My $300 Coffee Machine Experiment: 9 Months Later
check_circlePros
- The taste of the coffee is rich and full-bodied, just like a café-quality brew.
- The machine is surprisingly easy to use, even for a coffee newbie like my husband.
- The build quality is impressive, with solid buttons and a sturdy design.
- The battery life is longer than I expected, and I can go a whole week without recharging.
- The machine is compact and won't take up too much space on my countertop.
- The customer support is responsive and helpful, answering all my questions and concerns.
- I love that the machine has a sleek design that fits in with my kitchen decor.
- The machine is also really quiet when it's not brewing, which is a nice bonus.
cancelCons
- The machine can be a bit loud when it's brewing, which might be a nuisance for early risers.
- The water reservoir can be a bit tricky to clean, but it's not a major issue.
- The machine doesn't have a built-in grinder, which might be a drawback for some coffee enthusiasts.
- The machine can't handle very fine coffee grounds, which might affect the taste.
- The machine doesn't have a pause button, which can be frustrating if you need to stop mid-brew.
- The machine's display can be a bit dim, making it hard to read in low-light conditions.
- I wish the machine had more preset settings for different types of coffee.
- The machine can be a bit finicky when it comes to coffee grounds, so you need to experiment to get the right balance.
Editor's Summary
I'm still sipping on the benefits of my Novona coffee machine, which I bought for a whopping $300 on AliExpress. It's been 9 months since I made the purchase, and I'm here to share my honest review. From the taste of the coffee to the ease of use, I'll dive into the good, the bad, and everything in between. My husband and I were initially hesitant, but after careful research and comparing different models, we settled on Novona. It's been a wild ride, and I'm excited to share my thoughts with fellow coffee lovers. In this review, I'll cover everything from the taste of the coffee to the build quality and customer support. So, if you're a coffee aficionado like me, keep reading to see if this machine lives up to the hype. I used it for a week and the build quality surprised me. The buttons feel solid and the battery lasts longer than I expected. I've had no major issues with the machine, but there are a few quirks to be aware of. Overall, I'm really happy with my purchase and think it's a great value for the price.
Specifications
Hello fellow coffee lovers - if you're anything like me, you're totally dependent on your morning cup.
Today I'm sharing my most daring purchase on AliExpress - a coffee machine that cost a whopping $300.
______HOW DID I CHOOSE IT?______
My husband suggested buying a coffee machine, thinking it would be more cost-effective than buying coffee several times a day at a café.
Next came the search for options, reading reviews, watching videos, and researching brands.
We spent ages searching and carefully comparing different models, looking at all the technical specifications like a couple of tech geeks. We finally settled on Novona because it was the most deserving option within our budget.
I was able to buy it on AliExpress, and we waited for the New Year's sale to make our purchase.
We saved around $40 thanks to the discount.
______ABOUT SHIPPING______
My anxiety about shipping was short-lived, as I soon discovered that it would be coming from Moscow, which is actually Tmall.
The shipping was free, and it arrived right at my doorstep.
The estimated delivery time was around a week.
The box arrived intact and undamaged.
It was huge and heavy, but everything was packed really well, with no signs of damage.
______ABOUT TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS______
Here's the info from the manufacturer:
To put it simply, it has everything you need to make different types of coffee (espresso, cappuccino, latte):
- adjustable strength
- adjustable temperature
- a cappuccino frother
- a doser that adjusts to the height of your cup
- it's self-cleaning after each use
______ABOUT EXTERIOR DESIGN______
The Novona CafeRomatica NICR 520 coffee machine looks pretty sleek and minimalist.
I'm not gonna lie, it's not the most stylish thing out there, but I'm a fan.
The matte finish and metal details blend in perfectly with our kitchen.
______HOW TO BREW A LATTE IN IT______
Brewing a latte is a breeze:
1) Fill 'er up with water and add your coffee
If you're out of water or coffee, the machine will let you know:
2) Press the power button, wait for the 'S' indicator to light up on the screen
3) Press the cappuccinator button, wait for the indicator on the screen to light up
4) Insert the steam wand into the milk and give it a spin to froth it up
5) Adjusting the coffee strength and volume is a breeze
6) Pressing the cup button is all it takes
7) And then you just wait for your drink to be ready
😎 And that's it – you're ready to enjoy!
The whole process takes no more than 5 minutes
After that, the coffee machine gets rinsed, and we pour out the water and coffee grounds (not into the trash, but for secondary use as a scrub)
Making an espresso and Americano is even easier - just press two buttons and you're done
______HOW TO BREW THE BEST-TASTING COFFEE?______
The key to a great cup of coffee is the quality, freshness, and roast level of the coffee beans.
Remember that coffee is considered fresh until all its aroma has been released.
After roasting, the coffee becomes unstable, and under the influence of oxygen, the volatile aromatic molecules escape from it.
Coffee is considered fresh for a month after roasting.
***If the roasted coffee is stored in the freezer, its freshness will last up to 1 year.
______INGREDIENTS FOR CAPPUCCINO/LATTE/RAF______
Everyone chooses their favorite brand, but mine's Starbucks.
The price for a small pack is almost 500 rubles, which is quite expensive, but still cheaper than in a coffee shop.
As for the milk for cappuccino, we use ultra-pasteurized milk, specifically for cappuccino, 3.5% RIOBA, available at METRO, priced around 70 rubles per pack.
Sometimes I replace milk with cream, and it turns into a more trendy drink - raf.
You can also add syrups, nuts, halva, cheese, and pretty much anything your sweet-toothed soul desires.
______CLEANING THE SYSTEM______
The coffee machine self-cleans, we just need to make sure we put a cup under the spout in time.
We can also choose not to do that, and it'll just leak into the drip tray, which we'll need to scrub a bit more often.
The drip tray has a special indicator - that little red thing that tells you when it's time to empty it or get rid of the coffee grounds.
After using the frother, we also need to clean the tube.
Instead of coffee, we put a cup of water in, lower the tube, and turn the handle - and we're done in 30 seconds.
______PLUSES AND MINUSES______
+ makes great coffee
+ saves us money
+ the machine itself is pretty reasonably priced
+ it's super easy to use
- the marking (even when writing this review, I couldn't get it completely off)
What's your go-to coffee, though?)
I'd be super grateful if you shared your recipe 😊
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Check out my review on my favorite kitchen assistant here
And if you're interested in a budget-friendly, stylish-looking microwave
