Sunbeam EM6910 Cafe Series Espresso Machine Review

Good Points
Fast start up, dual thermoblock system allows you to pull the espresso and texture the milk at the same time. Very high quality output for a home machine - would have to spend a lot more (about twice as much) to get something appreciably better.
Well worth going to the "top end of the cheapies" price point to get the EM6910 if you are thinking of buying something a bit cheaper. This is streets ahead of other entry level machines and is comparable with much more expensive units.
Easy to use and consistent.

Bad Points
Build quality has been compromised to get the features for the dollars. We are on our second unit (replaced quickly and without fuss under warranty). On the first one the finish started to come off in some places after only a few months and then a circuit board packed it in after 8 months. Gave us a new machine which is running well. Given that it is good value anyway I would consider an extended warranty. (not generally into these but I think it a good investment here)

General Comments
Very good value for money, this machine provides excellent coffee quickly and reliably.

This is one of the two machines of choice for most home enthusiasts that expect to be able to drink better coffee than at your average cafe without messing around for hours or spending over $2K on the unit. Some purists get a bit sniffy about the automation and the "thermoblock" bzzt...bzzt...bzzt sound but that is not a problem for me.

The main contender against the Sunbeam in the sub AUD $1500 price bracket is the venerable Rancilio Silvia (available from specialty Barista supply houses for about AUD $750 - $850), For me the Sunbeam is the clear winner based on convenience - from turning it on to the first sip on the Sunbeam is about 6 minutes, for the Rancilio is about three times that if you want an equivalent cup.

The Sunbeam will deliver much better coffee than most "fully automatic" (ie, with built in grinder) equivalents in the AUD $1200+ price range and is easier to clean up and maintain.

Automatic modes are also a good option where not everyone in the household can be bothered messing around temperature surfing and fiddling every last parameter.

Make sure you pair it with a good conical burr grinder ! A good machine will make rubbish coffee using sub $100 "spice" grinders (with the rotating cutters). Again, the matching Sunbeam em480 cafe series grinder (plastic or stainless) is the machine of choice for home enthusiasts who like value for money. (one gripe is that I do not think the grinder is available in red to match the 6910R)

For an office machine a different set of requirements make this less of a clearly outstanding option but for making a few cups a day on short notice it would be quite a reasonable choice.