Best Cappuccino Makers

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 4, 2024
If you drink latte or cappuccino every day, then it only makes sense to buy a cappuccino maker. With a cappuccino maker at your disposal, ...Read more
PROS

Featuring as many as 18 settings, this is one of the most versatile coffee machines out there. What's more, it works almost all types of coffee, so it is suitable for home and professional use alike.

CONS
It might look a bit bulky in a small kitchen.
OUR VERDICT

The Breville BES870XL has many things going for it. The built-in burr grinder, brewing and dosing abilities, and the ease of cleaning and maintaining make it perfectly suitable for novice baristas as well as experts. Plus, it has a very stylish design which will look good in any kitchen interior.

detailed parameters
TYPE
Pump-driven
PRESSURE
15 Bars
COFFEE TYPE
Whole bean coffee, Ground coffee
FROTHING METHOD
Panarello
MODES
Espresso, Lungo, Cappuccino, Latte
BREWING TIME PER CUP
~ 1/2 min
CONTROLS
Semi-automatic
FEATURES
Adjustable coarseness settings, Variable coffee strength and cup dosing, Cup warming tray
USABILITY
Removable water reservoir, Removable drip tray, 1- and 2-cup filters, Pressure gauge, Stainless steel jug and tamper included
Warranty
1 year
PROS

The unit makes an excellent creamy froth for your cappuccino or latte. It is convenient for making ground coffee as well as E.S.E pods. On top of that, it can make 2 cups of coffee at once.

CONS
This cappuccino maker might seem loud during operation.
OUR VERDICT

The De'Longhi espresso and cappuccino machine is great for people on a tight budget. It's a frills-free model that makes delicious espresso and creamy cappuccino in no time. It can brew 2 cups of coffee simultaneously, which is crucial for busy households.

detailed parameters
TYPE
Pump-driven
PRESSURE
15 Bars
COFFEE TYPE
Ground coffee
FROTHING METHOD
Panarello
MODES
Espresso, Lungo, Cappuccino, Latte
BREWING TIME PER CUP
~ 1/2 min
CONTROLS
Semi-automatic
FEATURES
Frothing wand, Variable cup dosing
USABILITY
Clean indicator, 1- and 2-cup filters, Removable water reservoir, Removable drip tray and tamper included
Warranty
1 year
PROS

Mr. Coffee cappuccino maker has an extra-large 55-ounce water reservoir. Owing to single and double shot filters available, you can add the desired amount of ground coffee to achieve the desired strength of the drink.

CONS
The even distribution of coffee in the portafilter requires some practice.
OUR VERDICT
The process of brewing finely ground coffee in the portafilter will surely fascinate true espresso and cappuccino connoisseurs. Ultimately, you will get a cup of your own genuine beverage topped with perfect crema to treat your nearest and dearest.
detailed parameters
TYPE
Pump-driven
PRESSURE
15 Bars
COFFEE TYPE
Ground coffee
FROTHING METHOD
Milk frother
MODES
Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte
BREWING TIME PER CUP
~ 1 min
CONTROLS
Semi-automatic
FEATURES
Milk froth regulator, Auto and manual settings of coffee / milk ratio
USABILITY
Adjustable cup tray, Auto-cleaning milk carafe, Frothing tube, Single shot filter, Double shot filter, Measuring scoop, Tamper, Recipe book with 10 coffee recipes included
Warranty
1 year
PROS

The cup clearance makes 6 inches, but you can remove the drip tray to enlarge the clearance up to 7.2 inches and accommodate even very large mugs.

CONS

It doesn't brew classic espresso.

OUR VERDICT

With the Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve coffee maker, you'll never run out of ideas what type of coffee to brew. Offering the convenience of using K-Cup capsules, it provides more than 350 different flavors to try out.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Drip

PRESSURE

N/A (not listed)

COFFEE TYPE

K-Cup™ pods

FROTHING METHOD

Milk frother

MODES

Espresso, Lungo, Cappuccino, Iced cappuccino, Latte

BREWING TIME PER CUP

~1 min

CONTROLS

Semi-automatic

FEATURES

Cold milk froth, Variable coffee strength and cup dosing

USABILITY

Removable water reservoir, Removable drip tray, Clean indicator

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The warming platform on the top allows you to preheat your cups, which is especially useful for people who want the hottest coffee possible. An innovative self-locking filter simplifies the operation of the coffee machine.

CONS

Vibrates strongly while preparing coffee.

OUR VERDICT

The Capresso 117.05 Espresso and Cappuccino machine is equipped with a stainless-steel lined thermoblock, which helps it make excellent espresso, Americano, and even ristretto. A high-pressure wand with two available modes creates the perfect frothing action.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Pump-driven

PRESSURE

15 Bars

COFFEE TYPE

Ground coffee

FROTHING METHOD

Panarello

MODES

Espresso, Lungo, Cappuccino, Latte

BREWING TIME PER CUP

~ 1/2 min

CONTROLS

Semi-automatic

FEATURES

Frothing wand, Variable cup dosing

USABILITY

1- and 2-cup filters, Removable water reservoir, Removable drip tray and tamper included

Warranty

1 year

18 Grind Settings for Perfect Extraction

Do you enjoy homemade gourmet coffee? You most certainly do! Lots of people aren't satisfied with automatic coffee machines because they don't allow adjusting settings to customize the drink to their liking. With that in mind, the Barista Express from Breville offers an excellent solution. The 1600W Thermo coil heating system and a 15 bar pressure pump allow making delectable espresso and high-quality foam in no time.

An integrated burr grinder provides a choice of 18 settings from coarse to fine for perfect coffee extraction. It takes a little practice to determine which grinding option is the best for you. But ultimately you will be delighted with a perfect combination of rich aroma of your coffee and dense foam on top. Indeed, it’s worth the time and effort spent!

This model of the espresso machine features a double spouted portafilter to brew 2 cups at a time or else you can make a double shot of espresso in one cup. Besides, it includes single- and double-wall filters. Put a filter into the portafilter, then pick the desired amount of coffee, and enjoy a tasty cup of your favorite drink in 30 seconds. Thus, you don’t have to keep an eye on the process of coffee making.

Feel Like a Professional Barista!

What other settings does the coffee machine have? Firstly, you can set the strength and the amount of water per cup according to your personal taste preferences. You can also adjust the temperature of the water used for making coffee. Fancy that even a few degrees can significantly affect your coffee’s flavor. A cup warmer always keeps your espresso warm and within easy reach. With a pressure gauge located on the front of the machine, you can monitor the pump pressure.

In fact, not all commercial espresso coffee machines used in prestigious coffee shops boast this feature! As an additional bonus for cappuccino lovers - there is a stainless steel pitcher and a pannarello wand to make a frothing process hassle-free and get dense milk froth. So, you can feel like a professional barista with this high-end espresso machine!

Easy Maintenance

To prolong the lifespan of the Breville Barista, you should maintain it properly. Luckily, it offers a couple of automatic functions that can make cleanups much easier. The most important, decalcifying feature, is helpful for removing build-up that can potentially clog the machine. Generally, calcifying should be done once a month. Except for water and white vinegar, no special solution is required.

Also, the machine boasts the Clean Me Cycle function that allows you to clean the dryer puck automatically. The machine already comes with a cleaning disc and cleaning tablets needed for the Clean Me Cycle.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $697.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00CH9QWOU

VIDEO

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight(4)

Build quality appears to be very good.

Key Specs(4.2)

It is fast, powerful and less noisy than other machines, and a good price.

Controls(4)

It has temperature control, pressure monitor, and shot volume adjustment to tweak one's skills to barista competence.

Features(4.2)

This is a great espresso maker with a lot of features. You can fine tune the grind and amount dispensed.

Details(4.4)

The hopper is designed to feed the beans nicely even with just 7-10g of beans in it, you can put beans whenever you pulling shots, no left over beans no heated beans.

Enjoy Brewing and Drinking Coffee

If you don't like or don't want to overpay for bells and whistles, the De'Longhi espresso/cappuccino maker is a perfect manual machine that is worth your consideration. It has no timers, back-lit buttons, alarms, clocks, buzzers, and presets, but it delivers fantastic coffee.

As just mentioned, it's a manual machine that requires you to do everything yourself except for pushing the espresso through the filter. It's fitted with a stainless steel 15-bar pressure pump that ensures delicious results with dense, creamy foam on top of your drink.

You can use either ground coffee or E.S.E pods owing to the unique patented dual filter holder. No matter, what type you choose, you'll get a rich taste and a thick layer of "crema" on top of each cup. Even inexpensive espresso grind coffee will taste good if prepared by this machine. What is handy, the coffee maker maintains the optimal temperature so that you can brew cup after cup in an instant.

If you prefer cappuccino or latte, you can benefit from the easy-to-use swivel jet frother which makes perfect froth every time. You'll surely enjoy both the beverage and the brewing process itself.

Two Cups are Better than One

One of the best things about this coffee brewer is that it allows you to prepare two cups of beverage simultaneously. It's designed with two separate thermostats that allow for water and steam pressure to be controlled separately. Also, there's ample space for two cups to put on the base. That is to say, the machine fits small cups no higher than 2-3 inches.

Positively, there’s a cup warmer built into the maker - the top metal can keep cups warm, which is a quite nice addition. This way, if you happen to forget about your freshly-brewed coffee, it'll still stay hot for quite a long while. This feature will be particularly useful in busy office environments.

Space-Saving Design

Even though the machine accommodates two cups simultaneously, it has a sleek profile, compact design, and small footprint. Therefore, it can be displayed nearly on any kitchen countertop without taking up too much space.

So, if you look for a stylish and compact machine that will be able to brew barista-quality beverages, the Delonghi EC155 is a good fit. It can help you make single or double espresso as well as cappuccino or latte as you like. With that, it won't look out of place in any kitchen interior.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $192.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B000F49XXG

What customers say about this product

Key Specs(4)

It's pump driven so it makes coffee like the big boys (without the expense).

Size & Weight(4)

I found the machine to be of quality construction and I look forward to making my lattes every time.

Features(4)

It comes with two sizes of coffee holders for either single or double shots and a little nook in the machine itself for whichever one you're not using.

Controls(4)

I like the simplicity of the control switch and really don't miss the automatic timer on pulling shots.

Semi-Automatic Alternative

The Mr. Coffee pump-driven espresso cappuccino machine is another strong performer on the market. It's made with a reliable pump that reaches the pressure as high as 15 Bars. Therefore, the pump passes steam through the evenly tamped portafilter, ensuring the maximum flavor and aroma extraction.

It's particularly remarkable that this type of cappuccino machine is highly appreciated by professional baristas, as it allows for the best flavor and perfect creamy consistency.

The only slight flaw is that it can't grind coffee beans, so it will be a good idea to have a coffee grinder at hand to grind your coffee right before brewing it. Alternatively, a wide range of pre-ground coffee beans packaged in sealed containers are available on the market today so you can get a ready-made solution.

Before brewing, you have to evenly distribute the ground coffee in a special portafilter (included). The point is that when tamping firmly, coffee can taste bitter. In a short while, you will manage to control the foam texture and density and experiment with various blends. After all, even some of the most expensive super-automatic coffee machines might struggle to deliver such excellent results. So it's totally worth it.

Quick Frothing

If you are looking for a quick way to refresh yourself, there's nothing better than a cup of fragrant classic espresso, which will boost your energy and improve performance for a long time. And if you prefer a delicate milk-flavored drink, you'll be able to benefit from a milk frother allowing you to prepare delectable cappuccino and latte macchiatos with a froth of lush, creamy foam on top in little to no time. You can add any type of milk including soy, almond, coconut, etc. - the cooking time will take no more than 1 minute after pressing the ON button.

Final Thoughts

Lastly, we would like to say that this wonderful cappuccino maker allows you to adjust foam density according to your personal preferences. Highly customizable settings let you manually adjust the coffee/milk ratio to control its strength as desired. And an auto-cleaning milk carafe is helpful to remove the milk left in the frothing tube after brewing that makes this cappuccino machine practical and convenient in use.

Besides, reusable single and double shot filters available are a nice addition for making a double shot of espresso. If you need to measure the proper amount of ground coffee per serving, it couldn't be any easier with a convenient measuring scoop. And a tamper will help you evenly distribute the coffee within a portafilter. As an added bonus, there is a recipe book with 10 recipes of delicious coffee included.

All this makes the Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000 machine a decent option for those who need good functionality at a reduced price.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $188.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B007K9OIMU

VIDEO

For Pod Coffee

If you'd like to try the taste and convenience of K-Cup pods by Keurig, the K-Cafe coffee machine is what you need. It's the most advanced model in the Keurig's lineup with 6 different brew settings so that you can enjoy the variety of rich flavors.

The coffee maker works with any K-Cup pod, so the options are almost endless. You can choose the flavor you like and get a delicious latte, creamy cappuccino, or other coffeehouse beverage. It's fitted with a high-quality integrated milk frother that froths milk to perfection.

If you would like to get a refreshing pick-me-up drink on a hot summer day, you can benefit from COLD setting allowing you to create iced lattes and cappuccinos. One more special setting, STRONG, lets you enjoy bolder coffee, while SHOT can brew a concentrated shot of coffee.

Owing to Smart Start technology, the machine heats and brews at the same time. So, you won't need to wait for the machine to heat before selecting a cup size.

Three Easy Steps

That's how you can make a latte or cappuccino in 3 easy steps:

  1. Power on the brewer and place a mug on the drip tray (if you're using a large, travel mug, you should remove the drip tray and place the mug right on the base). Lift the handle and place a K-Cup pod in a special K-Cup pod holder. Don't remove the foil on the K-Cup pod. Close the lid.
  2. Select a preferable brew style, then choose a cup size, and press go. The brewing process will take less than a minute.
  3. Froth fresh milk in the dishwasher-safe frother. You can use any type of milk including skim, soy, and almond. The frother has its own controls that allow you to choose whether you want to froth milk for latte, cappuccino, or iced coffee. Enjoy your creamy coffee.

Different Cups

As mentioned, the coffee machine accepts different sizes of mugs - you can brew 6, 8, 10, or 12oz of coffee, tea, or cocoa. And while basically the cup clearance makes 6 inches, you can remove the drip tray to enlarge the clearance up to 7.2 inches and accommodate even very large mugs. The coffee maker has a 60-oz water reservoir that enables you to brew 5-10 cups before a need to refill.

Take note that this machine does not brew a "legit" espresso, yet the STRONG setting gives a very close feel to it. Stong coffee resembles the roast of classic espresso drinks.

All in all, if you would like to vary coffee beverages and do that with minimum efforts, the Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve coffee maker is a sound choice. It offers the convenience of K-Cup capsules that counts more than 350 different flavors.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $169.60
Stock In stock
ASIN B07C1XC3GF

Thought-out Design

The Capresso 117.05 doesn't sit at the top of hіgh-end espresso makers range but it surely dоеѕ a grеаt jоb at frothing and making coffee, so it can easily become аn еxсеllеnt first cappuccino machine. It's very easy tо uѕе, іnеxреnѕіvе, and well-thought-out. Being just 11.5" іnсhеѕ tall, it's also relatively compact and can be put anywhere wіthоut taking uр tоо much ѕрасе. Hоwеvеr, it packs a big punch and has a 42-ounce reservoir that extracts рlеntу оf соffее іn one go.

Yet, the main highlight of this machine is probably the ѕtаіnlеѕѕ ѕtееl lіnеd thermoblock thаt hеаtѕ thе wаtеr, preventing any contact with аlumіnum. This design solution not only addresses some health concerns but also рrеvеnts соrrоѕіоn and, thus, prolongs the lifespan of the whole appliance. The combo of ѕtаіnlеѕѕ steel аnd рlаѕtіс material won't соrrоdе аnd, accordingly, will саuѕе lеѕѕ рrоblеmѕ wіth mаіntеnаnсе. Thе sleek stainless steel material оutѕіdе аlѕо hаѕ an attractive look and gives an expensive feel to the machine.

Quick Start

Most users really like that the Capresso EC50 117.05 is easy to set up and use. It has a large frоnt switch thаt lets you select "ѕtеаmіng/frоthіng" the milk or "brewing" ѕhоtѕ оf еѕрrеѕѕо. Thе whole thing tаkеѕ only about a half mіnutе tо hеаt uр and get rеаdу for brewing, steaming, or frothing. If you choose the latter option, you won't even need to remove a рlаѕtіс tір from the frothing wand, but уоu should рull іt оff for steaming.

The 15-bar pump thermoblock, in its turn, hаѕ рlеntу of рrеѕѕurе tо give уоu a dесеnt аmоunt of сrеmа for thаt perfect еѕрrеѕѕо shot. Also, you can choose to extrасt dоublе shot since thе brеwеr соmеѕ wіth twо ѕроutѕ for twо cups. After use, cleaning up will be a breeze owing to the innovative self-locking filter holder and auto-rinse function.

Nice Extra

Even if it's your first-time coffee maker, you're unlikely to have any difficulties using it. Thеrе is an intuitive control раnеl оn thе front, and even thе mоѕt uncoordinated mоrnіng individuals can fіnd their wау around іt. Yet, the best bit is the tор of thе machine. The aforementioned stainless-steel thеrmоblосk also асtѕ аѕ a warming platform that keeps coffee mugs at the ideal temperature for serving. This small but nice extra definitely аddѕ uр to thе perfect morning ritual of coffee drinking.

Overall, we believe that the Capresso 117.05 еѕрrеѕѕо brеwеr саn compete with ѕоmе higher-рrісеd machines. It doesn't limit you with ѕресіfіс сuрѕ and lets you brew any coffee grіnd of your preference. Thе additional frоthеr аnd steamer do a grеаt jоb оf preparing milk-bаѕеd drіnkѕ, while the stainless-lined thermoblock ensures the long life of the whole machine and prevents your water from contacting aluminum.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $90.08
Stock In stock
ASIN B0093FRXEE

What Is a Capuccino Maker?

It's common knowledge that today a lot of people all over the world start their day with a fragrant and refreshing cup of coffee. In particular, many people prefer cappuccino - a coffee-based drink made with espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk foam. Do you wonder how to achieve the highest quality homemade milk-based coffee drink? The answer is obvious - invest in a good cappuccino maker. The machine operates by forcing hot water under pressure through coffee grounds, making a great espresso topped with thick foam, rich flavor, and intense aroma. Afterward, the frothed milk is added, ultimately turning into delicious latte or cappuccino. If you want to prepare cappuccino, add milk into espresso, and to get a latte, pour espresso into a larger amount of milk. If you wish to make tasty cappuccino, you need to properly froth milk without overheating it. In this article, we compare the best cappuccino makers which will let you prepare delicious homemade coffee drinks in the comforts of your own kitchen.

And if you prefer espresso, we suggest you read about these espresso machines tailored especially for true aficionados.

What Features to Compare

Machine Type and Coffee Type

If you adore coffee and coffee-based drinks, you definitely need a cappuccino maker. Which one to choose among the plethora of available options? We’d eagerly help you by highlighting the main advantages and disadvantages of different cappuccino machines. Basically, there are two types of coffee machines (and cappuccino makers as well) - steam-driven and pump-driven. Their working principle is very much alike. They pump hot water through the ground coffee under high pressure while brewing your drink. The difference between the two is in the pressure they create. So, if you prefer cappuccino with dense, fragrant foam, you should opt for a pump-driven cappuccino maker. Yet, if you love drinking refreshing coffee with more caffeine in, you need to take a closer look at steam-driven machines with 3-5 Bar pressure. There are also cappuccino and latte makers with adjustable temperature control, allowing users to vary the strength and taste of their favorite drink. Consider the type of coffee compatible with different cappuccino makers - it can be whole beans, ground coffee, or capsules. Cappuccino makers with built-in grinders perfectly cope with coffee beans, delivering refreshing coffee drink with thick foam and pleasant aroma. Cappuccino makers based on a capsule system require using capsules of the same brand, so you better learn their prices before you purchase one. Sometimes, capsules are just too much expensive.

Preparation Method and Grind Settings

Also, particular attention should be paid to such key features as the preparation method and grind settings. There are various frothing methods - by using a milk frother, a Pannarello wand, or a combination of both methods. A milk frother whisks the milk in a special milk carafe and then milk is poured into the cup automatically or manually by the user. The primary benefit of this frothing method is that everything is done automatically and there is no need to use extra dishes. A Pannarello wand is a special attachment a coffee machine comes equipped with to froth milk with steam, creating a dense and fluffy milk foam. The major advantage of this frothing method is that it ensures a very rapid frothing (no more than 30 seconds), and you can manually adjust the density level and temperature. Yet, you need to pour milk into a separate container and control the entire frothing process. The models, combining both frothing methods, are capable of frothing larger amounts of milk. The time it takes to prepare espresso and frothed milk also plays a major role. After all, once you press the power button on, you look forward to taking a sip of your long-awaited coffee! Many models of cappuccino makers have several pre-programmed settings. You need to adjust each drink only once, according to your preferences and, later on, you will be able to make your favorite drink at the touch of a button.

Controls

One more essential feature, which needs to be mentioned, is control. The cappuccino makers are divided into super automatic, automatic, semi-automatic (carob), and manual. It should be noted that super automatic machines are the most user-friendly and easy-to-use. Besides, they boast a built-in coffee grinder. The main advantage of these models is that the user is only responsible for loading coffee beans and attaining the right coffee and milk ratio, whereas the machine will do the rest. By contrast, automatic machines differ from a super automatic only in the absence of a built-in grinder. Similar to super automatic cappuccino makers, they are characterized by ease and convenience of use. However, semi-automatic machines only create pressure, but it's your task to load coffee into the carob. Manual coffee machines require total user's control over the brewing process. In this regard, super automatic and automatic cappuccino makers are considered to be the most optimal models, providing you with maximum comfort.

Features and Usability

And the last but not the least feature to consider is usability of cappuccino makers. Cappuccino machines come with a great variety of handy features designed for your comfort. In particular, a milk froth regulator allows you to make the desired amount of foam, while a coffee froth regulator enhances the coffee aroma. A strength control function makes the beverage refreshing or incredibly tender. A removable water reservoir is pretty easy to fill with water. As a matter of fact, the cooking time, required for making several cups of coffee, can vary depending on the capacity of the water tank, milk carafe, and chaff tray. The machine immediately heats up after you switch it on, allowing for brewing your favorite drinks as quickly as possible. What is more, a memory function memorizes users' taste preferences and allows them to brew exactly the same drink with a single touch of the button the next time when the machine is used. Besides, a removable brewing group greatly facilitates the machine cleaning and ensures durability and long service life.

To sum it all up, state-of-the-art cappuccino coffee makers come with a large number of features to satisfy your specific taste preferences with no effort. Therefore, all the above mentioned features should help you make a quick purchasing decision and not get lost in the huge variety of models currently available on the market.

Sources:

1. AJ Gwilliam Here’s How to Make the World’s Perfect Cappuccino, Highsnobiety. December 23, 2015.

2. Coffee Drinks Recipes, Allrecipes.

3. Kate Bratskeir 38 Types Of Coffee Drinks, Explained, The Huffington Post. February 10, 2014.

4. Cappuccino, Wikipedia. December 1, 2016.

5. Kristen Hicks How to Choose the Best Espresso Machine [Buyer’s Guide], CompactAppliance.com. August 26, 2015.

6. Jovia D'Souza Things To Consider When Buying A Cappuccino Machine, Ezinearticles. August 09, 2016.

7. Jimmy Stamp The Long History of the Espresso Machine, Smithsonian. June 19, 2012.

Other reviews