The Best Latte Machines for Silky, Café-Style Milk Drinks at Home

Our top picks

1. 1Best value one-touch latteDe'Longhi Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema (ECAM29084SB)Bean-to-cup lattes from a LatteCrema carafe that handles dairy and plant milks.See on brand site
2. 2Easiest to cleanPhilips 3200 Series LatteGo (EP3241/54)Two-part, tubeless, dishwasher-safe LatteGo carafe.See on brand site
3. 3Best for latte art on a budgetBreville the Bambino PlusAutomatic milk-texturing steam wand makes real microfoam in a pitcher.See on brand site
4. 4Best guided latte machineBreville the Barista Touch ImpressTouchscreen recipes, assisted tamping and automatic milk texturing.See on brand site
5. 5Best capsule latte machineNespresso Lattissima OneOne-touch milk recipes from a slim capsule machine.See on brand site
6. 6Best premiumJura E827 specialties and one-touch milk cleaning.See on brand site

The best latte machine is the one that makes silky milk the way you like to make it: with one touch, with a little guidance, or with your own hands on a steam wand. A latte is mostly milk, so the milk system matters more than anything else on the spec sheet. Here are six machines that turn your kitchen into a cozy café, from capsule to bean-to-cup.

How we chose

We did not test these machines hands-on. We compared manufacturers' spec sheets and product pages on milk system, drink options, capacity, cleaning and heat-up time ^{1, 2, 3, 45, 6}, then matched each machine to a different kind of latte lover. Price bands: $$ is $100 to $299, $$$ is $300 to $799, $$$$ is $800 to $1,999 and $$$$$ is $2,000 and up.

Machine MatchmakerAnswer 6 quick questions and get the machine type and models that fit your drinks, budget and patience, with a 3-year cost-per-cup comparison.→

The best latte machines and cappuccino makers

Best value one-touch latte: De'Longhi Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema

Fill the LatteCrema carafe, press a button and the Magnifica Evo grinds fresh beans, brews and pours foamed milk in one go. De'Longhi says the carafe works with both dairy and plant milks, and the machine has a 13-setting conical burr grinder, a 250 g bean hopper and a 1.8 L (61 fl oz) tank ¹. Seven one-touch drinks cover the latte and cappuccino basics beautifully.

Easiest to clean: Philips 3200 Series LatteGo

The LatteGo carafe has just two parts and no tubes, and Philips lists it as dishwasher safe ². If cleaning milk parts is what stops you from making lattes on weekday mornings, this is your machine. It has a ceramic grinder with 12 settings, a removable brew group and five drinks. The 0.26 L (8.8 fl oz) carafe is small, so it suits one or two milk drinks at a time.

Best for latte art on a budget: Breville Bambino Plus

The Bambino Plus is a semi-automatic with an automatic milk-texturing steam wand that froths milk in the pitcher for you ³. You still dose and tamp the coffee yourself, which is a lovely way to learn. Since the wand gives you real microfoam in a pitcher, it is a budget-friendly way to start pouring hearts and tulips. You will need a grinder or fresh pre-ground espresso.

Best guided latte machine: Breville Barista Touch Impress

The Barista Touch Impress walks you through every drink on a touchscreen with guided recipes, uses assisted tamping and textures milk automatically, according to Breville ⁴. It grinds fresh with 30 settings on Baratza burrs. It is a big step up in price, so it makes most sense if you want real espresso and hands-free milk without a learning curve.

Best capsule latte machine: Nespresso Lattissima One

For the simplest possible latte, the Lattissima One uses Nespresso Original capsules and a built-in single-serve milk jug with three one-touch recipes. Nespresso lists a fast 25 second heat-up and a slim, compact body ⁵. You refill the small milk jug for each drink, and capsules cost more per cup than beans over time. Our best Nespresso machine guide covers the rest of the range.

Best premium latte machine: Jura E8

The Jura E8 draws milk through its automatic milk system and offers 27 specialties, per Jura ⁶. One-touch milk cleaning makes daily care quick, and the 280 g bean container and 1.9 L tank suit busy homes. It is a premium machine; see Jura vs De'Longhi to weigh it against cheaper options.

Also worth a look

Nespresso Vertuo Creatista. A Vertuo capsule machine with an automatic steam wand offering three milk temperatures and three textures, plus a 2.0 L tank ⁷. Great for latte art with capsules.

Latte machines compared

Latte vs cappuccino: what your machine needs to do

Both drinks start with espresso and steamed milk. A latte has more milk and a thin, silky layer of foam. A cappuccino is smaller with a thicker, airier cap of foam. So a good latte machine needs to make two kinds of milk: smooth and lightly aerated for lattes, and fluffier for cappuccinos. One-touch machines handle this with preset recipes. With a steam wand, you control it by how long the tip stays near the surface. Our latte vs cappuccino guide has the full breakdown, and types of coffee drinks explains flat whites, cortados and more.

Is the best latte machine also the best cappuccino machine?

Usually, yes. Any machine that can stretch milk into a light, silky texture can also whip it into a thicker cappuccino foam. One-touch machines simply store a separate recipe for each. The only real exception is the capsule milk jug, which offers fewer recipes, so check the drink list if cappuccino is your favorite.

Three steps to silkier milk at home

Whatever machine you pick, these habits make milk drinks taste sweeter and look prettier.

1. Use fresh, cold milk. Whole milk gives the richest, most stable foam. For plant milk, pick a barista version.
2. Stretch first, then swirl. With a steam wand, let a little air in at the start (a gentle hissing sound), then sink the tip slightly so the milk spins like a whirlpool. That spin breaks big bubbles into fine microfoam.
3. Tap and swirl before pouring. Knock the pitcher on the counter to pop any large bubbles, then swirl until the milk looks glossy like wet paint. Pour from a little height first, then bring the pitcher close to the cup to draw your heart.

On one-touch machines, the same ideas apply: keep the carafe clean and the milk cold, and adjust the foam setting rather than the coffee strength if your drinks feel too airy.

Latte machine buying guide

1. Choose your milk style

2. Think about cleanup

Milk parts need daily care. Fewer parts (LatteGo) or automatic cleaning cycles (Jura E8) make lattes something you look forward to instead of a chore. Steam wands only need a quick wipe and purge after each use.

3. Plant milk

If you drink oat, soy or almond milk, check that the milk system handles it. De'Longhi specifically lists plant milks for the Magnifica Evo carafe ¹. Barista-style plant milks usually foam best in any machine.

4. Coffee source: beans or capsules

Bean-to-cup and semi-automatic machines use whole beans, which cost less per cup and taste fresher. Capsule machines are simpler and tidier, with a higher cost per cup. Nespresso's own guidance splits its machines into Original and Vertuo systems, so check which capsules a model takes ⁸.

5. Cup clearance and size

Tall latte glasses need space under the spout. Check the maximum cup height in the manual before you buy, along with the space under your cabinets.

6. Already own a machine?

You may only need a milk frother. A jug frother such as the Nespresso Aeroccino 4 makes hot milk, two hot foam textures and cold foam ⁹. See our best milk frother guide for more ideas.

How much caffeine is in a latte?

The milk adds creaminess and no extra caffeine. A latte's caffeine comes from its espresso: about 63 mg in a single 1 fl oz shot according to USDA food data ¹⁰, so a double-shot latte has roughly twice that. Actual caffeine varies with the beans and shot size. Choose decaf later in the day if caffeine affects your sleep.

Who should skip a latte machine

• Black-coffee drinkers. A drip brewer or espresso machine without milk features costs less.
• Occasional latte fans. A simple espresso maker and a frother covers a weekend latte nicely.
• Tiny spaces with no room for a milk routine. A capsule machine with a frother may be easier.

Want a bigger range of bean-to-cup options? Visit our super automatic espresso machine guide. New to espresso? Start with our espresso machine for beginners picks.

Not sure yet? Try the free tool

Machine MatchmakerAnswer 6 quick questions and get the machine type and models that fit your drinks, budget and patience, with a 3-year cost-per-cup comparison.→

Price bands: $ under $100 · $$ $100–299 · $$$ $300–799 · $$$$ $800–1,999 · $$$$$ $2,000+. Prices change, so check the retailer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best machine for making lattes at home?

For one-touch convenience, a bean-to-cup machine with a milk carafe, such as the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema, is the easiest choice. If you want to learn latte art, a semi-automatic with a steam wand like the Breville Bambino Plus is more rewarding. Capsule fans can choose the Nespresso Lattissima One for one-touch milk drinks from pods.

What is the difference between a latte machine and an espresso machine?

Every latte machine is an espresso machine with a way to heat and froth milk. Some use a manual steam wand, some an automatic wand, and others a milk carafe or spout that adds milk at the touch of a button. A basic espresso machine without milk features can still make lattes if you add a separate milk frother.

Can a latte machine make cappuccinos too?

Yes. Lattes and cappuccinos use the same ingredients in different proportions. One-touch machines usually offer both as preset recipes with different amounts of foam. With a steam wand, you make cappuccino foam by letting in more air at the start of steaming, and latte milk by keeping the wand tip just below the surface for a silkier texture.

Do latte machines work with oat milk?

Most do, though results vary with the milk. De'Longhi lists both dairy and plant milks for the Magnifica Evo LatteCrema carafe. Barista-style oat, soy and almond milks are formulated to foam well and usually give the creamiest result. Clean the milk system after every use, since plant milks can leave residue just like dairy.

Is a capsule latte machine worth it?

A capsule latte machine is worth it if you value speed and tidiness over cost per cup. Machines like the Nespresso Lattissima One simplify brewing, but the milk jug still needs cleaning after use. Over months, capsules usually cost more per cup than whole beans, so heavy latte drinkers often save money with a bean-to-cup machine instead.

Sources

We link to the original studies and official pages so you can check every claim.

1. De'Longhi. Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema (ECAM29084SB) product page. De'Longhi US.
2. Philips. Philips Series 3200 LatteGo EP3241 product specification sheet. Philips.
3. Breville. the Bambino Plus (BES500) product page. Breville US.
4. Breville. the Barista Touch Impress (BES881) product page. Breville US.
5. Nespresso. Nespresso machine comparison. Nespresso Singapore.
6. JURA. E8 product page. JURA US.
7. Breville. Vertuo Creatista (BVE850) product page. Breville US.
8. Nespresso. Choose your coffee system. Nespresso Singapore.
9. Nespresso. Aeroccino 4 user manual. Nespresso.
10. USDA Agricultural Research Service. Beverages, coffee, brewed, espresso, restaurant-prepared (FDC ID 171891, SR Legacy). USDA FoodData Central.