I have used a Bialetti and a frother. Both worked great. You get good coffee (once you get used to the method) and nice foam. Plus, Bialettis last a long time and my frother worked like a champ everyday for 2.5 years before it needed to be replaced.

I have no experience with the other option, but in general have heard that cheap espresso makers are worth what you pay for them, ie not much. They have relatively short lifespans and make relatively weak espresso.

I can't speak about the frother but I've had a Bialetti Moka for years and years. It's cheap, there are no parts to break/clog, the gaskets are super cheap, easy to find and only need to be replaced occasionally.

I much prefer it to my late Gaggia and Faema espresso machines which were pricey, a pain in the butt to maintain, and frankly only marginally tastier.

Bonus: Take it with you when you are travelling somewhere with iffy coffee! (In-laws, I'm looking at you...)

I also use the Bialetti for my espresso and love it. For the milk, I go the cheap and lazy route of just heating it in the microwave to achieve a nice foam making sure to use a large enough container so that the milk doesn't bubble over. It's no barista quality but for my purposes, does the trick.

I'd recommend keeping it simple and just heating up milk on the stove. Bialetti works just fine, but if you can find a Stella stovetop pot for a decent price on eBay, I'd get that.

I used to have that DeLonghi machine. It broke after 6 months (heating coil went out). I was never overly pleased with the shots I could pull from it, so I upgraded (to something insanely expensive, which I love) when it died. I have had espresso from a Bialetti and I found it to be far superior to the DeLonghi.

We invested in a Bialetti + frother combo shortly after our son was born, and I figured out that we were spending about $150/month at coffee shops. Now, I make lattes for my wife and myself each morning, and they're better than what you get from Starbucks, and about 1/8 the price.

One additional piece of equipment that you might find useful-an electric scale. Once you find the magic proportion of coffee to milk, use the scale to get that proportion right every time.

My personal method is to nuke the milk (5 oz., 60 seconds), use 2.5 pumps of Torani vanilla syrup, froth the milk + syrup combo, add 4.5 oz of coffee from the bialetti, and dust with cinnamon. My wife likes 7 oz of milk and 3 pumps of syrup.

The Bialetti works fine, for years, and the coffee is really good. It's what all the Italians use at home. There is one model called Muka, I think, you fill in milk and coffe, and it makes cappuccino. I've always thought it might be hell to clean, but some people swear by it.

I love my Bialetti and have used it for quite a few years now, only having to replace a gasket once (and it only cost a few bucks, from what I recall). Espresso turns out great, as long as you use good beans and pour it out as soon as it's done brewing (brewing takes just a handful of minutes). Have your milk heated/foamed and ready to go, and be prompt about pouring our the espresso or it will burn and taste bitter (not the Bialetti's fault - only happens when I get distracted and leave the kitchen; do as I say, not as I do!).

You can heat milk until it foams, then mix it with strong coffee or espresso from a mocha pot for a decent approximation. I don't quite have the knack of using my mocha pot, so I tend to go for the strong coffee. In the winter, I sometimes add a little vanilla and some pumpkin spice powder.

Bialetti! seems like i'm only repeating what everyone else says but it's worth repeating. Although be warned - you'll be ruined for drip coffee the rest of your life. It just doesn't taste as good!

You can make coffee and faux-presso with the Bialetti, which is why I love mine. The pressure isn't high enough to make a true espresso but for the purposes of making lattes at home, especially if you just like the taste and want to save money, it's just as good.

To make espresso, I use pre-ground coffee (bought in the bag), and use the converter to fill the coffee basket halfway. The finished product is dark, rich, and even has a little crema. For drinking coffee, I have found whole beans ground at home works best. Grind them until they're consistent but not fine (like big grains of sand).

I don't have a frother; I use a hand mixer with a little stirring attachment. You can also use an immersion blender if you have one! Both work splendidly. I made a latte for a friend who used to work for Starbucks and she was impressed!

I had a Bialetti but it has been collecting dust since I acquired my AeroPress. AeroPress + Intelligentsia espresso + two-dollar IKEA frother = happiness.

I also use a Bialetti, warmed milk, and a frother. Once your perfect your recipe, your latte will be as delicious as any you can buy!

You can't go wrong with a Moka. My dad wore his out, but it took over 20 years (only replacing the gaskets). You can even travel with them!

I've had a Bialetti Moka Express since 2006 and I've never looked back...I have a Cappuccino and Latte set (which is sold on Amazon for under $50.00). The milk frother is much better than an aero-thingy (although not a space saver) and you can make other drinks in it, such as amazing hot cocoa in the winter. As others say, as long as you use good beans, filtered water and organic milk (latter are two personal preferences)...you'll crank out quick and amazing lattes!

Wow thanks so much for all the feedback! I really appreciate it. I didn't expect such overwhelming Moka love but I guess that's my answer! Thank you Faith and all the others who mentioned microwaving to froth milk. Such a good idea.

Amanda

I've never been able to get my Bialetti Moka to work right, I don't recommend it.
For a great summer latte (not a shaved-ice type but cold and creamy): Pour your espresso, half a cup of milk (1% works great), 3-4 ice cubes and some sugar or flavored syrup in the blender and beat it until frothy. I never would've tried this - sounds too easy - but my husband made it for me once and I was blown away by the results.

My mom uses the bialetti muka express ever day and they turn out really good lattes (or cappuccinos?). The only thing I don't love about it is it's not the easiest to clean. Too hot to clean right away, but gets gross if you let it sit too long.

Cleaning a moka: you can cool it down with water in order to open it and wash it. Never wash the inside with soap and never wash the Bialetti in the washing mashing or it gets grey and can get the soap taste (aluminium is porous and retains smells).
It's better to dry it before reassembling and to leave the 3 pieces separate if you're out for many days because even a small humidity creates stains inside.
I'm italian and I live in China and the first thing I packed was a moka with coffee!
Valeria

i second the aeropress. makes the best lattes ever, cheaper than the other options, takes only a few seconds to make, and is the easiest to clean. i froth the milk on the stovetop, and then just inject the coffee into it!

We use a standard Bialetti and a cheap milk frother.

One note on the Aeropress is that it doesn't really make espresso (in fact, nor does the Bialetti but it comes closer to the real thing). I find the Aeropress makes excellent "standard", American style coffee (equivalent to drip coffee) and can even be compared to good french press coffee.

Ikea makes a moka pot that's stainless steel. I don't like using aluminum. I've had no trouble with it.

have used bialetti and aerolatte for a while...I have trouble believing that the de'longhi will get the milk right...having tested several home espresso machines, they can make a better espresso, but will never replicate a fullon commercial machine's steam power. It will sound trite, but I import Italian wine and a couple of the winemakers from Italy I work with say the same the same thing for home cofffee. I trust them

I've had great results with my moka pot and french press.

For quick milk froth, just add your milk (and sugar if you desire) to a french press and pop in the microwave for 90 seconds or so, until hot and sugar dissolved. Then simply pump the french press filter through the milk for instant froth! Sugar should help to stabilize the froth (or better, a tiny pinch of xantham gum if you have it).

As with all coffee brewing, you're aiming for optimal time, water temperature, & grind size. For coffee in a moka pot, everyone seems to make it slightly differently, and there are lots of tutorials online, but here's a few important points I've learned after years of use.

1) Use the right amount of coffee. Moka pots are made for a set amount of coffee. Fill both the basket and the lower section. No need to tamp the coffee, but if you do compress slightly, your brew time and pressure is increased.

2) Start with hot water. Prep all the other components while you bring the water up to temp in a kettle first. Then fill the lower section with the water, assemble, and immediately return to the heat. This should start brewing immediately and avoids heating the grounds as much as possible. Total brew time should be 2-4 minutes.

The Moka pot is so easy, and I love the simplicity of it. I have the single cup version. I even made a believer of my Nana, who is 70, when she came to visit. First thing she did when she got home was to order her very own from Amazon! She was so happy to replace her bulky coffee maker and gain valuable counter space.

I'm finding it impossible not to speak up for the DeLonghi, even though it seems like you've already made your decision! I have a variety of coffee makers, and don't consider myself too much of an elitist, but I find that when I really get the desire for a latte, my Delonghi makes very good ones, with real espresso that never tastes burned. I will say that it is important to follow the machine's guide so that it doesn't overheat and burn out the mechanism, and it is necessary to similarly have the right and uniform grind, but this is generally easiest done by getting your espresso beans preground at your favorite roaster rather than doing it yourself, and then keeping the grinds well-sealed in the cupboard. So, hey, presto!, even less work for me. I would definitely recommend it, the pump should make it one of the more durable espresso machines out there.