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Coffee drinkers who are trying to decide on an espresso maker have many different models and brands to choose from when making their selection. Many people prefer to choose top name espresso machines because they believe them to be the best in quality while others will choose an off the shelf model from the local big box retailer and hope it is a good choice. In the end, consumers need to know if there is a difference in choosing a top name espresso machine over an off-the-shelf machine before they buy. One way to determine this is to look at some of the features of the top name brands then go to the local big box retail store and compare features.

The first thing to compare is of course going to be pricing. There are inexpensive espresso makers that can be purchased for under a hundred dollars. On the other hand there are top of the line espresso makers that can cost upwards of five hundred dollars or more. The difference lies in the workmanship, the warranty and the features the machines bring.

There is an old saying that goes "you get what you pay for" and often it is a very true saying. If an espresso machine is going to be used every day for more than one drink then a low end machine is probably not going to hold up to the wear and tear. A lower priced machine will not have the quality workmanship that a higher priced machine; for example, the milk frothing tubes and other inner workings won't last as long as a higher priced machine that is made to last longer.

High end machines like the Delonghi and the Saeco have built-grinders with parts that are made of top quality materials that are made to last a lifetime. The things to look for end high end machines are those features that are not available on lower priced machines, such as the built in grinders or the ability to use pods and coffee beans.

The warranty is also a key factor that is different between a low end machine and a high-priced machine. Espresso machines that are purchased from retail stores off the shelf don't typically have the type of warranty that a high end machine has. High end machines are made with longevity in mind and have a warranty that backs up that workmanship.

High end machines know that they have to justify the price of their machines and so they make it a point to have espresso makers that hold up under extreme wear and tear. On the other hand, lower priced machines know that people don't expect as much and so they don't offer the same amount of warranty or promise in their machines.

In the end, the consume has to decide if they want their machine to have high quality craftsmanship and a warranty that back up that work or if they are only going to use their espresso maker occasionally and can live with little or no warranty. The bottom line rests in their hands.

Saeco product