Customer Reviews

Saeco Caffe Charisma Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Black

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really liked the feature set on this machine... Double punch a button and it goes through the cycle twice. Easy to program the amount of water for the single and double shot buttons. Rapid response from steam to making coffee. Well placed and easy to use milk frother.

But it kept telling me it was out of beans when it wasn't. So, I'd have to take out the brew group and clean it and put it back (this happened every other day). It said it was out of water when only half empty (that makes the 45 oz tank effectively a 22 oz tank) so it needed constant refilling. The bypass thing for decaf coffee put most of the grounds all over the inside of the machine and just eject hot water - not decaf coffee. (I have to admit i just used the only thing available at the time which was folgers decaf from a can - it might have worked better with freshly ground decaf) The on/off switch and water tank in the back were sort of inconvenient being under the counter (the swivel base did help some, but it was still akward) ...

So, after using the Charisma for about 2 weeks, I went out and bought the Delonghi Magnifica.

It has a 60 oz water tank and uses at least 50 ounces before it says it needs refilling. The on/off switch is on the front. The water tank slides out from the front and so is much easier to remove and refill. It only tells me it's out of beans when it is out of beans. The bypass even works with folgers decaf. After steaming milk it won't make coffee until it cools down to 195 degrees. It makes me wonder if the Charisma really cooled down quicker? or just used hotter water? I figured out on the Delonghi that I could just turn off the steam and eject some hot water into my cup and it cooled down in a few seconds (and heated my cup at the same time - thus a con turned into a pro). When I want a double shot - I have to push the button, let it make cofee and then push the button again. But since it takes only 45 seconds to grind, pack, send the water through, and get ready for the next shot - that's not a big deal, and I'd have never even thought of that if I hadn't tried the Charisma first.

I think the frother on the Charisma is better because it makes less foam and seems to fit in the milk container better (the Delonghi has this big flange at the top that gets in the way). But if you like lots of foam, then the Delonghi wouldn't be a problem.

The Charisma has separate water amount settings for the single and double shot buttons - where the Delonghi has one knob that seems to affect both.

I haven't figured out on either machine what the single/double shot buttons are supposed to do. I know they give you more water - but the size of the coffee puck that is ejected is definitely not twice as large on the double-shot setting? So, it seems you just get weaker coffee?

The biggest problem with the Delonghi is that it comes with a free can of Illy coffee which made the best tasting cappucino I've ever had! and then I find out it costs $13 for an 8.8 oz can of Illy beans. That's depressing.

I actually had a hard time deciding between the two machines. I liked the way the Charisma worked a bit better than the Delonghi. I just felt like it was higher maintenance with the small water tank and false warning about being out of beans. So, in the end - I kept the Delonghi and returned the Charisma.

I purchased my Charisma in Feb. 2004 My Machine Died on March of 2006, 1 month after my warranty expired.(I had recieved an additional years warranty when I purchased the machine) The cost of the repairs came to $225.00. I Sold the machine. I felt that a machine that cost $700.00 should last alot longer than 2 years. The technician that repaired the machine said that Charisma has had alot of problems due to a leaky valve that shorts out the circut board. If you have a repair center near you I would recommend a regular tune up. This costs about $30.00.Yes I loved my machine until it died, however a 1 year warranty is not enough when you consider how much it cost to begin with and how much it will cost to repair. Don't you think if Saeco really believed they make a great product that they would stand behind it with a great warranty. Even Bunn gives a 3 year warranty.

I purchased this machine as a "refurb" in silver color here on Amazon.com for half the price of the black one new. Normally the silver version is $100 more than the black one (on Saeco's own USA outlet site they are selling the silver refurbs for $600 so for $369 here on Amazon with the $25 housewares coupon that is frequently offered, this was a great deal! The machine looked brand new, other than the fact it came in a plain brown box. For a savings of $300 to $400 over the same model new, I am quite happy with the condition of the machine I received. The box says "Refurbished Class A" so maybe Amazon is getting only the cream of the refurb crop from the U.S. Distributor (Cafe West Dist.). I have had the machine for about a week now and have really put it through its paces (around 30 to 40 shots already). I set the machine to make long pulls at approx. 4 ounces and espresso shots at 1 oz. The coffee comes out quite nice with a decent crema on it. When it makes coffee the machine is quite loud with three thumping noises as the inside machinery whirls around and does its magic. I do not mind this but if you have light sleepers in your household it might wake them up. The product manual is not very clear and it takes a while to figure out what the different blinking lights mean (i.e., steady light no so and so means bean hopper empty while blinking light so and so means you need to empty the pucks out of the machine). Also emptying the pucks means you have to open the access door, slide out the drip tray and then remove the puck box, which is inserted into the drip tray. This procedure is a little much but can be done quickly once you are used to it. Everything I have read on these machines says that if you perform normal maintainence (i.e., remove and clean brewing mechanism and brew group once a week, descale when machine says to, etc.) they will last a long time. People that do not maintain them seem to have trouble with them (like any finely tuned machine you need to keep it clean, etc.). Overall, I rate this machine a 4 because even though the coffee is decent it does not make as nice a shot as a high end manual machine, but I wanted speed and convenience and that is what I got. If I have any problems I will update this review but so far I am quite happy with the product I received.

We just received the Saeco Caffe Charimsa a couple days ago and my husband and I have been having so much fun making all sorts of coffee drinks. We've invited friends and neighbors over to enjoy this machine with us and everyone says it is the best cup of coffee they've had...ever! That's a huge compliment to Saeco. This was my husband's birthday gift from me, he is very happy with it and I am happy to see that he is enjoying it every morning. Worth every penny! It's so easy to use and is quite attractive.

I have owned this item for 3 years. it performs well, but has been back in the shop 3 times. There is a design flaw in the steamer valve, that needs to be replaced when it starts leaking. If you leave it too long it will short out the front panel circuit board. Keep it clean using a descaler, every month or so, and use distilled water(cuts down on calcium)
Other than that it makes great coffee.

I love this product. Everyone thinks I'm crazy for spending so much ($750 w/free shipping from Aabree Coffee Co.) but it truly is worth every penny. I love this product and I am glad that I purchased it. You must taste it to believe it. The only issue that I might have with this unit is the noise...but it more than compensates for the freshly ground espresso that it delivers!

This machine makes the BEST cup of coffee. It's easy to operate and maintenance is minimal. I love getting up in the morning (or anytime of the day for that matter) and just pushing a button and getting a perfect cup of coffee.

THIS MACHINE IS SO EASY TO USE. MAKES AN EXCELLCENT CUP OF ESPRESSO AND CAPUCCINO. IT IS FULLY AUTOMATIC. YOU JUST PRESS A BUTTON. NO MESS, NO CLEAN UP. AFTER SEVERAL CUPS YOU EMPTY THE BREWWED GRINDS. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. I ONLY WILL BOTHER TO WRITE
REVIEWS ON SOMETHING IS SO EXCELLCENT.

The other reviewers keep referring to the "low bean" light which is in fact the sensor for the receptacle that catches the pucks of used coffee. The sensor is set to go off every 8 cups and will only reset if the drip tray and receptacle are removed from the machine for 30 seconds or so. It states this clearly in the instruction manual. I find it easiest to keep a nalgene water bottle next to the machine and fill it up with water to add to the reservoir instead of removing the whole thing. I gave this machine four stars instead of five because I'm concerned about the durability. The machine's brew head is plastic and from my experience plastic machines usually don't last very long under the heat and pressure necessary to make good coffee. I would be interesed to hear what a user that has had the machine longer than a year or two would say. All in all though I would suggest this machine for someone who wants good coffee without a hassle. I have a routine that makes two cappuchinos and the machine is off and clean within about 5 minutes.

I asked & received this machine for xmas from my husband. Every other time I used it I had a problem with it. Finally the "low-bean" light started blinking and never went off no matter how much I emptied and cleaned all the inside of the machine, and added and subtracted beans. It is also a very flimsy machine. It doesn't feel sturdy when you are working with it. The manual is so difficult to read and doesn't help. Do yourself a favor and do NOT buy this machine. I am returning it tomorrow (after 4 days of using it) and will never buy Saeco again. If they are not willing to use tight quality control on their products (I read some other reviews like mine meaning this is not an isolated incident)they are not using it on any of their products.