The Best Cappuccino Machine Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

The Best Cappuccino Machines Are:

1. Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine— Best Overall

Breville BES870XL is a unique semi-automatic appliance that offers a great mix of convenience and quality. This machine is an all-in-one espresso machine with an integrated grinder that turns beans into espresso within seconds. The conical grinder delivers the needed amount of grounded beans on-demand for a great fresh cup of espresso. And thanks to its milk frother, you can turn espresso into a delicious cup of cappuccino.

Breville BES870XL increases the water pressure when you start brewing to ensure that the flavor is drawn out of the beans. This unit ensures that the flavor is drained out evenly during the brewing process to create a balanced tasting beverage. This machine has a digital temperature controlling feature that controls the water temperature for proper extraction.

This intuitive brewer gives you control over the size of the ground beans, no matter the type of beans used. This machine allows you to brew your roasted beans directly into your portafilter for a great beverage. Breville BES870XL is a high-quality machine that can serve you for a very long time without breaking down. Plus, it will alert you when it's time to do an in-depth cleaning. And the only negative thing about this machine is its price. But it's a great investment that will ensure that you get your hot mug of cappuccino every day.

Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5

Verdict

Breville BES870XL is a great machine that can give you a coffee shop quality drink at about half the price. This machine might be costly, but it is worth every dollar.

View on Amazon →

2. Nespresso Lattissima Plus Cappuccino Machine

Lattissima Plus is an exquisite machine that can make high-quality cappuccino within seconds. With this unit, there is no fussing about measuring, grinding and monitoring the temperature. Lattissima Plus is a straightforward programmable machine with numerous brewing options. Therefore, making your favorite beverage with this machine is quite easy.

Lattissima Plus has an automatic frothing system that can turn milk into a velvety froth for your cup of cappuccino. With this machine, flavor possibilities are endless, so there will always be something for your taste buds. Simply put your flavored capsule in the Lattissima Plus and pick your preferred drink, and it will dispense a drink into your cup. And if you plan on having a cappuccino, you should thrust in the frothing system.

Lattissima Plus's automatic energy-saving feature reduces unnecessary energy consumption. And the only negative thing about this machine is the fact that it needs frequent cleaning. Plus, removing the impurities from deep inside some of its corners can be quite challenging.

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5

Verdict

Nespresso Lattissima is a no-fuss, no-mess unit that makes cappuccinos without any technicalities. Therefore, anyone can use it without having to deal with the user manual.

View on Amazon →

3. Keurig K-Café

If you are interested in a simple machine that saves you some cash and time, you should go for Keurig K-café. Keurig K-café excels in improving your morning s without hurting your bank account. With its 15 bar pressures and three frothing modes, this machine can make a delicious beverage within minutes. Plus, it can make a wide range of coffee beverages, including a cold or hot cappuccino, plain black coffee or simply a latte.

Keurig K-Café has a huge water reservoir that allows you to brew up to 6 cups before refilling it. And this can simplify your mornings and save time in the process. In fact, its brewing process is quite simple, and you will never need a manual to keep it running. And thanks to its smart start feature, it can heat the water and brew at the same time. So you will never have to wait for the machine to heat up before picking the cup size.

Keurig K-café has a programmable auto-off feature that switches it off 2 hours after you have finished brewing. And the good thing about this machine is that it can accommodate a travel mug with a height of about 7.2". The frothing and brewing regions are separate in this machine, plus it alerts you when it requires descaling. The only negative thing about this machine is that it requires more counter space than most cappuccino machines.

Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5

Verdict

Keurig K-café is a simple cappuccino maker that is both affordable and durable. This machine can give you a delicious mug of cappuccino within a few minutes and at a fraction of the price.

View on Amazon →

4. Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker: Café Barista

Semi-automatic machines like Café Barista are the most hands-on machines on the market. These machines will require you to load the grounded coffee and control the amount of time the espresso shot will be pulled. Therefore, you will need a reliable coffee grinder. The brewing process can be quite laborious with a semi-automatic machine, but they are the most popular for home use.

And one of the most famous semi-automatic machines is this cappuccino maker. This 3-in-1 machine can make a latte, cappuccino and espresso. Its 15-bar pump system helps draw the most flavor from the coffee to produce high-quality espresso. Plus, its trouble-free milk frother gets rid of any guesswork when preparing capuccinos.

This machine is easy to use, affordable and can produce high-quality drinks. Café Barista has a clear and simple control panel that won't need looking at the manual just to make a delicious mug of cappuccino. The main drawback with this machine is that it's quite hard to clean.

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5

Verdict

The Café Barista is easy to use, thanks to its simple control panel. And the fact that it's affordable and reliable has made it quite popular for household usage.

View on Amazon →

5. De'Longhi ESAM3300 Super-Automatic Machine

De'Longhi ESAM3300 is a perfect combination of performance and style. This machine will guarantee you hassle-free cappuccinos, Americanos, lattes, and espressos within seconds. This unit features a patented Cappuccino System that creates a creamy froth for your drink. Its push and rotatable buttons control panel are quite straightforward to use. Therefore, even a beginner can prepare a barista-worthy cappuccino that will make you stop visiting your local coffee shop.

This brewer's frothing system will help you make dense foam for your milky coffee beverage. This machine can fit perfectly on your countertop thanks to its compact design. De'Longhi ESAM3300 grinds beans instantly, thanks to its direct-to-brew system. So you can brew a cup of coffee using different types of beans. But the most highly recommended beans are the ones with less visible oil.

De'Longhi ESAM3300 is a self-descaling machine that will alert itself when it needs a thorough cleaning. So you will never have to worry about the quality of your drink being affected by the impurities left by the hard water. But many people have complained that it's quite costly. However, for its price, you get a high-quality machine that will serve you for a very long time.

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5

Verdict

Thanks to its size, the De'longhi ESAM3300 is ideal for small offices and homes. Plus, it makes more than just cappuccinos; this machine can make any coffee-based beverage.

View on Amazon →

6. Gaggia RI9380/46 Classic Pro Semi-Automatic

Gaggia RI9380/46 is a great machine for folks who have started developing barista skills. It's ideal for skilled baristas who are slightly purist and are loath to embrace high-tech brewers. This semi-automatic machine comes with a year-long warranty. And it's the best option to give you control over the brewing process as you develop your barista skills.

Gaggia RI9380/46 features a commercial-style steam wind (that is actually the updated version of its predecessor) for individuals who want to use a wand while learning how to make a cappuccino. After all, a wand should make steaming milk quite simple as you develop your barista skills. And being a tall machine with a height of about 14 inches, you must put it in a spacious spot.

The precision mounting of its vibration pump helps reduce the sounds produced when making cappuccinos. So this machine produces high-quality drinks with less noise than most cappuccino machines in the market. Its heating system can heat its boiler to brew ready within less than 5 minutes and steam ready within seconds. The only disadvantage of this machine is that it can only fit short cups.

Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5

Verdict

Gaggia RI9380/46 is a great brewer that can help budding baristas nurture their skills while enjoying a delicious drink.

View on Amazon →

7. Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

Rancilio Silvia machine features a famous traditional style semi-automatic design. Rancilio Silvia has a strongly designed housing that's made of stainless steel side panels and an iron frame. Therefore, it will serve you for a very long time. This brewer features a wide-diameter portafilter, fully-articulated steam wand and a simplified interface. Plus, descaling it is quite easy.

Rancilio Silvia features the biggest water reservoir of all the world's home espresso machines. It can serve many guests at once, thanks to its 2-liter reservoir. However, many users have complained that it takes a very long time to heat up. So you might have to wait a bit to get your beverage.

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5

Verdict

Thanks to its sleek design, this machine can easily blend with most interior decor. Plus, it is a reliable machine that offers professional-level performance.

View on Amazon →

8. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Philips 3200 is a high-quality professional unit that offers delicious cappuccinos with a push of a button. This unit offers short brewing times and an easy one-touch brewing process. It is a great addition to your kitchen. Philips 3200 can make over four coffee-based beverages, including lungo and Americano. And thanks to its classic milk frother, you can turn your espresso into a delicious cup of cappuccino.

Its classic milk frother releases steam allowing your machine to make a smooth, silky froth for your sweet cappuccino. Philips 3200 features a 12-step grinder adjustment that grinds your beans into any texture. While cleanup and operating it is easy, you only have to descale it after every 5,000 brews. And that is because it has a special water filter.

This brewer weighs about 20 pounds and measures about 12.28 in by 19.21 in by 19.61 in. Therefore, it can take huge space on your counter. But considering the quality of cappuccino and other beverages that it makes, this machine is worth it.

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5

Verdict

The 3200 series from Philips is a high-grade machine that's easy to use and clean. And thanks to its Aquaclean filter, you don't have to descale it regularly. Therefore, you can enjoy about 5,000 brews before you need to descale it.

View on Amazon →

9. Nespresso Lattissima Pro Original Espresso Machine

The Lattissima Pro is an excellent machine with options for making cappuccinos. Its excellent build quality, stainless design, and ability to brew a wide range of beverages make it a reliable unit. And being a hassle-free machine means that you will have your delicious drink within less than two minutes.

Lattissima Pro uses a unique espresso extraction system that has 19-bars of pressure. This patented system creates a perfect water flow to help draw the most flavors from the grounded coffee. And thanks to its rapid heat-up time, you will never have to wait for a very long time for a delicious drink. Lattissima Pro's Thermoblock heating system accelerates the cold-start to a few seconds.

Its intuitive descaling function alerts you when to descale the machine as per the programmed water hardness setting. And its pluggable descaling pipe helps make the descaling process quite easy. This machine has an energy-saving function that turns it off 9 minutes after you have finished brewing to help reduce your energy bill. The only downside to Lattissima Pro is the fact that it's quite expensive.

Overall rating: 4.6 out of 5

Verdict

Despite its price, Lattissima Pro has many excellent features, including the ability seven drinks within seconds. However, it is a very bulky unit that can take huge space on your counter.

View on Amazon →

Things You Need to Know to Pick the Best Cappuccino Machine

Some Instagram and Twitter feed feature exquisite cappuccinos, showcasing a barista's skills. And these skills have attracted most cappuccino lovers to certain coffee shops. However, did you know that you can also do the same at home? Well, with a reliable cappuccino machine, you can enjoy a delicious cup of your favorite drink every day. 

But with the many cappuccino machines in the market from different brands, choosing the right one can be quite challenging. And that is because there are numerous factors you have to consider, including the machines' price and size. So here are a few things you need to know before you purchase a cappuccino machine.

Types of Cappuccino-Espresso Machines

There are three types of cappuccino machines in the market which work differently and vary in price. These machines can create delicious cappuccinos, but some of them are more laborious than others. So the type of machine you purchase should be determined by your barista skills.

Semi-Automatic Machines

Semi-automatic machines are the most popular home brewers that offer a full barista experience. With semi-automatic machines, you have to steam milk and pull espresso shots by hand. But despite being laborious, many coffee lovers prefer these machines because they give them a lot of control. Plus, they are the cheapest types of machines available.

Fully Automatic Cappuccino Machines

With these middle-tier machines, you still have to do a huge percentage of the job yourself. With a fully automatic machine, you have to pull the espresso shot and grind the coffee beans. The primary difference is that the fully automatic halts the flow of water once the drink is ready. 

Despite being a very small upgrade from the semi-automatic units, it does make the process of making coffee easier. The fully automated machines are normally a bit more expensive than the semi-automated units.

Super-Automatic Machines

The super-automatic machines are the ultimate luxury in the cappuccino game. These machines can brew a delicious cup of cappuccino without you having to do anything. These units come with built-in grinders, so the only thing you need to do is pre-fill the water and the coffee beans reservoir. This type of machine also allows you to adjust many features, including drink size, coffee strength, and water temperature. However, such convenience and craftsmanship come at a very high price.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Cappuccino Machine

Grounds or Pods (or Beans)

One of the key decisions you must make when buying a cappuccino machine is if you want to use coffee grounds or pods when brewing. Coffee capsules (pods) are easier to clean, easy to use, and quicker. However, they cost more than the coffee grounds per serving. Coffee capsules are also non-recyclable, and they need little to no effort on your part. All you have to do is insert your preferred flavor and wait for your beverage.

On the other hand, coffee grounds guarantee you a great taste of freshly grounded coffee beans. With coffee grounds, you will have to grind the beans and depending on your machine; you will have to do most of the manual tasks.

Milk Frothing

Cappuccino machines come equipped with different types of milk frothers like the frothing wands and tank. The first and most common one is the frothing or steaming wand. These wands are powerful and can offer you control of the brewing process. However, they tend to be quite messy and loud. 

Some automated units have frothing tanks, which are operated by pressing a button. Luckily, these tanks are quite hard to clean. Other models like the Nespresso-brands have a separate frother. These ones save on space but vary in effectiveness and strength.

Ease of Use

Some cappuccino machines do all the work for you, while others are hands-on. The best method you can use to distinguish a machine's ease of use is by finding out its level of automation. Remember, espresso machines are grouped into three categories: super-automatic, fully automatic and semi-automatic. 

When some people hear the term "espresso", they assume that it was derived from the word "express" because it's made quickly. However, espresso is a Latin term that means "to press out." This means that this drink is not always brewed quickly; in fact, it can take about half a minute to pull the espresso shot. But some machines take about 30 minutes to heat up, and this doesn't include the time taken to steam the milk.

So if making your cappuccino quickly is important to you, you should go for the super automated option. But if you are in no hurry, you should pick either the fully automated or semi-automated units.

Size

The counter space is one of the main factors you must consider when buying a new appliance. And cappuccino machines are wider and longer than drip-coffee machines. So make sure you measure the size of your counter. You should also consider the distance between the cupboards and countertops. 

If your kitchen is quite tight, you should consider purchasing a milk frother and espresso maker separately. After all, there are numerous affordable frothers that can be stored in your pantry or cupboard.

Water Reservoir

Another factor to consider is your coffee demand. If you're purchasing it for yourself, you should look for a smaller tank. But if it's for your entire family or small office, you should pick a machine with a huge reservoir.

Cost

When it comes to buying expensive appliances like cappuccino machines, money will always be a factor. So if you are just starting out, you should avoid the fancy, costly machines. But if you have been using a skimpy machine for years, you can try and get a bigger machine that will help you improve your barista skills. 

The only time price won't matter is when you want a super automated machine. All these super automated machines are costly, so you should be ready to break the bank.

Conclusion

For cappuccino lovers owning an espresso-cappuccino machine is mandatory. Owning a cappuccino machine means that you will get your cappuccino on demand, and you will never have to worry about the long queues in cafes. Another benefit of owning a cappuccino machine is that it can help you improve your barista skills.

But before you purchase a cappuccino machine, you should consider your skill level. After all, some of these machines can be quite laborious to use. Remember, the more automated a machine is, the more costly it will be. So you should be ready to spend a lot of cash if you want your cappuccino at the touch of a button.

From our reviews, the winner is the Breville BES870XL Barista Espresso machine. Despite being costly, this machine can turn coffee beans into a cappuccino within seconds. This machine can make a wide range of coffee beverages and even alert you when it's time to descale it.