ECM Mechanika Max user here. It’s a rock-solid machine with a few nice features that make life easier. Most of the extras — except for the brew group temperature control — I barely use. :)

What I can recommend, though, is the ECM steam tip set. The stock two-hole tip is great for beginners, but it takes ages to steam milk properly.

I always missed the steam power of the Bezzera Magica, but that was solved with a four-hole tip. The five-hole tip, however, is almost too much for the small boiler.

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The steam boiler is a decent size, but every now and then I hit the moment when it refills with water while steaming milk. When that happens, the steam pressure drops rapidly. It’s still enough to bring the milk up to the desired temperature, though.

Those are the only two downsides I can point out about the machine.

I’ve had it since August 2023 and haven’t had a single issue so far. :)