Nuova Simonelli Oscar

31 reviews

Dec, 2024

Positive
usability (35)
maintenance (24)
performance (16)
size (16)
reliability (12)

Negative
noise (13)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 31 reviews of Nuova Simonelli Oscar. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Opinions about the performance and price are on the whole positive. The maintenance and size also get good feedback, whereas many are less positive about the noise.

usability, size, maintenance, price, performance

noise

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Nuova Simonelli Oscar is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 80/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 31 reviews)

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(16% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (81% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (3% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (no reviews)
(no reviews)

Features

usability
Show positive (61%)Show negative (39%)(Show all)

size
Show positive (64%)Show negative (36%)(Show all)

maintenance
Show positive (96%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)

price
Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)

performance
Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 31 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 10 of 31 Show Reviews: in English

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

CoffeeGeek - Nuova Simonelli Oscar - Omri Almagor's Review

i'm a happier man thanks to that machine. i owned the la-pavoni professional (a lever machine) and after it died (it was a used and badly maintained machine) i decided me and my girlfriend need to upgrade our morning and evening coffee.

beautiful crema, brews and steams very fast, amazing coffee each time. no doubt, the best consumer machine i've worked with

very small and not easy enough to access water tank

Sep, 2010

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Good starter machine that can last for years

This was my first pro-sumer machine, nothing much to compare it with. The shots prepared were better than any I've had before. I've paired it with the Isomac stepped grinder, which was insufficient to get the right grind level. Later, I changed to the...

Produces great and consistent shots ; Plastic body is easy to clean

Cups left on plastic warmer has a residual "plasticky" smell, interferes with aroma of coffee ; The steam wand gets in the way when locking the portafilter ; Buttons feel a bit flimsy, and feels like they may fail after long term use

Jan, 2010

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Perfect home machine if you plumb it and replace steam tip.

I am upgrading from a Solis SL 90.

Easy Operation ; High Quality Parts ; Looks ; Steam tip has great access, swivels on 2 axis

Commercial style steam tip makes too much steam for a single drink ; Water reservoir access is difficult, especially if placed under a cabinet

Oct, 2009

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

The winner of the academy award for best value in HX espresso machines: Oscar!

I wanted to get a machine for a member of the family who bought a Saeco super automatic from Costco (I told her to return it and leave the shopping to me). I came up with a checklist of features that I thought are important, presented the list to her,...

Large copper HX boiler (auto-fill) ; Great portafilters ; Easy to move ; Produces an awesome shot ; Very forgiving brew group ; Steam! Steam! Steam ; Decent cup warmer ; Doesn't heat up the entire kitchen (unlike some of the shiny shiny all-metal...

Water reservoir flap only opens 90 degrees (potentially easy to break) ; No way to judge water reservoir level without peering down into the reservoir ; Instruction manual is lacking in comprehensive directions and is inconsistent (calls the brew...

May, 2009

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Buy it. I might eventually upgrade to a bright shiny machine in the future, but I'll keep this for the office. All the staff keep asking when I'll b

Heats up fast, once you know the trick (release steam after 5 minutes, then close the steam valve, give it another 5 minutes and you are ready for your first cup). Lots of pressure to extract to whatever strength or grind you desire. It is a steam...

Heats up fast ; Steam, microfoam, stretches milk like crazy ; Fantastic coffee ; Easy to clean

Plastic covers ; Throw out the standard porafilter

Jan, 2009

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

A machine which will produce coffee as good as you expect in a top cafe (and often don't get).

The nozzle was rebuilt to match one which came with a

Very easy machine to use. Certainly the best of any previous machines owned. Bags of steam ; Easy to clean

The four-hole frother supplied with the machine is hopeless, too much steam which tends to ; boil, rather than stretch, the milk

Sep, 2008

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

terrific HX performer under a plastic hood

Oscar plus a Mazzer grinder provided drinkable espresso shots from day 1 and with the development of a routine the shots keep improving. Nothing mind-blowing yet, but i'm uber-picky and still have a lot of room to hone my home-barista skills.

quality HX for under $1K ; sturdy build that's sensibly designed for DIY repair work ; large boiler = fairly stable temp ; easy to use (obvious buttons, pre-infuses) ; easy to clean ; hot parts under plastic for reduced burn potential ; comes with TWO...

plastic appearance ; no temp or pressure gauges ; no water level indicator ; 14 grams/coffee max out the NS double basket ; often set up for POD use requiring $25-45 conversion kit ; low water indicator needs grace period so doesn't stop shot...

Nov, 2007

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

Convenient kitchen workhorse: three years powered on, and still running strong. Love it.

I bought an Oscar for home use after two previous espresso machines died on me after less than two years use. This Oscar has lasted just about three years, and it's still going strong. I leave it on all day and all night, and the only things it...

Reliability after 3 years daily use, never turned off

Pump is a little noisy. Works best with some aftermarket accessories

Aug, 2007

Read the full review

Consumer review (shopping.com)

A Great Home Machine

I have owned my Oscar now for about 4-5 years so wanted to offer a review after some real use. I paid around $750 at the time I purchased it and know they are now going for $1000. I usually make 2 drinks from it every morning and that may or may not be...

A great durable home machine with commercial components

A little loud; steam pressure may need adjustment

Mar, 2007

Read the full review

Consumer review (coffeegeek.com)

If this machine is in your budget, or you can find a refurb, it is a great value for anyone.

Unlike most of the folks commenting here, I'm an experienced home roaster but a comparative novice at espresso. I moved from a $50 Walmart machine, to a Delonghi Bar 140, to a Gaggia and found that, although the quality was much higher, the Evolution...

Excellent, high volume producer ; Lot's of steam produces well frothed milk very quickly ; Great draw, pro quality portafilter ; Large drain, no need to constantly empty during a family coffee run

Needle valve and O ring look susceptible, I fill the reservoir in place ; I use purified water and sometimes need to add a few grains of salt for the electronic indicator to sense water in the reservoir ; Portafilter rotates toward steam wand

Feb, 2007

Read the full review