How we score
The Bench Score methodology
Every product we review gets a Bench Score out of 10. The score is our editorial judgment, made by us, and informed by two things: the product's documented specifications, and the consensus of owner feedback we research from public forums, owner communities and video reviews. It is not an average of customer star ratings, and we do not accept payment to change it.
We score five dimensions from 0 to 10, then combine them with the fixed weights below. Showing the parts, not just the total, is the point: you can see exactly why a machine landed where it did, and weight the dimensions differently if your priorities differ from ours.
The five dimensions
| Dimension | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| In the cup | 25% | How good the coffee can actually get. |
| Value | 25% | What you get for the money. |
| Ease of use | 20% | How forgiving it is day to day. |
| Build & longevity | 20% | How well it is made and how long it lasts. |
| Versatility | 10% | Range of drinks and techniques it supports. |
Principles
- +No score is reverse-engineered to flatter a product or its price. We score the dimensions first; the total is whatever the maths gives.
- +Scores are judgments, not lab measurements. Where we rely on owner consensus rather than hands-on testing, we say so on the page.
- +Scores change. As products get updated, prices move, or owner feedback shifts, we revise them, and the date on each review reflects the last review.
- +Affiliate commissions never influence a score. They fund the site; they do not buy a number.