Saeco Via Veneto

68 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (16)
price (13)
reliability (3)

Negative
size (4)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 68 reviews of Saeco Via Veneto. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. People are impressed by the reliability. The price is also mentioned favorably. Many are critical about the size.

usability, price, reliability

size

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Saeco Via Veneto is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 82/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 68 reviews)

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(49% of reviews)
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reliability
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Showing 16 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 10 of 16 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (52)

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

An excellent starter machine for not a lot of money.

As I mentioned above, this machine is an excellent value. I originally bought this 4 years ago, and it still going strong. It makes a pretty decent espresso shot, although I've been trying to figure out how to pull a God shot on this machine. I...

Makes a good espresso with rich, dark crema, but not necessarily "God shots"; excellent value at less than $150 if you're an advanced home barista, but cannot afford a $300-$700 home machine

I don't like the fact that this machine does not come with a filter basket specifically for cleaning. Also, it's been hard for me to find a good tamper for this machine

Jul, 2009

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

A good starter for anybody who wants to discover the beautiful world of espresso making, with its drawbacks. A true school for the wannaby barista, wi

After my first machine died (a cheap Moulinex Izzy), I decided to go for a decent machine with a reasonable price, as my budget was a bit low. That time, the Media-Markt stores at Athens, were I live, offered among others the Saeco Via Veneto for 99...

Small sized and portable ; Easy to clean ; With a little tweak and standard pf it can produce decent shots

Cheap plastic body ; Small boiler ; The notorious and much hated pressurized portafilter ; Short and not very easy to use frothing wand with panarello

Apr, 2009

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

I would buy agina.

This is an easy to use consistent home espresso machine. Consistent quality. Quick and easy to use. I use it everyday with ground espresso and with espresso pods. I prefer the pods because they are so consistent. I would buy this machine again. I would...

Love my Saeco. Consistent quality. Quick and easy to use

Noisy

Jul, 2008

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

As an entry level pump machine, it will provide many years of good cappuccino.

I bought this machine in 1998, after trying to fix my Saeco Classico (I think). That was a mistake, and when I brought it to the shop, it turns out I burnt out the pump and the boiler. At that point, I had been using the machine for about 1.5 years....

Easy to use, reliable, and Includes a burr coffee grinder in my model

Over time, the machine loses it's aesthetic appeal. The decal rubs off and the plastic gets scratched

Aug, 2007

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

A Good Starter at a Good Price

This is a review of the Melitta Cafe Express. I have never been overly impressed with this product. It has served me well as an introduction into the world of espresso. One summer while at a language school in Vermont it did its job well providing...

This is a good machine that does a good job. Not really any more then just good however

I have never really been able to pull a really good shot with this machine. The Melitta takes some time to warm up and has trouble pulling one shot after another

Aug, 2007

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Bullet proof reliability and can make a pretty fine shot with practise.

This was my first 'proper' coffee machine and I was looking forward to being a bit of a barista. Knowing nothing at all about coffee machines at the time, and lacking the forethought of research, I simply wandered around one of those hideous department...

Solid chassis, good looks, very inexpensive for the quality, makes a good shot with practise

Very annoying plastic attachment to make frothing easier, rather noisy, no option of a proper steam tip

May, 2007

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

A consistent performer for those looking to step up from steam.

The Via Veneto is a good, entry level pump machine if you can find one at the right price. The list price of $175 US is unreasonable, but these can be found new on ebay for $50 - $75. At this price, they are cheaper than a lot of steam toys.

A good machine for those who want no fuss espresso. Excellent alternative to a steam toy. Its very easy to use. Comes with a video that gives a quick but useful introduction to the novice. It has a large drip tray, which is handy when trying to get...

Comes with a pressurized portafilter. Froth enhancer is not as good as the bare wand. Water reservoir is a bit small. Cleanup is awkward. Quit working after 5 months

Apr, 2007

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Power to the People! A great cup for the newbie user, from a pump machine under US $50, makes the Cafe Express a machine worthy of emulation.

No tale becomes apocryphal faster than that of a retail steal, but I'll note that I was one of the lucky ones to pick up this Saeco Via Veneto clone (See Also: reviews for Saeco - Other Machines) for $50 at damark.com. The word spread quickly on...

An accessible price tops this list, though availability through damark.com may be fleeting. No (useful) frills, but makes a very good cup, and reliably so. Newbie-friendly

Bit of a "cheapie" look and feel. Won't enhance your kitchen décor. Frothing a challenge - wand is short and sits too close down to the overflow tray. Water resevoir sits "wobbly". Locking portafilter can require a bit of muscle. Manual inadequate...

Mar, 2006

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Great learner tool if bought on the cheap.

It's hard to say anything after Mark has written a detailed review and several experienced espresso enthusiasts have offered thoughtful comments on the same product.

Good milk frothing (with technique), inexpensive, decent shots

Limited

Jan, 2006

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Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Not a bad machine, I‘d be curious about results with a regular portafilter. Definitely a keeper at the price.

Got the $49 deal on this at Damark. Pulled my first shot 15 min after I opened the box. Fairly easy to operate, (my wife, who can‘t operate my Gaggia, is able to pull a decent shot from this machine. Probably due to the pressurized portafilter.) Shots...

CHEAP (from Damark.com), Fairly well built, makes a tasty cup

Froth gizmo pretty worthless. Group hard to clean, light weight, plastic and aluminum

Oct, 2005

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