First I really like this machine. The controls are easy and mostly intuitive. It comes with the bare minimum of what youll need to get started accessory wise. The improvements Ive decided to make are: 1)Non/pressurized basket. 2)Bottomless portafilter. 3)Calibrated tamper. 4)Coffee distributor. 5)Dosing funnel. 6)Knock box. 7)Frothing pitcher. While these are not a must have I find they just make the experience better from a consistency and cleanup prospective. As long as you use the stock pressurized basket you dont really need a distributor and tamper. The first bottomless portafilter I bought was apparently designed for DeLonghi and didnt fit (the locking ears are a little too thick and wide). I found one that looks like it will fit but has not arrived yet, Ill link it below along with the other parts I chose that do work. If the linked portafilter doesnt work Ill update my review in a few days. In conclusion This machine has thus far met my expectations and I am happy with it. I personally like the buttons and overall design better than the competing Delonghi I was considering. If you want a fancy portafilter and have some crafting skills I believe someone skilled with a dremel and grinding/cutting disk could modify a Delonghis locking ears to make it fit. Though I dont recommend it unless you are skilled.
DeLonghi portafilters dont fit.
First I really like this machine. The controls are easy and mostly intuitive. It comes with the bare minimum of what youll need to get started accessory wise. The improvements Ive decided to make are: 1)Non/pressurized basket. 2)Bottomless portafilter. 3)Calibrated tamper. 4)Coffee distributor. 5)Dosing funnel. 6)Knock box. 7)Frothing pitcher. While these are not a must have I find they just make the experience better from a consistency and cleanup prospective. As long as you use the stock pressurized basket you dont really need a distributor and tamper. The first bottomless portafilter I bought was apparently designed for DeLonghi and didnt fit (the locking ears are a little too thick and wide). I found one that looks like it will fit but has not arrived yet, Ill link it below along with the other parts I chose that do work. If the linked portafilter doesnt work Ill update my review in a few days. In conclusion This machine has thus far met my expectations and I am happy with it. I personally like the buttons and overall design better than the competing Delonghi I was considering. If you want a fancy portafilter and have some crafting skills I believe someone skilled with a dremel and grinding/cutting disk could modify a Delonghis locking ears to make it fit. Though I dont recommend it unless you are skilled.