5 Best Cappuccino Makers In 2023

The average price of a Starbucks Cappuccino is $4.75. Spending $4 a day might not seem like a big deal. But for regular cappuccino drinkers, this can quickly add up to 5 digits ($$$$$) annually. What’s the point? Investing in a cappuccino maker now will actually save you money in the long run by cutting back those pricey trips to coffee shops.

Sure, most cappuccino makers come with hefty price tags. The more advanced they are, the higher their cost. But there are many affordable options too; ones that don’t come with bells and whistles but focus on brewing delicious cappuccino. Regardless, our list comprises both high-end and budget-friendly cappuccino makers for you to choose from.

Read on to find your dream cappuccino machine today!

Top 5 Cappuccinos Makers For Home Use

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine – Best Overall

The Breville Barista Express is a fine example of “when budget meets quality.” Falling in the category of mid-range cappuccino makers, it is raved by both home brewers and professional baristas. Why? For one, the machine offers many customizable settings and gives the user more control over the brewing process.

It means you can control the final taste of your espresso by adjusting the dose, water temperature, and shot timing. It also means this semi-automatic espresso machine is more suitable for serious home baristas looking to refine their skills.

Features like an 18-level burr grinder, dynamic pre-infusion, digital PID temperature control, and 360° steam wand give coffee experts something to get their teeth into too! What’s more, the machine includes a sensor that alerts you when it’s time for a clean-up.

Unlike most espresso machines, the steam wand on the Breville Barista Express runs almost indefinitely and won’t stop until it gets the job done. It reaches temperature quickly in about 20 seconds and generates enough steam pressure to produce structured cappuccino foam. In fact, with some effort and practice, you can also create silky microfoam with this machine.

For a Breville machine that doesn’t cross the thousand-dollar mark, we’d say it’s an affordable purchase compared to other cappuccino makers on the market. After all, you also get the unmatched craftsmanship that Breville is known for!

Pros:

• Great value for money
• Many customizable settings
• Suitable for developing barista skills
• Inbuilt grinder
• Produces great cappuccino foam
• Gives you more control over the brewing process
• High quality

Cons:

• Not the most beginner-friendly cappuccino maker. Takes some time and practice to get the hang of it.

DeLonghi EC155 Espresso And Cappuccino Maker – Best Budget

When it comes to kitchen and coffee appliances, the Italian brand DeLonghi is a frontrunner. As soon as you see the brand on a product, you can be sure it is easy to use, sophisticated, and functional. So is the DeLonghi EC155! And the cherry on top is its affordable price, just a little over $100.

The DeLonghi EC155 cappuccino maker is a hit among casual coffee drinkers looking for inexpensive coffee machines. It produces great-tasting coffee for its price. However, if you expect the same quality of coffee from machines that cost two or three times as much, you’ll be disappointed.

On its own, the DeLonghi EC155 is a compact machine that measures 10.5x7x8.25 inches. It weighs roughly 7 pounds. Hence, you don’t have to worry about countertop space or portability issues with this one.

Equipped with a small vibratory, high-pressure pump, and stainless-steel boiler, the machine creates two kinds of coffee drinks – straight espresso or cappuccino. It is compatible with both ESE coffee pods and ground coffee – whatever your preference! Plus, the manual frother does a decent job of creating rich and creamy froth for your milk-based espresso drinks.

Perhaps the best part about the EC155 machine is its easy-to-use controls. There’s a big dial right in the center, known as the “selector knob.” And with just a turn of the knob, you can control the entire machine and switch between four functions- resting, heating, espresso brewing, and steaming. It can’t get easier than this, can it?

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Easy to use
• Compact and portable
• 15-bar pump
• Produces tasty espresso-based beverages

Cons:

• Doesn’t produce consistently delicious coffee
• The drip tray only accommodates small cups

Gaggia Classic Pro – Best For Beginners

The Gaggia Classic Pro is an excellent pick for people who want something more advanced than the above DeLonghi EC155 but are not ready to invest much.

Many will agree that the Gaggia Classic Pro is the father of espresso machines, having been around for around 30 years. Since its first launch in 1991, the machine has undergone several updates, yet its simplicity and ease of use remain untouched. So, is it still relevant?

It surely is! There’s a lot to love about the Gaggia Classic Pro: stainless-steel housing, straightforward user interface, improved aluminum boiler, 58mm portafilter, and commercial steam wand (to name a few).

Like the Breville Barista Express, this semi-automatic machine gives you more control over the espresso-making process. Hence, if you want to develop and improve your barista skills while staying within the $500 mark, you might want to get your hands on this machine!

Perhaps the biggest upgrade on the Classic Evo Pro from its predecessor is its commercial-style steam wand. It allows you to produce tighter microform for your cappuccinos and lattes. Plus, its dual heating elements mean the machine reaches temperature pretty fast. So you can enjoy your cappuccino on the go!

Pros:

• Compatible with ESE pods and pre-ground coffee
• Beginner-friendly
• Durable
• Large water reservoir
• Commercial-grade wand for better frothing
• A highly reputed brand in the market

Cons:

• Quite heavy
• You can place only short cups on the drip tray.

Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker – Super automatic

Mr. Coffee’s Café Barista is another entry-level cappuccino maker that is both affordable and convenient. The best part? It is ideal for seasoned and newbie home baristas! Here’s why: this machine allows users to either manually brew an espresso shot or let the machine do all the job with a click of a button. Impressive, right?

Given its low price, many might question the authenticity of this coffee maker. But worry not, Café Barista has a 15-bar pump, meaning it will produce authentic espresso every time!

The machine is beginner-friendly, but it has a learning curve. That’s where the user manual comes in handy. The Café Barista looks straightforward with three labeled buttons. However, you’ll have to learn how many clicks you need to start the desired function.

For example, pressing the espresso button once commands the machine to brew a single shot, and pressing it twice means two espresso shots. Likewise, holding down the button for three seconds will turn on the manual brewing function.

Café Barista also meets the mark of being called a super-automatic machine as it can brew coffee and froth milk automatically. Just fill the milk reservoir, choose the latte, froth, or cappuccino option by turning the knob, and the machine will take care of the rest! Now this is something you won’t find on many budget-friendly cappuccino makers.

Not forgetting, it is a small machine measuring just about 12 inches tall and 10 inches wide. So it can easily fit in tight spaces!

Pros:

• Manual and super-automatic machine
• Very convenient
• Budget-friendly
• Comes with a recipe book
• Automatic milk frother

Cons:

• Not very durable
• Plastic tamper
• Not the easiest machine to clean

Philips 4300 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine – High-end Cappuccino Maker

If budget isn’t an issue for you, consider investing in a Philips 4300 cappuccino maker. The product comes in two versions- one with a classic milk frother and one with a LatteGo system. While the former requires manual milk frothing, the LatteGo system froths milk automatically. And obviously, the LatteGo variant costs more than the manual one.

Since you’re here looking for the best cappuccino machine, we suggest you opt for the LatteGo model. It is a Philips patented milk system that produces creamy steamed or frothed milk at the press of a button.

The 4300 Series is the most popular model in Philip’s line of super-automatic espresso machines, for good reason. It comes with as many as eight pre-set drink options, namely, espresso, cappuccino, café au lait, Americano, ristretto, latte macchiato, and caffé crema. Just click the desired button, and the machine will produce the drink shortly. Better yet, you can customize each drink to make it taste exactly as you want.

There’s more. On this machine, you can adjust the grind size between 12 settings from coarse to fine, thanks to its inbuilt ceramic burr grinder. Remember, the lower the grind setting, the stronger the coffee will taste. You can also use pre-ground coffee on the Philips 4300. If so, do not adjust the grind setting so the machine knows you’re using ground coffee.

Other impressive features on the Philips 4300 include a large water tank, adjustable coffee temperature, adjustable spout, intuitive touch display, and powerful filter.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Inbuilt grinder
• Packed with many customizable settings

Cons:

• Can’t set milk temperature
• Quite expensive

Buying Guide: Things To Keep In Mind When Buying A Cappuccino Maker

Type: Manual, Semi-Automatic, or Automatic Machine?

One of the first decisions to make when looking for a cappuccino maker is whether you want a manual or automatic machine. Note one is not better than the other. It depends on your preference and skill.

Go for a manual or semi-automatic machine if you want to develop or improve your barista skills. They tend to be more affordable and hassle-free and give you a more personal brewing experience. However, they can also be more time-consuming.

Automatic machines do much of the brewing work for you in a short span of time. They tend to be more expensive, given their advanced mechanism and convenience.

Still unclear? Choose a semi-automatic or manual machine to make the cappuccino yourself. Go for the automatic one if you want to make the drink by simply pushing one or two buttons.

Milk System

You shouldn’t overlook the milk system on an espresso machine, especially if you’re going to use it for making cappuccino.

Frothing milk manually with a steam wand requires some effort and practice. Suppose you have the skill or the dedication to learn it, well and good. But if you’re all about convenience and want your cappuccino without breaking a sweat, go for an automatic milk system.

Price

Money is always a factor, regardless of what you’re purchasing. So, always look into your budget first. But more importantly, remember, price is not the only determinant of quality. In other words, going for the most expensive product doesn’t always mean going for the best product.

While considering the price, you should also consider your skill level and preference. What’s the use of buying an expensive cappuccino maker if you’re not going to take advantage of its advanced features? Or what’s the point of spending thousands of dollars on a machine if you’re not a regular cappuccino drinker? Likewise, if you’re looking for a durable coffee maker that’ll last for years to come, be willing to shell out a few extra bucks.

The Best Cappuccino Maker Of 2023 – Verdict

All said and done, our choice for the best cappuccino maker of 2023 has got to be the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine. It is a great pick for both coffee experts and newbies. It combines Breville’s excellent craftsmanship with high-quality coffee brewing process. Since it’s a semi-automatic espresso machine, it gives you a more hands-on brewing experience without compromising convenience. For its price, the Breville Barista is hard to beat!

FAQs

What is a cappuccino?

The cappuccino is an espresso-based drink containing three equal layers. First sits the bottom layer of one shot of espresso, followed by steamed milk in the middle, and finished with a layer of milk foam.

What are the best coffee machines to make cappuccino?

The best coffee machines to make cappuccino are Breville BES870XL Barista Express, DeLonghi EC155, Gaggia Classic Pro, Mr. Coffee Café Barista, and Philips 4300.

Which cup size should I use for a cappuccino?

Typically, you should use a 5.5-ounce cup size for a cappuccino.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Automatic Pour Over Coffee Machine.

References:

https://www.coffeeness.de/en/best-cappuccino-maker/

https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-espresso-cappuccino-machines-4128791

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/breville-barista-express-review/

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/de-longhi-ec155-review/

https://www.homegrounds.co/delonghi-ec155-review/

https://www.coffeeness.de/en/gaggia-classic-pro-review/

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/mr-coffee-cafe-barista-review/