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There's no need to hit up a coffee shop every time you want a frothy, espresso-based beverage: With the proper equipment, you can make a latte right at home. Made with espresso, steamed milk and a light layer of foam, a proper latte requires an espresso machine and a milk frother — and the best latte machines combine these two elements into one clever appliance.
To find the best latte machines, we tested over 20 popular and highly-rated models that use ground coffee or coffee pods to brew espresso and that have built-in frothers.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab's analysts brewed over 60 cups of espresso during their extensive test of latte machines. Our pros also drew from their experience testing a wide variety of coffee gear including all types of coffee makers, pour-over coffee makers, single-cup brewers, drip coffee makers, portable coffee makers, cold brew coffee makers and more. We evaluated latte machines for ease of use and cleaning, consistency, taste and noise level and we tested how efficiently they preheat, brew and froth.
Read on for the machines that topped our tests as well as what to look for when shopping.
In our tests, we liked how this easy-to-use machine preheated in under five seconds, brewed espresso in about 30 seconds and produced hot frothed milk (it comes with a steam wand and frothing jug) with impressive microfoam in under one minute. This means that you could have a perfect latte in under two minutes!
It allows you to set both the temperature and amount of foam in your milk, making it easy to customize your latte. The frother automatically purges the inside with clean hot water after each use so that it doesn’t clog.
The Breville Bambino Plus was not only one of the most compact latte machines we tested, it also had one of the biggest water reservoirs (64 ounces), which means less refilling. Our favorite feature is the double-wall basket in the portafilter, which is more forgiving than single-wall filters found in most espresso makers — it helps produce a decent espresso even when the coffee is inconsistently ground.
This latte machine is easy to use and it will consistently make a decent latte. For just under $100, it is a great value and quickly becomes worth it with the money you save avoiding coffee shops. It takes ground coffee for a single or double shot or soft coffee pods (coffee in a tea-bag-like round paper filter).
The body is made of BPA-free plastic and the removable water reservoir holds about 50 ounces of water. The shot size is not automated, which allows you to determine the size of your espresso shot. You can also control the amount of steam released from the steam wand to heat or create foam in your milk with an easy-to-use dial, though you will have to purchase a frothing jug separately.
For a fast, straightforward latte machine for Nespresso pods, you can't beat this model.
Simply fill up the removable water reservoir (which attaches to the back of the machine) and milk container (which can be stored in the fridge), insert your Nespresso pod and choose what type of espresso-based beverage you'd like from the labeled buttons. Select from six presets: latte, latte macchiato, cappuccino, espresso, lungo or warm milk froth. The machine will dispense rich espresso and hot milk from an automatic frother that creates creamy foam. A dial allows you to adjust how foamy you want your milk.
We love the easily removable compartment that catches the used Nespresso pods, which are recyclable, and the adjustable base to accommodate coffee mugs of all sizes. As a bonus, you can customize the settings for each type of drink, adjusting the volume of espresso and milk dispensed, though some users found the customization process wasn't intuitive and required some learning.
This model is similar to the Nespresso machine, but uses ground coffee instead of pods. The Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine is easy to set up and prime, heats up quickly and it is fun to use, making it the best latte machine for beginners.
While testers found it noisier than other models, it brewed great-tasting espresso and perfectly frothed milk at the same time with the touch of a button. It features two removable reservoirs, one for water and one for milk (which can be stored in the fridge when not in use).
Point the frothing wand towards your cup and hot foamy milk will be released into it; we were impressed that steamed milk did not splatter during this process. A dial on the milk canister allows you to control the amount of foam created, and since the frothing tube can be cleaned with a touch of a button, we recommend cleaning it after each use.
The built-in frother and specialty coffee concentrate function on this Ninja latte maker allow for espresso-like drinks in addition to regular coffee. It can accommodate both ground coffee and K-cups, thanks to a special K-cup attachment that's interchangeable with the regular brew basket.
When brewing, you can choose between classic or rich coffee, coffee over ice, or specialty coffee. The water tank can also be positioned on the side or the back of the machine, allowing for optimal counter space configuration.
Testers noted that the milk frother does not steam the milk, so preheated milk is required. The frother also created large bubbles in the milk in some tests, and smaller, denser bubbles are preferable for an extra-creamy texture.
The De'Longhi La Specialista comes with valuable bells and whistles that make its higher price point worth it.
We love the built-in grinder that measures the exact amount of ground coffee you need for either a single or double shot of espresso. The built-in tamper helps you achieve evenly compressed coffee grounds for properly extracted flavors. We also love that it preheats quickly, self-cleans and reminds you when it's time to descale and clean your coffee maker.
It features a removable water reservoir and a pull-down tray to get small cups closer to the espresso spout, which is important for richer crema. In our tests, we found both the espresso maker and frother to be relatively quiet. Most importantly, the espresso was full of flavor and crema, and the frother was easy to clean.
This latte machine makes “espresso-style” coffee by brewing a concentrated shot of coffee from your favorite K-cup (or a Keurig reusable coffee filter, which is sold separately). Its removable water reservoir holds 60 ounces of water. Out of all the latte machines we tested, we loved this lidded stainless steel frother the most because it was the easiest to use.
It has three settings (cold, latte and cappuccino), and it automatically froths milk until foamy with a simple touch of a button. The inside of the frother, which is dishwasher-safe, has a clearly marked fill line for lattes (about 6 ounces). Unlike other Keurig machines, it does not have an auto-start function, but it is still quiet, fast and easy to use first thing in the morning.
This fully automated latte machine from Phillips grinds, brews and froths with the push of a button. It has a straightforward touchscreen control panel that makes it easy to select and brew five coffee drinks: espresso, cappuccino and latte macchiato as well as black coffee and Americano.
It has a removable, dishwasher-safe milk hopper with markings that let you know how much milk to add for your latte, though we wish the markings were easier to read. Testers also noted how easy it was keep clean, including the milk frother and the coffee basket with used grounds. Testers found the drinks flavorful but light-bodied, and not as hot as those from other machines.
To find the best latte machines, we rounded up well over 20 espresso machines in the Lab, and brewed more than 60 cups of espresso.
We tested each latte machines for brew time, consistency, taste, noise level and ease of use. We tested the timing and temperature of multiple espressos and made lattes with both skim and oat milk to evaluate the milk ratio of the setting and the quality of the frothing.
Our top picks were easy to set up, easy to use and reasonably quick to heat, brew and froth. The best machines produced lattes that had depth and were creamy and balanced. We favored latte machines that brew smooth and good-tasting espresso (hello, crema!) and froth both milk and milk alternatives quickly and quietly. (The frother should produce luxuriously creamy and hot milk with just the right amount of foam.)
✔️ Type: Latte machines generally fall into four categories: semiautomatic, automatic, super-automatic and capsule.
✔️ Frother: There are two basic types of frothers associated with latte machines:
✔️ Capacity: This refers to the capacity of the water reservoir as well as the coffee bean hopper and/or milk hopper, if applicable. A larger water reservoir means you won’t have to fill it as often, but a smaller one ensures fresh water more frequently. Capsule machines tend to have smaller water reservoirs, while super-automatic machines usually have larger ones (though keep in mind that some of that water is used for priming your grounds and flushing the machine). If your machine has a bean hopper, it should hold ½ to 1 pound of beans and keep them well sealed and shielded from light to preserve their flavor. If your machine includes a milk hopper, make sure it holds enough for your preference for one drink.
✔️ Pressure: Espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. The Specialty Coffee Association — a nonprofit, member organization that represents coffee professionals — has defined espresso as “coffee through which [water] has been forced at 9 to 10 atmospheres of pressure.” Most home machines can achieve nine bars of pressure, though some machines will range up to 15 to 19 bars.
✔️ Footprint: Latte machines can be larger than single-serve, drip or espresso-only machines. Measure the space where you plan to store the machine and check the dimensions of the model before you purchase.
A latte machine (which generally makes other espresso-based drinks as well, such as cappuccinos, Americanos, etc.) is essentially an espresso machine plus a built-in milk frother, and some models also brew drip coffee. They can brew espresso, which is a strong, concentrated form of coffee served in small shots — and also heat up and froth milk — at the touch of a button. They're a great buy if you prefer espresso drinks over drip coffee, or if you live in a household with a variety of preferences.
Any type of milk will work, but not all types of milk will create the same rich, creamy foam with tiny bubbles (called microfoam) that is considered the gold standard of lattes. The best type of milk is whole, dairy milk: It has the right balance of fat, protein, sugar and water to make microfoam. Note that whole milk brands can differ in their molecular makeup, so feel free to experiment with a variety of cartons to find your favorite.
Low fat and skim milk lack the richness of whole milk and tend to create larger bubbles, but you’ll still get some foam. Non-dairy milk alternatives vary widely in their makeup of fat, protein and sugar: Some have added oils and thickeners that create a similar foam as whole milk, while others are mostly water and create very little foam. So if non-dairy milk is your preference, you will have to try different types and brands to reach your desired latte consistency. In our experience, oat milk works the best.
Samantha MacAvoy is an assistant editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she has tested countless kitchen appliances including espresso machines, coffee grinders, latte machines and more.
While researching and writing this story, she consulted Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. Nicole oversees our testing of coffee makers, espresso machines and Nespresso machines, as well as all other brewing appliances.
A previous version of this story was written by Myo Quinn, a chef, product tester and food writer and editor. She has covered all things kitchen for GH, including single-serve coffee makers and coffee accessories.
Myo Quinn is a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, food writer and on-air talent. When she’s not cooking or planning her next meal, Myo chases her three boys around Central Park in New York City. She is on an endless hunt for the best vanilla ice cream – it should be speckled, aromatic, not too sweet and the perfect balance of creamy and icy. She is also dipping her toes into improv.
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
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