Our topic today is the best espresso machine with milk frother!
Accordingly, I introduce you to the top 5 espresso-making machines that can help you make perfect shots of espresso, cappuccino, latte, or other milky coffee beverages at home.
No worries if you have little to no barista skills or coffee-making experience. Many built-in coffee modes are available to be run hand-free.
Check them out now!
Contents
Best Espresso Machine with Milk Frother: A List of 5
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine – Editor’s Choice
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Type of machine: Semi-automatic machine
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Built-in grinder: Burr grinder
- Milk frothing function: Automatic foamer
- Controlling Interface: Knobs, buttons, and dials
Detailed review:
I have tested several espresso machines, and the Breville Barista Express is the best espresso machine with automatic milk frother. The machine has a powerful performance considering its price.
At a glance, the machine features a premium-look design: a rough size, sturdy construction, stainless steel chassis, hefty portafilter, steel handle, large bean hopper, pressure gauge, burr grinder, etc. As such, you can expect the Breville Barista Express to be attractive and always look new.
In terms of functions, the manufacturer labels the machine as “fully automatic.” Nonetheless, I tested and confirmed that it is semi-automatic. Thus, Breville Barista Express does not offer bells and whistles but enough adjustable controls. There are many dials, knobs, and buttons, so I found them intimidating at first. Fortunately, I got familiar with them after digesting the detailed guide and practicing several shots.
For example, I usually choose a pressurized basket to make double shots of latte in a lazy mode. The machine only takes 30 to 60 seconds to pull the shots.
Then, it is time to froth the milk. There is a 360-degree thermoblock wand that helps find an accessible angle for the steaming pitcher and easily controls the air into the milky foam. The resulting latte tastes rich and packed with sweet caramel flavors.
I love the cleaning time the least, though. Breville Barista Express is bulky and with multiple parts. To clean the machine thoroughly, you must remove the bean hopper, tank, and water filter. Otherwise, the milk can dry and get caked onto the steam wand.
Pros:
- Affordable price for the list of all features
- Sturdy and luxurious construction
- Enough controls for frothy beverages
- Powerful and quick-heating engine
- Helpful manual to learn how to use the machine
Cons:
- A little hassle to clean
- Intimidating to get familiar with all knobs
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine – Best For Beginners
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 13.3 x 9.8 x 12.7 inches
- Material: Black matte steel
- Type of machine: Fully-automatic machine
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Built-in grinder: No grinder
- Milk frothing function: Automatic foamer
- Controlling Interface: Buttons
Detailed review:
Although Breville Barista Express is very helpful, it requires some time to practice, particularly if you are a beginner. I rather recommend Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine instead.
This espresso machine makes one shot of espresso at a time; thus, it is more compact than the first model. The water reservoir is also adjustable to save space on your counter setup. Once you set up the footprint and plug in the cord, the machine is ready to use.
First, put a single espresso capsule onto the pod of the machine. Then, leave the machine to complete the job. Three sizes of capsules are available so that you can make any extraction from espresso to mugs and large altos.
Nespresso VertuoPlus is clever enough to read the barcode of the capsule and dispense the right amount of black gold to fill the cup or mug. It uses centrifugal forces and water pressure to spin the capsule and froth the milk at 7000 revs per minute.
As a result, the resulting espresso has a smooth and foamy layer of crema. You can add warm milk and slightly stir to deepen the flavor.
There are a couple of flaws that I do not like about this coffee maker. I find the capsule container in the back a little inconvenient to reach. Moreover, the machine leaks after running at high speed.
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Various coffee capsules available
- Powerful to create deep flavors and foamy texture
Cons:
- Inconvenient capsule container
- Not very sturdy construction
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine – Best Budget
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches
- Material: Black stainless steel
- Type of machine: Manual machine
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Built-in grinder: Burr grinder
- Milk frothing function: Manual steam wand
- Controlling Interface: Knobs and dials
Detailed review:
For those who desire to get true espresso and do not mind getting the whole steps done manually, you can go for De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine.
It is also a budget choice with a compact size for an RV, dorm room, or studio apartment.
Using the machine is quite straightforward. Simply adjust the large knob on the front to control the espresso and steam delivery. There are also two lighting indicators to tell you if the coffee maker is on or the preheating is done.
Do not forget the knob on the side, which also helps control the steam wand for frothing milk. You need to pump the wand manually. From my experience, I use nine bars of pressure to make normal espresso; meanwhile, 15 bars for lattes and cappuccinos.
I appreciate that there is an auto shut-off function that is rare at such an affordable price. It is helpful, so I do not always have to check on the coffee.
It would just be better if the manufacturer could improve the construction quality. The outer shell looks flimsy and breakable. You had better be careful not to drop the machine.
Pros:
- A budget-friendly price
- Compact and adjustable design
- Easy to use with simple knobs
- Convenient portafilter and shut-off
- Compatible with ESE pods
Cons:
- Cheap-look material
- Not adjustable cup height
- A bit noisy during the brewing process
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker – Best Complete Package
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 9 x 9.75 x 11.5 inches
- Material: Silver stainless steel
- Type of machine: Manual machine
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Built-in grinder: Blade grinder
- Milk frothing function: Manual steam wand
- Controlling Interface: Knobs and dials
Detailed review:
If you are serious about making coffee at home, you should invest in a complete package like the Espresso Machine & Cappuccino Maker of EspressoWorks Store.
It includes a set espresso machine, a plug-in bean grinder, two stainless steel filters, two cups, a measuring spoon, and a milk frothing cup. They are made of high-quality materials such as stainless steel and porcelain.
I love the stand-alone blade grinder the most since it allows me to ground beans smoothly and ensure their freshness. Then, I tamp the grounded coffee into the portafilter and start the brewing process. 15 pumping bars are my favorite formula to create a foamy espresso.
Regarding frothing the milk, I suggest filling the cup of coffee with ⅓ milk and selecting the dial to start foaming for 25 minutes. You can manually cut the coffee maker off when the foam reaches your desired level.
Just note that the EspressoWorks machine has a long heating time, up to 45 seconds. In addition, the cleaning also takes time because of its many parts.
Pros:
- An all-in-one package
- High-quality construction and accessories
- Separate grinder to ground beans quickly
- Decent customer support
Cons:
- Long heating time
- Cumbersome cleaning
- Small water tank
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker – Best to Make K-cup Espresso
No products found.
Specifications:
- Dimension (DxWxH): 11.7 x 15.3 x 12.5 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Type of machine: Fully-automatic machine
- Boiler capacity: Single boiler
- Built-in grinder: No grinder
- Milk frothing function: Automatic foamer
- Controlling Interface: Buttons
Detailed review:
Recently, I also tested the Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker. As its name suggests, the machine is designed to brew any Keurig cups.
The operation is straightforward. You need to fill your cup with hot water, add a coffee pod and push the brew button for 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, and 12 oz. In mere moments, you can have a strong and rich espresso. There are also several options: basic espresso, lattes, and cappuccino.
It is possible to add milk to the coffee. For instance, I have tried to make lattes with almond or soy milk. I add milk to the pitcher, hot or iced, and press a button to heat and spin the pitcher for one minute and 45 seconds. When the foam is rich and smooth, hit the “cold” button to cool the foam for an iced latte.
Once the process is done, you must clean all parts to avoid a crusty mess. Fortunately, the machine is dishwasher-friendly to save cleaning effort.
So far, so good – except the footprint is big, and there is no temperature control.
Pros:
- Compatible with various K-cups
- Supportive to several sizes of coffee
- Straightforward to use with buttons
- Both cool and warm milk frothing options
- Dishwasher-friendly to fasten the cleaning
Cons:
- Large footprint
- Lack of adjustable temperature
>> Read Customer Reviews: Here <<
How to Select The Best Espresso Maker with Automatic Milk Frother?
Not every frothy coffee machine is the same. They differ in types, functions, and construction.
I bring a buying guide here to make it less confusing to choose espresso-making machines.
Types of Espresso Machines
The machines fall into four categories: manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic, and super-automatic.
Manual espresso machines
This type is preferred by professionals who would like to put everything under control, from grinding, temperature for brewing and milk, brewing time, etc.
Thus, I recommend a manual espresso machine if you deeply invest in coffee knowledge and do not mind mistakes and quirks.
Semi-automatic espresso machines
Many frothy coffee machines for beginners are semi-automatic. They have several automatic functions to help you control the coffee.
Nonetheless, you still need to choose the brewing duration and turn off the machine.
Fully-automatic espresso machines
The machines level up the brewing with pre-set options such as auto grinding, temperature settings, auto shut-off for the milk wand, and flowmeter.
They cut down the effort to manually control the brew time and the amount of water filtered through the puck.
Super-automatic espresso machines
As their name implies, super-automatic coffee machines help you do everything: grinding the beans, loading the filter, tamping the puck, steaming the milk, and pulling until the shot comes out.
For instance, the machines make fresh espresso, waiting for you to wake up in the morning.
Milk Frothing Functions
Here we focus on the milk frothing functions to help you easily make forty espresso cups.
Manual steam wand
Featuring one or multiple holes, a steam wand allows steam to flow and froth the milk. You can adjust the steaming time to achieve the desired temperature and create more or less foam.
However, the wand is difficult to control. It took me several weeks to practice making a velvety and smooth form without scalding milk.
Automatic milk foamer
A foamer can be attached to the wand to automate the frothing. Some models have built-in foamers; others don’t, and you need to pay extra to purchase them yourself.
The former helps create a consistent milk ratio and produces enjoyable textures.
Milk fridge
Modern espresso machines have a fridge to maintain the milk’s temperature all day long, making it ready to be frothed at any time.
Built-in Grinder
You should grind the beans before brewing since pre-ground coffee tends to have less flavor and quickly go stale.
If you do not have time, I advise finding an espresso machine with a grinder. Otherwise, you can use a burr grinder to grind the beans yourself.
Boiler Capacity
Household espresso machines with a milk frother often have single or double boilers with a limited capacity. There is also a PID controller built into a coffee machine to heat the coffee and milk and change temperatures quickly.
I usually use a dual boiler machine since I want to make several coffee drinks simultaneously. Although those boilers are expensive and take up counter space, they are well worth buying.
You can still use a single boiler machine as an affordable and compact alternative, like those 5 picks above. Regarding drawbacks, it can’t produce steamed milk and brew espresso together.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
All useful functions are useless if you do not know how to use them or if it takes endless time to clean and maintain the machines.
I only suggest models having accessible parts and a minimum of buttons, levers, and dials.
FAQs
Do Espresso Makers Have a Milk Frother?
Yes, most frothy coffee machines feature a milk frother since espresso shots are often lattes or cappuccinos.
When your eyes land on this article, I bet you are also looking for the ones with the frother.
How to Use an Espresso Machine with Milk Frother?
It depends on whether you use a steam wand or an automatic milk foamer and what your favorite type of espresso is.
You can refer to the recipes along with the machines and follow the six steps as follows:
- Switch on and preheat the machine
- Measure and grind your coffee beans
- Tamp the coffee grounds on the bed as flat and even as possible
- Pull your first shots of espresso
- Dial in the shots
- Finally, steam the milk
How Does an Automatic Frother Work?
The milk frother features an internal whisk to add air and create even foam. It also features a heating plate in the base to control the water temperature.
You just need to choose the speed and the spinning time. If you are new to this type of coffee maker, click here to know how an espresso machine works.
Wrapping Up
Have you checked all reviews of the best espresso machine with milk frother and picked up your favorite?
If not, I suggest the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine. It has enough settings to make flavorful lattes and cappuccinos with foamy milk at a good price! ()
