CHOICE recommends automatic espresso machines with an overall score of 75% or above, so long as they also score 70% or above for taste and at least 55% for milk frothing.

This overall score is made up of taste (60%), ease of use (20%), milk frothing (15%) and coffee temperature consistency over consecutive cups (5%).

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.

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.

We experiment with each machine to find how it best froths milk, looking for fine, pourable froth.

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.

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.

This row shows which products are still available in shops ('Tested model') and which models have been discontinued. You might still be able to find discontinued models in second-hand stores or online.

The manufacturer's recommended retail price. Prices are often flexible, so shop around both online and in bricks-and-mortar stores for options.

The water reservoir is the water container for the machine.

Defined as an 'eco', 'sleep' or 'low power' mode where the machine doesn't completely shut off. 

Machine can shut itself down after a certain time.

Some can be completely removed for refilling while others need to be filled at the unit. All tested models have removable reservoirs, however, being able to fill the reservoir without removing it helps to preserve the connection points.

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.

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.

An area to keep the cups at the optimal temperature for serving espresso.

Can you program the strength and volume of the coffee coming out into your cup?

Are you able to adjust the fineness/coursness of the grind on the machine?

The hopper is the area that holds your coffee beans. Some machines alert you when the hopper is empty.

Some models keep count of how many cups of coffee the machine has made, which is useful if you need to track how much it's being used (like in an office kitchen for example).

The group forms the puck and extracts the coffee. You can remove this in some machines for cleaning.

Does the machine have a cleaning cycle function whereby water is flushed through the coffee and milk spouts?

Is there a decalcifying cycle to remove mineral build up in the machine? Normally this requires a tablet or powder of descaler.

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.

Whether an instructional DVD is supplied. Not so relevant these days, as many tutorials are accessible on video sites like YouTube or via the manufacturer's app.