Buying guide
The Latte and Cappuccino Station
Updated How we research
Build a milk-drink setup that rivals your favorite coffee shop. The page is split into four sections (Pull a rich espresso base; Texture silky microfoam; Keep the cup warm while you pour; Prefer push-button drinks), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 16 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:De'Longhi Magnifica Plus Automatic Espresso Machine, Milk Frother, Silver (ECAM32070SB). Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Grinder EC9155MB. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Pull a rich espresso base
- Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso MachineOur score8.6/10
- Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso MachineOur score8.6/10
- De'Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Grinder EC9155MBOur score8.4/10
- Breville BES450BSS Bambino Espresso MachineOur score8.0/10
Texture silky microfoam
- Zulay Kitchen Powerful Milk Frother Wand Handheld (Z1 Motor, Black)Our score7.8/10
- Bean Envy Milk Frother Handheld - Coffee Mixer Wand with Stand - Black | Battery Operated, Stainless Steel Whisk, 19000 RPM, Protein Powder Blender, Electric Stirrer, Mini FoamerOur score7.5/10
- Bonsenkitchen Milk Frother with Stand for Coffee, Battery Operated Frother | Fast Handheld Drink Mixer with Stainless Steel Whisk, Powerful Hand Frother, Creates Rich Foam, SilverOur score7.3/10
- PowerLix Milk Frother Handheld Battery Operated (Metallic Black)Our score7.0/10
Keep the cup warm while you pour
- VOBAGA Coffee Mug Warmer for Desk with Auto Shut Off & 3-Temp Settings, Coffee Cup Warmer with Smart Safety Alert (No Mug)Our score8.2/10
- VOBAGA Mug Warmer & Coffee Mug Warmer with 4 Hours Auto Shut-Off, Coffee Warmer Plate with 3 Temperature Settings (No Cup)Our score8.2/10
- Oracer Coffee Mug Warmer, Cup Warmer for Desk with Auto Shut Off Smart Temperature Settings, Electric Beverage Tea Water Milk HeaterOur score7.6/10
- PUSEE Mug Warmer, Coffee Warmer for Desk Candle Warmer Auto Shut Off with 3 Temp Settings, Electric Beverage Warmer Plate (Not Include Cup)Our score7.6/10
All 16 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Breville Barista Express BES870XL, a popular grinder-equipped espresso machine for beginners moving up from pods.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Conical burr grinder is built in, so fresh grounds go straight into the portafilter
- + Pressure gauge gives visual feedback while you dial in a new bag of beans
- + Manual steam wand produces real microfoam for milk drinks
- - Built-in grinder is less adjustable than a dedicated espresso grinder
- - Learning to dial in grind, dose and tamp takes some patience at first
#2Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS, a compact espresso machine with fast heat-up and automatic milk frothing for small kitchens.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Fast heat-up gets you from switch-on to shot in very little time
- + Automatic steam wand textures milk hands-free, great for latte drinkers
- + Slim body fits narrow counters and apartment kitchens easily
- - No grinder included, so you need a capable espresso grinder alongside it
- - Small drip tray fills quickly and needs frequent emptying
#3De'Longhi Magnifica Plus ECAM32070SB in silver with a milk frother, a fully automatic machine for lattes at the press of a button.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Automatic milk frother makes cappuccinos without manual steaming
- + Silver finish looks modern and clean in most kitchens
- + Built-in grinder delivers fresh coffee from whole beans
- - Milk system must be rinsed after use to avoid residue buildup
- - Bulky super-automatic body needs a deep counter spot
#4De'Longhi La Specialista with a built-in grinder, an all-in-one espresso machine for home baristas who want bean-to-cup control.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Built-in grinder means you only need beans, so the counter stays uncluttered
- + Guided dosing and tamping help newcomers pull consistent shots sooner
- + Steam wand lets you texture milk for lattes and flat whites at home
- - Integrated grinder limits upgrades, so a better grinder later means buying separate gear
- - Large footprint needs a deep counter spot under your upper cabinets
#5Gaggia Magenta Prestige super-automatic in black, a bean-to-cup machine with one-touch drinks for hands-off households.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + One-touch drink menu makes espresso and milk drinks with no skill needed
- + Grinds fresh beans for every cup for better flavor than pods
- + Gaggia is an Italian espresso brand with long experience
- - Internal brew group and milk system need regular cleaning
- - Less control over shot variables than a semi-automatic machine
#6VOBAGA desk coffee mug warmer with auto shut off, 3-temp settings and smart safety alert, sold without a mug.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3-temp settings let you pick warm, hot or hotter
- + Smart safety alert warns when the plate is still hot
- + Auto shut off prevents it running all day
- - No mug included, and curved bottom mugs heat poorly
- - Plate surface can get hot to touch
#7VOBAGA mug warmer plate with 4 hours auto shut-off and 3 temperature settings, sold without a cup.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 4 hours auto shut-off balances convenience and safety
- + 3 temperature settings cover coffee, tea and cocoa
- + Popular VOBAGA design for home offices
- - Needs a flat bottom mug for efficient heating
- - Cup not included, so check your mug base fits the plate
#8Breville Bambino BES450BSS, the pared-back entry model for anyone who wants real espresso in a very small footprint.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Lower cost than the Plus while keeping the same quick heat-up system
- + Manual steam wand gives you full control once you learn milk texturing
- + Compact stainless body suits small counters and dorm-style setups
- - Milk frothing is fully manual, so there is a learning curve for latte art
- - Needs a separate grinder, which adds to the real starting budget
#9Zulay Kitchen handheld milk frother wand with the Z1 motor in black, a quick foaming tool for lattes and matcha.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Z1 motor spins fast to whip milk into foam in seconds
- + Handheld wand works in any mug, jug or glass
- + Also mixes protein drinks, matcha and hot chocolate
- - Batteries are needed and not always included
- - Makes airy foam, not the silky microfoam a steam wand creates
#10Oracer desk coffee mug warmer with auto shut off and smart temperature settings for coffee, tea or milk.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Auto shut off adds safety if you walk away from the desk
- + Smart temperature settings suit different drinks
- + Keeps coffee warm through long work sessions
- - Works best with flat bottomed mugs for good contact
- - Heats slowly, so it will not reheat cold coffee quickly
#11PUSEE electric beverage warmer plate with auto shut off and 3 temp settings, also usable as a candle warmer.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Doubles as a candle warmer for jar candles
- + 3 temp settings adjust heat to your drink
- + Auto shut off adds safety for busy desks
- - Cup not included, so a flat mug must be bought separately
- - Lesser-known brand than VOBAGA or Ember
#12Gaggia Brera super-automatic in black with a 40 fl oz tank, a small bean-to-cup machine for couples and small kitchens.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Small body fits kitchens where larger super-automatics would crowd
- + 40 fl oz water tank is enough for several drinks between refills
- + Manual steam wand lets you froth milk the traditional way
- - Older design offers fewer drink presets than newer machines
- - Manual frothing adds a step compared with automatic milk systems
#13Gaggia Brera super-automatic in black bundled with Lavazza Espresso Italiano whole beans, ready to brew straight from the box.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Lavazza whole beans are included, so you can brew on day one
- + Bean-to-cup operation grinds fresh for every drink
- + Compact Brera body suits smaller counters
- - Bundled beans run out quickly, so plan your next bag early
- - Traditional steam wand needs practice for good milk texture
#14Bean Envy handheld milk frother with a 19,000 RPM motor, stainless steel wand and included stand, powered by 2 AA batteries.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 19,000 RPM motor froths hot or cold milk, including oat, almond and soy, per the listing.
- + One-button operation with a silicone grip, and a stand is included to hold the frother upright.
- + Rinse-in-warm-water cleaning keeps upkeep quick.
- - Batteries are not included, and there is no rechargeable option.
- - A handheld wand makes foam but does not heat the milk, unlike an electric frother jug.
#15Bonsenkitchen handheld frother with a stainless steel whisk and an included stainless steel stand, low priced and battery powered.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Listing says it makes creamy froth in about 15 to 20 seconds with a stainless steel whisk.
- + Stainless steel stand keeps the wand upright and tidy between uses.
- + Also used for matcha and other drink mixes, and priced under $7.
- - Battery powered, with no charging option, so you will need spare batteries.
- - Listing gives no motor speed figure, so power is harder to compare with other wands.
#16PowerLix battery operated handheld milk frother in metallic black, a sleek whisk for foaming milk at home.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Metallic black finish looks more premium than basic frothers
- + Cordless design means you can froth anywhere in the kitchen
- + Quick to clean by running it in warm soapy water
- - No stand listed, so it needs a spot in a drawer or cup
- - Batteries add ongoing cost and need replacing
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Coffee Bar Hub curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.