A Coffee Machine That's More Hit-or-Miss Than I'd Like

I'm not exactly a coffee aficionado, but I do love a good cup of joe.

I've tried all sorts of coffee makers, from super simple instant coffee to fancy-schmancy espresso machines, and even a geyser coffee machine, and now I've finally got a coffee machine.

Here's what the official website says about this model:

This coffee machine works fully in automatic mode. You can choose the grind level, brewing time, strength, and even the volume of your coffee in a cup. The coffee grinder is made from heat-treated stainless steel.

This machine can make the following drinks: latte, espresso, lungo, Americano, ristretto, and cappuccino.

Here are the machine's specs:

Series: 5

Power: 1455 W

Adjustable spout height: up to 14 cm

Adjustable coffee strength: 3 levels

Coffee container capacity: 250 g

Water container capacity: 2.2 l

Display: Symbolic

Grind level adjustment: 3 levels

Cappuccino preparation: Semi-automatic

Pressure: 15 Bar

Material: ABS plastic

Color: Black matte, chrome details

Simultaneous brewing of two cups: Yes

Adjustable doser for cup height: Yes

AROMATICA aroma system: Yes

Shuttle control: Yes

Ability to use ground coffee: Yes

Hot water dispenser: Yes

Cup holder: Yes

ECO energy-saving mode: Yes

Zero-energy shutdown: Yes

Automatic cleaning programs: Yes

Automatic water level control: Yes

Automatic descaling: Yes

Water hardness adjustment: Yes

Water level indicator: Yes

Power indicator: Yes

Waste container: Yes

Removable drip tray: Yes

Cleaning tablets: Yes

Cable management: Yes

Three-level temperature programming: Yes

I'll be upfront – I'm a sucker for coffee with syrups, foam, and all sorts of add-ins. Straight-up coffee is just not my thing, and I only drink it rarely.

When I first met this coffee machine, I was determined to get the flavor just right, just like my favorite pour-over.

I wanted the finished drink to be smooth, without any acidity or bitterness, and not too watery.

Getting the settings just right took some trial and error – water quantity, water hardness, coffee strength, and grind size were all variables to consider, not to mention the milk, syrups, and experimenting with different coffee bean brands.

I was blown away by how well Lavazza in the beans turned out – no acidity, no bitterness. The result was a rich, balanced drink that's hard to beat. I've had some amazing coffee in my time, but Tchibo Barista is still my top pick.The machine's settings are pretty straightforward – you can get the hang of it in a couple of days. There aren't any particularly innovative features to speak of.

One thing I've noticed is that spare parts are pretty easy to find in stores - the frother, containers, or filters. The brew head comes off completely for cleaning and maintenance. Plus, there are two automatic descaling programs, or you can manually clean the machine. You can also install a water filter and set up daily cleaning.

To be honest, the only weak point I've found is the lid clips on the water, grain, or coffee compartments. But it's not a deal-breaker.

The doser is adjustable to different heights, and you can use pre-ground coffee or adjust the grind level. The automatic sensors take care of everything, from water level to cleaning notifications.

I had a surprise when water started coming from the frother. No warnings or notifications at all. I checked the manual, and it turned out that limescale had clogged the water inlet. I did a descaling cycle, and everything worked like a charm again.Now, I'm all for things working out in the end, but come on – some kind of indication would be nice. How am I supposed to guess when I won't get my morning coffee? By counting the minutes? Reading the stars? Lunar phases?

I really didn't like that. When you're counting on your morning coffee, and you get a 20-minute delay instead? And you can't even guess when it'll happen?

I've noticed that it doesn't always alert me to a full water container and drip tray. It happens more often than not, but there have been times when I've had to clean the floor during descaling.

The machine heats up quickly, and the body gets slightly warm. The heating plate for cups isn't scalding, but it does warm up the dishes.I'd like to highlight the temperature settings for the brewed drink. My mom prefers boiling water, while I drink coffee or tea at around 40-50 degrees Celsius. The Nivona has three temperature levels for the brewed drink, and the first one is perfect for me. I don't have to wait for it to cool down or reheat it, the temperature is always just right.

Opinions on this vary. Some enthusiasts don't approve of these temperatures in the brewed drink at all.

It does get loud only when I'm not used to it, but it's on par with my other machines. It's actually pretty quiet. The loudest it gets is during the grinding and descaling processes, and when I need hot water, it's even quieter than an electric kettle.

I also take the time to lubricate the brewing unit with silicone lubricant that's food-safe, and I clean the frothing pitcher, descale it, and clean the individual parts.

I don't think twice about it, and I haven't experienced any hang-ups or glitches.

From a subjective perspective: the plastic body is prone to marks, and it's hard to clean them off. Not to mention oils or water hardness minerals. I think the plastic is a bit too thin.

There's always a 'blind spot' in the water reservoir, around half a liter or 0.4 liters. The machine just can't see it, so it asks me to top it off.

To prevent this from becoming a problem, I recommend keeping an eye on it and regularly draining the remaining water.

The design of the coffee grinder makes it difficult to just insert new coffee beans. I have to use a tool to change them or grind the remaining coffee to zero.

I've got to say, the Nivona 520 didn't impress me. The milk froth it produces is watery and shiny, but it's not too bubbly. It pours out about 2ml of water quickly and easily, but if you're after a denser froth for a latte art, you're better off with a manual frother. After using Nivona 520, it's a real stretch to call it a proper frother.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no coffee connoisseur, but even I wanted a stronger froth. On the highest grind setting and with the frothing settings maxed out, it still felt like it was missing a bit. It's possible the grind is too coarse, done to preserve the machine's lifespan, or maybe it's the initial soaking that's the culprit.

On the smallest grind setting, you get something more suitable for a geyser.

There are rumors that the grind can be further reduced, but it won't guarantee the machine won't start clogging. Its limit is right around the current pre-set grind setting, so I don't see the point in trying.

I've been making double shots and it's still not dense enough.

Getting closer to what I want: a lot of milk, two times the standard amount, triple the amount of coffee on the highest strength and smallest grind. It's getting a bit wasteful, but I don't drink that much coffee. And yes, in another machine from the same amount of beans, the drink would be deeper.

However, if I really want a super-tasty drink, I'll brew it in a geyser and use a manual frothing device to get the milk froth.

For beginners and busy coffee enthusiasts, the Nivona 520 is a great option. For those not willing to invest time, effort, and money into mastering the nuances of coffee, it's a good choice. But for the rest, it's better to look for something more expensive or of a completely different class.