How We Evaluate
Our approach to researching home espresso equipment — what sources we use, how we score products, and what we never claim.
What we do
Every Café Grade recommendation is built from research. We synthesise:
- Manufacturer specifications and documentation — official spec sheets, user manuals, support documentation
- Specialist publication reviews — detailed reviews from established coffee and home appliance publications with hands-on testing programmes
- Owner experience data — aggregated feedback from verified purchaser communities, cross-referenced across multiple sources to identify consistent patterns
- Expert consensus — technical analysis from barista professionals and equipment technicians published in specialist forums and publications
What we don't do
We do not run a physical product-testing lab. No machine comes through our door for hands-on evaluation. We never claim or imply that we have personally used a product unless we explicitly state so, and we do not fabricate testing results. Our verdicts are research-led, not experience-led.
We do not accept manufacturer samples, press loans, or sponsored placements. Products are selected on research merit, not commercial relationship.
Our scoring criteria
For espresso machine and grinder roundups, we evaluate against a consistent set of published criteria:
- Build quality and durability — materials, component sourcing, long-term reliability data from owner communities
- Extraction capability — pump pressure, temperature stability (PID vs thermostat), portafilter size and basket options
- Ease of use — setup complexity, workflow, cleaning requirements
- Value — performance per dollar at the price tier, total cost of ownership including consumables and maintenance
- After-sales support — parts availability, warranty terms, service network (US-specific)
Recall screening
Before including any product in a roundup, we check the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) recall database and the manufacturer's own recall notices. Any product with an active safety recall is excluded. We document this screening in our build reports.
Freshness and accuracy
We update roundups when product lines change, when new consensus data emerges, or when recommended products are discontinued. All pages carry a visible last-updated date. If you spot an inaccuracy, contact us at hello@cafegrade.com.
About the author
Research is led by Michael Probert, coffee gear researcher at Café Grade. Michael does not run a physical testing lab — his expertise is in synthesising specialist publication data, manufacturer documentation, and owner experience into honest, actionable verdicts.