7 Best Latte Machines for Barista-Worthy Brews at Home

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Got a wallet-draining coffee habit? Ditch the overpriced cafe runs and pick up one of the best latte machines instead. Sure, the upfront cost can be steep, but considering the daily cost of getting your caffeine fix at a third-wave coffee shop, you can save big in the long run. More importantly, you can enjoy the convenience of getting a barista-style brew right in the comfort of your home.

Better still, it’ll be customized exactly to your liking. Skinny vanilla latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon? Mocha oat milk latte with an extra shot? Soy chai latte drizzled with caramel? You name it, and your at-home latte machine will deliver. It’s like staffing your kitchen with your personal barista. Just be sure to stock your pantry with the best espresso beans (or sign up for a coffee subscription) and a few of your favorite flavoring syrups (this variety pack from Torani is the perfect starter!).

Take a shot at one of the best latte machines — you won’t regret it.

The Best Latte Machines

• Best Overall: Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

• Best Budget: Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

• High Tech: Terra Kaffe TK-02 Connected Super Automatic Espresso Machine

• Upgrade Pick: KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8

• Best Pod Machine: DeLonghi Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima

What to Consider

Shopping for the best latte machine can be a little overwhelming. Each one can seem quite different (and more complicated) than the next. Just how experimental do you need to get? And can you find a high-quality machine that also doesn’t take up all your kitchen counter real estate?

Here’s a breakdown of what to consider when shopping for a latte machine.

Price

Going too cheap with a machine means you might not get the bold espresso or foamy goodness you look for from a latte. “You can expect a latte machine to range from $200 for a basic latte machine to $900 for a more elaborate machine. The price difference would correlate to the flexibility the machine gives you,” explains Shonali Paul, founder of the John Paul Indian Caffeine Company.

We found some budget-friendly latte machines worth considering, but generally speaking, spending a bit more can give you a big jump in quality and functionality. If you buy a latte from a coffee shop most days, you can easily recoup the cost of a high-quality latte machine in just a few months.

Level of Automation

Latte machines have a few levels of automation, depending on how experimental or hands-off you want your morning routine to be. If you like the idea of playing barista at home, opt for a semiautomatic machine — which requires adding ground espresso beans to a portafilter, tamp them into a puck — then select your preferred water flow for your perfect espresso. You’ll also need to use the machine’s frother wand to steam and froth up your milk, then add it to the espresso to create your latte.

If that sounds like too much manual labor first thing in the a.m., try an automatic machine instead. Just add the ground beans, pour in the milk, and select from a few pre-programmed settings to brew a latte. Paul adds that you should also “look into how much control you can have on the brew. A machine that allows you to pick an espresso, drip, or Americano gives you that flexibility in your cup.”

Super-automatic machines take things one step further by grinding and measuring whole beans and using a pre-programmed amount of milk. These are a savvy option for someone who wants a high level of convenience without sacrificing the quality of their lattes, says Paul. “Storing coffee in its bean form extends the coffee’s shelf life. A machine that takes whole beans also allows you to try a wider range of coffees, from anywhere in the world, instead of limiting you to the brands that produce pods,” she adds.

Speaking of pods, some machines can brew lattes from capsules, too. With a capsule latte machine, you can pop in a pod of pre-measured coffee and let the machine do most or even all of the work. Some have built-in milk frothers and hoppers, while others require a separate device (like a frothing wand).

Frothers

Latte machines typically steam and froth milk using one of two options: a hopper or a wand. The right option for you comes down to how manual you want to get when making a latte.

“A milk hopper holds the liquid until the machine itself froths the milk internally and expels steamed frothed milk into the cup,” says Paul. One advantage of hoppers over wands is that the machine takes the guesswork out of portioning out the right quantity of milk.

Paul continues: “On the other hand, a frothing wand will heat milk via steam through the wand while you hold up a jug of milk. This is externally done by yourself. A steam wand requires you to understand the technique of steaming milk, but this gives you more flexibility on what kind of texture you want your milk to have.”

Size and Style

Latte machines tend to be a bit larger than a typical coffee machine, since they also froth milk. Measure the space you have available for the appliance to make sure the machines you’re considering will fit in your kitchen. Machines with large water tanks and built-in grinders and hoppers come with added convenience and quality but also tend to take up more real estate than capsule machines.

If aesthetics are important to you, look for a machine that matches the style of your kitchen. Many latte machines are stainless steel or have sleek black casing, both of which look sharp. However, you can also find white- and cream-colored latte machines to complement an airier interior design.

How We Selected

To find the best latte machines, we reviewed the specs and reviews on dozens of appliances from top brands, like KitchenAid, Nespresso, Breville, and Mr. Coffee. We looked at how many levels of automation each one provided, how they frothed milk, and their size and style to find options for different households, whether you need a quick and easy morning or are down to get hands-on with your morning latte. We also considered price — after all, not everyone is in the market for a four-figure latte machine, so we dug up a few budget-friendly options that can work, too.

Here are the best latte machines you can buy right now.

Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine is your best bet if you want a latte machine that delivers consistently delicious espresso topped with steamed, foamy milk in almost no time. It features a ThermoJet heating system that gets to the optimal extraction temperature in just 3 sections.

Its simple control panel gives you exactly what you need to make a great latte. Choose from one or two shots, steam, milk level, and the texture of the foam you want. With this machine, you can even get microfoam — an essential if you want to try your hand at latte art.

Not only does this machine churn out one excellent latte after the next, but it also looks sharp on the countertop. It occupies a much smaller footprint than many larger espresso machines and comes in more than 10 attractive colors. Pair it with one of the best coffee grinders to enjoy the freshest espresso-based drinks yet.

Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

If you’re buying a latte machine to save money on your daily caffeine fix, this machine from Mr. Coffee will help you get a quick return on your investment. At under $200, it’s one of the most affordable latte machines you can get that still delivers rich espresso shots and pleasantly foamy milk.

This appliance couldn’t be easier to use — fill the water reservoir and milk hopper, add ground beans to the portafilter and twist it into place, then use the one-touch control panel to select a single- or double-shot latte, cappuccino, or espresso. It automatically kicks into action and delivers a barista-style beverage before your eyes. You can also program custom settings, including the desired foaminess of your milk, to create your ideal drink.

There are some trade-offs to get a latte machine at this price point. The parts can feel a little flimsy and the machine itself is pretty lightweight, so you’ll need to hold it steady while you install the portafilter. But considering the low price tag, this machine makes it easy to forgive its few flaws and relish having homemade lattes at a fraction of what you’d spend at the cafe. It could also make a fun college graduation gift!

TK-02 Connected Super Automatic Espresso Machine

The Terra Kaffe TK-02 Connected Super Automatic Espresso Machine might make you break up with your go-to cafe for good. This smart machine offers unparalleled customization for lattes, drip coffee, and other espresso drinks. It features a precision frothing dial to give you more control over the milk aeration, an easy-to-clean hopper that works with dairy and non-dairy milk, a metal conical burr grinder that can tweak the grind based on your bean type and weight, and a dedicated chute for pre-ground beans, which makes it easy to try something new or have a decaf option on hand.

Using the app or the machine itself, you can also set personalized drink recipes — perfect if you like something bold and strong, but your partner prefers a lighter latte in the morning. The app also allows you to wake up the machine while you’re still in bed. When it’s time to make your latte, the machine’s ready to go. And there’s virtually no mess, thanks to the built-in waste bin that holds espresso pucks and the no-splash drip tray that keeps your countertop dry.

Setting up the machine can be tricky at first. It might require a few days of trial and error before you get the settings just the way you like them. Fortunately, Terra Kaffee offers a 30-day, 150-brew in-home trial period to make sure you absolutely love the machine before finalizing your purchase. We think you’ll fall in love with it much sooner, though.

Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8

Meet the do-it-all latte machine of your dreams: the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8. This sleek machine, which comes in your choice of stainless steel or cast iron casing, can make (of course) lattes, but it can also whip up more than 40 other drinks, including Americanos, cappuccinos, and shots of espresso.

Simply select the drink you want using the buttons and LCD, and then the machine will use its “smart dosing technology” that selects the ideal bean grind and milk and water quantity to whip up your buzzy beverage in a flash. It can even make two specialty drinks simultaneously — perfect for a couple trying to get out the door at the same time every morning.

No need to deal with constant refills: This latte machine has a built-in 9.5-ounce bean grinder, 74-ounce water reservoir, and 26.7-ounce milk container, so once you fill it, it’ll be ready to brew for a while. Plus, it’s certified by Quiet Mark as one of the least noisy espresso machines, giving you the peace and quiet you want early in the day.

These features come at a steep cost, though — nearly $2,000. It comes with a two-year warranty, which we wish was a little longer, considering the price tag. But overall, we love this latte machine for its ease of use, high capacity for beans and liquids, and tasty drinks. It would also make a great wedding gift for a couple you want to splurge on.

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima

Don’t want to deal with the hassle of loading ground beans into a portafilter? You can get a delightful latte from a capsule with the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima by DeLonghi — no fuss or mess required.

The machine offers two different milk settings (cappuccino and latte macchiato), as well as a create-your-own setting using the extra hot foam button. You can also select six different beverage sizes, ranging from espresso to a full carafe. Plus, it heats up to optimal brewing temperature in 30 seconds, so you won’t have to wait long for your caffeine fix.

One of the downsides with this machine is that it only works with Nespresso VertuoLine capsules, which can be a little pricey (although still come at a lower cost than most drinks at the cafe). However, these capsules come filled with high-quality beans from around the world and taste great. We think this is one of the best pod-based coffee ecosystems to commit to if capsules (and lattes on demand!) are your thing. And given its ease of use and variety of beverage size options, this latte machine would undoubtedly make a great gift for a big family.

Silvia Espresso Machine

Don’t expect to pull a perfect espresso shot for your latte on your first try with the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine. This baby takes time to master, but there are entire online communities and forums of Rancilio Silvia enthusiasts dedicated to sharing tips and tricks for getting the hang of it. Once you figure things out, you can expect to get the best-tasting shot possible from a home latte machine.

If you don’t mind a little experimentation, this latte machine could be a winner. The high-quality, stainless steel appliance is made with commercial-grade parts. It features a powerful steam wand that offers precision control over the steaming pressure. And it comes with a patented ergonomic 58mm portafilter that ensures stellar extraction. Another cool part: you can get an adaptor kit that allows this machine to be used with coffee pods and capsules.

We’re not surprised that this latte machine has earned a cult following. It would make an amazing gift for your favorite coffee geek or aspiring barista.

CM5300 Coffee System

The Miele CM5300 Coffee System is a superautomatic machine that takes care of the entire latte-making process, from grinding the beans with the built-in burr grinder and pulling the espresso to foaming milk to perfection. In addition to lattes, it makes eight other drinks at the touch of a button, including cappuccinos, ristrettos, or even an eight-cup pot of coffee. It also offers the ability to customize the size and temperature of your beverage.

Cleaning is a breeze. Many of the latte machine’s components are dishwasher safe and it runs its cleaning cycle automatically after pulling shots, although you do need to manually clean the brew unit and main dispenser every week. On the upside, the machine comes with descaling and cleaning tablets to get you started.

Even though we’re latte fans, we love this machine for how many drinks it can create without any fuss required. It nails the coffee-to-milk ratio and looks classy in your kitchen, too.

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