Brew Espresso and Cappuccinos With the Touch of a Button Thanks to the Best Automatic Machines

Final Verdict

We ranked the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine the best overall because of how consistently it produces high-quality espresso. Plus, it's conveniently designed and features customizable settings. New to making espresso from home? Try the Mr. Coffee Café Barista. It's so easy to use because it's semi-automatic and does most of the work for you.

How We Tested Espresso-Cappuccino Machines

Over the years, we have tested dozens of espresso-cappuccino machines in our official testing Lab as well as in the kitchens of some of our experienced at-home testers and writers. After brewing and brewing, we narrowed down the best options and created the list below. Here's what we looked for in our testing process.

We Observed

• What features the machines had: We tried every feature the machines were equipped with. This naturally included milk frothers for cappuccinos, but some brewers went beyond that with adjustable milk temperatures, froth amounts, and more. Other common features included built-in grinders, automatic dosing, and one-touch drink options.
• How long the machines took to heat up: We timed how long it took for each machine to heat up and brew a shot of espresso. For home espresso machines, heat-up time is usually between 30 seconds to a couple of minutes—much quicker than commercial machines—but we believe the time matters since this is a product you'll likely use every day.
• The dimensions of each coffee maker: We measured and weighed every espresso-cappuccino machine that we tested. We also noted the capacities of the water tanks and drip trays to fully understand how the item's dimensions affected its usability.
  

We Rated

• Ease of Use: After thoroughly testing a machine, we rated its ease of use on a scale of one to five. Was it intuitive enough for us to brew drinks right away, or did we need to consult the instruction manual a lot? Were there any frustrating aspects to the brewing process, like a sticky portafilter basket or fixed-in-place water tank? Or was the process quick, easy, and stress-free?
• Ease of Cleaning: Espresso machines vary widely when it comes to clean-up. Super-automatic machines are generally easy to clean and often have self-cleaning functions. Other espresso makers are messy and have pitfalls like a dripping brew head or coffee grounds ending up all over the place.
• Brew Quality: We taste-tested multiple samples of each drink option, from espresso to cappuccinos and more, then rated the overall brew quality. Even though taste is subjective, we narrowed down key components like body, crema, aroma, and complexity of flavor.
  

About Our Testers

• Cheyenne Elwell is a freelance writer specializing in food and coffee. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Insider, MSN, and her own coffee blog BakedBrewedBeautiful.com. She tested and wrote positive reviews of the Mr. Coffee Café Barista, Miele CM5300, and the Breville Barista Express.
• Siobhan Wallace is a Senior Commerce Editor at Dotdash Meredith. Her work has appeared on Wine Enthusiast, Serious Eats, and Food & Wine. She has also written two cookbooks.
• Derek Rose has been the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats since 2019. He has tested several of the espresso-cappuccino machines, including the Breville Barista Express, Coffee Gator Espresso Machine, and the Phillips 3200.
• Jason Horn has been a commerce writer for The Spruce Eats since 2022, covering and testing pretty much anything and everything you can eat or drink, or use to make food and drinks.
  

Useful Accessories for an Espresso-Cappucino Machine

Breville the Smart Grinder Pro

Many espresso makers have a built-in grinder, but if yours doesn't then it's worth purchasing a grinder separately. Owning a grinder lets you brew fresher coffee. Plus, you can adjust the grind size for espresso, which isn't always sold in grocery stores. One coffee grinder we recommend is the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. It's more expensive than most options, but we found that it produces fast, even coffee grounds from fine to coarse.

Crema Coffee Products Tamper & Distributor Combo

This two-in-one contraption leads to more consistent espresso shots by taking care of two common issues. One side is a coffee distributor that you place on top of the portafilter and twist to smooth out clumps in the coffee grounds. The other side is a tamper for pressing a clean, even espresso puck. The Crema Coffee Products Tamper & Distributor is reasonably priced and available in multiple sizes to match your portafilter.

Acaia Lunar Scale

Tiny increments make a big difference when brewing espresso. Even after pulling countless espresso shots every day, many baristas continue using scales to ensure consistent results. One of the best coffee scales out there is the Acaia Lunar Scale. It's lightning-fast and measures accurately to one-tenth of a gram. You can use it for more than coffee grounds, too. It times and weighs espresso shots as they pour. All you have to do is place your demitasse cup on top of the scale. There are cheaper options out there if this model is prohibitively expensive, however.

What to Look for in an Espresso-Cappuccino Machine

Pods or Grounds

One of the first decisions to make when looking for an espresso/cappuccino machine is whether you want to brew with coffee pods or coffee grounds. Coffee pods (or capsules) are quicker, easier to use, and easier to clean. On the downside, they cost more per serving than coffee grounds and don’t offer the same amount of variety; many pods are also non-recyclable.

According to Patrick Cotter, Content Marketing Specialist for Seattle Coffee Gear, freshness is a gamble with pods, too. "Coffee pods use pre-ground coffee, and it's hard to know how fresh it is," he says. "As such, it will usually have a little less flavor than a pot brewed from freshly ground coffee in a high-quality drip brewer. The number one benefit of using a pod coffee maker is convenience."

The main advantage of coffee grounds is clear: Nothing beats the taste of genuine, freshly ground beans. So what traits are most important to you in a machine? Speed and convenience? Or flavor, variety, and a true barista-like experience?

Size

No matter how big your kitchen is, counter space is always a key consideration when purchasing a new appliance. For comparison, espresso/cappuccino machines are usually longer and wider than drip coffee makers, while item height is often similar. Make sure to measure ahead of time, and don’t forget to measure the distance between your countertop and cupboards. If space is especially tight, it may be worth buying an espresso maker and milk frother separately. There are many affordable frothers that can be stored in a cupboard or pantry when unneeded. 

Milk Frothing

Espresso/cappuccino machines can be equipped with three kinds of milk frothers. Luckily, the differences are easy to spot just by looking at the device. The first is a steaming or frothing wand. This is what most people picture when thinking of an espresso machine because it’s the kind that coffeehouses use. Frothing wands are powerful and offer a great deal of control but can get loud and messy. Second, a more automated espresso/cappuccino machine may have a frothing tank. For these, all you have to do is hit a button and the machine will froth milk for you, but they are more time-consuming to clean. Finally, some models come with a separate milk frother (especially Nespresso-brand products). These save space, but strength and effectiveness vary.

Ease of Use

Some espresso/cappuccino machines are hands-on; others do the majority of the work for you. The way to distinguish an item’s ease of use is by checking its level of automation. This topic is covered in more depth later on, but espresso/cappuccino machines are essentially sorted into three categories: semi-automatic, fully automatic, and super-automatic. A semi-automatic machine is what you see in a coffee shop, where the barista does everything by hand. Fully automatic is a little less hands-on: The main upgrade here is that the machine stops brewing the espresso for you when it’s perfectly extracted. The final type, super-automatic, makes espresso and espresso-based drinks for you just by hitting a few buttons. It is, naturally, the most expensive of the three.

Speed

Many may hear the word "espresso" and think it comes from "express" as in something done quickly. Espresso actually stems from a Latin word meaning "to press out." All this is to say that, unfortunately, espresso isn’t always brewed fast. It only takes about 30 seconds to pull an espresso shot, but it can take a machine anywhere from a couple minutes to half an hour to heat up. Then you have to factor in the time it takes to steam milk for those interested in a cappuccino. If making drinks quickly is of the utmost importance, an automatic machine may be the way to go. If you don’t mind waiting a little longer, the whole world of espresso/cappuccino machines is open to you.

Types of Espresso/Cappuccino Machines

Semi-automatic

Semi-automatic machines offer the full barista experience. Users pull espresso shots and steam milk all by hand. Despite the hassle, many prefer this type of machine because it provides a lot of control over the coffee—plus it’s usually the cheapest kind of espresso/cappuccino maker. For espresso newbies, don’t let the learning curve dissuade you, as there are many excellent semi-automatic machines out there.

Fully Automatic

Fully automatic machines are the middle-tier category. With these, you still have to do a lot of work yourself, from grinding the beans to pulling the espresso shot. The main difference is that fully automatic machines stop the flow of water by themselves when the coffee is ready. It’s only a slight upgrade over semi-automatic machines, but it does make the brewing process that much easier. These often come at a similar price to semi-automatic machines or are a little more expensive.

Super-Automatic

The ultimate luxury in the espresso game, super-automatic machines can brew a bevy of drinks without the user having to lift a finger. They usually have a built-in grinder, as well, so every aspect of the coffee-making process is of the best quality from start to finish. Super-automatic machines also allow users to adjust a number of features like water temperature, coffee strength, and drink size. Such craftsmanship and convenience come at a price, of course, as these are the most expensive types of espresso/cappuccino machines.

Breville has long been a trustworthy source for appliances, from blenders to toaster ovens and more, but the brand is perhaps best known for its array of coffee products. Its espresso/cappuccino machines come in a range of prices, but expect the majority to be high-end. Breville’s most popular item in the category is the Barista Express—a well-rounded option for all kinds of coffee lovers. Those looking for the absolute best of the best should check out the Oracle and the Oracle Touch.

This century-old Italian manufacturer offers an incredibly wide array of espresso/cappuccino machines. Customers can find affordable semi-automatic options all the way up to super-automatic machines that cost a few thousand dollars. A blend of craftsmanship and variety is where the brand shines. As a side note, De’Longhi also partners with Nespresso and helps distribute the Swiss company’s famous pod-based espresso makers.

Maintenance

There are several small tasks you will have to do (some after each use) to properly maintain an espresso/cappuccino machine. Once finished with your coffee, dump the used grounds into the trash or compost, then scrub the portafilter and grouphead with a brush to remove any remaining grounds. If you used the milk frother, as well, wipe the end off with a towel to prevent milk buildup. Every so often you will also want to rinse the frother with hot water and wipe inside the arm with a small brush or even a paperclip.

Another essential maintenance task is backflushing the portafilter. To do this, simply lock the portafilter into the grouphead and run the brew cycle several times until it’s completely rinsed and the water is clear. Coffeehouses perform this task at the end of every work day, but home users only have to backflush every few days—you can also backflush with detergent every few weeks for a deeper clean.

Finally, we get to the most rigorous part of maintaining an espresso/cappuccino maker: descaling. This is the process of removing mineral residue that builds up inside the machine. Some manufacturers recommend descaling once a month, though you can likely get away with doing it every three months. The easiest way to descale is by wiping all parts of the machine with a combination of vinegar and warm soapy water. But check your product manual beforehand, as some manufacturers advise against vinegar. If you don’t regularly descale, your machine will likely face a number of issues like clogging, altered coffee taste, not getting hot enough, or not running altogether.

FAQs

What is a cappuccino?

Even die-hard coffee lovers may not know what exactly is in a cappuccino. Fortunately, the recipe is simple. Start by picturing the timeless Italian drink in three equal layers. The bottom layer is a shot of espresso, the middle is steamed milk, and the top is milk foam. That’s it. A surprisingly simple beverage that can be made at home with an espresso/cappuccino machine. For a more personalized cappuccino, you can add flavored syrups like vanilla or caramel and sprinkle the top with cinnamon or cocoa powder.

Are espresso beans actually different than coffee beans?

Nope, not really.

"Espresso is a brewing method, not its own type of bean," says Selina Ullrich, Director of Coffee at East One Coffee Roasters. "Any coffee can be espresso if you prepare it as espresso. When people call them 'espresso beans,' they’re basically telling you it’s a dark roast and that it has a solubility targeted toward espresso preparation."

Espresso beans are often brewed at higher temperatures and for a longer time than regular coffee beans, but there is no true difference between the two. That said, it's still worth paying attention to how coffee beans are labeled. If you see a bag of beans in the grocery store labeled one way or the other, it indicates what brewing method the brand thinks will bring out the best flavor. Beans marked for espresso likely pair well with the high pressure and small cup size of espresso, but that doesn’t mean they can only be used to make espresso. Conversely, some beans labeled for drip coffee may actually brew delicious espresso. It all comes down to personal preference, so don’t be afraid to experiment. 

What is a portafilter?

You will quickly come across this term when searching for espresso/cappuccino machines, and it may very well be unfamiliar, especially for those who have only owned drip machines before. A portafilter is the handheld basket that you attach to the machine in order to brew. Also referred to as a group handle, portafilters are commonly seen in coffee shops and typically have a stainless steel basket attached to a black plastic handle. The quality of a portafilter will certainly affect the quality of the espresso. Portafilters can be purchased in two varieties: pressurized, which is great for beginners, and non-pressurized, which is ideal for those who want more hands-on control over their espresso. 

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He tested the Philips EP3221 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine firsthand and highly recommends it to anyone looking for an all-in-one, easy-to-use espresso maker.

Sources

Patrick Cotter, the Content Marketing Specialist for Seattle Coffee Gear, gave his insight into pods versus whole bean coffee. He manages the company's blog, social media, and content pages. Founded in 2005, Seattle Coffee Gear is a retailer that focuses on coffee education.

Selina Ullrich, the Director of Coffee at East One Coffee Roasters, was interviewed for this piece. She has worked in the coffee industry for more than 10 years. East One was founded in 2017 and has a café in Brooklyn, New York.