Name: Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza
Brand: Cuisinart

Overall Rating

Coffee Quality (40%)

Design & Features (20%)

Durability (20%)

Ease of Use (10%)

Brand Reputation (10%)

The Bottom Line

The Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza is a capsule-based espresso machine compatible with illy brand capsules. While easy to use, we don't see much reason to go with the EM-400 instead of an industry-leading Nespresso machine.

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Read our Nespresso CitiZ review →

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Key Features of the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza

Key Features of Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza

Type: Capsule espresso machine
Integrated Grinder: None
Pressure: 19 bars
Reservoir: 34 oz removable
Portafilters: None; works with illy capsules only
Pod Compatibility: illy capsules only
Max Cup Height: 6.75″
Steam Wand: None
Unit Size: 5.2″W x 11.8″D x 14.0″H
Unit Weight: 9.0 lbs
Watts: 1200W
Warranty: 2 years

Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza Overview

The Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza is a capsule-based espresso machine that works with 2 types of capsules:

illy Espresso Capsules
illy Coffee Capsules

The espresso capsules can brew either short (1.2 oz) or long (3.0 oz) espressos. The coffee capsules brew a 6 oz long coffee.

illy makes special iperEspresso capsules, which are blue and are intended to be used with the 3.0 oz long espresso setting. They recommend this to prevent a watery coffee.

Speaking of available brew sizes, the Cuisinart EM-400 has 5 pre-programmed buttons:

Single shot espresso (top left button)
Double shot espresso (middle left button)
Long coffee (bottom left button)
Manual flavor/strength setting (top right button)
Temperature setting, 2 temps (middle right button)

Other features include the following:

60 minute auto-off mode
Spent capsule container with 10 capsule capacity
Adjustable extraction time for shorter or longer beverages

Pros

Super easy to use
Intriguing design
Affordable

Cons

Not the best espresso, even by capsule standards
illy's capsule universe isn’t very expansive
Doesn’t come with a frother

Is the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza for you?

Are Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza for you?

I wouldn’t recommend purchasing the Cuisinart EM-400.

The only reason to go with the EM-400 is for the convenience of capsulized coffee. But if that's the route you want to go, you should get a Nespresso machine.

Our comparison guide to the best Nespresso machines is the Internet's best resource on Nespresso, but I'd recommend the comparable Nespresso CitiZ.

Check it out on Amazon →

Check out Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza Amazon →

Check it out on 1st In Coffee →

See Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza on 1st In Coffee →

See the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza on →

See Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza on →

Check out the Nespresso CitiZ instead →

Check out Nespresso CitiZ instead →

Check out the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza!

Check out Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza!

Check it out on Amazon →

Check them out on Amazon →

Check it out on 1st In Coffee →

See the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza on →

See Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza on →

Check out the Nespresso CitiZ instead →

Check out Nespresso CitiZ instead →

More Cuisinart Reviews From The Coffee Maven

Cuisinart EM-1000

Overall Rating: 87

Cuisinart's do-it-all, super-automatic model, the EM-1000 has a 34 oz reservoir and integrated grinder and milk frother for one-touch specialty drinks and even remembers settings for up to 4 different users.

Learn More →

Cuisinart DGB-1FR Grind & Brew

Overall Rating: 84

A single-serve grind-and-brew model? You bet. The Cuisinart DGB-1FR has a 4 oz bean hopper and integrated blade grinder and brews freshly ground coffee for one. Blade grinders aren't the best, but neither are K-Cups.

Learn More →

Cuisinart EM-200

Overall Rating: 83

An upgrade from Cuisinart's base entry-level model, the EM-200 adds programmability to the mix with properly-extracted shots at the push of a button and a larger 64 oz water reservoir that make it a little easier to use.

Learn More →

About The Coffee Maven

Bryan De Luca

I'm Bryan but most people know me as The Coffee Maven. I grew up outside Boston, Massachusetts and received my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Providence College. My first introduction to coffee was during my college days, when I used it as a source of caffeine to fuel late-night study sessions, but soon I became obsessed with the chemistry of coffee. How did changes to water temperature or contact time affect its taste? Why do beans from Africa taste fruity while beans from Indonesia taste spicy? I launched The Coffee Maven in February 2017 to explore these questions and help others brew their perfect cup. Welcome to my site, and thanks for reading!

Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza Review

Key Features of the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza

Key Features of Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza

Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza Overview

Is the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza for you?

Are Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza for you?

Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza Review: An In-Depth Look

Check out the Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza!

Check out Cuisinart EM-400 Buona Tazza!