★★★★★ 5
Good, inexpensive espresso machine but NEED TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
Color: Silver, Color: Silver
I have no financial benefit from this review. After reading negative/positive reviews for this Neretva Espresso Coffee Machine - 1/2 Cups/Frother, I decided to purchase. Although I've only had it since 8/27/25 (writing this review 8/31), I am convinced the bad reviews are because the buyers didn't read the instructions. This was obvious to me because of complaints about the "error messages" and water exiting the steam wand. I was not familiar with espresso machines, and am new at wanting to learn how to brew espresso and other coffee beverages, so had to also look at You Tube videos after reading the instruction booklet that comes with the machine. After experimenting since the machine was delivered, today I was able to make a Flat White. I had several failures using the frother/steam wand. So, there was a learning curve for me. Although I have only been using this machine for 5 days, I am very pleased with my purchase and recommend for anyone who doesn't want to spend more than $100. I would give the warming tray a "D", but everything else an "A". Instead of the warming tray, I pour boiling water in my cup (and empty prior to brewing the espresso), while I'm getting everything ready. The suction cups are very strong, so I decided to put the machine on a small, hard placemat, as it's much easier to move the placemat around than to unstick the suction cups from the counter top to move it around. Also, I needed to purchase a metal pitcher to steam/froth the milk per You Tube videos. Because this is an inexpensive machine and because Neretva does not have a brick/mortar I can call directly, I purchased a 4-yr. warranty.
I learned through the internet Neretva has been around since 2008, but it's a global, e-commerce, brand that manufactures and sells a range of small, electric kitchen appliances, mainly through Amazon and Walmart, to consumers who want convenient, affordable appliances for making coffee, bread and a few other foods at home. I have no clue as a consumer how to contact them; hence, the warranty.
9/10/25 Update: I still recommend this espresso machine, but wanted to offer a tip due to what happened to me this morning making my daily espresso. I set everything up to just plug in the machine and press the button before I left for about an hour to do my daily laps in the pool. When I came home, I plugged in the machine and pressed the power button while I took a quick shower. Ten minutes later I was ready for my espresso so pushed the 2 shot button, waited and during what I call the countdown, nothing happened. I did this again, and no espresso came out. Reviewed the Trouble Shooting page. Quickly I realized that the water tank was empty, went through the process again with a full water tank, but the machine did not produce any espresso. Then I removed the Portafilter (which was in correctly) and saw a few coffee grounds on the rim of the Portsfilter (which I hadn't noticed when I got everything ready). I thought "Surely a few grounds wouldn't prevent the machine from working?", but I brushed off the grounds with a very small paint brush I use for this purpose, put the Portafilter into position and VOILA, got my cup of espresso. One might not want a machine that is so sensitive. Okay; I get it. Then spend more money. For me, I'd rather discover the quirks. Just thought this info might be helpful.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2025