Sunbeam Cafe Series Espresso EM6910 (Stainless)

Brilliant – After many years of happy brewing, I thought I should submit a long term review of this Coffee machine and grinder combination. I can honestly say that if you buy great beans and take the time to get the best grind you will really produce cafe quality coffee. Please don't be tempted to spend more on fully or semi automatic machines, having full… Read more ·  1

control & learning the art of grinding & tamping will provide a far-better and more satisfying result. I have owned 2 machines over at least 12-14 years and whilst things can go wrong from time-to-time, I see this as acceptable and no different to maintaining your car! The quality of the coffee & the convenience of a latte @ home makes it all worthwhile (not to mention the cost saving..........)

My best tips for consistent crema are..........

- make your grind as fine as the coffee machine can handle, the machine should work hard and produce a slow trickle

- make sure you clean both the grinder, group-head & descale on a regular basis.

- buy top quality coffee beans, I have had great success with the premium Vittoria coffee beans, Oro, Nero & Mountain grown!

Enjoy your coffee:)

Great, but group head leaks - Collar wears out even with gentle use :( – I am sometimes torn with this model. It makes terrific coffee, is a dual thermo-block unit (pour coffee shot and steam at the same time). BUT... the reliability of my unit has been average due to the collar wearing out so easily. I've owned this unit for around 4 years. I am an experienced espresso coffee user/maker, and so I very regularly clean… Read more

my machine, use gentle force to lock in the group handle into the group head... still, the collar has worn out twice. The first time I paid around $300 for the service agent to replace it! Now, after only around 12-18 months, the collar has worn out again. Am I going to replace it?? Well I bought the part myself and did the painful install myself (which requires dismantling a fair bit of the coffee machine). The coffees that this machine makes a great. And its a fairly easy to use machine. But the quality of the soft brass collar (the part that receives the most wear, by design) is just average.

Good Machine but ...... part 2 – This was my original review of this machine from a few years back. It is funny reading this as it is only half the story "Really procrastinated over writing this. This is a great coffee machine no doubt about that. I have convinced so many friends back in the day to get. Even people with $1500+ machines! However my after sales service was… Read more ·  4

terrible. The machine was returned to me after a service and collar swap almost unusable. service center said nothing wrong it was my fault for not bringing it back for its warranty repair to the stream wand like I promised. I mentioned the stream wand is fine but coffee sprays out like sprinkler. Supplied videos. Got more blame from service centre. Wrote to sunbeam got no help from them. They backed the service centre and blamed me. I just wanted my machine fixed. Decided to run the machine until it died. Doing home servicing and seal swaps as needed. Still sort of working. Steam wand finely stopped five years after service center said it was faulty and needed replacing. Life long sunbeam user with 5 other devices in my house. Sorry Sunbeam but no more. Any company can make a good product but how things are dealt with when things go wrong is a true measure of a company. Sunbeam failed me here. Get this machine if you want great coffee at a great price and are competent in all service and repair tasks."

Well it finally went to recycling. When the collar really died (NOT THE STEAM WAND which I got working again) but parts were hard to get/no longer available etc. So now I have a cheepie machine running till my new machine turns up (covid delays). My machine has been on backorder for so long I'm thinking of trying something else. Still tempted by Sunbeam but who can you trust to service them here in SA? To their credit back then Sunbeam did offer to help with a new machine but A. had no $$ for a new machine at the time and B. didnt feel like paying for hundreds for a new machine when I had already paid hundreds for for the service on my old machine. New machine would have ended up costing more than the RRP!

All I wanted was my old machine running and the service I paid for performed. I did keep the tamp as a memento. As much as everything went to hell I really liked that machine and still miss its brews.

Best Buy ever. Makes excellent coffee and for the price you won’t find anything better – This machine has been absolutely fantastic. Brought it for my wife 14-16 years ago and upto now have made 1000s of fabulous coffees without having any problems. Would recommend this coffee to everyone. Fantastic value for the price. Would give it 5 stars. Show details ·  1

Great coffee and reliable machine – Our machine is 12 years old. Collar went after 1 year. So this is an obvious flaw with the metal and or design used. However, since fixing $$ the machine hasn't missed a beat. Only 4 coffees a day and rarely use the frother. But it nevet fails. Coffee, flavour and crema is perfect.  Show details ·  1

Great Machine - save's $'s – Makes great coffee. Follow cleaning instructions, unit now failing completely to express shots. Will contact a service agent, but concerns that Sunbeam appear to be very quick to complement positive feedback, but absent with responses to requests for assistance. Fingers crossed I don't experience problems, as I greatly enjoy this machine.  Show details

Major flaw – Two years old and the collar has worn and Sunbeam will not fix it under warranty. Not economical to fix. If only they used a better quality metal in the collar. Big issue with this machine as lots of people have this issue it seems. Won't be buying a Sunbeam again.  Show details

Great entry level – I've had this machine for years and served me well as home machine. It heats up quickly normally within 20 mins. If you need to make proper espresso you would require a better grinder such as the breville smart grinder which is another couple hundred so bear that in mind if budget is a concern. Cleaning isn't easiest and sometimes its easier to… Read more

just purchase a latte from the cafe. Steamer is competent enough to create latte art once youre used to it.

Makes great coffee – I have had the machine for over 5 years now. The pump is now giving up. The machine is easy to pull apart to clean and I clean it by flushing white vinegar through it. All components are easy to pull apart. The pressure gauge stopped worked about 2 years ago but it still makes great coffee. I wouldn't buy this series again as my friends… Read more

machine has done the same as mine. I will also get and extended product care on my next one as I use it every day.

Fourth replacement and still doesn't work!!! – This is the worst purchase I have ever made! I bought the EM6910 coffee machine and brought it home, turned it on and the pressure gauge did not work, no water came out at all and it made a horrible sound! exchanged it - same thing! I am now no joke on the FIFTH coffee machine and still no coffee! some of them gave me a little water but all that… Read more

did was ruin my coffee! I don't know if there is a bad batch out there but I would recommend not putting yourself through the ordeal of buying this machine!

Nine years old and still excellent – I purchased my machine used in eBay, way back in late 2009, and have moved homes with it six times, and it never misses a beat. Simple to use and clean, as many have mentioned it's really the perfect beginners machine. Only one whinge really, that being the water level sensor, which tends to dislodge easily, but it's an easy fix. Could not be happier with this unit, and have no plans to replace it.  Show details

Excellent machine for beginners! – I bought this machine so I could stop using pods. It's excellent for beginners. I was worried I would become frustrated and go back to pods but it's very simple to operate and having the dual boiler makes for an efficient machine. My only gripe is that the magnet in the water reservoir has become demagnetised but they appear easy to replace.  Show details

Great Machine – Great home coffee machine. I got this as a gift last year and haven't had many issues with it at all. It's a bit of a learning curve at first but once you get the right consistency and like the results then it's just a matter of practise, practise and practise. Makes about 3-4 cups of coffee a day, haven't skipped a beat until I decided to sell it off and get the newer EM7000.  Show details

Great...... but coffee pods info confusing on your website – We bought this machine recently, husband loves it. Already owned a top of the range grinder which works well with it. I discovered on sunbeams website that they say this machine uses ese coffee pods. Searched online and told to purchase a pod filter basket for it. Then Sunbeam advised which one too, did this. As I'm not too confident in grinding… Read more

the beans.

Bought appropriate pods. Pod filter does NOT fit in group handle but seems to work without it. Sunbeam is telling people to buy the pod filter basket, why ?

Manual for this machine though does not state anywhere about using pods but your site does. This part of the machine is very confusing. I've messaged sunbeam on Facebook and they will not reply or help at all, why advertise this on your site ?

8 Years and still going strong – I've had my EM6910 for over 8 years now and it has been pumping out the coffee since I got it. I use it everyday and by all reports, I'm shocked it has lasted this long. If you care for it properly it'll reward you. The group head collar on mine is starting to wear so the seal isnt 100%. Twin thermoblock system makes coffee preparation super… Read more

quick in the mornings. Paired with a good grinder and beans it produces consistently good coffee. So good, that I have just bought another one from The Good Guys as they must be running out final stock.

I've read that the new EM7000 & EM7100 aren't made as tough as this old beast.

Fantastic machine – My coffee machine gets used every day and at least 5 times a day on the weekends, it just keeps on going and makes a beautiful coffee every time. I do recommend buying good coffee beans and learn how to heat the milk correctly, but once you have mastered the heating it is so easy and coffe tastes as good if not better than any café.  Show details

Awesome Machine – This is an amazing machine for the price. It pulls a great shot (as long as you have correct and freshly ground coffee) and the milk texturing with the wand is easy to do and it makes a terrific coffee with practice. Easy to clean, solid and I'll be letting all my friends know about this machine. Recommmend.  Show details

making coffee almost everyday，very good – It is very convenient to use and haven't got any trouble so far, really very good quality. My neighbors like it very much as well and said someday he will buy one as well. I strongly recommend this one to anyone who would like to make coffee at home with family.  Show details

Start every day with it – Great machine. It's given me many years of great coffee but, like any appliance, you've got to learn to use it properly and look after it ... regular cleaning tablets and water filter changes, keep filter baskets clean, keep steam wand unblocked, standard service every 18 months to two years ... and it keeps powering on. Doing the Sunbeam barista course also helped get me started, and YouTube coffee-making tips too.  Show details

Three strikes and I am out of Sunbeam – Purchased last December, died after five weeks. Replaced January, lasted seven weeks. Replaced again in April and this time lasted four weeks. Apparently problems with their pressure pumps and the circuit boards. I purchased this product because we have had one in the office for years, and it makes great coffee. I am replacing it with another brand. Its a shame - Sunbeam has had a good reputation over the years.  Show details

Brilliant coffee machine,very happy – This coffee machine is fabulous. It's very easy to use and makes consistently good coffees unlike our gaggia coffee machine . We bought the sunbeam grinder separately and they were perfectly together. The double boiler appealed to us also. Simple to put preferred settings in. Super easy to clean. Looks good on kitchen bench  Show details

Fussy machine, but high-quality once you and it are on the same page – This is a great coffee machine but I'm giving it 4 stars because as coffee machines go, it is a really fussy unit and things have to be set up 'just so' in order to get a good extraction and the experimentation required can be irritating. To get a good cup you need the single-wall single shot filter (I haven't gotten a decent extraction out of any… Read more

of the other filter cups), and the only budget conscious grinder that works is the EM0440 set to between 7-10, depending on how fresh your beans are. You also need a good quality tamper to get enough force-pounds into the group.

If you don't pack the grounds really tightly this machine will under-extract. You also will need to muck around with beans to find a purveyor that has the right amount of moisture. Fresh coffee is critical and dry grounds or beans won't work with this machine at all. You could use the double wall baskets for supermarket coffee, but the double wall basket produces a foamy and horrible shot, that frankly isn't appropriate if you've gone to the trouble of buying a machine at this price point.

I love this but now lights wont go on :( – I love this machine which was a gift a year ago from my nephew. Its not good gor crema, hubby expierements but cant quite getvthe crema taste we are used to. Apart from that we live it. We have never used the milk steamer or hot water thing, as we prefer black coffee. This week though we turned on the machine and waited for the lights to all come… Read more

on and they havent. We have cleaned it, and tried numerous timea over the last few days to get it to work and flash those little lights which tells us a coffee is just moments away. Guess Ill have to call customer service on monday. There is no reason, no accident and no misuse thats happened to stop it working. Sighhh

preety good for a domestic machine – I purchased the sunbeam unit some 6 years ago now and it has not missed a beat. Regular cleaning and taking care of the machine is key to good coffee. I have always used the double wall baskets and typically use the 2 shot for a single charge as I like my coffee strong. Idont seemto get a nice creme with the single basket no matter what… Read more

courseness /fi5neness of grind.

We use it every day and also have a cheap pod machine for the quick hit as takes no time to clean, but do regret the plastic pod shells.

I get get great froth every time and have 2 jugs for when guests over. Does not take too long with the group head going at same time as steeming milk and using the pod machine also.

thoroughly pleased with this unit for the price.

Very Good Machine – We have had our EM6910 for over seven years and think it's great. We had a minor issue with water getting into a sensor and causing the machine to run, but this was fixed quickly under warranty and we have not had an issue since. We use it occasionally some days, and heavily on others, making up to 20 coffees a day without any problems. Coffee… Read more

quality is consistently good, as is the milk frothing wand.

We would have no hesitation recommending this machine, particularly after seven years good use. It is disappointing to see some negative reviews on here but I understand everyone has their own experience. Our experience with this machine has been very positive.

Three issues in 11 months – For a while our machine made superb coffees. But then the steam dial went stiff and steam was poor. Took it back to store, who told me to take it to bunbury appliance, who told me to take it to vacuum world, who told me to contact Sunbeam??? A new solenoid at the repair shop and we were back in business. Then group head started leaking, a new… Read more

seal and it still leaks. Now the steam pump has gone. All this within 11 months of purchase. I asked customer service for a refund they want to repair again. Had I known these quality issues prior I would not have purchased a sunbeam. Disappointed big time!

Oops think it's a lemon – I was seriously considering purchasing one of these but after reading poor reviews here and on other blogs I'll pass. Sunbeam what's gone wrong? You use to have a reputation now I fear this is gone. Leaks, breakdowns, vibrations. It sounds like a Frankenstein! I have a breville series 800 and it has made satisfactory coffee now for 2 years… Read more

however it is on a warranty repair (its first) so I plan to upgrade and keep it as a second. But sorry not with a sunbeam.

Another good one from Sunbeam – I just recently purchased the Sunbeam EM6910 as my other one begun to leak after thirteen years of use without a problem. This one came with a coffee grinder which is a great bonus to have. As with all coffee machines when you use them they tend to be a little noisy. But I am used to it from my previous one. Over all this is well built and it… Read more

does make an awesome coffee, wow! The extra features such as being able to pour hot water from the machine for tea or to make those long blacks is brilliant.

The other added bonus is the tank is quite large an excellent design feature. I like the way things are so easy to get into for cleaning and the filtration for water again excellent Sunbeam.

The only let down I have noticed is at times I cannot walk away from the machine when I am pouring a coffee. When the machine is working and pouring, the vibration causes the coffee mug to move on the tray. You have to keep an eye on it and reposition it back to where it needs to be. Apart from that, this is the only let down I have found.

Overall a great package and you will not regret it. If I can get the same amount of years use out of this one, I will be more than happy. :)

Solid Performer - Makes Good Espressos – I have had this machine for 18 months, making 1 latte per day. This replaced a Breville single thermoblock model that started to leak at the top of the head. Twin thermoblock - very good, can steam and froth milk as good as any barista (if I concentrate). My lattes are soy, using Bonsoy. 7/10 times I can get that smooth froth that a latte… Read more ·  1

should have. On the coffee, a noticeable step up from the Breville. I am able to mostly match what I buy at my work cafe in Docklands (Vic), but the pump pressure can be inconsistent (i.e. you grind, fill, tamp and tighten to the same level, but the pressure sometimes vary). I have yet to experience the leaks - touch wood. Both pumps are very noisy, and vibrates the machine to the point you have to steady your cup when in operation. Also easy to clean, and cleaning tablets, water filter cartridges are easy to obtain from Sunbeam outlets.

Great machine, but not if you make heaps of coffees! – Have had this (& a replacement ) machine now for 5 years. Our household is full of coffee addicts...easily making 6 - 8 cups a day. With the right beans, grind, etc. it makes an awesome coffee. However, a significant design flaw exists in the group head collar..(the bit you twist the group head into! )2 related issues: The metal its made out of… Read more

is a a little too soft..after a while it stretches, and coffee just spurts out everywhere under pressure. Secondly, the main seal in it will need replacing annually or , again, coffee spurting! Thankfully I took out extended warranties..I have had the first machine in for repair 3 times (same issue) and now the warranty replacement machine will go in for its second time in 2 years..same issue! Repairers replaced the group head with a more robust material, but still , the problem returns. Great machine if you are happy to have it repaired annually, meaning you have the hassle of making a warranty claim, packing it up, sending it in, waiting 2 weeks....pretty much every year! Not sure if i would get another one! Pity..when all is good, it makes great coffee!

Awesome machine… miss it everyday! – I recently lost Kevin, my coffee machine. He lasted 9 years and I looked forward to waking up every morning because I knew a great coffee was only minutes away. I was very happy with the coffee taste… only used quality Merlo beans… that makes a big difference. Played around with the grinder and finally perfected it to get the perfect extraction.… Read more

Just as good as the guys in the big shops I reckon. Really ease to use and I made sure I cleaned it with a proper powder cleaner every week. The little red pop up button stopped popping up but that didn't bother me as I emptied the tray regularly anyway. I think that cleaning, plus getting him properly serviced every second year, was the secret to his longevity. I just didn't want to let him go as I knew it took time to adjust to another machine and he felt like part of the family! So what happened to Kevin I hear you ask… it sounds gross but a lesson for all who own home machines… cockroaches killed Kevin! He was raced to emergency… the local service guy… triaged but unfortunately couldn't be saved… cockroach eggs shorted out his motherboard and would cost $400 to replace and they suggested that it wasn't worth fixing :-( So I brought him home… will get the same one again but aware it's a new model so I'm keeping Kevin… just in case… he might be worth fixing if the new one doesn't meet the grade… I'll repost on my thoughts once purchased.

Disappointing EM6910 – I had bought one of these coffee machines 5 years ago. A little water had always leaked under the tray but I thought that was normal. I had read that the machine was noisy before I purchased it so just accepted that issue. The pump went after 2 years but once replaced, I could froth up the milk nicely and the coffee was good. The group head… Read more

started to leak early this year so I had to toss up whether to repair the old one or buy a new one. I decided to buy a new one. The only good thing about the new machine was that it did not leak under the tray. However, within 1 month, it started to leak from the group head and the steam wand knob did not turn off properly. I ended up taking the new machine to get repaired. I have yet to make a nice thick frothy milk like I use to with the old machine and this machine is way more noisy that the old one. The coffee grinder base is plastic and does not offer the secure feel the previous design did when I grind the coffee beans. Buying this machine has been a real disappointment. Had I known the poor quality of the new machines I would have just fixed the old one.

August 16th 2016 Update: More PU6910 Disappointment.

Five months after purchase, the pump is vibrating so much that I have to hold the cup under the group head until the espresso pour has completed. The steam wand extends about half the distance as the previous model. This makes it difficult to steam the milk well as you have to allow for tilting of the frothing jug to remove it from under the steam wand without spillage. The new grinder is made predominantly of plastic unlike the previous model which was mainly stainless steel. The new model silicon spout cover is shorter than that its predecessor so when you grind the coffee, it doesn't come out in the middle of the basket. The information provided by Sunbeam states the grinding should be set around the 12 for an espresso. Irrespective of the brand of coffee I have bought, to get a fine enough coffee particle, I have to set the grinder on 5. The poor design of the grinder extends to cleaning it. The new model grinder does not have a basket you can remove to clean. The burs are enclosed and the only way you can clean them is to use the cheap brush Sunbeam has provided to clean out the holes within the grinder itself.

November 8th 2016 Update: The disappointment continues

Five months after purchase, the pump was vibrating so much that I had to hold the cup under the group head until the espresso pour had completed. I ended up raising the front part of the machine to stop the cup from moving. The steam wand extends outwards about half the distance as the previous model. This makes it difficult to steam the milk well as you have to allow for tilting of the texturing jug to remove it from under the steam wand without spillage. The new grinder is made predominantly of plastic unlike the previous model which was mainly stainless steel. The new model silicon spout cover is shorter than that its predecessor so when you grind the coffee, it doesn't come out in the middle of the group head. The information provided by Sunbeam states the grinding should be set around the 12 mark. Irrespective of the brand of coffee I have bought, to get a fine enough coffee, I have to set the grinder on 5. The poor design of the grinder extends to cleaning it. The new model grinder does not have a basket you can remove to clean. The burs are enclosed and the only way you can clean them is to use the cheap brush Sunbeam has provided to clean out the holes within the grinder itself. I'm using the new machine only because of the warranty situation but with the old grinder.