How We Review

This page explains how Kiwi Latte chooses, tests and ranks coffee machines. It applies to every buying guide and review on the site.

Who tests the machines

AB, our writer, tests machines at home in Auckland. AB has used all seven machines in our best coffee machines NZ guide.

We do not run lab tests. We judge machines the way you will use them: making real coffee in a home kitchen.

What we look at

  • Coffee: how espresso and milk drinks taste, and how consistent they are.
  • Milk: how easy it is to make a flat white or latte.
  • Ease of use: how much skill and time each coffee takes.
  • Cleaning: daily clean-up and descaling.
  • Size: how much bench space the machine needs.
  • Running costs: beans or capsules, in NZ$.
  • Value: what you get for the New Zealand price.

Which machines we include

  • Sold in New Zealand by at least one NZ shop or the brand’s NZ store.
  • Bought from a NZ business, so the Consumer Guarantees Act applies.
  • A good match for what Kiwis are looking for, by type, budget or size.
  • Specs checked against the brand’s New Zealand website.

How we check prices

  • We check NZ shop websites, brand NZ stores and PriceMe.
  • We show the lowest price we found and the date we checked it.
  • Prices change often, especially around Black Friday and Boxing Day. Always check the shop before you buy.
  • We aim to recheck prices on our main guides every month.

How we rank machines

Each machine gets a “best for” label, such as best overall or best budget espresso machine. We rank on how well a machine suits most Kiwi homes, not on price alone.

We also tell you who should skip each machine, so you can rule it out quickly.

What we never do

  • We never accept payment for a recommendation or a higher ranking.
  • We never let a commission decide a pick.
  • We never recommend machines you cannot buy in New Zealand.
  • We never send New Zealand buyers to Australian or US shops.

Updates and corrections

Every guide shows the date it was last updated. If you spot an error, email hello@kiwilatte.co.nz and we will fix it.

Read more in our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.