Every machine on this site runs through the same protocol. That is what makes a 7.8 and an 8.6 comparable, and it is the part most review sites skip.
The espresso protocol
- Dose: 18 g in, 36 g out, targeted at 25 to 30 seconds.
- Grinder: the same calibrated grinder on every machine, so the machine is the variable.
- Beans: one light, one medium and one dark roast, all within 14 days of roast date.
- Temperature: measured at the group with a Scace device, not read off the display.
- Volume: a minimum of 100 shots per machine before a score is assigned.
The milk protocol
Six ounces of whole milk steamed to 140 °F, timed. We log microfoam quality and, more importantly, the recovery time before the machine can pull the next shot. Recovery is what separates a machine that works for one person from one that works for a household.
The scorecard
Five criteria, each out of 10: shot quality, steam power, build quality, ease of use, and value. The overall score is weighted toward shot quality and value, because those are what people regret getting wrong.
How we get the machines
We buy most of them at retail. When a manufacturer lends one, we say so at the top of the review and return it afterwards. We do not accept payment for reviews, placements, or rankings.
When we update
Reviews are re-checked when a machine gets a hardware revision, when its price moves more than 15 percent, or every 12 months, whichever comes first. The date at the top of every review is the last time we verified it.