Sunbeam Cafe Crema II EM4820

Great little machine - pity it died – This is our second similar machine we've bought from Sunbeam - really hard to go past the price point for a machine that makes excellent home espresso. It is very easy to use, quick, and you can achieve really decent results with it, so when the first one died (uncontrollable leaking in the basket head area - seals blown, then replacement seals… Read more

blown) after 2 years, we bought another one. That one worked very well for 14-15 months, then it started leaking drastically from somewhere inside - floods of water under the machine after each use - not user maintainable.

The good news - even though it was 2 months out of warranty, Sunbeam acknowledged it was a non-repairable issue, and offered immediate replacement of a new machine, and as this model was out of stock, offered to send the next model up instead. So while it really seems they have a manufacturing quality issue on this model, their customer service has been impeccable, and we are looking forward to trying out the new machine - hopefully without quality issues.

Good while it lasted – We got the EM4820 to replace an EM3800 that had lasted several years. The replacement for that model, the EM3820, did not seem to have a hot water function (only steam) whereas the EM4820 did include hot water delivery for long blacks. Worked well, although the steam and hot water pressure was pretty fierce, especially if it had been on for a… Read more

while, making it too easy to get splashed by very hot water. Made nice coffee though, good crema, and after some experimenting the very simple steam wand was able to (usually) provide a nice silky frothed milk. The drip tray was always a bit flimsy and rattly but big enough to take our coffee mugs.

After 7 months it leaked a little water, was making a slight buzzing noise at times even when switched off then suddenly tripped the mains safety switch and went to heaven. Took the carcass back to Myers who ordered a replacement but 2 days later they advised they were unable to source EM4820s any more so we got a full refund and moved on to DeLonghi. The the low-end Sunbeams seem to be too unreliable.

Looks The Goods! – I had a Sunbeam Piccolo (smallest model) EM2800 until a few days ago, and had it for several years until the basket got locked in the brewing head & the grouphead would not re-engage it. So, I resolved to buy another one as it was so simple to use. Twist the knob one way for the coffee, and the other to froth the milk. As luck would have it,… Read more ·  3

Harvey Norman did not have one in store (but probably on line), and my attention was drawn to the rather huge but semi professional looking Cafe Crema 2. I didn't want to pay $199, - but the sales person easily reduced the price to $169. So, I have only had the machine for 2 days, and initially found the steaming/frothing of the milk to be rather complicated. It helps to write down the steps on a piece of paper, rather than trying to read the instruction book. I haven't decided whether the coffee tastes better than from the Piccolo, but technically the system of both is the same, however the Crema 2 has heavier weight components. As others suggest, the cleaning is quick and easy, just a wipe with a Chux of the wand base, and running a few seconds of steam through the wand to prevent blockage. Remove the basket from the grouphandle. Clear the coffee grounds out of the basket with a teaspoon, and give both a rinse with water, or wash if you prefer.The milk jug also needs to be washed. So, all up about 3 minutes. The quality of the coffee used, and type of milk (e.g. full cream) and quantity of each, will determine the taste of the coffee, so don't blame the machine if not impressed. Just experiment! I do not believe that paying $600 for an even bigger machine will make noticeably better coffee than the Sunbeam Crema 2.

Customer Support - Second to None :) – We have had several versions of this product over the years --- all have made perfect coffees (at least 6 a day) -- for the price/performance it cannot be beaten. Sunbeam warranty and product support (accross multiple products ) is incredibly good... the demeanor of their staff cannot be faulted .... I am a very satisfied user/customer Show details ·  1

Great coffee at home – I am about to buy a new one as my faithful old one has given up after years of constant use. As long as you follow instructions online for making great coffee, frothing milk and use the best beans this machine is great. Beats some more expensive ones I have tried. This is something I will not do without in my kitchen. (Often the poor coffee is the maker not the machine I have found).  Show details

Gets Used Daily – We give this a good punishing at out place - especially in the morning when everybody wants their cuppa. Its stainless steel and looks good and is super easy to use. The steam wand took a bit of getting used to specially since we drink soy but I am on top of it now. Its a worthy machine and was good value too  Show details

Disappointed with EM4300 Machine – I recently bought a sunbeam EM4300 machine and the the machine is broken within 3 weeks. Every time I try and make a coffee it pumps most of the water down the steam wand. I have cleaned the machine and filter basket, reset the machine, tried to use the Shot Volume Programming but to no avail. Show details

Disappointed by Sunbeam – I bought this coffee machine in December 2015 and it went faulty in June 2017 - it kept making the power trip. After calling the customer service , Sunbeam replaced the unit, but now it has broken again! The off/on button isn't working anymore and it keeps overrunning. I question the quality of the machines if it keeps breaking every two years. Can you customer service do anything for me? Show details

Heavy duty – , Now is three years and still working in a good condition. Very important to ground the coffee right. Very easy to clean. Also, the size suits a small or medium kichen. Show details

Sunbeam EM4820 common fault – Reading the reviews this machine has a common fault, Overheating. My older model Sunbeam lasted 15 years, this peice of junk lasted less than 2 with low usage (not everyday) . I understand this is out of the warranty period but after reading that overheating is a common problem I would expect that it would be replaced. Sunbeam are declining to replace the unit which is dissapointing. Show details

Acceptable Coffee For 2 Years and Half Then In The Bin – I bought this product from Harvey Norman 2 years and 6 months ago (17/04/16). Coffee is not too bad, maybe not hot enough. I did scale the machine every 6 months as suggested when I first bought it. Then a couple of days ago, without even pressing the power button, the machine started while I was having a shower. It used all water contained in… Read more

the reservoir and flooded the bench.

I then called the support number (1300 881 861). As outside of the warranty (12 months) they will not do anything. Even repair is not possible as the machine has been discontinued and too expensive to be done (according to the operator).

Operator suggested to buy another Sunbeam coffee machine. It is more likely that I will never buy another Sunbeam product ever.

Made great coffee for 12 months – After having the previous model for years which performed perfectly until the rotary valve failed, I decided to replace it with the new version Em 4820. Although the build quality was not as robust as the old model it made excellent coffee until 13/14 months old when it started leaking water from the upper part of the machine across the width.… Read more

Next thing the steam button would not illuminate followed by the pump putting water through the brewing head instead of the frother. It started making some worrying noises and would not switch off so I turned it off at the power point and now nothing works, seems electrical goods are made to just get through the warranty period which is disappointing.

Its OK but wouldn't get the same one again – I was rapt when we found this on special at Target but over time have come to use it less and less. We eventually put it in a cupboard while we cleaned up and haven't bought it out again. I have gone back to using the old stovetop machine which I like very well. The reason? Its just not very good. Its OK and it works but the coffee it makes isn't… Read more

worth the effort of cleaning and preparing it. Bland results from the machine. Would NOT but the same again

Average machine - wouldnt buy again – My review is going to be like many of the others here. My sister has the old model and I always wanted to same exact one as it makes consistently great coffee. I bought this, the exact same name but the "mark 2" version and it is nowhere near as good. Results speak for themselves and I am very familiar with both machines. Hers makes delicious… Read more

coffee this one does not. I don't know if Sunbeam saved money or what, It works but I cannot recommend this machine.

This is not as good as the old model – We replaced our much loved Cafe Crema 1 with this - big mistake! The only thing they have carried over is the name. This is just no match for the old model and I realised straight away as soon as I used it. I just can't do the "crema" at all. The old one had a cult following because it was great for a reasonable price and pulled a mean extraction. This new version just puts out luke warm bitter water. We stopped using it. Not happy, Jan.  Show details

I like this machine , will not last more than a year – I purchased one of these units 6 years ago and it broke down after 5 years (acceptable) , so I bought another last year ,which broke down within a year (which was fully replaced - Thankyou ),the replacement model has now broken down within a year ( not acceptable) . I suspect originally the product was good , but is now being made with inferior… Read more

parts , even the exchange model had a different inferior group handle . So now moving on to a different brand

Disappointing quality – Same problem as Will55 ! Had surprisingly same experience. Machine broke down within a year kindly replaced by Sunbeam .Same problem developed with the new machine scalding hot to touch machine worried it would explode again broken within a year .This is my 3rd machine as the very 1st one I had was excellent and lasted 5 years .So I suggest quality has dropped .Service lady was abrupt and no help .  Show details

Beware of fault- scalding steam leak – Makes good coffee, but this model has a short working life. We've had two broken machines in less than 3 years, both died with same fault as they started leaking scalding steam. First unit bought in 2015 caused minor burns as the aluminium body heated up because of an internal steam leak. Sunbeam kindly replaced it with the same model but now the second unit has developed the exact same problem. Just heard it has been discontinued - good.  Show details

Middle Of The Road Coffee Machine – Our old coffee machine (also a Sunbeam) died recently and it definitely made better coffee but this is still OK. The thing with this is that the results we are getting with this new one are just average. It works and does everything it is supposed to...averagely. I have tried different grounds and different pressure but it doesn't match our old… Read more

machine. As soon as we go to a family member's house or a decent cafe - better coffee. I would buy a different machine next time.

Love this coffee machine – Hi Very happy with the coffee machine husband and 2 boys love it. Very easy to use and even easier to clean just a quick wipe down and done would recommend this machine not as expensive as other machines. Husband loves his coffee before leaving for work. I have no negative things to say for this product.  Show details

It Makes OK-ish Coffee – We have had this for nearly a year and to be honest, I only use it now for guests. It's OK but there are better coffee machines out there. I have tried every combination of ground size and tamping pressure but results are always average. Other family members have other coffee machines that I use and am familiar with and that get better more… Read more

cafe-like results. The machine works perfectly I think its just a bit average design wise. Perhaps if it could develop more steam pressure that would be better. Anyway I am giving it three stars. Works but just average.

Easy to use – Bought this coffee machine a few months ago and we love it. Use it every day. Its so simple to use giving it only has 2 settings. Heat milk and dispense coffee. Comes with everything you need. Milk jug, level scoop, 1 and 2 cup strainer. Very happy with this purchase and very affordable.  Show details

Absolutely perfect – I make the absolute best coffees with this machine and its so quick and easy to clean. I don't think I have ever used a coffee machine so easy to use in my life, I would suggest it to all my friends, and it doesn't take up much space on my counter.  Show details

Old model was better – The machine spoilt in under a year. The older one works better but I just couldn't unscrew to replace the rubber. The new model has poorer quality and now it causes my home to short circuit when there is too much pressure and the water leaks out from the seal. Very bad coffee in the end.  Show details

Great little machine – This little coffee machine was under $200 ,turns out excellent coffee ,and milk ,heats up almost instantly,and has a pump which allows the machine to keep the coffee brewing water just under boiling ,to save burn coffee ,easy to use and clean.. Regards Ken Ps ,can't remember when bought ,over a year  Show details

New Model Not As Good – The new Cafe Crema 2 is not as good as the old model. I really wish I had read some reviews first. The original one got a reputation as a machine that made superb coffee and was very fairly priced. This new model just doesn't achieve the same results. I have tried all different coffees and pressures but it wont get the same extraction so I… Read more

guess the internals are quite different. It's still very compact and easy to use. It looks good and is easy to clean. It makes ok coffee, just not excellent like the old one. Would suggest people buy a different model

Good until overheating – The machine made reasonable coffee. Not as good as its predecessor. However, it began to overheat - so much so that the body of the machine was too hot to touch after about ten minutes. Clearly a problem here as other owners have reported the same issue. A little disappointing as Sunbeam has always producted quality appliances for many years.  Show details

My Second Cafe Crema – I got this when my old faithful sunbeam Cafe Crema first version sadly died last year. Lets save time - it's not as good as the old model. I was bitterly disappointed because the previous model made coffee better than many cafes and was a real gem. The mark 2 version: not so much. It's still okaaaay and but the main job its here for, to pull… Read more

the expresso before you add the milk well its just not as good. It should be called "Cafe Not As Much Crema" as before.

Milk frothing is fine and the machine itself looks nice and cleans up well.

Old model was better

Scared to use – This started ok then started to leak then wouldn't switch off and had to turn off at the wall then wouldn't switch on unless plugged and unplugged. My thoughts were that this machine has a bad quality build. I was going to go through the bulldust to get replaced but on hearing sunbeams response to others and problems still existing I'm just going to another brand.  Show details

Absolute crap – Had 2 of these machines in 18 months, the first time the handle receiver stuffed up after 4 months and could not install the handle, so it was replaced by Good Guys (no problem). The 2nd machine started leaking from the back after 12 months then a couple of months later it started getting very hot on the top with steam escaping out here. We… Read more

believed this to be a dangerous situation so we contacted Sunbeam Customer Care(less) and they did not want to know about it. So will never buy Sunbeam again, buyer beware.

This is a dud. Stay away from it – Over a period of some four years I have had three of these machines. The first leaked water and was replaced just outside warranty although there was a recall on the product for an unrelated problem. The replacement machine was fine for a while and then started, randomly, to pump water while in the off position. Replaced by Sunbeam after a two… Read more

month wait and some not so pleasant phone calls. It seems you must make an appointment, three days in advance, to talk to the service manager.The third, less than a year old, has just started to leak water and will be unceremoniously dumped. Sunbeam offered a 30% discount on my next purchase but I declined the offer.