Best Latte Coffee Machines of 2021 – Reviews & Buying Guide

The hiss of milk frother, aroma of freshly roasted beans and rituals of coffee bar, it’s not surprising, we’ve been arrested to the love of latte and writing about this mug of heaven making me want one.

Sadly, making a perfect barista-worthy cup of latte at home is surprisingly daunting.

Having said that I dove into the market of home latte makers and found what makes them tick … err … hiss to design pure barista-style latte capped with foamy milk.

After testing hundreds of machines, I’ve narrowed down the list to only the best latte machines for preparing your own-made coffee specialties at the ease of home.

But make sure you take the following factors into consideration to pick the best latte machine:

Things You Need to Know Before Picking a Home Latte Machine

Size of Machine

Just like other appliances, latte makers also come in a variety of sizes. Depending on the counter space, pick the machine which could fit best without sacrificing the space for other kitchen gadgets.

For example, compact machines are more preferable if you’ve limited counter space.

Capacity

What’s your demand for coffee? Do you need it for yourself or for an entire family?

A large water reservoir will add more convenience as it can brew more cups of coffee before replenishing and suitable for a family of java drinkers.

Milk Frother

For lattes, milk frother plays a vital role, it enhances the flavor and takes your plain coffee to the next level. Without it, you just can’t craft those silky and barista style textures.

Always make sure, your machine must have a built-in steam wand with enough pressure capability to consequently top off your lattes or cappuccinos with fluffy cloud of milk froth.

Otherwise, it will cost you anywhere between $15 to $100 to buy one separately.

Cleaning

While counting those fancy features, make sure the machine doesn’t require too much cleaning otherwise you’ll end up spending most of your time playing with machine parts rather enjoying your delicious latte drink.

Price

Broadly speaking, as you’ll add more features, it will require more resources so the prices would add up.

However, think long-term, if you spend a little more extra to buy a durable machine with all crucial features, it will save you more money in the long run with less energy consumption, more time saving and most importantly cheaper cost every single cup.

1. Breville The Barista Express – Top Choice

When I crowned The Barista Express, it means, it’s the pick of the litter that will make you love sitting inside on a crispy day with hot, frothy latte at the comfort of home – and yes topped with a pretty decent cap of foam.

The machine takes all the guesswork out of the brewing process as it provides with just the right amount of freshly ground coffee, perfect temperature and pressure to make you a delicious and flavorful cup of java in less than 35 seconds.

As a bonus, you can also brew single and double espresso shots with just one touch of a button.

Using its attached micro-foam steam wand you’ll be able to enhance the flavor of your latte or cappuccino and if you’re beginner, you’ll have boundless opportunities to polish your crafting skills like a latte art pro.

Ran out of milk or simply looking for a fun change to your morning routines? – Dispense hot water from steam wand to effortlessly make Caffe style Americano at your home.

The quality of manufacturing is top-grade and can last you many years without irking.

There’s no guessing for its cleaning phase as Breville alerts automatically when it requires thorough cleaning and this can too simply be done by using Breville’s special cleaning kit.

Read detailed Review on Best Espresso Machines

PROS

• Great looking machine
• Built-in grinder with 16 grind settings
• Smaller footprint
• Makes a variety of coffee drinks
• Auto shut-off feature
• Easy to clean and maintain
• All the essential accessories are included without an additional cost

CONS

• Expensive

What’s the bottom line?

If you’re looking for top-quality machine for making restaurant quality coffee at just the fraction of the cost then Breville Barista Express is highly recommended at home latte machine. Although, it’s an expensive machine, it worths every top dollar you spend for it.

2. Mr. Coffee Latte Maker – Algo Great

When you buy something like the Mr. Coffee Cafe Latte Maker, you’ll be amazed with the top-quality technology how it will land you Starkbucks style lattes at just the fraction of the cost.

And with the first sip of freshly brewed latte, you will certainly abandon leaving the house for trekking down to the Starbucks.

Brewing the delicious latte is just like a piece of cake. 1. Add freshly ground coffee, 2. Add water 3. Knock the button, and see how Mr. Coffee will turn the milky carafe into delish and frothy lattes drink.

Once you hold the carafe after brewing, it turns off automatically so you won’t have to worry about even if forgot hitting the switch in the excitement of drinking your flavorful latte or before leaving the home.

Cleaning is a breeze, just toss out the filter with used grounds, rinse off frother and carafe. You’re all done for your next brew!

The only pitfall is that it brews only 2 cups at a time, life could be much easier if it had more capacity to serve large households as well.

PROS

• Stylish looking machine
• Brewing is easy and faster
• Auto shut-off
• Eco-friendly
• Extremely easy to clean
• Free recipe book of 20 style lattes

CONS

• Small brewing capacity

What’s the bottom line?

Tired of spending a fortune and time at Starbucks? Give a try to Mr. Coffee – Caffe Latte Maker, it will make you delicious lattes at just the fraction of cost.

3. Nespresso Lattissima EN520SL – Most Convenient

You don’t need to spend a fortune at Starbucks for a delicious cup of java every time.

Nespresso Lattissima EN520SL does a flawless job to craft you perfectly layered lattes, espressos and cappuccinos with just push of a button and yes at the fraction of cost.

It occupies minimal counter space and can fit best even in small kitchenettes.

Something that will surprise you, how fast it brews your favorite drink. Unlike an espresso machine, there’s no guesswork and within a matter of 20 seconds, your best-loved coffee will be ready to sip.

Its adjustable sliding drip tray makes it easier to accommodate smaller as well as larger cup sizes.

Nespresso Lattissima EN520SL is compatible with Nespresso Original and fewer other brand capsules. You’ll enjoy testing out plenty of flavors without worrying about the mixing or undesired taste.

Though Nespresso Original capsules are a bit more expensive, it worths every penny versus going to a coffee shop.

You don’t need to stand all day long as its few parts won’t take more than 5 minutes for cleaning to get your machine ready for the next brew.

The only downside is its noisy brewing which might be a pain for other family members as well if you’re making your favorite drink in the early mornings.

PROS

• Amazing looking appliance
• Smaller footprint
• Brewing is easy and takes less than 20 seconds
• A variety of flavors to try out
• Auto-off to save unnecessary consumption
• Essential parts are easily removable and can be cleaned in a matter of few minutes.

CONS

• Doesn’t fit taller mugs
• Noisy brewing phase

What’s the bottom line?

If you want to enjoy delicious lattes along with a variety of coffee specialties at the comfort of your home then make it with Nespresso EN520SL Lattissima. The machine worths the investment and saves you in the long run by skipping the coffee shop every day.

4. Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine – Best for Family

Miss Silvia is a semi-automatic machine so definitely it requires some work before having your hand on your delish cup of java. Equipped with a 60 oz water tank, it’s one of the largest espresso machines at its price tag that will land you cup after cup without slowing down and compromising on quality.

Its bulletproof and attractive appearance makes it a perfect addition to an upgraded kitchen. It’s best-suited both for beginners and professional baristas who demand more coffee in the mornings.

Rancilio Silvia is well-known for its steaming capabilities. A rotatable knob gives you full control over making certain adjustments in pressure and an atriculating steam wand provides a full range of motion for frothy milk for crafting restaurent style espresso, latte, cappuccino and you name it.

As a bonus, you can also dispense steaming hot water on demand, best for making tea, hot chocolate or Starbucks style americano at the comfort of your home.

Made with iron-frames and stainless steel side panels, Rancilio is a highly durable and sturdy machine that can last you for years without breaking down like flimsier models on the market. Furthermore, Miss Silvia requires relatively less cleaning, this can too simply be done without any special technique or tool.

PROS

• Business class appearance
• Brew cups after cups without losing quality
• Makes a variety of caffeinated beverages
• Highly durable
• Easy to clean
• Steaming capabilities ensure high quality foam 

CONS

• Lack of customization fully
• Expensive

What’s the bottom line?

Whether you’re a beginner or professional barista, if you want enjoy more cups of coffee without stretching the wallet every day, Rancilio Silvia will get the job done for you. No doubt, it’s pretty much expensive but it will save you in long run without leaking the quality and performance.

5. Mr. Coffee Café Barista – Best Affordable

If the price is a major concern, it’s one of the best latte machines for home at an affordable price tag.

Despite a semi-automatic machine, Mr. Coffee Café Barista takes most of the guesswork out of the process and you’re just one touch away from your favorite drink.

Operating the machine is easy, you can choose your favorite drink based on single/double shot and your drink will be ready in a matter of 30 seconds. However, if the standard cup size isn’t enough, use its manual customization to increase the total volume of the drink considerably.

There’s no need for milk frothing as it automatically prepares and tops off your cappuccinos or lattes while brewing phase.

The only downside is its smaller milk container that will require you refill so often if you’ve more coffee demand and consequently more cleaning every time to make the machine ready for the next brew.

PROS

• Smaller footprint
• Inexpensive
• One-touch brewing for your favorite drink
• Easy to maintain

CONS

• Small milk container
• Requires frequent cleaning

What’s the bottom line?

For budgeters, Mr. Coffee Café Barista worths trying to enjoy delicious lattes, espresso and cappuccinos at just the fraction of cost.

6. Ninja Single-Serve CF112 – A Great Choice for Ninja Lovers

What more could you ask for when you’ve something like Ninja Single-Serve CF112 that packs such a punch in a small-ish footprint.

You might feel out of the blue with a glance at its price tag and the technology it uses to brew hot and cold coffee specialties in your favorite mug.

Unlike pods brewers, you can use fresh coffee grounds to make your favorite drink that fills your desired cup size and satisfy your taste buds fully.

With 6 different brewing sizes, it fulfills the needs of an individual person to a family of java drinkers in the record time.

You can even fill your large size travel mugs before leaving out for the work and yes without spilling all over the counter.

Speaking about care, an illuminated light will alert you when it requires cleaning and that’s too can simply be done within a matter of few minutes until the light turns off.

The only minus point is its plastic made construction that may decrease lifespan if you don’t spick and span properly.

PROS

• Stylish looking machine
• Brews a variety of delicious coffee specialties including espresso, lattes, cappuccinos
• Easy to use one-touch control panel to brew your favorite drink of your desired cup size and strength
• Budget-friendly
• Compact footprint
• Cleaning is a breeze

CONS

• Plastic made construction

What’s the bottom line?

If you’re looking for a smaller footprint with full control over cup sizes, drink selection and strength with just one-touch of a button, Ninja Single-Serve CF112 worths every top dollar spent on it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Latte Machines

Do I need any other essential equipments along with machine?

Absolutely! The grinder for crushing the beans, a tamper for leveling the coffee grounds into the portafilter, a knock box for used coffee grounds, a small cup or mug and a pitcher for frothy milk.

Some coffee machines include these accessories but not all – so make sure you know what’s included and what’s not with the machine.

Do all espresso machines make latte?

No! Not all espresso machines make latte, only the ones with steaming wand or milk frother can make lattes.

However, if an espresso machine doesn’t offer this equipment, you can buy one separately to make your latte and cappuccinos.

What’s the different between latte and cappuccino?

The only difference between both drinks is of amount of milk and foam.

• More Milk + Relatively Less Foam = Latte
• Less Milk + Relatively More Foam = Cappuccino