This machine is much quieter than the machine it replaced (a 10 year-old machine from a well-known manufacturer), it makes very nice espresso. It heats up quickly for making espresso -- and it heats up to steaming temperature quickly too, which is nice...

The cup holding the ground espresso is unforgivingly exact. I use the same 1 tbsp scoop that I used with my older machine, but the older machine held a bit more than 2 Tbsp of coffee in the cup -- so I could put in two scoops of coffee and it would not...

Easy to use ; Warms up very quickly ; Brews a great cup(s) of espresso ; Crema is plentiful with this unit ; Easy to clean ; Looks good on the counter top

Steaming Milk is quite loud, but I don't think this would be avoidable no matter the make or model