Jump to:
If you love cappuccinos it is a nice benefit to be able to make them at home. Really, they don’t require a ton of ingredients and with a bit of practice, you can easily be enjoying homemade cappuccinos.
Making a good cappuccino does require the right equipment. If you’ve never looked for a cappuccino maker, the idea of shopping for one could be a bit daunting. There are lots of great cappuccino makers on the market today. Knowing how to pick the right piece of equipment is important for making a great cappuccino.
In this article, we’ll give you five of the best cappuccino makers on the market. We’ll also give you a helpful buying guide. In our buying guide, we’ll give you the product features that should be considered when shopping for the best cappuccino maker.
at a glance: Best Cappuccino Maker
How to Choose the Best Cappuccino Maker
When you are looking for a good cappuccino maker for your kitchen, there are some product features that you should consider. In our buying guide, we’ve put together some of the product considerations that we use when putting together our list of the best cappuccino makers.
These features are helpful in narrowing down the expansive number of cappuccino makers on the market.
Types of Cappuccino Machines
The type of cappuccino maker that you want to invest in is an important first consideration. All cappuccino makers fall into one of three groups. Knowing which of these types is best for you is the ideal place to start when shopping for a cappuccino maker.
Semi-Automatic
When you buy a semi-automatic cappuccino maker, you’ll be buying a machine that allows you to pull a shot of espresso, and steam your milk, but not have to work too hard. Semi-automatic cappuccino machines brew your espresso without you having to learn the technique of pulling levers to make a good espresso.
You will have to watch your espresso quality to know when to stop your machine. This is the primary difference between semi-automatic and automatic machines. These are great machines for coffee lovers that want to improve their coffee experience but don’t want to learn a completely new set of skills.
Fully Automatic
Fully automatic machines are great for the coffee lover that wants a good cappuccino but doesn’t have the time to sit and watch their espresso brew. These aren’t going to just magically make a cappuccino, you will still have to grind your coffee beans, pull your espresso and steam your milk.
The difference is that your cappuccino machine will stop brewing your espresso after a particular amount of time. Fully-automatic cappuccino machines are in the middle of the price range and are the most popular with busy coffee lovers.
Super-Automatic
These are the fanciest of the cappuccino makers. These machines really do it all for you, with little to no effort. There is value to a super-automatic machine. Some people love their coffee house coffee but have no desire or time to learn how to pull their own espresso and steam their milk.
Super-automatic machines are generally full of features and let you customize and save the coffee settings that you prefer. Super-automatic cappuccino machines due to their features and programmability are hands down the most expensive options on the market.
Milk Frothing
As with the types of machines, there are different iterations of the frothing mechanisms on a cappuccino machine. The most recognizable is the frothing wand. This is the type of wand that you’ll find on manual, semi-automatic, and some full-automatic machines.
This way of frothing milk does take a bit of practice to get the milk to the right consistency for a cappuccino. If you don’t want to work that hard, look for a machine that has a milk-frothing tank. These machines will properly froth milk for the type of drink you want, with just a push of a button.
These are less learning-intensive, but they are more challenging to keep clean. The other option you’ll find with cappuccino machines is the separate frother. You’ll find this mostly with cappuccino makers in the Nespresso line.
Ease of Use
If you don’t mind working a bit for a perfect cappuccino, you’ll love a semi-automatic machine. These require you to pull your espresso, grind beans, froth milk, and then clean and maintain your machine.
For an easier cappuccino experience automatic and super-automatic options are a nice way to enjoy a cappuccino without a ton of work.
When it comes to ease of use, you’ll also want to consider how much effort it takes to clean your cappuccino machine. You will likely want a machine that comes apart easily and has dishwasher-safe parts that clean up easily.
For super-automatic machines, it is really important to look for a machine that has an easy-to-clean milk tank. Otherwise, you’re stuck with trying to figure out how to get into small spaces.
Size
You really do need to think about the size of the cappuccino machine that you consider. Even if you have a decent-sized kitchen, you don’t need to buy a cappuccino machine that takes up every inch of your counter.
There are so many sizes and configurations that allow you to find the perfect-sized cappuccino machine for your kitchen. Also, keep in mind that smaller cappuccino machines are also less expensive, so a smaller cappuccino maker will be ideal if you are on a budget.
Price
You do need to consider the price when you are shopping for a cappuccino machine. It is important to remember that these machines can be very affordable or very expensive.
If you are on a budget you’ll want to look for machines that fit within your price range. The great thing about cappuccino machines is that you can find nice options no matter the type, style, or features that you are looking for.
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Best Cappuccino Maker
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Breville Barista Express |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | PHILIPS 3200 Series |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | EspressoWorks Espresso & Cappuccino |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | DeLonghi Espresso and Cappuccino |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
Our Top 5 Best Cappuccino Makers
Since we’ve offered our buying guide with the features that you should consider when shopping for a cappuccino maker, it is time we offered our picks for the best cappuccino makers.
Our top five best cappuccino makers offer something for every budget, every kitchen, and every coffee lover.
1. Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
The Breville Barista Express is a fully automatic espresso machine that is packed with features. At less than $800 this compact but high-quality espresso maker is a perfect option if you are looking for a good mid-range cappuccino maker.
This beautiful cappuccino maker comes from one of the most reliable names in coffee tools. Breville has been around for many years and is the choice for dedicated coffee lovers that want both style and function.
The Breville Barista Express comes with all the things you need to make a great cup of cappuccino. First, this machine, like many professional models, starts out by perfectly grinding your beans. The push button selector gives you the option for ground for a single or double shot. The built-in tamper allows you to compact your ground, without having to find a place for an extra tool.
When it comes to brewing, this machine offers you the option to make one or two shots, with just the push of a button. This machine is a great fully automatic option and it even gives you a delightful layer of crema at the end of the brew cycle. The milk frothing wand works well and with a little practice allows you to make a range of milk options from steamed to a perfect micro-foam.
We like that this machine comes with its own cleaning kit. This makes keeping this machine in top shape quick and easy. The owner’s manual provides plenty of information on the proper operation and maintenance of the Breville Barista Express.
Pros
- Exceptional quality machine for a great price
- Control panel offers a range of brewing and programming options
- Built-in burr grinder works well and eliminates the need for a separate grinder
- Swivel steam wand works well and makes great foam for cappuccinos
Cons
- Needs a bit more counter space than other options
- The number of added features makes this machine a bit more challenging to use.
2. Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Mr. Coffee is another well-known name in coffee-making equipment. They are usually known for making affordable coffee makers that may not be of the highest quality. However, the Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino machine is a really great choice if you are wanting a super-automatic coffee maker that keeps cappuccino making simple.
The Mr. Coffee comes with easy push button controls that allow you to select the type of drink you want and the number of espresso shots that it’s made with. The two basic drink options of this machine are lattes and cappuccinos, and of course, you can make just a shot of espresso.
The milk carafe along with the water tank makes frothing milk for a perfect cappuccino easy. The milk carafe is removable and fits into your refrigerator so you don’t have to constantly fill and refill. Of course, if you want to make a custom coffee drink, and don’t want to rely on one-touch brewing, Mr. Coffee also has manual brewing and frothing options as well.
While this machine seems to have all of the best features of a super-automatic cappuccino machine, it is surprisingly affordable. Though it isn’t as inexpensive as some other coffee makers, this machine comes in at less than $350, which is a great value. We also like that the Mr. Coffee comes in three finishes so it matches well with just about any kitchen decor.
Pros
- Brewing is powered by a 19 bar Italian made pump
- Small footprint makes this an ideal cappuccino machine for a small kitchen
- Brews espresso and froths milk directly into your favorite mug
- Push button operation is very user friendly.
Cons
- The milk frother was pretty noisy
- Not as easy as other cappuccino machines to clean
- Plastic tamper is flimsy
3. PHILIPS 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine w/ Milk Frother
The Philips 3200 fully automatic espresso machine in our mind is a combination of fully automatic and super-automatic. This is a very easy-to-use espresso machine and it has some great features that often only come on more expensive machines.
We say this machine is a combination because it gives you the simplicity of a super-automatic machine when it comes to brewing your espresso.
The control panel allows you to customize the quality of espresso that you brew. Control options that allow you to select the number of shots, brew strength, and even the temperature of your espresso. The integrated grinder also can be adjusted to make a range of ground sizes for a variety of drink styles and flavors.
The milk frother is another in-the-middle option as well. It looks a lot like a manual milk frother, but it is actually less work-intensive than other machines.
To make perfect cappuccino foam, you’ll set your milk pitcher under the frothing wand and just press the steam button. You’ll need to watch to make sure that you do not over froth your milk, but there are no knobs to turn or questions about delivering the right amount of steam.
This cappuccino machine is one of the easier to clean, in our opinion. It disassembles easily, the water tank comes completely off and there is a single-touch cleaning function.
Pros
- Simple, push-button operation
- Variety of brew options for a perfect cup of cappuccino
- Milk frother is easy to use and easy to clean
- Reasonable price for a good quality product.
Cons
- The whole machine is made from plastic.
- Makes a lot of noise while brewing and frothing
- No way to save personalized settings
4. EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker Barista Bundle Set
If you want to practice your barista skills, the EspressoWorks all-in-one espresso machine bundle is a great semi-automatic machine at an affordable price.
One of the things we love the most about this cappuccino maker is that it literally comes with everything you need to start making espresso or cappuccinos right from the box.
The EspressoWorks machine comes with a handy bean grinder, single and double portafilters, a milk pitcher, a coffee scoop and tamper, and two ceramic cups. If you don’t want to shop for all the added accessories this is a great pick.
This machine is a good semi-automatic machine. You will need to watch your espresso brew and stop the machine when the espresso is to your liking. The manual milk frothing want is easy to use, and easy to clean. This machine has a built-in water tank, so you can easily see how much water is left without guessing.
The EspressoWorks has a nice 15-bar pump which provides plenty of pressure for a robust cup of espresso The compact footprint is perfect for mid-size kitchens. And we love the four stainless steel finishes that coordinate nicely with a variety of kitchen decors.
Pros
- Smaller footprint than other comparable products
- Only a button and a dial, for easy, uncomplicated operation
- Really well built considering the price
- Complete set of tools and accessories for out-of-the-box operation
Cons
- Lower pressure results in a less robust espresso
- The location of the water tank is convenient but adds to the size of the machine
- The plastic scoop and tamper are flimsy
5. DeLonghi EC155 15 Bar Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
DeLonghi is another popular maker of coffee machines, so it is natural that we would include one of their products on our list.
The EC155 15-bar espresso and cappuccino maker is the ideal semi-automatic cappuccino maker if you don’t have a lot of space. This is by far one of the smallest cappuccino makers that we’ve found. It is also very simple to use, for a semi-automatic machine.
Some of the features that we like best about the DeLonghi are all about convenience. This machine has a removable water tank, so you don’t have to figure out how to pour water into the machine.
The built-tamper is a great addition and keeps you from needing to buy more tools. And this is one of the few cappuccino machines out there that are able to brew using pre-packaged pods, instead of loose grounds. This makes cleaning and maintaining this machine incredibly simple.
Pros
- Great quality machine for a reasonable price.
- Makes a great-quality espresso and steamed milk
- Simple controls for easy operation
- Very compact footprint. Perfect for small kitchens
- Steam wand is easy to use and clean.
Cons
- You’ll need small espresso cups or shot glasses to fit under the portafilter
- Very basic machine – doesn’t come with any extra accessories
- The build quality is not as great as other DeLonghi machines
The Best Cappuccino Maker – Final Thoughts
The Breville Barista Express is a great example of a cappuccino maker that gives you great quality cappuccino or espresso in an affordable and well-built machine. Though it doesn’t allow you to brew without effort, this machine is a great pick for making a great cappuccino with minimal effort.
Our list of the best five cappuccino makers offers a range of options for coffee lovers. From machines that will practically make a cappuccino with no effort, to those with just enough effort to make you love brewing a delicious espresso, there is something here for everyone.
