De'Longhi Classic Signature EM450M vs Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601

Fresh grinding right before brewing matters more for taste than almost anything else. A built-in grinder saves buying a separate one.

More steps let you fine-tune extraction for different beans. Below about 15 steps, dialing in espresso gets hard.

Dual boilers and heat exchangers can brew and steam at the same time with stable temperature. Thermoblocks heat fast but drift more.

Espresso is brewed at about 9 bar. Higher numbers on the box are maximum pump ratings and do not make better coffee, so we do not score them.

A gauge shows whether your grind and dose are right while the shot runs.

A manual steam wand gives the best microfoam for latte art but takes practice. Automatic systems are easier but less flexible.

A bigger tank means refilling less often. For two milk drinks a day, about 60 oz lasts several days.

Measure the space under your kitchen cabinets. Many machines need a few extra inches on top to refill the water tank or bean hopper.

Width times depth, the area the machine takes up on your counter.

Heavier machines stay put when you lock in the portafilter. Lighter ones are easier to move and store.