Before getting this machine I read lots of reviews and comparisons and still thought it was a great option for the pricepoint. It is a good machine, pretty quiet especially when steaming and it steams very well. The reviews say that the steamer is either on or off and is quite fierce and it certainly is the case,there is no chance of a gentle vortex, but does aerate milk well. My main challenge is getting the perfect crema and I cant find the right adjustment/grind/temperature/water pass through etc (only had it three weeks but so far think its a great buy)