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A good latte or cappuccino is like a rich milky mug of heaven. Just writing about these delicious, warming drinks makes me want one. Sadly, creating the perfect cap or latte at home can be a hassle. Making a barista-worthy espresso is tough enough, but adding the right amount of milk and foam, perfectly heated and combined, is surprisingly daunting.
In mid-2018, I dove headfirst into the world of advanced coffee devices and find out what makes them tick … er … hiss. I've tried more than a dozen machines with latte and cappuccino functionality. Some machines made pure espresso using coffee-shop-style portafilters and came with milk canisters for frothing. Others relied on single-use pods with separate foamers. A few even came with legit steam wands and advanced options. These are the best latte and cappuccino machines I've found so far.
*Updated December 2019: We've updated this guide for 2020, with several new picks, the Breville Barista Pro, two new Delonghi machines, and the Flair Pro 2. Be sure to read our [guide to portable espresso makers](https://www.wired.com/story/best-portable-espresso-makers/), as well as our many other [holiday guides](https://www.wired.com/tag/buying-guides/).
*When you buy something using the links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. [Here's how it works](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/). You can also support our reporting and reviewing by purchasing a __[1-year print + digital WIRED subscription for $5 (Discount)](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_AFFILIATE?source=HCL_WIR_EDIT_HARDCODED_0_COMMERCE_AFFILIATE_ZZ)__.*
##1. Best Overall
###[Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse ($325)](https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-One-Touch-CoffeeHouse-Cappuccino/dp/B07CJ3CYF7/){: rel=nofollow}
[#image: /photos/5c183e50c088d25346fc68b2]||||||
This Mr. Coffee machine sits at the comfortable intersection where ease of use, automation, and affordability meet. It can extract a flavorful espresso from almost any beans and grind, and its milk reservoir will automatically mix a cappuccino or latte for you.
This is basically a sturdier, better-designed version of the Mr. Coffee Café Barista, our affordable pick, with a nicer portafilter basket that takes [ESE espresso pods](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node=14978414011&field-keywords=ESE%20espresso%20pods&rh=n:16310101,n:16310231,n:16521305011,n:16318031,n:14978414011,k:ESE%20espresso%20pods){: rel=nofollow} and a milk reservoir that holds more milk and snaps in more firmly. Like the cheaper version, you have to load coffee in the portafilter basket yourself and twist it on (use a fine grind and tamp it down with some pressure for the best taste), but the machine can mix a cappuccino or latte macchiato for you at the press of a button. It has two sizes of each, and a manual mode that will just keep foaming or extracting espresso until you tell it to stop.
On the downside, you'll need to clean the milk canister at least once a week (you can keep it in the fridge). It also won't extract quite as much rich espresso flavor as the Breville machines below, but it is *a lot* easier to use. One day, for fun, I put standard Maxwell House coffee into it. The end result was definitely Maxwell House-like espresso, but it was still an acceptable Maxwell House espresso—good to the last drop™. It pulls as nice an espresso as it can from almost anything.
**[Buy Mr. Coffee One-Touch Coffeehouse for $325 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-One-Touch-CoffeeHouse-Cappuccino/dp/B07CJ3CYF7/){: rel=nofollow}**
***
##2. Better Taste, High Learning Curve
###[Breville Barista Pro ($720)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08133HX34/){: rel=nofollow}
The Breville Barista Pro is a coffee shop in a box. The built-in pressure-activated conical burr grinder gives you fresh grounds however you like them, and the pressure gauge and options let you adjust the water temperature and shot amount. You have to froth your own milk, and the steam wand makes it easier than the competition, with a handle and the ability to tilt in any direction. It cleans itself and you can get hot water from the machine to brew tea or make an Americano.
Previously we recommended the Express model because it's a bit cheaper, but it was also more difficult to use. The Pro has revamped the controls, and operating it is much simpler and more intuitive. All the accessories you need are included here—there's a stainless steel milk jug, magnetic tamper, trimming tool, and more.
The Barista Pro isn’t cheap, and it's probably overkill if you already own a burr grinder, but you’d be hard-pressed finding a sturdier, more authentic latte and cappuccino machine that doesn’t cost thousands of dollars. If you don't mind wading through the manual, the [Barista Express ($550)](https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BES870XL-Barista-Express-Espresso/dp/B00CH9QWOU/){: rel=nofollow} is another option.
**[Buy the Barista Pro for $720](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08133HX34/){: rel=nofollow}**
*(Tip: Use the double-walled filters—they deliver better crema—and when heating your milk, try to position your steam wand just below the surface. If you have it right, the milk will spin as it's heating. Slowly lower the jug to add foam.)*
***
##3. Best Latte for Your Dollar
###[Mr. Coffee Café Barista ($200)](https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Barista-Espresso-Cappuccino/dp/B007K9OIMU/){: rel=nofollow}
[#image: /photos/5b7e0945f521ce3ac9ba463f]||||||
The Café Barista is perfect if you want pure espresso and a machine that mixes the milk for you without much fuss. It’s plastic and lightweight, which means you have to steady the machine with your hand as you twist the portafilter into place, but other than that it makes fairly rich single or double-sized espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes with the push of a button.
Like the Mr. Coffee One-Touch Coffeehouse, this machine's integrated milk container has its pros and cons. You will have to remember to remove and refrigerate it each morning and clean it every few days or it could clog up—clean-up is easy, thankfully. Milk tends to come out a little foamier than I prefer for a latte, and it took me some time to understand what size glasses I needed for each drink (a double latte, for instance, is 15 ounces, but a double cappuccino is only 10 ounces). The slide-out booster is nice for smaller glasses.
**[Buy the Café Barista for $200 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Barista-Espresso-Cappuccino/dp/B007K9OIMU/){: rel=nofollow}, [Mr. Coffee](https://www.mrcoffee.com/espresso-machines/mr.-coffee-cafe-barista/BVMC-ECMP1000-RB.html){: rel=nofollow}, and [Walmart](https://goto.walmart.com/c/1305164/565706/9383?subId1=bestlattecap&veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FMr-Coffee-Cafe-Barista-Espresso-Maker-Black-Silver-BVMC-ECMP1000%2F24293168){: rel=nofollow})**
***
##4. Best For Compact Kitchens
###[Breville Bambino Plus ($500)](https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BES500BSS-Bambino-Espresso-Stainless/dp/B07JVD78TT/){: rel=nofollow}
[#image: /photos/5c183e25e91b067f6d57de99]||||||
If you want to play at being a barista but have a small kitchen, you might want to take a look at Breville’s new Bambino Plus. This machine has a remarkable number of features squeezed into a compact countertop footprint of 7.5 by 12.5 inches. It doesn’t have a burr grinder like the Barista Pro—and has a similarly high price—but it does come with the same high quality accessories, such as a tamper and measuring tool.
I found the learning curve on the Bambino Plus to be very steep. You fill up the water talk, fill the portafilter basket and the milk jug to the indicated fill lines, slide them into their respective spots, and push a button. In my testing, the two-shot setting outputs a little less than the advertised two ounces of espresso.
However, as with the Barista Express, this isn’t a latte machine for someone who wants a quick, convenient cuppa. The Bambino Plus requires attentive maintenance, whether you’re washing out the drip tray, or purging and wiping down the steam wand. Still, I found it fun to painstakingly replicate a process that I’ve seen so many times from the other side of the counter.
**[Buy the Bambino Plus for $500 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BES500BSS-Bambino-Espresso-Stainless/dp/B07JVD78TT/){: rel=nofollow}**
***
##5. Most Convenient, Easiest Cleanup
###[Keurig K-Café ($179)](https://www.amazon.com/Keurig-K-Cafe-Single-Cappuccino-Charcoal/dp/B07C1XC3GF/){: rel=nofollow}
[#image: /photos/5b7e097e5560bb1fedf11d5b]||||||
I love this machine. It's the best Keurig I’ve used ([8/10, WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/review-keurig-k-cafe/)), and has the best frother of any machine I tested for this guide. Despite the fact that the K-Café doesn’t technically make espresso shots (the K-cup system doesn't put its grounds under any pressure), it still makes a delicious “espresso style” 2-ounce shot that can taste almost as strong, though without the crema that you might desire.
The real magic is the frother. It has three settings—cold, latte, and cappuccino—and froths milk to perfection with the tap of a button. When it’s done, simply pour your milk with the spout on the side. The jug is made of stainless steel, and the plastic spinner comes right off, making cleanup as easy as a quick run under the faucet. It was so simple to use and clean that I sometimes frothed milk with it even when I used other machines to make my espresso. I liked it so much, I didn’t even mind that the spout on the frother was designed for right handed folks. This lefty was happy to adapt.
**[Buy the K-Café for $179](https://www.amazon.com/Keurig-K-Cafe-Single-Cappuccino-Charcoal/dp/B07C1XC3GF/){: rel=nofollow}**
***
##6. Best Hand-Pump Espresso
###[Flair Pro 2 ($309)](https://www.flairespresso.com/product-page/flair-signature-pro-2){: rel=nofollow}
[#image: /photos/5d6068e5895f71000883d365]||||||
If you want to add the feel of a 1950s Italian cafe to your kitchen, the Flair Pro 2 not only looks the part, but brews a great espresso too. It's entirely human-powered. There's no cord, no need for anything other than a little pressure from your arm. As an added bonus, it comes with a little carrying case if you want to take it work, camping or wherever else the need for a shot of espresso strikes you.
The Flair is simple to use. You can see the process in the company's very helpful video guide to brewing. It's also built like a tank, and clean-up is just a matter of dumping the espresso and rinsing out the portafilter. If you want a latte or cappuccino you'll need a milk frother like this [Secura frother ($35)](https://www.amazon.com/Secura-Automatic-Electric-Frother-Warmer/dp/B00JEPP64C/){: rel=nofollow}
**[Buy the Flair Pro 2 for $309](https://www.flairespresso.com/product-page/flair-signature-pro-2){: rel=nofollow}**
***
##7. Cheap, Simple Espresso
###[De'Longhi Espresso and Cappuccino Maker ($100)](https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Cappuccino-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG/){: rel=nofollow}
If all you want is a dead simple espresso maker and frothing wand, this De'Longhi works well considering its $100 price tag. Espresso comes out tasting as rich as you’d expect, with a healthy head of crema thanks to the 15 bars of pump pressure.
The water tank can be removed for easier cleaning, and the drip tray can also slides out so you can rinse off any spills.
**[Buy the De'Longhi Espresso and Cappuccino Maker for $100](https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40792-Espresso-Cappuccino/dp/B01AT75AX0/){: rel=nofollow}**
***
##Machines that Didn’t Make the Cut
**[Keurig K-Latte ($100)](https://goto.walmart.com/c/1305164/565706/9383?subId1=bestlattecap&veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FKeurig-K-Latte-Single-Serve-K-Cup-Coffee-and-Latte-Maker-Comes-with-Milk-Frother-Compatible-With-all-Keurig-K-Cup-Pods-Black%2F669553233){: rel=nofollow}:** The K-Latte is an admirable, affordable little Keurig with a traditional electric frother on it. It can put out a concentrated shot like the K-Café we recommend, but the frother isn’t any better than one you can buy separate, and its nonstick coating sometimes requires a gentle scrub.
**[Gourmia GCM4000 K-Cup Latte Maker](https://www.amazon.com/Gourmia-GCM4000-Compatible-Cappuccino-Straight/dp/B076VMC483/){: rel=nofollow}:** This Gourmia also uses Keurig K Cups, has an easy interface, and a nice milk frother built-in. Unfortunately, it has some design flaws. The K-Cup drawer often leaves a puddle around your cup, and if you use reusable K-Cups, they could get stuck in it. The milk jug is also difficult to remove and the distance from the milk spout to a normal cup is too far, leading to splashing and spills. You can adjust the cup shelf height, but you have to watch diligently: there’s a chance your cup might slide right off due to the flimsy nature of the shelf.
**[Delonghi Lattissima One ($380)](https://www.amazon.com/Nespresso-Lattissima-DeLonghi-Warm-Slate/dp/B079W6RV3Z){: rel=nofollow}:** My house has had a Nespresso in it for years. Nespresso isn't as flavorful as a freshly brewed shot from a coffee shop, but it’s fast and does the trick. There are other Nespresso makers with frothers, but Delonghi’s Lattissima One is an elegant little machine with a solid 19 bars of pressure. This used to be one of our picks, but it ended up springing a leak and getting water everywhere. It's not a bad machine, but in our experience, and in other reviews around the web, it does not hold up long term.
##Questions and Answers
[#image: /photos/5b7e0b0c4711c736f78633e0]||||||
###How did you test each machine?
To find the best latte and cappuccino makers, I first researched what was on the market, widely available, and stuck to models under $800. I ended up testing around a dozen different machines for between one and three months (depending on the model), using different types of coffees, pods, and milks. I tried to live with each machine, to a degree, and use them casually, but also tested the same milk and grounds in each (where possible) to compare milk/froth ratios and taste.
Setup and cleanup were especially important, as was durability. The entire point of a device like these is to save time and energy, and/or produce a drink of higher quality than can be made without it, so we didn’t recommend any products that didn’t produce tasty espresso *and* save time.
###How do you make a good latte or cappuccino?
There are a lot of differing opinions on ratios, but generally a cappuccino is a 1-ounce espresso shot (or a 2-ounce double shot), 2 ounces steamed milk, and 2 ounces foamed milk. A latte is similar but has more milk and less foam. It’s a 1- to 2-ounce espresso shot, 6 (ish) ounces of steamed milk, and a bit of foam that mixes with the espresso crema as you pour in the milk. I sometimes use a spoon to hold back the foam until the end. (I have yet to try to [make latte art](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o86p0cKwjUw).)
Technically, the machines in this guide that have milk canisters make latte macchiatos, because they pour the milk and foam before the espresso shot. In a traditional latte, the coffee comes first. I prefer traditional lattes in my testing. They were creamier and richer, but they were also more work to make (except with the Keurig K-Café).
##Other Espresso Necessities
**Great Beans:** If you haven’t made espresso before, I recommend you use your favorite standard coffee beans. Just make sure they have a fine grind and pack them tight if your machine has a portafilter. I tried a lot of pre-ground popular espresso blends like [Lavazza](https://www.amazon.com/Lavazza-Coffee-Medium-Espresso-2-2-Pound/dp/B00P0ZMWEC/){: rel=nofollow}, [Gevalia](https://www.amazon.com/Gevalia-French-Roast-Coffee-Ground/dp/B00UT3YLKS/ref=sr_1_3_sspa/){: rel=nofollow}, and [Café Bustelo](https://www.amazon.com/Bustelo-Espresso-Ground-Coffee-Packaging/dp/B01ERBUCM8/){: rel=nofollow}. They were all too dark and bitter for my taste, but you may like them. Right now, I’m enjoying [Kicking Horse coffee beans](https://www.amazon.com/Kicking-Horse-Coffee-Variety-Flavors/dp/B00RM5APQ0/){: rel=nofollow}, specifically [Three Sisters](https://www.amazon.com/Kicking-Horse-Coffee-Sisters-Medium/dp/B00KC0LLFQ){: rel=nofollow}.
**Electric Frother:** Even if you don’t use one of these machines, you can add some froth to your espressos or coffee with an electric milk frother. This [$35 Secura frother](https://www.amazon.com/Secura-Automatic-Electric-Frother-Warmer/dp/B00JEPP64C/){: rel=nofollow} is pretty standard and has a two-year warranty.
**Leveler & Tamper:** A lot of machines come with a plastic tamper, but out of the units I tested, only the Barista Express had a proper leveler and tamper. I immediately began using it for other machines. You'll need to check the size of your portafilter (some are smaller than normal), but this [$19 leveler and tamper](https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Distributor-Leveler-tool-Distribution/dp/B077BZ4CV6/){: rel=nofollow} should help you pack in those espresso baskets.
**Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher:** If your latte maker comes with just a steam wand (like the Hamilton Beach machine on this list), you’ll want to invest in a frothing jug. This [$17 Star Coffee Frothing Pitcher](https://www.amazon.com/Star-Coffee-Stainless-Frothing-Pitcher/dp/B01DXYHXXQ/){: rel=nofollow} is nice because it has measurement scales on the inside, which is helpful if you want to get the right coffee-to-milk ratio.
***
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