent machine, works good too, check'em out.

Yes, its called Starbucks. V, GOOD fucking espresso machines are EXPENSIVE!

Use the SOCK!!

I know I'm late to this espresso post but I've always relied on the Bailetti Moka stovetop maker. It's cheap and as long as you have a heat source you can make a decent cup.
http://www.bialettiusa.co...

I have a Illy Francis X1 at home and it's really good machine.
http://www.illyusa.com/AB...

I've been working in coffee shops for the past 4 years. I recommend this machine because of 15 bars of pressure and you won't be locked in to some dumb prepackaged espresso cup. You can get the coffee that you like or try new coffees. You don't have to use espresso roast to make espresso either. And my last tip is light roast beans have MORE caffeine .
http://www.compuplus.com/...

Leo and Paul were talking about it on the latest Windows weakly,
or maybe it was coffee machines ?

Oh caffene makes me forget .
LOL

I work for starbucks and the best one you can get is the Rialto. Go in there and ask for it, dont be afraid to haggle :)

I'd look at the Ariete Cafe Prestige or the DeLonghi both should be available at Amazon ... they should be around $100 - $150.

I say one of the good old fashioned Italian stove top models. But my favorite is the Bodum Granos. It looks amazing, and makes wonderful espresso for the price, easily! Please check it out. You will not regret it.

Hi Veronica, if your are truly about espresso you will first shop for a capable espresso grinder. The espresso machine is secondary. Why can't you get a superb spro at *$? First it's the ingredients. ....

I have a Jura Capresso Impressa S8 (essentially the same as the S9 reviewed here: http://www.coffeegeek.com...), which is certainly convenient. I think the next go-around is going to be a La Spaziale S1, however...http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/commercial/laspaziale_s1

I recommend the Delonghi EC710 if you can get one in the states...

My recommendation is DON'T GET ONE. They are all a pain in the neck to set up, and more importantly, CLEAN. Keep your neighborhood "barista" employed, and buy your java there....ready made, hassle free.

I use a Melita personal machine for my office even if there is a Tim Horton's across the street. It's not very good for cappuccino, but if you need a 'espresso allonge' in a hurry and have a bag of Lavazza, there is nothing better. I paid about 75 loonies for it. Sure it's not a pro model, but it won't brown out the office power either.

Starbucks Barista! You can get them at starbucks. I also recommend the espresso pods if you are into single shots. All the wonderful taste and creme without all the messy esspresso ground cleanup.

I agree with Eric Anderson,use a Moka Pot.
I use it myself and the Espresso is Perfect!

I love my Nespresso machine... it's so fast and clean up is a breeze. got mine at Williams Sanoma and they have samples to show you how good pre-pressed can be. If you don't like the mess and like to sometimes get a quick cup on your way out the door...I'd check it out.

I actually second the Melitta. I've been using the same machine since 2002. It's simple and inexpensive. Like any espresso machine it must be maintained, but that mostly just means using a little extra water each time to blow out the steam wand when your done and occasionally descaling it.
They don't sell the exact machine I use anymore, but here's a link to the nearest think from the same company. https://shop.melitta.com/...