I’ve had several espresso machines over the years. Last one was the 1200 Philips Carina that was done 2 years into my Asurion warranty (good idea that!). Now again I’m back to a manual machine which has so far met my expectations. At 20 bars of pressure it makes an impressive shot or 2 of espresso and isn’t too shabby with the steam wand also. Here’s my downsides: The pressure dial appears to be for show only at least on my machine. It is supposed to show appropriate pressure for steaming milk or espresso- dial barely creeps up a tiny bit…. Next the steaming wand. It is not removable to clean which for me is annoying. I have taken a photo of the little doo dad supposed to clear out the milk solids from the wand. Yikes! And speaking of the wand it is supposed to be able to twist into the drain so when clearing the steam wand it just sprays into that. (See photo- does not go that far…The machine does a decent job with no frills. I get steamed milk. The semi-automatic was a lot of fun but this little dude means serious business when it comes to brewing espresso. Just know the down-sides.FACTOID on CAPACITY ("Cups"): So much ambiguity about HOW MUCH IT MAKES. I measured it precisely. If you fill the provided pitcher with water to the "MAXIMUM" fill line ... that is 20 or 21 ounces.THEREFORE it is 2 1/2 cups (almost exactly) if you are putting 8 oz in each cup. [Some reviews mention 4 or 5 cups. That would ONLY be if they are using 4 or 5 oz MINI SIZED, cute, Coffee Cups.] This confusion is COMMON in the coffee makers manufacturing industry (both China made and Made in USA). So this Is to set the record straight.I GIVE IT 5 STARS BECAUSE ...1. Looks Good (red one) and NOT TOO BIG (bulky).2. Use & Operation is typical; it is intuitive and easy to use. ONE TOP lifts for adding BOTH coffee and water [it replaces one that had 2 tops to open; one to put coffee in and another for water ... an unnecessary wasted time and motion.]3. The water pour-in area is wide open making easy to pour a the crafe of water in w/o spill (unlike one it replaces, that cost 1/2 as much, so an upgrade here).IMPORTANT TIP: use finger trigger to LIFT LID on POT as you pour (for pouring water in and for pouring coffee out; this eliminates spillage some complained about). 4. Comes with nice permanent filter; goes in and fits nicely.5. It has only one button and one light ... ah ... SIMPLICITY! [Push button for on and lights up; push again and goes off and light goes out.]6. Manual is pretty good, written in china with bad English but not to bad as not to be understood.7. RE: Ration (Coffee to Water)? Not found. Comes with scooper. I am using 2 heaping scoops to a pot.8. Comes complete with the REUSUAGLE filter basket (has nice with little handle, clicks into place nicely when seated).9. Looks good in red, black and disco trim (they call it; a chrome looking band around it.)10 Top opens and closes nicely with one hand (some, like my last 2 others need 2 hands to hold while opening or do not close right).11. Used for a month now: tastes and works fine (including the auto-off timer).12. Claims to be "5 cups" ... and crafe is so marked. Bull! it is just 2 cups sized (based on a normal sized, not oversized mug).NOTE: All coffee maker manufacturers use their own crazy "cups count" calculation methodologies, so NEVER trust the stated "number of cups" ratings. If you got 5 cups out of this max brew, you would be using VERY DAINTIEST of cups (Queens tea perhaps).13. Makes tVERY HOT COFFEE (good for me).14. Water level window on side not good; like so many too dark to see contrast and tell how much water is in the water tank (unless use a flashlight or other very bright, direct light to read it).15. I don't consider myself an expert "coffee taster." But, for me, the result is good tasting coffee!16. Mid-Stream Coffee Pour function works very well.AUTO SHUT OFF FEATURE.Fact is: it has a preset keep-warm timer; it automatically shuts off in about one hour; it keeps coffee warm for that time. It has only one button/setting: ON or OFF. It has only ONE LIGHT (red one). So, you press start button & red light comes on ... light STAYS ON stays on during brewing AND ALSO throughout the WARM-KEEPING-time. The light goes off at expiration of keep warm time.THE MANUAL IS DEFiCIENT ... 1) NO MENTION of the AUTO SHUT-OFR feature and (2) UNCLEAR ON NUMBER OF CUPS.ITs GREAT. Looks good, compact, simple operation and functions well.COMPARISON to OTHER COFFEE MAKERS ...It is better than my last 3 other brands (including horrible and expensive Black and Decker, a Mr Coffee and some other brands; Those had many features and many problems. This is ultimate in Turn on and makes your coffee and keeps it warm and lets you pour a cup midstream while brewing and keeps it warm about an hour. What else is needed?BEST TIP: You do NOT need to pour slowly (to prevent spill) from the cafe if you just push the provided top opener (i.e. lifts the top and holdes it open) when pouring water in or coffee out. SO SIMPLE.So, many reviews mentioned that it doesn't achieve the espresso pressure as marked in the gage.I found this to be true while using the finest setting on my $60 Cuisinart coffee grinder. But I did get the desired pressure when I bought illy ground espresso. I also noticed my finest grind did not compare to the Illy preground espresso.So, I bought the breville smart pro coffee grinder. Like magic, I'm pulling shots that are in the espresso area of the gage on the Brevi. If you're having low pressure problems, you have to have a better grinder. Hard to hear when your budget is tight. But if you want real espresso. Yeah.So all in all. I've spent about $400. To get real espresso at home. I'm delighted. And honestly that's still a bargin to achieve real espresso. I love the gevi, and that it does have the gage. How would I know if I have prepared my shot properly without a way to measure the pressure.So I bought the gevi on prime day $180The breville at bed bath beyond with a 20% coupon. $160. The non pressurized baskets 2, $22. The apex distributor $22 .I'm set. Although Id like bottomless portafilter?Previously I've had a Nespresso machine for the last 6 years. And love the ease and fast convenience, but knew I was missing the quality.Go for it, but you have to have a great grinder. I admit, I was a grinder skeptic until now.Good luck!I have seen many good and bad reviews. I almost didn’t buy this machine because many reviews mention that pressure gauge doesn’t work. I purchased this espresso machine and we absolutely love it. There is some knowledge required to extract espresso from coffee beans. Tamper pressure, how fine the grounds you are using are, and the amount of grounds that are used, all contribute to the pressure of the brew as well as the quality of espresso. Obviously this isn’t an industrial grade espresso maker, but it has the ability to make high quality espresso. We had a cheap Nespresso pod brewer and it very much so under brewed the espresso. This is a much better machine for the extra $50. Before purchasing any espresso maker, you should have some knowledge of making espresso and please ensure you have quality beans and a good quality coffee grinder that can grind extra fine grounds. Super happy and highly recommend.I really like this. If you know me, you also know I don’t *really* like many things.Very easy to use early in the morning when I’m blurry from sleep.The only drawback is the noise when the foaming function is on. That will bother neighbors if sustained.