Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world for several reasons. First of all, it tastes good, it smells good and best of all, it boosts your neuronal activity, giving you some extra energy as you go through your day. This magical drink also comes in various types, like espresso, cappuccino, latte, ristretto, lungo and so on. A cappuccino stands out from the others because it contains milk; more and more people come to love cappuccino each day.
If this is your favorite drink too, consider yourself lucky. The market offers you a plethora of home cappuccino machines to choose from. A home cappuccino machine is different from a commercial cappuccino machine. For example, commercial ones have much larger water tanks, can prepare several cappuccino shots at once, and usually cost much more. Commercial machines are used in bars, restaurants and hotels. On the other hand, home cappuccino machines are ideal for residential use, because of their lower price and capacity.
Whether you go for a regular cappuccino machine, an
automated coffee maker or an
espresso machine, you are just one button away from delicious and aromatic energy in liquid form. You might eventually also need a
coffee grinder to grind your preferred coffee type, but in most cases, a home cappuccino machine can cater to all your needs – whether you buy your coffee pre-ground or as beans.
Use our guide to learn more about these kitchen appliances so you can buy the right one for you. There are several important aspects you need to take into account, which we cover in this article, so keep reading.
Price
First of all, let's start with the price aspect to get it out of our way. Most high-quality home cappuccino machines start at $100 and go up to $2,500 for higher-end models with plenty of bells and whistles. It is up to you what you choose, but, as a word of advice, stay away from cheap home cappuccino machines (usually below 100 bucks) because they are flimsy and unreliable and might not give you the perfect coffee you’re looking for.
There are several factors that influence the price of a cappuccino machine such as the brand name, size of water and milk tanks, customization options, materials and so on. To save you time and headache, set a budget right from the start and stick with it. This will make your decision process a lot easier.
Features
Earlier on we mentioned that there are many aspects to choosing your home cappuccino machine. Let's expand on that and find out what features today’s models can be equipped with.
- Burr Grinder – this is basically the component that grinds your coffee and it can be made from stainless steel or ceramic
- Water and Milk Tanks – in most cases, the water tank has a capacity of about 50 to 60 ounces and the milk tank about half of that
- Customization Options – many cappuccino machines offer you plenty of flexibility to select your desired water temperature, milk frothing options, grinding fineness, coffee strength and so on. As a result, each cappuccino cup can be totally unique
- Size – if you have a rather small kitchen with limited countertop space, the size of the cappuccino machine is an important aspect for you to consider
- Color – you can choose an appliance in various colors like white, red or black to coordinate with your kitchen décor
We know there are plenty of aspects to process at once, but let's take it step by step. You've decided upon the budget, now you should look at the water tank. If you live alone and make coffee just for yourself, the water and milk tanks shouldn’t necessarily be that big. However, if you have a large family, go for a machine with a large water tank, so you won’t have to keep refilling it.
Likewise, if you like to create your own cappuccino recipes, go for a machine which offers more customization options. Simpler machines are usually more suitable for those who just want a regular cappuccino cup, no questions asked.
Construction and Design
When it comes to construction and design, most cappuccino machines are made from stainless steel and similarly durable metals. The only plastic components might be the drip and cup trays, but that is not always the case. These trays are adjustable and removable for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Also, most high-quality cappuccino machines offer easy access to the main components, so you don’t have to use a screwdriver to access the water tank, for example.
Cappuccino machine manufacturers also like to keep it straightforward and simple when it comes to the user interface. In most cases, your machine might only feature several buttons for you to access and control all the appliance’s functions. This control panel is usually accompanied by an LCD screen with cute icons to tell you about your shot of espresso or cup of coffee. With higher-end models, you might even get a large touch screen display!
We also want to add here that cappuccino machines might have different frothing options and built-in milk steaming technologies to help you create a personalized cappuccino or latte cup. Feel free to play with these functions to find out what your machine can really do. In some cases, you'll also receive a small booklet with coffee recipes in the package.
Performance and Ease of Use
Thanks to intuitively designed control panels, a cappuccino machine is very easy to use. In most cases, home cappuccino machines are silent in operation (in comparison with commercial ones), so you won’t have to wake up your neighbors every time you want coffee. Today's machines are also typically have a one- to two-year warranty, which is great to have, just in case.
More sophisticated machines also preserve the water temperature at an optimal level, so you can make cup after cup of espresso or cappuccino, with minimal or no time in between at all. We’ve walked you through some of the characteristics of home cappuccino machines so now you know how easy your next cup of coffee can be!
We loved finding so many brands striving to provide you with excellent options when it comes to cappuccino machines. This means that regardless of your current budget, you can always find a good appliance for your needs. Now that you know the basics of home cappuccino machines, let's go ahead and explore our five contenders.
Features
Gaggia is an esteemed brand that has been honing its craft since 1938, so you know you’ll be getting very high-quality coffee machines and accessories. The company offers home or commercial espresso makers, cappuccino and latte machines as well as useful accessories such as filters, descaling solutions, and more.
The Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine from Gaggia is available in two colors – black and silver – and it comes with a Pannarello wand specially designed for cappuccinos and lattes. The machine is also equipped with an LCD display, so you will always know how strong your coffee will be, how many cups to brew, and so on.
The machine is also backed up by a warranty period of one year. You can easily clean and maintain your coffee machine because its sleek design gives you easy access to the main components. For example, the water tank and drip tray are accessible from the front of the machine. With this Gaggia machine, you can make delicious espressos, cappuccinos or lattes either using whole beans or pre-ground coffee.
Features
Breville is an Australian company that began its journey in 1932. Today, Breville is a leading manufacturer of appliances and electronics with thousands of happy customers worldwide who are fans of the company’s practical and innovative gadgets. In addition to coffee machines, you can also buy juicers, toasters and ovens from Breville.
The Barista Express Espresso Machine is available in several color options such as black, red or silver and it comes with a 67-ounce water tank. It features a 1600-watt heating system, making your drinks quickly and allowing you to brew cup after cup as the system will preserve the water at the optimal temperature. This model is completely automatic and it can make different types of espressos, cappuccinos and lattes.
This machine has a stainless steel conical burr grinder and a sealable storage area that can hold half a pound of coffee beans. Plus, the Barista Express coffee maker comes with a built-in cleaning kit and additional filters cleverly hidden from plain sight.
Features
Mr. Coffee is another great brand specializing in coffee machines, and we are confident that its products deserve a spot in our review. This company was founded in 1970 and it is well-known for designing practical espresso makers, grinders, single serve coffee machines and even ice tea makers.
The Café Barista Premium Espresso/Cappuccino System from Mr. Coffee is currently a bestseller and available in several color, including such as red, white and stainless steel. The system comes with automatic milk frother and it also has an easy-to-use control panel with three buttons for espresso, cappuccino and latte.
The machine also has a removable drip tray and easy access to the spacious water tank. The cup tray is also adjustable, so you can use small coffee cups or large travel mugs depending on where you’ll enjoy your fresh coffee. This coffee machine also comes with a measuring scoop, filters and coffee recipes, among other accessories.
These machines are designed to prepare delicious cappuccinos as well as espressos and lattes. Feel free to experiment and create your own customized cappuccino recipes to start your day on the right foot!
