We have had out bubble machine for about 3 years now and I have always thought it was a very good product until the place I work bought a much cheaper bubble machine (see my other review) Compare the two I can see the downfalls of our bubble machine that was very expensive when we bought it.

Firstly, we bought our bubble machine about 3 years ago from the ELC (early learning centre) it cost us £25.00, which was about right for the product at the time. It came with a big £5 bottle of bubble mixture free. The bubble machine we bought is orange, blue, and purple and green they are now for sale in girly pink and boy's blue!

The bubble machine has a compartment on the top, which contains the batteries, which we had to buy separately. The machine takes size C batteries and holds four, which works out, a bit costly! The batteries do go flat very quickly especially if you leave them inside the bubble blower when you are not using it. A screw holds on the are not easy to take out after each use as the battery compartment so you need a screwdriver to take them out and put them back in.

A fan at the back of the bubble blower blowing towards the front where there are plastic circles, which are hollow, creates the bubbles. There circles rotate round. The bubble mixture goes into the bottom of the machine then the plastic circles (similar to the dipping sticks you get in bubbles.) rotate round into the mixture and then up into the area where the fan is blowing to blow bubbles.

This system works very well however if they children get hold of the bubble machine and carry it around or move it the bubble mixture will run out the back of the machine! The vent in the back of the machine are designed to allow air to get to the fan but this allows the bubble mixture to run out the back of the machine if the machine is not kept flat. This means the surface for the bubble machine needs to be level and flat and that child should not move it or carry it!

The other problem with this bubble machine is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The children can look inside and see how it works great you might think but this poses a bit of a safety issue as they can put there fingers inside while it is going round which would be very dangerous. It is not powerful enough to cause too much damage but could cause a bit of pain!

The bubble blower works fantastically the mixture is great but it could be diluted a bit more as the machine chucks out so many bubbles that the floor becomes very wet and slippery quickly. In addition, if you are using it outside you have to have it angle right for the wind so the wind blows into the back not the front or it does not produce any bubbles. The last problem is the mouth of the blower get a bit blocked with bubbles after a few minutes so you have to stop and wipe it off this doesn't happen if you dilute the bubble mixture.

Kids love bubbles and they are great for outdoors and parties. They do get a bit messy and slippery inside. The machine can be bought much cheaper now than when I bought mine. They are great entertainment and last well!

The ELC bubble machine is not as good as the other one which i have reviewed so shop around.