Conti is a producer of espresso machines that is located in Monte Carlo, Monaco, nestled between France and Italy. This is the heart of the true espresso world, so one could assume that Conti is serious about the quality and authenticity of its espresso makers.

Conti espresso makers rate very highly among restaurant and cafe owners, and if espresso is one your main attractions, or mediterranean atmosphere and cuisine is the focus of your business, then it may be great to have a Conti. But keep in mind that Conti machines cost thousands of dollars and aren’t intended for home use, unless you’re one rich bugger!

You can learn more about a Conti espresso machine by viewing their website here.

The FNC311-42 Krups Novo 3000 is a premium espresso machine that retails in the range of $300. It is a decent introduction to Espresso makers, and at the low end of the spectrum this is a reasonable choice.

The Krups Novo 3000 mainly makes espresso, but also cappucino and latte. It is not automated like some of the more expensive units are, but it is fairly easy to make coffee and froth with this machine. It has a large 1 liter water tank so you don’t have to constantly refill the machine.

Some common complaints about this machine are that it is too noisy, so you can’t prepare a quiet cup while others are sleeping. To me that’s no big deal. I’ll gladly wake up my family for the sake of a nice espresso. Another complaint is that the espresso is not hot enough. But there is a trick to that: you have to heat up the machine first by running one cup of plain water through. Then you can prepare your espresso and it will come out at the right temperature. So this is not really a weak point of the machine, just a trick to making good espresso.

A few customers report some cracks and malfunctions in the unit, though that doesn’t seem to be the norm. For such a low-priced espresso machine, the Krups Novo 3000 does a pretty good job of the main functions: making good espresso, and making good froth.

Learn more about the Krups Novo 3000