Price
Expand to view more details.The manufacturer's recommended retail price. Prices are often flexible, so shop around both online and in bricks-and-mortar stores for options.
enter value/s in increments of 1 between 379 and 4850
Recommended products
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Taste test score
Three experts test the espressos in a 'blind' tasting, checking the colour and thickness of the crema (the tan-coloured foam on the top of an espresso), aroma, flavour, mouth-feel (for example, creaminess or wateriness) and aftertaste.
enter value/s in increments of i between 5 and 90
Milk frothing score
We experiment with each machine to find how it best froths milk, looking for fine, pourable froth.
enter value/s in increments of i between 40 and 80
Hot water nozzle
The hot water nozzle has a bigger opening than the steam nozzle allowing more water to flow through. It could be used to make hot water for tea or long blacks.
Steam wand
Whether there is a steam wand for frothing milk. Many automatic espresso machines will do everything including froth the milk but some people may prefer to control this part of the process.
Shop Ethical rating
Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. The rating ranks from A (highest) to F (lowest); N/A means there is no rating for that company.
Coffee temperature consistency score
We measure the consistency of four consecutive coffees for each machine after warming it up for five minutes. Models with thermoblock systems generally heat up only a very small quantity of water on demand as it flows through the system so it isn't unusual for them to have inconsistent temperatures. Boilers heat a larger amount of water and generally keep it heated fairly consistently.
enter value/s in increments of i between 10 and 100
Ease of use score
We test how easy the machines are to use by trying the controls, filling the water tank and the bean hopper, adjusting the grinder, making a coffee, cleaning inside and out, and programming a coffee.
enter value/s in increments of i between 68 and 88
Water reservoir capacity (L)
The water reservoir is the water container for the machine.
enter value/s in increments of i between 1.1 and 2.5
Milk frothing feature
Weight (kg)
enter value/s in increments of i between 7.3 and 16.7
Can use pre-ground coffee
Whether the machine can accommodate pre-ground coffee or only coffee beans. Bear in mind these machines are designed to be used with beans and can generally only handle one serve of ground coffee at a time.
Cup warming plate
An area to keep the cups at the optimal temperature for serving espresso.
Availability
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find these models on second hand websites, or in second hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
Included in this review
- Shop Ethical rating
- CHOICE Expert Rating
- Recommended
- Taste test score
- Ease of use score
- Milk frothing score
- Coffee temperature consistency score
- Measured heat-up time
- Good points
- Bad points
- Price
- Standby mode
- Automatic power turn-off
- Removable water reservoir
- Water tank empty reminder
- Steam wand
- Hot water nozzle
- Removable drip tray
- Milk frothing feature
- Cup warming plate
- Cord storage
- Programmable coffee quantity
- Digital display
- Grinder adjustment
- Hopper empty warning
- Cup counter
- Dregs box full indicator
- Espresso pressure or milk temperature gauge
- Adjustable water temperature for coffee making
- Adjustable coffee dispensing height/depth
- Coffee strength settings
- Removable group for cleaning
- Wash / cleaning cycle
- Decalcifying cycle
- Can use pre-ground coffee
- Water hardness adjustable
- Frothing ready
- Water reservoir capacity (L)
- Pump pressure – stated (bars)
- Instructional DVD supplied
- Other features
- Dimensions (H x W x D, cm)
- Weight (kg)
- Warranty
- Country of origin
- Items supplied