I only have had this for a few months so I can’t comment on how long I have owned it without having any problems, but it seems to be constructed well. I replaced a similar tea maker from Razzori, that lasted me a year before it started having numerous problems with brewing times and the auto basket function. I actually have another tea maker with auto basket lift that, after a 1.5 years has been having the same problems as the Razzori, so hopefully, the Breville will be trouble free for quite a few years, being that it costs 3 times the amount as the other two pots. One thing I have noticed right away is that the Breville doesn’t seem to get tannin stained as fast as my other pots. I haven’t changed my drinking habits nor the teas I drink, so the only thing I can think of is the glass and stainless bottom is higher grade and maybe polished better. When I wipe the inside of the pot after use, the paper towel is not as stained as the other pots I have used, so of course I will not have to deep clean the Breville as often. The display is much brighter and clearer, and the lid is better quality. The basket on the Breville is light years better than my other pots. It is much heavier and huge, which is a big plus for people that like to drink fruit herbal teas that contain large chunks of fruit, which take up a lot of space. Many of these teas require 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of tea per cup so having a giant basket like the Breville has is a big plus. The only things right now that I don’t like about the Breville Tea Maker is the water level marker and the handle. The water level marker behind the handle and hard for me to see. The handle itself is like a plexiglass compound and I find it to be a little slippery. I am also disappointed that the manual temperature increases/decreases are in increments of 5 instead of 1. A pot that costs this much should offer that flexibility. The price is what it is. This pot has always been very expensive and Breville has maintained that level for years, so I guess enough people are buying it or else they would be dropping the price. I did read quite a few reviews from people that have had this tea maker for many years without having any problems, and that does, in my opinion, justify the price. What I do recommend is make sure when washing the glass pot you do not submerge the bottom in water, being that the heating coils are there. If you manage to get them that wet, then I would recommend drying them as best as you can and then do not use the pot until the are completely dry. To sum it up, even though there are some things I listed that I don’t like, I still think this pot deserves a 5 star review.

This is our third one. We use it daily, so yes, it does wear out eventually! I think the first one was 7 years, the last one was 8 years, so it was time! We can't live without, so we gladly replace it. This has all the features of a coffee maker—pre-program to come on the morning, keep it hot for an hour—and then a few more. You can pick your temperature and your brewing strength to get the perfect tea. No more boiling water and forgetting it boiled and now the water isn't hot enough. No more steeping tea and forgetting it, and now it's too strong. No need for a time, it lowers the tea to the perfect temp water, steeps for the perfect amount based on tea strenth, and then lifts the tea out, and keeps it warm until you're ready for it. Perfection!!!

It's great, versatile