Verismo® System 580 by Starbucks® - Piano Black

Pretty good as an espresso maker
Bought this a few weeks ago at a Starbucks store for closer to $200, Liked the idea that it made lattes, but the milk pods taste bad (chemical), and if you use them, the amount of water used makes a VERY small latte. The espresso is pretty good, though, so I warm the milk in the microwave, use a battery operated frother, then use the machine to add the espresso. Doesn't take as long as it sounds, as the machne takes a little while to warm the water for the espresso anyway. Makes a pretty good latte, and of course, you can vary the type and amount of milk (but don't try it with almond milk). I can make a latte for about a dollar less than Starbucks charges, and they really are pretty good. We use the nachine a lot, and I would recommend it as an espresso maker. The machine should probably hold up - I hope - as there doesn't seem to be much that can go wrong with it.

poor tasting coffee
The milk pods taste very artificial. I guess that's because it really is low quality artificial milk, but if you were hoping for anything like the creamy latte you'll get in a real cafe (as they advertise), you'll be very disappointed. The espresso tastes quite bland, and the servings are tiny. Given that a double shot of espresso actually costs less at a cafe (the pods work out to about a dollar each) and is of much higher quality, I doubt I'll use the verismo much, and will probably return it. A little stovetop espresso maker is cheaper, and you'll be able to buy higher quality beans at a much lower price. The verismo is more convenient, but I'm not particularly interested in cheap tasting coffee, even if it is convenient. In addition, the machine is noisy, rattles a lot, and drips after use. It really feels like a cheap piece of equipment, and I wonder how long it will last.

Worst coffee maker EVER!
Having owned a Tassimo and a Keurig, I can honestly say that this is the WORST coffee maker (and the worst coffee) EVER. It tastes nothing like what you buy at the Starbucks store. First of all, the water dispenser leaks every time after making a cup and you have to clean out the waste reservoir. You have to do a "rinse" after making coffee. The water tank holds very little water. The selection of 4 (I think) coffees is rediculous, considering Starbucks makes a multitude of coffees for the Keruig. Go figure! Could it be they KNOW they can't make good coffee in their Verismo? You have to pull 3 pieces off and rinse after making just a few cups and also toss the pods from the small waste holder. It's easier to make a french press coffee! The labor involved is rediculous.
I ordered a small milk latte frother and another Keurig. The only thing good about the Verismo is it's size and and appearance.

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