Editorial Policy

Purpose and Standards Our editorial mission is to provide workflow-first, evidence-backed guidance for choosing and owning espresso machines. We prioritize real-world usability, durability, and serviceability over marketing claims. Accuracy, clarity, and transparency guide every review.

Independence and Integrity • No pay-for-play: Sponsors and affiliates do not influence our test design, scores, or conclusions. • Access to products: We purchase units when feasible. We may also accept short-term loaners. Loaner status is disclosed and never guarantees coverage or a favorable outcome. • Conflicts of interest: Contributors disclose any potential conflicts. Assignments change or are declined if independence could be compromised.

Review Process • Standardized testing: Every machine is run through the same beans, grinder, water, and reference recipes. • Hands-on use: We evaluate heat-up, recovery, steaming throughput, ergonomics, cleanup, and noise in a real-home environment. • Documented evidence: We record procedures, times, measurements, and observations for internal audit.

Scoring Framework • Morning-Workflow Fit Score: Rates how well a machine supports common routines (e.g., two milk drinks in 8–10 minutes, quiet operation, fast cleanup). • Long-Term Ownership Index: Assesses build quality, serviceability, parts access, warranty strength, reliability signals, and maintenance time/cost. • Category context: Scores are interpreted by user segment (beginner, upgrader, milk-first, small office) and note trade-offs.

Corrections and Updates • Corrections: When errors are found, we fix them promptly and note what changed. • Re-tests: Firmware or hardware changes, or long-term findings, may trigger retesting and updated scores. • Versioning: Major updates include an “Updated” date and summary of changes.

Samples, Loans, and Returns • Loaners: Typical loan periods are 30–60 days. Units are returned unless otherwise disclosed. • Long-term units: If a unit remains for endurance testing, we disclose that status.

Affiliate Relationships and Advertising • Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. These links never change our conclusions. • Any ads or sponsorships, if used, will be clearly labeled and separated from editorial content.

Reader Involvement • Feedback: If you spot an error or have data to share, email [email protected] with “Editorial” in the subject line. • Transparency: When feasible, we publish methodology details, test notes, and clarifications to help readers replicate or understand our findings.