Top latte machines
If you’re a sucker for espresso and want a Starbucks caliber short shot to kickstart your days, think seriously about this Breville Infuser espresso machine. Water pressure is initially kept low to avoid over-extraction and the nifty auto-purge ensures the temperature remains consistent after steam so you’ll get awesome, even espresso every time. Volumetric programming means you can opt for single or double shots at the press of a button. You’ll also be able to override this manually so you get maximum freedom.
Breville BES840BSXL The Infuser Espresso Machine : “I am now a barista thanks to this machine,” one reviewer writes, explaining that they owe it all to the built-in pressure gauge on this machine. “I have fine-tuned my grind, and with the pressure indicator on the front of the machine, I can see that I am using the right amount of tamping to get a full-flavored, creamy shot.” Dozens of reviews mention that the key to this model is perfecting the grind. “The pressure [gauge] is very helpful in learning the proper prep technique and in refining your technique over time by providing clear feedback that helps you know how to refine your grind size and packing tightness,” one reviewer writes. Once users get the hang of it, they love the ease of this one. “The automatic and adjustable shot sizes are great,” one writes. “I couldn’t recommend this machine more highly. For the money, I could not imagine getting a better machine.”
Best Electric: Presto 6-Cup Stainless-Steel Coffee Percolator: If you don’t want to monitor your percolator while it brews on the stove, this electric model automates the process. It can brew from 2 to 6 cups of coffee and lets you know when brewing is done with an indicator light, and then it switches to a keep-warm mode so the coffee stays warm without overcooking. The cord is detachable, so it won’t get in the way when you’re serving. The spout is designed for elegant, mess-free pouring, so you can serve with style. This does not have an on/off switch, so it turns on when you plug it in, and it turns off when you unplug it.
Our biggest beef with the Lattissima+, however, is how difficult it is to clean the milk compartments. Basic Nespresso machines like the Essenza Mini or CitiZ are easy to clean or leave alone because the only thing that passes through their guts is water or coffee. But the Lattissima invites in milk, and with it, an overwhelming dread of spoiling. The machine has a self-cleaning function, where hot water passes through the wand and, hopefully, steams out the milky innards. But you can’t see inside the frothing contraption, so you have to trust that it did indeed clean itself. And if you forget about the milk in your fridge long enough for it to curdle, as we did inadvertently, it’s a pain to confidently clean the slim intestine of the tube and know that there aren’t spoiled flecks of milk trapped inside your Nespresso-though a pipe cleaner might work. Also, the Lattissima+’s water tank is narrow and book-shaped, not round, making it hard to refill. Interested in affordable espresso machines? See more details at best latte machine.
Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine by De’Longhi: This model is the same as the CitiZ&Milk but does not come integrated with a milk frother. The compact design makes it a good choice for urban dwellers with limited counter space, while still providing a good range of features. You can automatically make Espresso or Lungo drinks using the programmable buttons, with the option to reprogram them for your desired volume required for different recipes. The drip tray also folds to accommodate taller glasses. The high-pressure pump produces 19 bars of pressure to perfectly extract the aroma and flavor of your chosen Nespresso coffee capsule.
