This is quite exciting in that it removes plastic waste. I see no reason why different companies can’t make different shape ones to maintain their lock-in. I expect a knock-off market to pop-up, but that exists with plastic pods too. It’s a step in the right direction at least.
Personally I would always recommend a ‘Sage’ or in the US ‘Breville’ Barista Express. Regularly on sale on Amazon on Black Friday or whatever but easy to setup and use for someone with no experience and simple to use daily. Was always rated as one of the best consumer espresso machines on the market.
I’ve been using a Barista Express for a few years and it’s been great. The only issue I’ve had is having to replace the gasket at the head(?) because it kept blowing out (10 minute job with an aftermarket replacement from Amazon). Other than that, it makes pretty good coffee and I can use whatever coffee beans I feel like.
Just get a decent coffee scale, dial it in a bit and you’re good to go.
If you are blowing the seal around the shower head, it is usually because you are locking the portafilter in too tightly. It doesn’t actually need to be fully locked right over. But yeah it’s an easy fix. My issue with the sage is that it starts the slippery slope of realising what good coffee is and then you need better beans and a better this and that. The sage is an amazing piece of equipment, well made and will last years and years being reliable and consistent.