Best Cappuccino Makers of 2023: Our Top 5 Choices (for home use)

So you’re a fan of cappuccino? Seriously, though, how frustrating is it that you need to go to a coffee shop every single time you want one? It takes time, costs an arm and a leg, and is just plain inconvenient.

The solution? Get a home cappuccino maker. But… have you ever tried looking for one? Googling “best cappuccino maker” gives you well over 2 million results! Talk about a nightmare of a time trying to sift through that mess…

Don’t bury yourself in a mountain of needless research and information. All you need is a good list of the best cappuccino machine reviews, which is exactly what we’ve done for you here.

Things To Keep In Mind When Looking For A Cappuccino Machine

First off, let’s make one thing clear: this isn’t an espresso maker review, it’s a cappuccino maker review (look here if you want a round up of the best espresso machines on the market). Some machines come without a a built-in milk frother, so don't make the mistake of buying one without a wand.

Our focus here is to help you find the best way to get that cappuccino you’re looking for.

Related: What is a cappuccino?

Auto vs Semi-Automatic vs Manual

It’s important to determine if you’re looking for a manual, semi-automatic, or automatic cappuccino machine. Each one can serve different needs, and in this case you want to answer your own needs.

While we love lever/manual machines; they are not the best idea if you're looking for a quick cappuccino. They take time. This list is going to focus on semi-automatic and automatic options, as they come equipped with the tools you’ll need to whip up a delicious cappuccino or even a flat white from start to finish. Learn the difference between flat white vs cappuccino.

The main difference between these two kinds is that a semi-automatic machine is going to leave a fair portion of the process in your hands, while an automatic (or super-automatic) machine is going to do as much of the process for you as possible.

Know Your Skill Level

This is an easy factor to overlook while you’re shopping, but it’s an important one.  Don’t bite off more than you can chew (or maybe we should say… don’t drink more than you can swallow)

If you’re just starting off, don’t get a $1500 machine right off the bat unless you want to make some expensive, crappy, cappuccinos while learning. Find a machine that fits your current skill level or challenges you on a reasonable level. If, on the other hand, you’re an old pro, consider a machine that’s going to give you the freedom and benefits you prioritize in your brewing adventures.

Cost: The Almighty Dollar

Let’s be real. Money is always a factor. Try to understand the range you’re willing to worth within.

If you’re just starting out, don’t drop big bucks on a fancy machine that you won’t be able to capitalize on. If you’ve used a skimpy machine for years, see if you can set a budget big enough for a machine that will take your skills to the next level.

The one time price doesn't apply is if you're choosing a fully automatic machine where you just push a button to make your capp. Those tend to me more expensive to begin with.

We’ve ordered our reviews from most affordable to the most expensive.

It will be fairly obvious to see that cost impacts things like quality of manufacturing, the variety and quantity of preference options, and the overall quality of the cappuccinos themselves.

The 5 Best Home Cappuccino Machines of 2023

Alright. It’s time to take a look at the machines themselves. Bring on the cappuccino maker reviews!

The first cappuccino maker on our list comes from an established and reputable company: De’Longhi. The EC155 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is an excellent automatic option for any budding coffee enthusiast who wants a quality cappuccino at a very affordable price.

This nifty little machine has a high-pressure pump that helps maintain consistency, while the simple setup provides both brewing convenience and a frothing wand, enabling you to whip up a cappuccino in no time.

And did we mention it’s small? Because it is. Very small. As in, under a foot in every direction, which makes it the perfect size to fit snuggled up on your counter. For a full explanation of all the benefits, check out our more thorough review here.

This next unit screams both affordability and convenience. In fact, you’ll barely need any formal instructions for the Mr. Coffee Cappuccino Maker, as this super automatic machine does almost everything for you! Once the portafilter is set, the rest of the process is as simple as the push of the cappuccino button. The machine automatically brews the coffee and froths the milk for you, providing the drink quickly and with minimal hassle.

If you’re looking for a way to cut down on the time spent going to the cafe but you don’t want to learn how to be a barista yourself, the convenience of this machine is a major plus.  It even comes with a recipe book, equipping you with a host of different drink ideas.

This is a small machine, too, coming in at just over a foot in height, so it should fit on your counter without any overhead issues.

Read our Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista review.

This is the first machine on our list that begins to move you out of the realm of the beginner, into the more nuanced stages of your espresso journey.

The Gaggia Classic Pro is a semi-automatic espresso maker that comes backed by the quality of a good company (and a 1-year warranty). But, more importantly for your barista skills, it also gives you more control over the process.

Capable of making both single and double shots, this machine also comes with a commercial-style steam wand, which is an update from Gaggia's earlier model, the Classic. This is perfect for those who want to use a steam wand but are still learning the tricks of the trade, as the wand is designed to make steaming and frothing easier – helping you bridge the gap from inexperienced to master barista!

This machine is narrow and shallow, but it’s over fourteen inches high, so make sure to measure for space!

Read our Gaggia Classic Pro review.

The Breville BES870XL is an incredible mid-range option that will challenge your barista skills by giving you much more control over the process, but still deliver an incredible cappuccino. You can get all the details about how this machine works as an espresso machine in our review here. However, here are the essential points to consider when it comes to cappuccinos in particular.

Once you’re ready to take on the challenge of making cappuccinos yourself, this semi-automatic espresso machine will both develop your skills and increase the quality of your cappuccinos. Its 360-degree swivel-action steam wand is also designed to help you make your cappuccinos, lattes, and other coffee beverages as easy as pie.

Not only that, but the machine is truly quality made. It’s hard to find anything that compares at this price range. It feels like a high-end machine without hurting your wallet.  The unit is quite a bit bigger than the others we’ve seen so far, and is particularly tall, standing at nearly 16 inches, so make sure you have enough room on your counters!

This machine is the perfect blend of excellent craftsmanship and affordable pricing, and the world knows it. It’s as popular as espresso machines get.

On a related note, we compared two of the most popular coffee maker manufacturers. Read our article on Breville vs Delonghi.

This one is for the hardcore espresso fans who want the ultimate quality cappuccino whenever they wish.

The Picobaristo is a super automatic machine that delivers excellent quality cappuccinos along with a vast array of other coffee options. It allows you to personalize your drink settings to your own preferences, too! You can tweak anything from the volume of milk to the shot length or temperature, and save your preferred settings for next time.  Simply put, it is a very high-end automatic cappuccino machine.

And, more than any other machine on this list, this one does the work for you. All you have to do is sit back and relax while everything from grinding and brewing the espresso to frothing the milk is done to perfection.

Like the Mr. Coffee model above it has a removable, plug-in carafe that allows you to store the milk in the fridge between uses. And it’s efficient, too, delivering up to 5,000 cups before needing to be descaled.

When it comes to size, though, this super automatic is not small. In fact, it comes in at nearly 17 inches tall! So you’ll want to make sure you have clearance before you pop it up on the counter.

THE VERDICT

While these models are each excellent options for the best cappuccino maker in their own way, our choice for the best cappuccino machine for the home is the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine.

This machine answers the needs of both beginners and experts alike, bringing incredibly high quality to both the manufacturing and the brewing process itself. It’s also a semi-automatic, which allows you to remain a part of the process.

Make sure to also invest in the right cappuccino cups to complete the experience. Check our review of the best cappuccino cups here.

See on Amazon

Which one is your favorite? What has you looking for a cappuccino maker in the first place? Share your thoughts and experiences with us. We’d love to hear them!