The Caffeinated Gear Team
Looking for the perfect latte machine for your home? Our testing team of certified baristas and coffee experts has spent countless hours examining and comparing the market’s leading options. We’ll share a secret straight away: there’s actually no such thing as a dedicated ‘latte machine’.
But don’t worry – we’ve got brilliant news for you. After reading our comprehensive guide, you’ll know exactly which coffee maker will craft your perfect latte. While the term ‘latte machine’ is commonly used, it’s really about finding the right coffee maker with proper milk frothing capabilities.
These versatile machines can create everything from silky lattes to velvety cappuccinos, rich cortados, and perfect macchiatos. The key is understanding which type matches your coffee goals and brewing style.
Here’s something crucial we discovered during our testing: authentic lattes need proper espresso as their foundation. If you’re after coffee shop quality lattes at home, you’ll need an espresso machine with milk frothing capabilities. This isn’t just coffee snobbery – it’s about getting that perfect balance of intense coffee flavour and silky milk.
We want to be crystal clear about this because some popular and budget-friendly ‘latte makers’ don’t actually produce true espresso. Instead, they create a concentrated coffee using different brewing methods. While many coffee lovers enjoy these machines, they won’t give you that genuine espresso-based latte experience.
Let’s dive into our detailed reviews of both true espresso machines and alternative options:
During our extensive testing period, we found this Keurig sits firmly in the ‘convenient alternative’ category. While it doesn’t produce authentic espresso-based drinks, it offers something many coffee lovers appreciate: quick, hassle-free milky coffees at the touch of a button.
The convenience factor really shines here – pop in a pod, and you’re halfway to your morning coffee. However, we should be honest: you won’t get the deep, rich flavours of true espresso-based drinks. Whether this matters depends entirely on your personal taste preferences.
This machine particularly impressed us with its versatility in milk frothing. It handles both hot and cold foam brilliantly, making it perfect for everything from cosy morning lattes to refreshing iced drinks. The frother won’t give you the precise microfoam control needed for latte art, but it consistently produces enjoyable, frothy drinks.
If you’re interested in exploring more Keurig options, check out our detailed guide:
The Ninja CM401 takes quite a different approach from the Keurig K-Cafe. In our testing kitchen, we found it bridges the gap between traditional drip coffee and speciality drinks rather brilliantly. While it doesn’t produce true espresso, it creates a concentrated coffee that serves as a solid foundation for milk-based drinks.
What impressed us most was its versatility. Our team could switch seamlessly between brewing full carafes of drip coffee and creating individual speciality drinks. This flexibility explains why it’s become such a bestseller on Amazon – it’s essentially two machines in one.
An interesting note about the ‘Specialty’ designation: while this was previously SCA certified, we noticed it’s no longer on their list of SCA-approved brewers. However, our extensive testing confirms it still delivers consistent brewing temperatures and times.
For more versatile coffee maker options, see our comprehensive guide:
During our thorough testing process, this Mr. Coffee machine revealed itself as an interesting hybrid option. It’s a traditional portafilter machine at heart, but with some significant differences from professional-grade equipment.
The machine uses a pressurised portafilter system, which we found quite clever in its approach. While coffee purists might raise an eyebrow, this system helps create consistently decent-looking shots with prominent crema, even if you’re new to espresso making.
The automatic milk frothing carafe proved convenient in our tests, though we did miss the control you get with a manual steam wand. It’s worth noting that you can’t adjust milk temperature or texture – it’s a one-size-fits-all approach.
After extensive testing, we’re confident in saying the Breville Bambino represents exceptional value for anyone serious about authentic espresso-based drinks. This machine genuinely surprised our team with features typically found in much pricier models.
The PID temperature control impressed us with its consistency – no more temperature surfing needed. The low-pressure pre-infusion feature, rare at this price point, helped us pull consistently balanced shots. While it comes with pressurised baskets for beginners, the traditional baskets allow you to develop your barista skills.
The professional-grade steam wand proved a highlight in our testing. With some practice, we achieved silky microfoam perfect for latte art. We also discovered a brilliant pro tip: the Bambino excels at ‘ghost steaming’ – a hands-free milk frothing technique traditionally reserved for commercial machines.
Ghost steaming involves positioning your milk jug so the steam tip sits just at the milk’s surface, then letting the wand work its magic. While the Bambino Plus offers true automatic steaming, this technique brings similar convenience to the standard model – you’ll just need to monitor the temperature manually.
After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we’ve identified several key differences between the Bambino Plus and its smaller sibling that truly matter for home baristas.
Auto frothing capabilities: While the Bambino Plus offers impressive automatic milk texturing with adjustable temperature and texture settings, we found it performs brilliantly for beginners while still satisfying experienced users.
Our testing revealed that serious home baristas might prefer the standard Bambino’s ball-joint steam wand for its enhanced manoeuvrability and compatibility with advanced techniques like ghost steaming.
Hot water functionality: During our comparison, we noticed the standard Bambino includes a dedicated hot water button for dispensing through the steam wand – a feature absent from the Plus model.
Solenoid system differences: The Plus model incorporates a solenoid valve for managing post-extraction pressure and moisture. Through our daily testing, we discovered this creates a drier puck but requires more frequent drip tray emptying.
Interestingly, we found the standard Bambino’s simpler brew valve actually offers practical advantages – while pucks retain slightly more moisture, the smaller drip tray proves more manageable without constant emptying.
Think of the Duo Temp Pro as the Barista Express’s streamlined cousin – sharing its DNA but forgoing the built-in grinder and programmable buttons. Its larger footprint houses Breville’s original Thermocoil heating system, which we’ve found offers some surprising advantages.
While the newer Thermojet system in the Bambino models heats faster, our temperature stability tests revealed the Duo Temp Pro’s traditional Thermocoil maintains more consistent heat during back-to-back shots. This thermal stability proves particularly valuable for brewing multiple drinks.
Through years of feedback from our community and long-term testing, we’ve noted exceptional durability reports. Its simpler design with fewer electronic components has proven remarkably reliable over time.
As coffee professionals, we particularly appreciate how this machine performs with milk drinks. Though it takes roughly 20 seconds longer to steam compared to Thermojet models, the control and consistency it offers rival machines at much higher price points.
For a comprehensive look at the entire range, check out our detailed analysis here:
The Philips 3200 introduces automation to espresso brewing while maintaining user control over milk texturing. As coffee professionals, we should note that its brewing unit produces a different style of espresso compared to traditional machines – typically lighter-bodied and less intense.
During our testing, we found this gentler espresso profile actually suits many coffee drinkers’ preferences, particularly those transitioning from regular coffee to espresso-based drinks.
The Panarello steam wand merits special mention. While it doesn’t offer the fine control of traditional wands, our testing showed it consistently produces serviceable milk foam. We particularly appreciated the temperature control it offers – a feature often lacking in pricier super-automatic machines.
Through side-by-side testing with the 3200 series, we discovered the 1200 delivers nearly identical performance for milk-based drinks at a lower price point. The main differences lie in construction materials and the absence of Americano and Lungo settings – factors that don’t impact cappuccino or latte preparation.
For those prioritising milk-based drinks, our extensive testing suggests the cost savings of the 1200 series makes it a compelling choice without sacrificing essential functionality.
After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we’re genuinely impressed with Breville’s latest offering.
There’s a compelling reason why Breville machines feature prominently in our recommendations.
With 90 years of heritage behind them, Breville stands out as one of the few manufacturers delivering genuine specialty coffee equipment at reasonable price points.
While their range spans various budgets, even their premium models offer remarkable value compared to high-end commercial machines.
The Barista Express Impress represents a brilliant evolution of Breville’s bestselling platform.
At first glance, it might look similar to its predecessor, but the additions of automated dosing and the intelligent tamp lever transform the brewing experience completely.
These seemingly modest changes introduce what we call “guided precision” – maintaining the hands-on experience while ensuring consistent results.
Where the original Barista Express demanded considerable skill, this new model cleverly bridges the gap between automation and manual control.
During our testing, we found it particularly suited to coffee enthusiasts who want exceptional espresso without spending months perfecting their technique.
In our extensive testing of home espresso machines, the Oracle Touch stands out as a masterpiece of engineering.
Built around the exceptional Dual Boiler system, this machine delivers coffee shop quality with remarkable consistency.
The integrated grinder and smart automation system effectively removes the steep learning curve typically associated with high-end espresso machines.
While we recognise the appeal of the touchscreen interface, it’s worth noting that the standard Oracle model offers identical coffee-making capabilities.
Our baristas particularly appreciate the precise temperature control and the professional-grade steam pressure, which creates perfectly textured milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
In our experience as coffee professionals, we’ve noticed some confusion around this terminology.
Simply put, what many people call a “latte machine” is actually an espresso machine with milk frothing capabilities.
The distinction matters because proper lattes require true espresso as their foundation.
Based on our testing of countless machines, the best lattes come from proper espresso machines equipped with steam wands.
The quality of your latte depends on two crucial elements: properly extracted espresso and correctly textured milk.
Machines with manual steam wands typically offer the most control over milk texture and temperature.
Your choice depends on your priorities and skill level.
For café-quality lattes, we recommend an espresso machine with a steam wand.
However, if convenience is your primary concern, some of our more budget-friendly recommendations might better suit your needs.
Professional baristas work with commercial espresso machines, typically featuring multiple group heads for simultaneous brewing.
These machines often cost upwards of £20,000 when including grinders and accessories.
They’re built with commercial-grade components to handle high-volume service.
We’ve tested machines across every price point, from basic models to professional units.
The range is vast, with options available for every budget.
Even within our recommended selections, prices vary by thousands of pounds.
Drawing from our professional experience, we can confirm that true café-style lattes require an espresso machine.
While you can create milk-based coffee drinks using alternative brewing methods, authentic lattes specifically need properly extracted espresso combined with steam-textured milk.
Alternative methods might produce enjoyable drinks, but they won’t deliver the distinctive taste and texture of a genuine latte.
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