UPDATED REVIEW: I loved everything about this machine (except the flimsy carafe) but am disappointed that it stopped working out of nowhere in under two years of use. I faithfully descaled and cleaned it and then one day I turned on the machine and...nothing. Everything turns on but the pump doesn't start. I have had pumps fail before but you can usually hear it before it ultimately fails and this gave no warning whatsoever. I also had to order a new carafe for it because of the cheap construction of the handle (which you can feel about to break when you brew more than a half carafe of coffee). I am so tired of buying coffee makers that last less than a year or 2. This machine has basic functionality and seemed solidly built and given the price of it, I feel like it should have had a longer lifespan...and a solid carafe. I finally gave up and purchased a $50 Krups which basically has the same functionality, a much more solid carafe, and is so inexpensive that at least I won't feel as bad if it doesn't last more than a year. It's too bad because the Smeg did brew a nice cup of coffee and was like a piece of art on the counter but none of that is worth the price tag when it lasts less than two years. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I love a good cup of coffee, and with the pandemic causing me to stay at home most of the time, it became even more important to be able to make a delicious brew at home. After my last two Cuisinart coffee machines fizzled out in just over a year in one instance, and in 8 months in another, I embarked on a search for a better coffee maker. One not made by Cuisinart. I had my eye on the Smeg because, well, it's a gorgeous machine. Since the appliance sits out on my counter 24/7, that is not a small consideration. It is like having a work of art on your countertop. I got the stainless steel model and it is a thing of beauty. I think I would have liked the white too, but that color is apparently exclusive to Williams Sonoma, and my local store did not have it in stock, and I needed this thing asap because the two days I spent not being able to make coffee at home were already two too many. Now to the most important question...does it brew a good cup of coffee? Oh my, it does. I cannot believe the difference between the cup this machine brewed and the one my old Cuisinart brewed, using the exact same coffee. The Smeg brewed coffee is so much smoother. I set the Aroma setting on the higher level, and it makes a huge difference in extracting the flavor of the coffee, although it does extend the brew time a bit. I use less coffee in this machine and get fuller flavor with no bitterness. The Smeg comes with a permanent filter, so you don't need to use a paper filter, but I am a fan of Illy coffee, which is very finely ground, so I use a #4 filter in the machine (as I have in other filterless machines) because it simply makes clean up a lot easier. I rinse the paper filter before putting it in to eliminate any paper taste transferring the coffee. Now let's address some of the criticisms in other reviews. Yes, it is true that the angle of the lid and the placement of the water reservoir makes it difficult to get the carafe angled perfectly to extract every last drop of water if you fill it with the carafe. Who cares? I simply use a water bottle to fill mine and it works perfectly. My old Cuisinart machines had the same issue. Warming time - yes, it is only 60 minutes, which is an issue for some people who like to brew a big pot and keep it warming all morning. You can always hit brew again when the machine turns off and the plate will warm again for 60 min, but really, all you are doing is making your coffee more bitter by leaving it on the plate for so long. Brew as much as you will drink in an hour, and then brew more if you want it. Your taste buds will thank you. Loudness of beeping - maybe people have much more sensitive ears than I do, but I didn't find that the Smeg's sounds were any louder than any other coffee machine I have used. Apparently, you can adjust the sound level in one of the settings, but I haven't used this setting, because frankly the default is fine for me. Complicated instructions - no, I did not find this to be true, unless 5 minutes of reading is complicated, because that is the time it took me to set this baby up. Yes, some of the settings require you to press two buttons at the same time, and the clock, horror of horrors, requires you to use the lever on the side to set the time. I actually found this slightly easier than having to press a button multiple times like you do on most other coffee makers, but at the end of the day, if this really bothers you, you don't have to set the clock terribly often anyway. Flimsy carafe handle - yes, the handle on the carafe seems a bit weak. Given the sturdiness of the machine itself it seems a bit odd that the carafe seems very cheap. I would definitely not put it in the dishwasher and I can see how the carafe handle could break after some use. Smeg should really address this. The cost of the replacement carafe is ridiculous given its flimsiness. This is a definite negative given the cost of the machine. In summary, this coffee maker looks stunning in your kitchen, brews a delicious cup of coffee, and is easy to use. It is more expensive than most other coffee makers with similar functions, which are fairly basic. If you need lots of bells and whistles, this machine is not for you. I just want a simple cup of coffee. I do think the Aroma setting is great and makes a big difference in the brew. I purchased an electric milk frother a few months ago and the use of it along with this coffee maker has really upped my home coffee game. Love it.
