Our Coffee Equipment Review Methodology
How Home Brew Expert tests and rates coffee equipment: our testing process, scoring criteria, and editorial standards.
No Pay-to-Play
We never accept payment to change ratings.
Real Testing
Every product is personally evaluated by our team.
Always Updated
We refresh reviews when products change.
How We Review Coffee Equipment
Every piece of equipment we recommend is tested using a standardized protocol.
Testing Protocol
- Grinders: Particle size distribution (Kruve sifter), dose retention, RPM consistency, heat generation over 100g.
- Espresso machines: 30 shots per machine across pressure variations, measuring extraction yield and crema quality.
- Pour-over: Calibrated gooseneck, consistent grind baseline, 93°C water.
Scoring Criteria
1. Extraction Quality (30%) — Cup scores from blind tasting against a baseline.
2. Build Quality & Durability (25%) — Materials, warranty, and repairability.
3. Value for Money (20%) — Spec comparison within price tier.
4. Ease of Use & Cleaning (15%) — Brewing session and cleanup time.
5. Upgradability (10%) — Serviceability and mod support for long-term ownership.
Last updated: April 2026
Last updated April 11, 2026