The Ascaso Steel Duo is a dual thermoblock espresso machine with zero verifiable owner data in the wild, which is itself the verdict. Without real-world reports on thermoblock longevity, shot consistency, or whether the steam wand can texture milk without a five-minute cooldown, you're buying blind. At this price point, that's a gamble most home baristas shouldn't take. Stick to machines with a proven track record until actual owners start talking.
The Gaggia Anima is a super-automatic espresso machine we can't responsibly recommend or warn against because we found zero owner discussion of it. Every mention in our community sources turned out to be about the Gaggia Classic Pro, a completely different machine. Without real-world data on reliability, repair costs, or daily performance, you're flying blind. If you're serious about this model, find a retailer with a strong return policy or seek out forums where Anima owners actually gather.