What actually makes an espresso machine better than another?

It feels like a dumb question - but based on what would you make a decision on a specific espresso machine than any other?

Like, after all the required parameters to choose a machine, like:

• single vs double boiler
• amount of functions
• budget and price
• how automatic vs manual it is And all of these different parameters...

You got to a point where you have found a couple ooptions that will fit, how do you choose from there? Is it based on brand and reviews? Based on feeling? Based on experience with the machine? What makes a machine better than the other, after comparing all the basic features?