The Best Automatic and Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines for Perfect Lattes and Cappuccinos

Imagine stepping into your kitchen each morning and effortlessly crafting a rich, creamy latte or a perfectly frothed cappuccino, just like your favorite barista. This dream is more accessible than ever, thanks to advancements in home espresso machine technology. While traditional espresso machines can seem daunting with their complex rituals of grinding, dosing, tamping, and steaming, modern automatic and semi-automatic models are designed to simplify the process, bringing cafe-quality drinks within reach for home users.

At its heart, a latte is a harmonious blend of espresso and steamed milk, topped with a thin layer of microfoam. A cappuccino, on the other hand, features a more distinct separation of espresso, steamed milk, and a generous cap of airy foam. Achieving the ideal texture and temperature for the milk is crucial for both drinks, and this is where the right machine makes all the difference. The best latte and automatic espresso machines are those that consistently deliver delicious results with minimal fuss.

In this guide, we explore a range of machines that excel at making milk-based espresso drinks. We'll look at superautomatic machines that handle everything from grinding beans to frothing milk at the touch of a button, as well as semi-automatic models that offer a balance of automation and control. We've tested various machines, focusing on ease of use, the quality of the espresso shot, and, crucially, the performance of the milk frother.

While many of the machines featured here include built-in grinders, exploring dedicated coffee grinders can further elevate your coffee experience by ensuring the freshest possible grounds. For those looking to expand their home coffee bar, we also have guides to The Best Coffee Subscriptions, The Best Drip Coffee Machines, The Best Milk Frothers, and The Best Cold Brew Makers.

Our Top Picks for Automatic and Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

Our testing and evaluation process considered several factors, including ease of setup, daily operation, cleaning, durability, and the quality of the final beverage. We paid special attention to how well each machine handled milk frothing, as this is essential for lattes and cappuccinos. Here are the machines that stood out:

The De'Longhi Rivelia is a prime example of a high-end superautomatic espresso machine that makes crafting complex coffee drinks remarkably simple. This bean-to-cup machine from the renowned Italian brand De'Longhi (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is designed for ultimate convenience. You simply fill the bean hopper and water tank, and the machine takes care of the rest – grinding the beans, brewing the espresso, and automatically frothing the milk for your chosen drink.

What sets the Rivelia apart is its intuitive touchscreen interface and impressive milk frothing capabilities. With 18 different drink options, including espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and even iced coffee variations, there's something for every preference. The machine provides guidance on bean selection, allowing you to optimize settings for different roasts. The automatic milk frother produces genuine microfoam, the kind that's essential for latte art and a truly luxurious texture. You can even adjust the foam density to suit your drink, whether you prefer the airy froth of a cappuccino or the denser microfoam of a flat white.

The Rivelia's ease of use is so profound that even beginners can produce excellent results quickly. Its ability to save multiple user profiles is a significant advantage for households with different coffee tastes. Each user can customize and save their favorite drink settings, from the strength of the espresso to the amount and texture of the milk. This means Dad can easily get his preferred European-style café crema, while Mom can enjoy her large travel-mug latte exactly how she likes it.

A particularly innovative feature is the Rivelia's swappable bean hoppers. This allows you to easily switch between different types of beans, such as caffeinated and decaffeinated, or light and dark roasts, without having to empty and refill a single hopper. This flexibility is a major convenience for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy variety.

It's worth noting that superautomatic machines like the Rivelia typically grind beans slightly coarser than traditional espresso machines. This contributes to their ease of use and consistency but can result in an espresso shot that is smoother and less intensely nuanced than one pulled by a skilled barista on a high-end manual machine. However, for milk-based drinks where the espresso is mixed with frothed milk, this difference is often less noticeable, and the sheer convenience and excellent milk foam production of the Rivelia make it a standout choice. The cold espresso option is also a versatile base for various beverages, including refreshing iced lattes or even coffee cocktails.

Ninja has built a reputation for taking specialized kitchen equipment and making it accessible and fun for the average consumer. Their foray into the espresso world with the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is no exception. While not a true superautomatic like the Rivelia, this machine falls into the “semiautomatic” category, offering a balance of automated features and user control.

Semiautomatic machines typically include a built-in grinder and an automatic milk frother but require the user to handle the portafilter – grinding coffee into it, tamping it down, and locking it into the machine. The Luxe Cafe Premier simplifies this process significantly, making it an excellent choice for beginners who want more control than a superautomatic but less complexity than a traditional manual machine. Unlike some semiautomatics that use pressurized portafilters (which are more forgiving of grind size and tamping technique but produce less nuanced espresso), the Luxe Cafe Premier uses a non-pressurized portafilter, capable of pulling a classic espresso shot with richer aromatics and flavor depth.

What truly makes the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier beginner-friendly is its intuitive digital interface. The machine guides you through the process, even recommending the appropriate grind size for your chosen drink. While dialing in the perfect grind may still require some experimentation, the machine provides helpful prompts. The automatic milk frothing is a highlight, producing surprisingly good foam. It even offers a cold foam option, catering to popular modern coffee trends.

Beyond espresso-based drinks, the Luxe Cafe Premier attempts to be a do-it-all coffee maker, also offering traditional drip coffee and cold brew. While the drip coffee quality might not impress connoisseurs, the versatility of having espresso, milk drinks, and other coffee styles in one machine is a major draw for many users. For those seeking even more automation and features, Ninja's newer Cafe Luxe Pro ($750) adds an auto-tamper and hot water spout, further simplifying the espresso-making process.

For those seeking the convenience of one-touch milk-based espresso drinks without a significant investment, the Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse stands out as an excellent budget option. This machine occupies a sweet spot where affordability, ease of use, and automation converge. It's one of the most reasonably priced machines available that offers automatic milk frothing at the simple press of a button.

Using the Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse is straightforward. You add fine-ground coffee to the portafilter, tamp it down, and twist it into place. The machine then takes over, automatically brewing the espresso and frothing the milk according to your selection – either a latte or a cappuccino. The milk frother is integrated and easy to use, providing options for different levels of frothiness.

This machine features a pressurized portafilter, which is designed to be more forgiving of inconsistencies in grind size and tamping. This means it can work effectively with most “espresso-grind” coffees purchased from grocery stores or local cafes. While a pressurized portafilter sacrifices some of the nuance and intensity found in espresso from non-pressurized systems, it significantly lowers the barrier to entry for beginners and ensures a decent shot even with less-than-ideal coffee preparation.

To truly maximize the quality of your drinks with this machine (or any espresso machine), we still recommend investing in a good coffee grinder and using freshly roasted beans. However, for under $200, the Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse offers remarkable convenience for making lattes and cappuccinos at home. Its removable milk canister can be stored in the fridge, and regular cleaning is necessary to maintain hygiene, but overall, it's a simple and effective machine for budget-conscious milk-drink lovers.

Stepping up slightly in price but still offering excellent value in the superautomatic category is the GE Cafe Affetto Automatic Espresso Machine. This machine is a sleek and compact option that manages to fit a built-in grinder and steaming wand into a small footprint, making it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space. It operates with 20 bars of pump pressure, ensuring thorough extraction for a potent espresso shot.

As a fully automatic machine, the Cafe Affetto simplifies the coffee-making process significantly. You add whole beans to the hopper and water to the tank, and the machine handles the grinding, dosing, and brewing. With the press of a button, you can brew one or two shots of espresso. It also features a programmable button, allowing you to customize and save your favorite drinks, such as an Americano with a specific water volume.

While it doesn't have an integrated milk carafe like some higher-end models, the Cafe Affetto includes a built-in steaming wand that automates much of the frothing process. You simply pour your milk into a frothing pitcher, submerge the wand, and press the steam button. The machine produces creamy and consistent microfoam with minimal effort, even for those new to manual steaming techniques. Our testing showed it performs well with various milk types, including dairy, oat, and soy milk, consistently yielding cafe-grade froth.

The Cafe Affetto is designed for convenience, requiring minimal daily interaction beyond refilling water and beans and regularly emptying the spent grounds container. Its slim design is a major plus for apartment dwellers or anyone with limited kitchen real estate. For its price point, it offers a solid entry into the world of superautomatic espresso, providing automated brewing and easy milk frothing without the premium cost of top-tier models. It's a reliable machine that works like a dream when properly maintained. —Jaina Grey

For coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the nuanced flavors of espresso but still desire a streamlined process, the Breville Oracle Jet is a standout semiautomatic machine. It represents a sophisticated blend of automated features and the ability to pull truly excellent, character-rich espresso shots. This machine is highly recommended in WIRED's guide to the Best Espresso Machines, often favored over other capable Breville models like the Barista Touch ($1,000) and the Barista Pro ($849).

The Oracle Jet excels at producing full-flavored espresso that truly reflects the characteristics of the beans. Its PID controller ensures stable temperature, a critical factor for optimal extraction. Whether you're using a light roast with fruity notes or a dark, roasty Italian blend, the Oracle Jet is sensitive enough to bring out those distinct flavors, resulting in espresso shots that are denser and more aromatic than those typically produced by superautomatic machines.

Despite its capability for high-quality espresso, the Oracle Jet simplifies many steps that are manual on traditional machines. It includes a built-in grinder that automatically doses the correct amount of coffee into the portafilter and even tamps it for you. This automation removes some of the most challenging variables in espresso making. The machine features a touchscreen interface with tutorials that guide you through the process, making it approachable even for those new to semi-automatic machines.

The Oracle Jet also features an automatic milk frothing wand. While the automatic frothing is good, it may not be as consistently perfect as the dedicated milk systems on some superautomatics. However, the machine also allows for manual steaming, which, in our experience, offers greater control and the potential for creating the silky microfoam ideal for latte art. This dual capability caters to both convenience and the desire for hands-on control.

The sensitivity to bean characteristics means the Oracle Jet can be slightly more finicky than fully automatic machines, requiring some adjustment depending on the beans used. However, for users who prioritize the quality and nuance of their espresso shot while still benefiting from automated grinding and tamping, the Breville Oracle Jet (8/10, WIRED Recommends) offers an excellent balance. Its intuitive guidance system makes the journey to delicious flat whites and cappuccinos a rewarding one.

For ultimate simplicity and convenience, especially for single servings, a pod-based machine can be a great option. The Keurig K-Café stands out in this category, particularly for its milk frothing capabilities. While Keurig machines don't technically brew espresso (which requires high pressure), the K-Café can produce a concentrated 2-ounce “espresso style” shot that is strong enough to serve as a base for milk drinks.

The real star of the K-Café is its integrated milk frother. This frother is exceptionally easy to use and delivers beautifully frothed milk. It offers three settings: cold, latte, and cappuccino. Simply add milk (dairy or plant-based) to the included stainless steel carafe, select your desired setting, and the frother does the rest, producing creamy, airy foam ready to be poured over your coffee shot. The quality of the foam is so good that it's tempting to use this frother even when making coffee on other machines.

The K-Café is designed for maximum ease of use and minimal cleanup. Brewing a coffee or an “espresso style” shot is as simple as inserting a K-Cup pod and pressing a button. The milk frother is also easy to clean, and the removable carafe can be quickly rinsed or washed. For more options in the pod coffee world, check out our updated pod coffee maker guide.

While the coffee quality from K-Cups may not satisfy serious coffee aficionados compared to freshly ground beans, the Keurig K-Café offers unparalleled convenience for quick, single-serve milk-based drinks. Its excellent frother makes it a top choice for those who prioritize speed and simplicity above all else.

Sometimes, you might already have an espresso machine you love, or perhaps you prefer other brewing methods but still crave that creamy, frothed milk for your drinks. In such cases, a dedicated milk frother is the perfect solution. While many automatic machines have built-in frothers, a high-quality standalone unit can offer more control or better results.

The Subminimal Nanofoamer is a handheld immersion blender specifically designed to create barista-quality microfoam. Unlike basic whisk-style frothers that simply add air bubbles, the Nanofoamer uses specialized screens to produce milk with a fine, creamy texture, essential for lattes and cappuccinos and even for attempting latte art. It comes with different screens to achieve varying textures, from fine to ultra-fine foam.

Using the Nanofoamer requires heating your milk separately (either on the stovetop or in a microwave) and then using the handheld device to froth it directly in the pitcher or cup. While this adds a step compared to fully automatic systems, it offers greater control over the milk temperature and texture. For those who enjoy the process of crafting their drinks and want to achieve professional-level milk foam, the Nanofoamer is an excellent, relatively affordable tool.

Subminimal has also expanded its lineup with the Nanofoamer Pro ($159), a milk frothing pitcher that automates the process while still aiming for high-quality microfoam. This pitcher currently holds a top spot in our guide to the Best Milk Frothers, indicating Subminimal's commitment to excellent milk texturing tools.

The world of home espresso machines is vast, with options ranging from entry-level devices to professional-grade equipment costing thousands of dollars. While our top picks represent the best balance of performance, ease of use, and value in their categories, several other machines offer compelling features for making automated lattes and cappuccinos.

The Casabrews 5700 PRO (7/10, WIRED Review) is a semi-automatic machine that aims to bridge the gap between home convenience and cafe-quality results without the sky-high price tag of commercial equipment. It's a robust machine with a built-in grinder, offering a more hands-on experience than a superautomatic but still simplifying key steps.

The 5700 PRO keeps the controls relatively simple, focusing on essential adjustments like temperature, dose volume for espresso extraction, and grind time for the integrated grinder. While it's a single-boiler machine, meaning you can't simultaneously pull an espresso shot and steam milk, the quality of the frothed milk is commendable. It produces a malleable texture that's suitable for practicing basic latte art patterns like leaves or rosettas.

Some minor drawbacks include the placement of the portafilter guide rails, which are a bit close to the grinder's output spout, and temperature controls that use relative rather than absolute values. However, despite these small quirks, the Casabrews 5700 PRO is a solid performer for its price. It's a great option for those ready to delve deeper into home espresso making and reduce their reliance on coffee shops for their daily cappuccino. —Pete Cottell

The Terra Kaffe TK-02 is another superautomatic machine that impressed our reviewers, particularly for its ease of use and customization options. While it comes with a higher price tag, its convenience and features make it a worthy consideration for those seeking a premium automated experience.

The TK-02 is designed for effortless operation, handling the entire brewing process from bean to cup. Its front-facing water tank, waste tray, and milk carafe are easily accessible for refilling and cleaning. A key feature is its excellent accompanying mobile app (available for iOs and Android), which allows for easy control and even the ability to start warming up the machine remotely.

Customization is a strong point for the TK-02. You can adjust various parameters for drinks like latte macchiatos, drip coffee, and iced coffee to match your personal taste preferences. The milk frothing dial provides control over the milk's texture, allowing you to choose between a foamy cap or a silky microfoam. A significant advantage of the Terra Kaffe TK-02 over some other superautomatics is its ability to brew true drip coffee, a feature appreciated by those who enjoy both espresso and traditional coffee styles.

Another solid superautomatic option from De'Longhi is the Magnifica Start Espresso Machine with LatteCrema System. Positioned at a lower price point than the Rivelia, the Magnifica Start offers core superautomatic functionality and an impressive milk frother, making it a strong contender for those seeking convenience and quality without the highest cost.

This machine features a conical burr grinder and offers four preset drink recipes accessible at the push of a button: espresso, Americano, latte macchiato, and cappuccino. It can brew a smooth and potent espresso shot. As with the Rivelia, the milk frother is a highlight, utilizing De'Longhi's LatteCrema System to produce luxurious frothed milk, perfect for its milk-based recipes.

The Magnifica Start includes both a hopper for whole beans and a slot for pre-ground coffee, offering some flexibility in your coffee source. While dialing in the perfect grind size might require some trial and error, the machine is generally straightforward to operate. It's a compact and efficient machine, making it a solid investment for those who want the convenience of a superautomatic and excellent milk drinks at a more accessible price than top-tier models.

Our primary focus when testing these machines was their ability to deliver automated or semi-automated coffee drinks, particularly lattes and cappuccinos, with minimal effort and consistent quality. We evaluated machines that could produce a coffee base (either espresso or a strong coffee shot) and, crucially, had a milk frother that performed the frothing process automatically or with significant assistance.

Key aspects of our testing included:

• Ease of Use: How simple is the machine to set up, operate daily, and program?
• Drink Quality: How does the espresso taste? How well does the milk frother perform? Is the final latte or cappuccino enjoyable?
• Automation Features: How effectively does the machine automate grinding, brewing, and frothing?
• Cleaning and Maintenance: How easy is it to clean the machine, especially the milk system and spent grounds?
• Durability: Does the machine feel well-built and capable of withstanding regular use?

We only recommended machines that demonstrated the ability to produce tasty espresso or coffee and genuinely saved time compared to more manual methods, while also providing reliable milk frothing.

The quality of your coffee beans is arguably the most significant factor influencing the taste of your final drink, regardless of how sophisticated your machine is. To dramatically improve your home coffee experience, the first and best step is to buy freshly roasted beans.

We highly recommend seeking out locally roasted coffee beans. A quick search online for “locally roasted coffee beans” in your area will likely reveal several options. The reason locally roasted beans are superior to mass-produced ones is simple: coffee begins to lose its flavor shortly after roasting. Beans purchased fresh from a local roaster, ideally used within a few weeks of the roast date, will provide a much richer and more nuanced flavor profile than beans that have traveled long distances or sat on supermarket shelves for extended periods.

For those who don't have access to local roasters or prefer the convenience of delivery, many excellent mail-order coffee subscriptions send freshly roasted beans directly to your door. These services often roast beans the same day or week they are shipped, ensuring peak freshness upon arrival. Our roundup of the Best Coffee Subscription Services can help you find reputable roasters that prioritize freshness and quality.

While convenient, pre-ground coffee from a supermarket bag is generally not recommended for espresso machines, especially those with non-pressurized portafilters. Coffee degrades rapidly after grinding, losing its aromatic compounds and flavor complexity. Unless the bag explicitly states a recent roasting date (which is rare for large commercial brands like Lavazza, Gevalia, or Café Bustelo), the coffee is likely stale. Stale coffee not only tastes flat and bitter but can also negatively impact the espresso extraction process, potentially leading to inconsistent shots or machine issues.

If you are new to espresso and don't yet have a grinder, your best bet is to purchase whole beans from a local roaster and ask them to grind the coffee specifically for espresso. This ensures you're starting with fresh coffee ground to the correct fineness for your machine. However, for the best possible results and flexibility, investing in a quality coffee grinder is highly recommended. Grinding beans just before brewing preserves their freshness and allows you to dial in the grind size precisely for optimal extraction on your specific machine.

Maintaining the cleanliness of your espresso machine's milk container and frothing system is crucial for hygiene and ensuring your milk-based drinks taste their best. Milk residue can quickly build up, leading to unpleasant odors and potential blockages.

The most important step is regular cleaning. After each use, or at the very least daily, rinse the milk container and frothing components thoroughly with hot water. Most automatic milk systems also have a cleaning cycle that pushes steam or hot water through the wand or carafe, which should be used diligently.

In addition to daily rinsing, a more thorough cleaning is necessary periodically, ideally once a week. Start by hand-washing the milk container with warm water and dish soap, paying attention to corners and crevices where residue can hide. Use a sponge or brush to scrub away any visible buildup.

To sterilize the container and ensure no bacteria are lurking, you have a couple of effective options:

• Food-Grade Sanitizer: Products like Star San or One Step are commonly used in brewing and food preparation for their sanitizing properties. Prepare a diluted solution according to the product instructions, pour it into a spray bottle, and lightly mist the inside of the milk container. Allow it to air dry on a rack; these sanitizers are designed to be no-rinse when used at the correct dilution.
• Vinegar Soak: A readily available household solution is distilled white vinegar. If you notice staining or persistent smells, fill the milk container with a mixture of about 1.5 ounces of distilled white vinegar and warm tap water. Let it soak for approximately 30 minutes. Afterward, rinse the container thoroughly with water until the vinegar smell is completely gone.

By incorporating these regular cleaning and occasional sanitizing steps into your routine, you can ensure your milk container remains clean and your lattes and cappuccinos are always made with fresh, hygienic milk foam.