Sunbeam Cafe Espresso II EM3820

Screw is tight on shower screen – Same issue with many other reviews. Great machine but issues when going to descale. Screw for the shower screen is incredibly tight and can't be loosened. Can't do full clean of machine now. Show details

Good Product - Great company – A good basic machine that makes a good quality cup of coffee. If your measure of performance is good coffee then this is a great little machine. it is priced about right at $150. Although largely made of plastic rather than stainless, it still look fine. If your aim is to have your guests admire your artwork, then you may need an upmarket… Read more ·  1

model.

This is a manual machine (which I prefer), simple to use and effective. It has good pressure in both the brew head and wand. I also like the positive on/off switch as you can have the machine plugged into a timer so as to have it and your cups pre-warmed rather than having to wait.

What was surprising in this day and age was the high quality service I received from Sunbeam when my first machine had an issue. They were very responsive, and despite my machine being out of warranty by a small margin replaced it without any issues whatsoever. They even freighted the replacement machine straight to me! Wow! I would buy Sunbeam any day if this experience is typical of their customer service as this was superb.

impressive machine – Have just bought this machine and only made one coffee so far. It is very easy to use and clean and makes a hot (not lukewarm) coffee. I measured the water from the brewing head at 75+ degrees Celcius. The milk frother works very well making plenty of froth if you like and also nice and hot. The pump is a little on the noisy side. The quality… Read more ·  1

of group handle, filters and jug is very good for the price. Overall an impressive machine which has the look of a much more expensive model.

August 23rd 2017 Update: Plastic drip tray paint blisters

Still happy with this machine after three months use with one exception. As the drip tray is plastic (painted silver), purging of the steam wand over the drip tray as per the instructions, causes the paint in the drip tray to blister and peel off. I would suggest an amendment to the instructions to purge into a cup, otherwise the drip tray should be upgraded to a material that will cope with the heat of the steam.

EM3820 somethings better and worse then the EM3600 – I really liked the EM3600, it was simple and easy to use but eventually failed and was replaced with the EM3820. Very similar but not quite as well made. The only thing better is the cups don't vibrate around on the drip tray like the EM3600 did. I make 2 glass double walled cups at once and at least now I don't have to hold them. There is nothing… Read more

absolutely terrible that's worse but a few minor things.

The drip tray cover is flimsy and annoying to fit.

The portafilter sometimes is hard to lock into the machine group head, it sort of gets stuck trying to turn it into place however the actual location design is a better idea then the EM3600, you no longer have to look to see where to locate it, so I guess there is another positive,

The portafilter is spring loaded and took a while to get used of fitting the portafilter basket into it.

For some reason the left side cup fills a bit more then the right side cup so I usually have to scoop 2 soup spoon falls of coffee syrup from the left cup and put it into the right cup to even it up.

These little things mean it takes me just a bit longer to make 2 cups of coffee.

The EM3600 had an on off switch where as the EM3820 has a push button and for some reason it makes it easier to accidently leave the machine turned on.

The EM3600 came with wire pins to clean out the portafilter but my EM3820 didn't have them in the box, lucky I still got the old pins, which I have had to use when the Em3820 wouldn't push the water through the portafilter basket.

Got it to take away because I dislike pod coffee – I have a professional machine at home so I didn’t need need this machine but I wanted it for when I go away as where we go is quite remote and there are no cafes only a van that comes around occasionally. Wow, I was really impressed with how well it did on its first coffee, it’ll take me some getting used to to get “that perfect coffee” in terms… Read more

of getting the grind just right but it performed really well

On its first go I got a really good crema layer and it heated and frothed the milk quite well

water leak – have owned 3,make great coffee but all developed water leak. this one was out of warranty so decided to repair-problem is the plastic water pipe that supplies the thermo block. used a sealant to repair-no more leaks Show details

Very good unit for price – This is the second of these coffee machines I have owned.The first one I ended up taking to my work place after having it at home for 10 years. It is still going strong constantly making great coffee . I made the mistake of purchasing a much more expensive unit after this one and unfortunately payed the price. It made aweful coffee and when… Read more ·  2

contacting the company they blamed the coffee itself for the result! So I went back to the Sunbeam coffee machine it delivers great coffee every time. I only make 1 to 3 coffee's a day with it. This unit allows me to make coffee the way I like it. (Very strong). Would highly recommend.

Mixed – Cant understand why every couple of coffees are decent then ull get one that taste disgusting ! Have cleaned it twice now with esspresso cleaner and has made no difference...and where the coffee comes out goes so slow and no auto switch off. Show details

Unpredictably bad – Since I got this machine in February it’s been completely unpredictable. It started off tasting strongly of plastic. When that was resolved by pulling lemon water through, the next issue was how many grounds would come out with each shot. Then, sporadically, it will just not pull. Water pools in the head and when you try and release it it explodes… Read more

everywhere, no matter how much time is left between to allow for the handle to be released. I won’t be recommending this machine to anyone. I’ve wasted a lot of time, descale and coffee on this machine, all to have to buy my morning coffee anyway.

It WAS great – It was a great machine, great price easy to use. But i have not noticed everytime i use the steam wand the base on the left hand side leaks...quite a big puddle. Show details

Sanity Saver – My EM3820 has been a sanity saver during Melbourne's long period of lockdown. It makes a great coffee every time. However, it has recently started leaking from underneath. I think it is from the water tank. Is there anything I can do apart from buying a new coffee machine? I purchased it some time ago but only started using it this year. Show details ·  2

Hadn’t worked from the start – Our machine flushed water through fine but as soon as there is coffee in it doesn’t push through just steams a bit and builds up pressure. . Water flows into the bottom tray and nothing else happens .. spewin!! Show details

Worked great, for a short time – Worked well, great coffee for a few months. Descaled a few times too Suddenly started leaking all over, steam flowing through the panels. Steam wand leaking when in brewing mode. Brewing head leaking when in steaming mode. Super annoying. Show details

Not worth the money – Not worth $150.00 ive had mine for about 1 year but i wouldnt buy another . It has its bad days . Dosnt froth milk properly very loud dosnt filter the coffee properly ive had the coffee ground handle come off and hot coffee go everywhere . Show details

Was working, now it doesn't – I have had this machine for just over a year now and it was working fine. Went to use it this morning and it began to smoke and the frother did not heat up milk. Very disappointing. I now need to go and purchase another one. Won't be this model/brand. Show details

Do not buy! – My machine is only 2 weeks old. The ground handle has exploded off the machine twice leaving coffee everywhere. The milk froths up but when added to coffee goes flat in about 20 seconds, I have contacted Sunbeam 3 times with no reply. It will soon be binned. What a waste of money. Show details

Blocked filters – You can burn off the coffee grounds within the filter cups. Hold them with ss tongs over a flame on your stove. They will flash off. Dip in water to cool. Show details

Great product for the price – I have purchased my two of these (only because our first one I sold overseas before returning to Australia). I use it everyday and it works great. Only negative would be that the plastic in the drip tray bubbles a bit from the heat but this doesn't affect the use or how you're coffee turns out! Show details ·  1

Great coffee but died on me after a year – I bought this machine just over a year ago and it was doing a great job for the price. However, now it is past the warranty period it has decided to stop working- makes all the right sounds but the coffee doesn’t come out! Show details

Upgraded from Expresso One and very happy – Excellent quality machine for the low price. Upgraded from the first Expresso, and this one is actually easier to use. Temperature of coffee is good. Only issue is paint is coming off plastic tray at bottom. Show details ·  2

So convenient! – I used to buy coffee outside every morning but now i no longer need to! Easy to use, the coffee tastes good, especially loving the frothing milk! It also saves up me a lot of money. Show details ·  1

Disappointing – Hi. This is my third Sunbeam. Previous ones were really good. But after just a few coffees with my new EM3820 have found the coffee flavour very weak. Tried adjusting coarseness of grain and increased tamp, still the same. A little disappointed. Show details