5 Best Latte Machine Reviews (+ a Buying Guide)
How do you find a latte machine that fits your needs? Espresso machines can cost thousands of dollars. You don’t want to waste your money the best espresso machine, only to find out it can’t make decent latte or cappuccino, right?
Here’s a list of amazing latte machines for your home, ranging from those ideal for newbies up to espresso machine veterans. No matter your skill level or budget, we’ll find you a machine that will help you make the latte you crave.
Sage BES875UK The Barista Express
The Sage BES875UK The Barista Express Espresso Machine gives you more control in making excellent lattes, espressos, and a host of other drinks at a great price. It comes with a 360-degree swivel-action steam wand that’s just perfect for lattes. We think this is the all-round best latte machine. Read on though, to learn more.
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Right Latte Maker
Before you dive into making such a big purchase, there are a few things to consider…
What makes it a Latte Coffee Machine?
The reality is that, while there are many things to consider; what we’re looking for here, under that frothy “latte” exterior, is a regular coffee machine that makes lattes really well.
As you know, a latte is coffee drenched in milk, which means the milk part of the coffee machine – the milk frother – is a really important factor. In fact, some coffee lovers even go as far as to say that you don’t need to worry much about the espresso side of things at all, as it’s such a small part of the overall milky taste of a latte. We beg to differ – for us, the best latte starts with the best coffee – but the point is well taken.
The goal here is to find a machine that handles the milk well.
The Difference Between Cappuccinos, Lattes, and Other Espresso-Based Drinks
This may seem like an obvious section (seeing how you like lattes enough to consider buying a latte machine!), and we realise that, so we’ll keep it short. By the way, here’s where you can learn more about the difference between flat white vs latte.
But it bears pointing out just what a latte is (a sweeter, espresso-based drink made with steamed milk and a top layer of micro-foam) and how it differs from so many other espresso drinks. You’ll want to have this in mind when you buy a coffee machine specifically for lattes.
Not to mention, you’ll also want to know the nuanced differences between these drinks if you’re going to make them at home! A classic example would be a latte, which is milk-heavy, compared to a cappuccino, which has more foam. Remember that there are two parts to effective frothing (1)
Steaming milk is remarkably difficult to do well…Remember that there are 2 phases: aerating, (aka “stretching”) and emulsifying (aka “texturing”). You need both to have a creamy, velvety batch of milk with enough body to create latte art or a great cappuccino
For brevity’s sake, we found a couple of good sources (here and there) and a video below that breaks down the differences in espresso drinks.
With all that being said, there is no reason you can’t have both in one machine. The drinks may be different but the same machine will make them all well. Your latte machine will also be a cappuccino machine.
Does It Froth Milk For You?
First off, know that it doesn’t take rocket science to make a latte, but if you don’t have at least some knowledge on the subject, there’s going to be a steep learning curve… and a lot of wasted coffee.
If you don’t have any experience yet, though, that’s okay. Don’t panic! You’re just going to want to do some research on how to make a latte before you get your hands on your shiny new machine. Some latte makers will froth milk for you; others will require YOU to learn how to handle the milk.
Semi-Automatic vs Automatic Latte Makers
One important thing to decide before you go into the buying process is how much of the work you want to do yourself.
If you want to have more control over the whole process, consider a semi-automatic espresso machine like one of these. These give you more control over the whole latte-making process. However, some say they provide much less convenience. You’ll need to ramp up your game if you want to get a good cup of coffee out of a semi-automatic brewer. For example, you’ll have to know how to use a frother or a steam wand.
Automatic machines are built for convenience and are often very user-friendly. Most include a built-in coffee grinder that lets you add coffee beans and push a button. They frequently have an automatic milk frother, which takes the place of a steam wand and doesn’t require you to learn the skills to use one.
An automatic machine does most of the work for you, but some manual intervention is still required. A super automatic takes over the entire process, from bean to cup. It’s like having a coffee shop in your kitchen.
Super-automatics are also technically more stable in delivering the same quality latte each and every time, as there is little to no human intervention. It’s worth noting that most latte machines, whether manual or some flavour of automatic, are essentially single-serve machines, due to the nature of the drink. (2)
As the temperature of milk rises, lactose becomes more soluble. As it does, its sweetness is more noticeable…It’s not that the milk is actually sweeter, but as it heats up its perceived sweetness increases.
The 5 Best Latte Machines of 2023
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sage BES875UK The BaristaExpress |
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SEE ON AMAZON
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De’Longhi ECP35.31Traditional Barista Pump Espresso Machine |
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See on Amazon
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Philips Saeco SM5470/10 |
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See on Amazon
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Jura E8 |
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SEE ON AMAZON
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De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Touch |
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See on Amazon
|
Remember, while these are generally espresso machines, this is not an espresso machine review list. So while they are all good espresso makers, we will be focusing on the details that make them the amazing latte makers.
Once you pick one up, be sure to read this guide: how to make a latte, or in case you do not have a machine, here are a few different ways to do it instead. If you’re looking for the best coffee-making equipment – our guides and reviews on coffee gear may just help you decide.
1. Sage BES875UK The Barista Express – Best Overall
Best suited for: The home barista who wants to push things to the next level. It’s a high-calibre latte machine that will give you tons of control, and won’t break the bank in the process!
Things we liked
- Great quality for the price
- Comes with a 360-degree swivel-action steam wand that’s perfect for lattes
- Gives you more control over the process
Things we didn’t like
- Can be more complex to operate
The next on our list of latte makers for your home is the Sage BaristaExpress BES875UK. This latte machine is extremely popular and a perfect selection for any home barista who wants to upgrade from smaller, user-friendly coffee and latte makers to an all-in-one machine that will both develop their skills and increase the quality of their homemade lattes.
This semi-automatic machine was made with both great coffee and happy consumers in mind. The price means you’re getting high-quality parts, but it also comes with clever little additions like special “no-slip” feet that keep the machine from moving. Plus, the built-in conical burr grinder means you don’t need to buy a separate grinder, or worse yet, buy pre-ground coffee to make your espresso: every cup is freshly ground before brewing.
Other features the BES875UK has in common with the best espresso makers include digital temperature control, dose-control grinding (between 19 and 22 grams per dose) for adjusting coffee flavour, and a grind size control which lets you customize for the level of crema you desire. The low-pressure pre-infusion cycle precedes a brew cycle that operates at the recommended 9 bars of pressure for optimum espresso extraction. It also has a separate hot water dispenser for pre-heating your latte cup or making tea or other hot beverages.
More important to latte lovers, however, is the quality 360-degree swivel-action steam wand, designed to make lattes as easy as 1, 2, 3.
This machine is quite a bit bigger than the first two, and is particularly tall, standing at nearly 16 inches – so make some space on your counters while waiting for it to ship to you. With this machine on your counter, there’ll be nothing stopping you from making the best-tasting latte.
Watch our video review here:
2. De’Longhi ECP35.31 – Budget Pick
Best suited for: Beginners and baristas-in-training… or anyone who just wants a user-friendly, affordable way to get a cheap latte on demand!
Things we liked
- Affordable
- Small footprint
- Froths milk and brews coffee simultaneously
Things we didn’t like
- Not a high-end brewer (coffee can come out weak and inconsistent)
The De’Longhi ECP35.31 espresso machine is a simple and affordable way to recreate your cafe favourites at home. Who could really ask for more than that? There’s a good reason this machine consistently ranks as the best value for money.
The body is mainly plastic, but there’s enough stainless steel to make it durable, attractive, and give it a pleasing heft. It’s compact, versatile, and incredibly easy to use. There’s a single control knob for turning the machine on and off and pulling espresso, and a second knob controls steam. To make it even easier, it’s also compatible with ESE pods.
The thermoblock heater gets it to temperature in under 30 seconds, so you can get that caffeine in the bloodstream ASAP. After brewing, it saves energy by automatically powering down after 9 minutes of inactivity.
The ECP35.31 comes standard with a pressurized portafilter, which means you’ll get a nice layer of crema even without a fancy espresso grinder. The portafilter has two spouts, so you can serve two single shots at a time, and the double drip tray accommodates a wide range of mug sizes up to 13 cm.
For milk frothing, it uses De’Longhi’s patented Cappuccino system, which takes all the guesswork out of the process. Set it for creamy microfoam for a latte or airy froth for a cappuccino, and let it worry about the details. And the frothing wand doubles as a hot water tap.
3. Philips Saeco SM5470/10 – Best Milk Frothing System
Best suited for: Those who don’t care about their barista skills and just care about an ultra-convenient, affordable way to get their lattes!
Things we liked
- User-friendly
- Froths milk for you
- Milk reservoir stores in the fridge
Things we didn’t like
- Not as durable as higher-end options
I firmly believe that the foundation of a great latte is a great shot of espresso, but it’s equally important not to overlook the steamed milk, which in fact makes up more than half the drink. And that’s where the Philips Saeco SM5470/10 really shines.
This latte machine model offers Saeco’s automatic milk system “LattePerfetto”. In this system, milk and air are rapidly whipped in the frothing chamber to produce perfect silky milk at the ideal temperature. Even better, because it involves no tubes or wands, it’s ultra-easy to keep clean.
Of course, the rest of the machine is no slouch either. There’s a built-in ceramic burr grinder (10 grinding levels!), so you’re always brewing with freshly ground beans. The touchscreen display makes it easy to select and customise one of the 10 automatic drinks. You can adjust the strength, temperature, and ratio of espresso to milk in your latte.
Maintenance is a breeze thanks to the included AquaClean filtration system, which means you’ll only need to descale once every 5,000 cups. The brew head can be easily removed whenever it needs a rinse, and other removable parts are dishwasher safe.
4. Jura E8 – Most Customizable Latte
Latte at the touch of a button
- Built-in burr grinder
- 12 pre-programmed drinks
If you want a custom latte at the touch of a single button, you can’t beat a Jura super-automatic espresso machine. I love the E8 in particular because it includes Jura’s best technological advances without reaching the stratospheric prices of the higher-end models. This is not a cheap espresso machine, but the value is incredible.
First, there’s the built-in burr grinder, ensuring fresh tasting coffee. Then there’s Jura’s patented Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System and Pulse Extraction Process (PEP), which work together to guarantee the best extraction of your ground beans and the most flavourful brew. These are coupled with the Intelligent Water System (IWS), which optimizes the quality of your brewing water.
But what we love most about the E8 is the degree to which you can customize your favourite drink. There are 12 pre-programmed drinks available at the touch of a button, lattes included. For each, you can use the intuitive colour display to adjust the coffee strength, brew temperature, milk temperature, shot volume, and milk volume.
Like all Jura machines, this one is beautifully designed, with the sleek and modern aesthetic that defines the Swiss brand.
5. De’Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Touch – Best single-serve
Best suited for: The ultimate latte drinker, a person who wants a latte whether they simply want to push a button or take their time and froth their milk to their own, handmade preference.
Things we liked
- Super-automatic machine
- Very compact
Things we didn’t like
- Capsule-based
As everyone knows, it’s hard to beat Nespresso when it comes to convenience. Those little capsules are easy to buy, easy to store, super easy to clean up, and lately Nespresso has even worked to ensure they’re easy to recycle.
Now Nespresso and De’Longhi have teamed up to make crafting milky drinks like lattes and cappuccinos just as easy as brewing pod coffee. True to its name, the Lattissima Touch can make six different cafe-style drinks at just the touch of a button.
Each of the six available drinks, espresso, lungo, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and hot milk, can be personalized with a different coffee strength, temperature, and milk quantity. And the Lattissima Touch will remember your preferences for next time. This one-touch operation is enabled by the detachable milk carafe with automatic frothing, which can be stored in the fridge when not in use.
Despite all these features, it’s a compact machine with a simple, boxy design, easy to fit in any kitchen. With the thermoblock heater, it only takes 25 seconds to heat up. After brewing the capsule is automatically ejected into the waste bin, and the machine powers down in 9 minutes. It’s even smart enough to alert you when it needs cleaning. So you can savour your latte without a care in the world.
The Verdict
All things considered, the winner right now is The Sage BES875UK The Barista Express. Quality manufacturing, excellent coffee, ease of use, and a great price all set this machine above the rest when it comes to making lattes, espressos, and a host of other drinks.
FAQs
No, not all espresso machines can make lattes (although every machine in this review does). Only machines with some kind of milk frother or steaming wand can make lattes. If your machines does not have a steaming wand, you can make steamed milk without an espresso maker using a milk frother – like one of these.
The difference between a latte and a cappuccino is the amount of milk and the amount of foam. A latte has more milk and less foam than a cappuccino. A cappuccino has less milk overall than a latte, but a mound of milk froth on top of the cup. Here’s a guide.
If you’ve already mastered how to make a latte, you might want to step it up by learning latte art. The only way to learn latte art is through a lot of practice. Luckily, if you don’t want to spend all your money on milk and coffee beans, a mixture of dish soap and water nicely mimics the consistency of steamed milk, so you can cheaply work on your wiggles and pull-throughs. Having a good milk steamer and a milk frother jug also helps make better-looking latte art.
References
- ChefSteps. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2019, from https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/steaming-milk
- ones, A. (2019, May 01). 8 Things Your Barista Wishes You Knew About Coffee. Retrieved May 29, 2019, from https://www.thekitchn.com/8-things-your-barista-wishes-you-knew-about-coffee-smart-coffee-regular-joes-217941
