If you're like me, you've found yourself staring down the list of impressively (and intimidatingly)…
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You already know the luxury of a good latte or cappuccino. But if you drink them every day, the cost can add up. If the coffee shop is wreaking havoc on your wallet, it might be time to invest in a home latte or cappuccino maker.
You may be surprised at the variety on the market. You can even find an iced latte maker if that’s what you prefer. We made this list to help you wade through the possibilities.
It might be confusing when you start looking into purchasing a latte machine for home. The range in price is staggering. Some machines have enough features to fill a book while others only have a few buttons. Here’s some information to help you make sense of what’s out there.
A cappuccino or latte machine is a device that can make espresso and can froth milk. A regular coffee maker can’t make espresso no matter how much coffee grounds you use. To make espresso, you need a coffee machine that can generate a lot of pressure. Cappuccino and latte makers open a whole world of at-home café-style drinks.
Once the exclusive domain of experienced baristas, now anyone can make a perfect latte at home. With a little help, of course.
A semi-automatic espresso machine takes a lot of the guesswork out of making a coffee drink. You still have to measure the grinds into the portafilter and secure it in the machine. But the machine automatically heats the water to the right temperature and forces the water through the grinds. Latte machines also have a steam wand so you can froth and foam your milk just like a barista.
With the super-automatic, the machine does everything for you. It grinds the beans, measures the espresso, and tamps it down. Once you adjust the settings, the machine knows how much water to push through and for how long. Then, these 21st-century machines deliver the frothed milk straight into your cup. Nothing could be simpler.
So how do you choose? The beauty of super-automatics is that you push a button and can walk away. You come back to your preferred espresso drink. But semi-automatics give you control of the process. This is especially important if you’re particular about your espresso or plan to use non-dairy milk. You won’t get a perfect froth and foam with something like almond milk in a super-automatic machine.
Making a perfect cappuccino requires a little bit of art and a little bit of science. While a super-automatic espresso machine has all the science you need, it lacks the art.
It’s all about the foam. No matter how good, a machine can’t replicate the delicate touch of a barista when frothing and pouring the milk. There is a bit of a learning curve to get the froth and foam right, but the human touch makes all the difference. So, if you want to serve quality espresso drinks, you’d be better off with the semi-automatic.
Our roundup includes five semi-automatic and five super-automatic latte machines. In our latte machine reviews, we detailed the pros and cons of each so that you’ll be satisfied with your purchase.
No matter how good a latte maker is, if you don’t use it, it’s not worth anything. Here are a few things to think about when deciding which best latte machines will work for you.
Look at not only whether the machine has a grinder, but also what kind of grinder. All of the machines with grinders on this list do use burr grinders. That produces a much more uniform grind than a blade grinder.
But not all burr grinders are created equal. Ceramic grinders tend to last longer than stainless steel ones. Also, not all coffee beans are created equal. Some might need more grind time than others. If you like a variety of beans, you might want a machine that has variable settings on the grinder.
How much time do you want to spend each day hovering around the latte machine? The beauty of the super-automatic is that you can press a button and walk away. You then return to a properly frothed and foamed espresso drink. A semi-automatic demands some tending, especially in frothing the milk.
With a semi-automatic, you control a lot of what goes into the process. To achieve that café-quality drink, you may have to do some trial-and-error work to get your intended result.
Frothing milk is a biggie, especially if you want to make latte art. It’s not just about warming the milk or steaming milk, but getting the micro-bubbles incorporated to achieve that silky smoothness. And getting that airy milk foam will take a bit of practice.
Preparing the espresso itself also takes some skill. Some semi-automatics have helpers to get the proper grind and tamping, but others leave the process completely up to you. To get the proper extraction, the grind needs to be uniform and quite fine. You also need the proper compression in the portafilter basket.
So, ask yourself, “How much do I want to have to think about when making coffee?” If you have no interest in learning the finer points of latte making, then you might prefer the super-automatic.
If you already have knowledge and skill or are willing to learn, you will probably get much pleasure out of a semi-automatic. Of course, not everyone is especially concerned with the finer art of making espresso drinks and latte art drinks. If you’re in that category, you can still get a reasonable espresso drink from a semi-automatic espresso machine without too much fuss.
While there is a price range within each category, in general, semi-automatics will be less expensive than super-automatics. You might experience some sticker shock with the higher-end models. But, be sure to calculate how much you spend each month on buying coffee.
The daily stop at the coffee shop certainly adds up. That might make the cost of a latte machine/cappuccino machine for home seem more reasonable. Just buy quality coffee beans.
First, make sure that you’re using high-quality, fresh coffee beans. You don’t need to use a dark Italian roast. Many medium roast coffees make a delightful espresso. The main thing is that the beans are fresh. That means the least amount of time since roasting and brewing coffee immediately after grinding.
Second, you need an even, finely ground coffee. A burr grinder will deliver a much more uniform grind than any blade grinder. You then need to measure your coffee beans, level it, and tamp it down in the portafilter basket. The packed coffee is called a puck.
Milk selection is also important. You want to use very cold milk, but not frozen. Fat and protein content also make a difference. You can get into the science of steamed milk. But most coffee shops use 2% milk, so you can go with that.
When you’re done, be sure to clean the latte espresso machine, especially the milk frother. Also, make sure to follow the suggested maintenance schedule. This not only helps the latte machines last longer but will also make better-tasting coffee drinks.
It’s all about the ratio of coffee, milk, and foam. A cappuccino has equal amounts of coffee, milk, and foam. A latte has much more milk than coffee with a light layer of foam on top.
Also, to clear up confusion, the cappuccino machine or latte machines are essentially the same thing and usually are called the espresso machine with the steam wand to make frothed/steamed milk.
No. Not all espresso machines can steam milk. To make a latte or cappuccino, the machine needs to be able to froth and foam milk. An actual steam wand on the machine delivers the best results.
If not included, you will want to use a steel frothing pitcher for frothing/steaming milk. The shape and material of the pitcher will affect the quality of the froth and foam.
In short Latte Macchiato is when the espresso is poured into the steamed milk.
Our overall top pick among the best latte machines goes to the Breville Barista Express. While much is automated, you still have control to customize the strength of your espresso. The high-powered steam want lets you create perfect frothed milk just like at the café.
If budget is your primary concern, check out the GEVI 5403 espresso machine. It can create enough pressure to get proper extraction. While it may not be the best steam wand, for the price, it does an adequate job for an at-home espresso machine/cappuccino machine.
It’s very rare to find an affordable super-automatic latte maker, but the Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse is exactly that. The one caveat is that it does not include a coffee grinder. On the plus side, it has a surprisingly small footprint and delivers excellent expresso. Also, the frothing device works very well.
There’s a lot to think about when choosing the best latte machine among so many latte makers. Before you know it, you can impress your guests with home-crafted espresso drinks. And, you can get your caffeine buzz started before you leave the house!
