Cappuccino Machine Complete Overview – Which One to Choose In 2022

If you’re thinking of making cafe-quality drinks at the comfort of your kitchen as you build your skills, it’s important to have a home espresso maker.

As an avid cappuccino enthusiast, you’re looking for the right coffee maker to reduce your trips to the coffee shop.

Instead, you want to enjoy your daily cup at the comfort of your home. However, picking the best cappuccino machine from the many options available today can be challenging.

You’ll have to sift through several product reviews on the internet to identify the machine that suits your needs. 

But to help make the process much easier, we’ve prepared a detailed list of the top cappuccino machines to help you make an informed buying decision.

Last update on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

We’ve reviewed the machines in terms of design, performance, ease of use, and price to help you understand their features and value in your home. Here’s the deeper dive.

Best Cappuccino Machines You Can Buy in 2022

Venturing into at-home cappuccino brewing needs a top-quality espresso machine that can get your DIY cappuccino to barista standards.

Keep reading to learn more about the best cappuccino makers, plus a look at what each offers to help make the process of shopping for an espresso machine a little easier.  

1. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Philips 3200 series is an automatic cappuccino machine that combines several accessories and features to give you a cafe-quality experience in your home.

It can grind coffee beans, brew various drinks, and steam milk in minutes. Here’s a detailed feature analysis. 

Design and Ease of Use

It comes in a glossy finish that makes it sleek and hides fingerprint smudges if you spill coffee on it. Measuring 17 by 9.6 by 14.6 inches (H×W×L), Philips 3200 Series is relatively small to avoid overwhelming your countertop.

Additionally, the removable bean hopper lid will help you save space when storing the machine in cupboards. 

The automatic coffee maker has a straightforward touch-screen control panel and a coffee menu. These two features allow you to adjust the quantity and coffee strength, allowing you to select and make your favorite coffee.

Even more, the cappuccino maker features a removable front-facing water reservoir, which is more accessible than having the water tank on the back. 

Brewing Capability

One feature that makes Philips 3200 Series famous is its ability to brew different coffee drinks. Whether you love espresso, cappuccino, latte, or regular coffee, this machine comes with pre-set options you can choose from.

All you’ve got to do is use the intuitive touch display to select your favorite coffee by customizing the volume, strength, and temperature of your drink for a rich aroma in every sip.

The cappuccino machine features a classic milk frother that efficiently dispenses steam so that you can quickly prepare smooth milk foam for our cappuccino.

It also comes with a 1.8 liters water tank, which means you can brew several cups before refilling the reservoir.  

What’s more, the Philips coffee machine has ceramic grinders with 12 adjustments. As a result, you can grind your coffee beans into ultra-fine and coarse particles for a strong flavor.

However, you may experience some trouble adjusting the grinder and using pre-ground coffee. That’s because you’ll need some time with the machine to master turning the knob for a coarser or finer grind. Plus, you can only adjust the grinder when using the coffee maker, which is odd to some people. 

When using pre-ground coffee, you’ll need to consult the instruction manual to figure out the button sequence of activating the setting.

Additionally, the machine is relatively loud when grinding beans and brewing coffee. So, if you’re a parent or an early riser with young children, this may be a crucial consideration when making a buying decision.

But all in all, the machine brews coffee pretty fast; it takes about a minute to heat up and 40 seconds to grind beans and brew espresso. 

Cleaning

Philips espresso/cappuccino machine requires several cleaning procedures, and the brand has made it easy for users.

For instance, you’ll need to clean the frothing wand after every use, which sounds tedious if you brew multiple cappuccinos daily. But the wand is only made of two parts allowing for easy cleaning. 

Additionally, the drip tray and coffee grounds container are connected to this machine. As a result, you can empty and rinse them simultaneously when they are full.

Philips simplifies the cleaning process by equipping the machine with a light-up sensor to notify you when the drip tray and coffee container are full. 

Descaling is the most complicated cleaning task in this cappuccino machine, but if you buy it with an AquaClean water filter, you won’t descale your machine until you brew 5000 cups. 

2. Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Cappuccino and Espresso Maker

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Mr. Coffee’s Cafe Barista is a semi-automatic espresso-cappuccino maker. Buying it means loading the coffee grounds yourself and controlling how long the machine pulls out the espresso shot. In short, it is partially automated and requires some manual tasks when brewing. 

For this reason, Mr. Coffee is a suitable cappuccino machine for home if you want to learn the art of making flavorful coffee on your own.

Let’s dive deep into the details to help you know whether or not the machine suits your needs. 

Design and Ease of Use

This cappuccino machine comes in a black plastic finish with a sleek, modern look. Measuring 11.22 x 8.86 x 12.6 inches (L×W×H), Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista is compact and can fit in most kitchen cupboards and countertops.

Even more, all parts are removable, making it convenient for refilling and cleaning. The intuitive user interface with control buttons on the front lets you choose your preferred coffee drinks. 

Additionally, it comes with a fitting and removable milk reservoir so that you can store leftover milk in the fridge for future use. The milk frother features a clearly labeled knob, which makes it easy to control the froth amount in your cappuccino.

The machine comes in a double drip tray design to cater to different mugs. The first tray is beneath the portafilter to create room for full-size mugs, while the second is underneath the milk reservoir to minimize coffee spillage when using small cups. 

Brewing Capability

The process of making an espresso drink with Cafe Barista is easy and fast since it’s mostly automatic.

The machine froths the milk automatically to make beverages like cappuccinos and lattes with the touch of a single button. So, this machine might be unsuitable if you’d like to steam and also froth the milk. 

While the brewing process is easy, this machine has some downsides. For example, it creates weak espresso due to varying water amounts and temperatures.

This downside could also result from the machine featuring a plastic tamper that limits the pressure you can apply on your coffee grounds.

In return, you end up with loose grounds that accelerate water flow, causing under-extraction. Sometimes, inconsistent water temperatures in Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista cause over-extraction. 

But all in all, the machine is an affordable investment compared to most cappuccino makers. 

It also features two different filter baskets, a single and double shot size. And that can affect the volume of water you use to brew. Just ensure you match the filter and the coffee grounds you use for the best flavor. 

Cleaning

Cleaning Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista consumes a fair amount of time. To clean the machine after brewing your cup, you’ll have to detach the portafilter as well as dump the coffee grounds. Then, rinse the portafilter and filters with warm water before reattaching it to the unit.

The brand recommends disassembling and thoroughly cleaning the portafilter every three months. In addition, you’ll need to descale the unit every forty to eighty brew cycles. 

All in all, the machine has relatively standard cleaning requirements. For example, the water tank and milk reservoir can be removed for easy access and washing.  

3. Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Breville Barista express is a semi-automatic cappuccino machine that gives you much control over the coffee-making process. As a result, this espresso maker suits you best if you want to challenge your barista skills.

You’ll have to extract, grind, dose, tamp, and froth milk yourself. This machine has gained consistent praise for having customizable settings, rich espresso, and beautiful design. Let’s get into the review for a deeper understanding. 

Design and Ease of Use

Breville Barista features a brushed stainless steel body casing instead of plastic internals, giving it a polished look.

Additionally, Breville placed the accessories in convenient positions so that you could easily access different parts of the units when brewing. For example, the 360 degrees steam wand rotates in all directions.

That way, you can adjust the direction accordingly when steaming milk and make the wand point directly downwards when you are not using the cappuccino machine. 

The tamper is also removable to give you more control when tamping for firmly pressed coffee grounds. 

With the help of the user manual, you can easily customize coffee settings like grind amount, size, and tamping, which results in a flavorful drink in your cup.

The machine has a built-in, conical burr grinder with 16 grind settings that enable you to customize the grind size. The removable bean hopper makes it easy to refill or rinse the burrs. 

Brewing Capability

Breville Barista will help you make a great cappuccino, but you’ll have to learn how to steam and froth the milk yourself.

As mentioned earlier, this cappuccino machine is semi-automatic, meaning that you’ll do some brewing procedures manually.

But even so, it still makes life easy for you. The wand rotates in all directions so that you can find the right angle when steaming to make cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. 

It comes with pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets that make the machine both for experts and novices in making coffee.

If you’re an expert, you can work with the non-pressurized filter baskets that let you dial in the espresso shots by adjusting the grind amount and settings. Novices can use the pressurized basket that requires fewer grind adjustments.

The grind size control in the user interface lets you choose from sixteen levels of fineness that affect the flavor of your drink.

On the other hand, the control allows you to customize the grind amount when brewing, determining the coffee-water ratio.

In short, Breville Barista has reliable functionality for consistency in terms of coffee quality—it can make an excellent commercial cappuccino machine. 

Cleaning

Most espresso machines require many cleaning tasks that make the trips to the coffee shop seem better than owning your coffee maker.

But Breville Barista is not one of them. For example, you can remove the bean hopper with one twist to access the burr grinders for cleaning. Additionally, you can easily remove the water tank and filters when you’re cleaning them. 

The machine comes with a built-in ‘clean me’ light that notifies you when cleaning is necessary. Also, the drip tray displays a yellow sign for when the tray fills up.

Other parts that require regular cleaning are the portafilter and basket that require rinsing with hot water, eliminating oil from coffee grounds.

 

4. De’Longhi Cappuccino and Espresso Machine

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you’re a cappuccino enthusiast looking for the convenience of an automatic machine,the DeLonghi cappuccino maker might suit you best.

It’s also a good fit for beginners with limited experience in the coffee-making culture since it handles the whole brewing process. Let’s look at its features to make it easy for you to decide if it’s the right fit for you. 

Design and Ease of Use

With a compact design, sleek profile, and narrow body, this cappuccino machine is a crowd-pleaser because it saves space on kitchen countertops.

While its plastic body makes it susceptible to damage, specific parts like the boiler, drip tray, and steam wand are metal.

The tamper is plastic, limiting the pressure you can apply on your coffee ground. But all in all, the mostly-plastic design makes De’Longhi an affordable cappuccino maker. 

This espresso/cappuccino machine’s intuitive user interface gives you control with one small dial— no several confusing buttons.

It’s equipped with a self-priming system that enables a smooth, automatic start-up—no need to prime the machine manually. 

Brewing Capability

As a coffee enthusiast, you know that every great cappuccino starts with a well-extracted espresso, and DeLonghi coffee maker can deliver that.

It packs a 15-bar pressure pump that extracts a balanced espresso rich in flavor. It’s also equipped with a steel boiler monitored by an integrated thermostat, ensuring precise hot water temperature for optimum extraction. 

This cappuccino machine features a swivel jet frother that creates the microfoam you’ll love in your cup. The frother is well-angled to enable efficient milk steaming and frothing.

Additionally, the thermostat for measuring milk temperature is separate from the one monitoring hot water in the machine. As a result, you get the perfect milk temperature for your cappuccino. 

This brewer is compatible with both normal coffee ground and E.S.E pods so that you can choose the right type for your convenience. But still, nothing beats the flavor of cappuccino made from fresh ground coffee, right? 

Cleaning

Similar to the brewing process, cleaning the DeLonghi cappuccino machine is easy. The brewer has a cleaning light alert, which notifies you when you need to descale it (descaling is manual, the machine doesn’t do it automatically). 

In addition, the drip tray and water reservoir are removable, and you can safely clean them in a dishwasher.

You’ll also need to purge your steam wand before and after brewing for a clean machine and perfect cappuccinos. 

What’s more, you must clean the portafilters and tamper to get high-quality coffee in every brew.

 

5. Smeg Espresso Machine

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

While cappuccino machines are available in different colors, designs, and sizes, Smeg takes style to the next level.

With an impeccable build quality and intuitive user interface, the Smeg espresso machine is a crowd-pleaser. But does it offer what you’re looking for that perfect cup? 

Design and Ease of Use

It features round edges and a simple but intriguing design, making this machine unique in terms of looks. It’s available in various colors, including red, pastel blue, white, and pink.

The machine is also slim and lightweight. It measures 6 by 13 by 13 inches (W×L×H) and weighs 10 pounds, making it easy to move around or store on the kitchen counter.

On top of the great design, the Smeg cappuccino machine is fast and easy to use. Once you turn it on, it will be ready to brew in about two minutes, which is pretty quicker than most brewers in the market.

The machine has only three buttons in the control panel and a frother lever on the side, making it easy to brew cappuccinos in your home. 

It features a plastic tamper that makes it challenging to pack coffee grounds tightly in the filter holder. 

Brewing Capability

You can make single and double espresso shots as well as froth milk to make cappuccinos and lattes with Smeg espresso maker. It brews a well-balanced espresso and gives you a nice crema if you pack the tamper tightly.

The frother is also flexible and strategically positioned on the side for efficient steaming and frothing.

However, you don’t get to control essential variables like water temperature and flow rate, which are critical in making a flavorful espresso. 

Cleaning

Like all other cappuccino machines, this brewer requires regular cleaning to avoid compromising the taste of your drink.

However, Smeg makes it easy to clean the machine. For example, the brewer comes with cleaning instructions that recommend wiping the unit with a soft, wet cloth after every use. 

Additionally, the cup tray and drip tray are removable so that you can easily clean them by hand—not in a dishwasher.

You’ll also need to clean the water tank once a month while the milk frother and filter baskets immediately after every use.

Even more, you have to thoroughly clean the group head after making 200 cups of coffee. Lastly, you’ll need to descale the machine once a warning light turns orange. 

6. Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Gaggia Classic Pro suits you best if you’re looking to upgrade your coffee-making skills from a beginner to an intermediate barista.

As a semi-automatic machine, it means you can control the brewing process. Let’s dive deep into the review to see if it meets the standards you’re looking for. 

Design and Ease of Use

This cappuccino machine for home use has a stainless steel body. And that’s uncommon for brewers going at its price. 

Usually, you’d expect a plastic body with a few metal components. For this reason, Gaggia classic pro can withstand external forces better than most brewers. 

However, the machine portrays a utilitarian look rather than a purely stylish vibe. So, if the design doesn’t matter a lot to you when buying a brewer, Gaggia Classic might suit your needs.

It comes with a plastic drip tray that fits and blends nicely with the unit’s shape and aesthetic. 

Instead of using buttons in the control panel, the Classic Pro features three rocker switches and a knob. 

This user interface is more resistant to failure and easier to use than buttons, making the brewer a reliable cappuccino machine. 

Additionally, you can quickly fill the water tank from the top or remove and fill it when necessary. These two options make this machine efficient, considering space restrictions in most kitchens. 

Brewing Capability

The Gaggia Classic Pro has solid features that make it an excellent commercial cappuccino machine. 

For example, it comes with large pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets (58mm), allowing you to make more espresso and cappuccinos.

Most brewers come with smaller portafilters than this. Even better, the filters are compatible with ESE pods if freshly ground beans aren’t an option to you. 

However, this machine only has a single boiler, meaning that you can’t brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously.

You’ll need about a minute to switch between brewing and steaming to allow the boiler to make adjustments. 

This can be a disadvantage since many people prefer steaming and brewing at once to save time and maintain specific temperatures for the best results. 

But all in all, the machine is efficient in other ways. For instance, it has a commercial-style wand (manual) that gives you more control and enables you to make more satisfying foam.

It is also quieter than most espresso machines in the market, allowing you to make morning coffees without waking up the whole family. 

Cleaning

With a compact design, the Gaggia Classic Pro is easy to clean since its drip tray can be removed effortlessly.

The exterior is brushed stainless steel, therefore, you can effortlessly use a damp cloth to clean it. Like commercial cappuccino machines, Gaggia Classic Pro has a valve that allows you to clean the portafilters easily.

However, descaling the machine consumes a lot of time since it entails a tiresome disassembly. For example, Gaggia’s decalcifying procedure involves twenty steps while cleaning the group head, including removing screws, which is a headache to many users. 

Which Machine Should I Choose? 

From our cappuccino machines reviews, you might have noted that each cappuccino machine has its perks and downsides. That’s why it’s important to get a brewer that addresses your needs.

Even then, having the best coffee maker helps ensure you enjoy barista-level coffee beverages at the comfort of your home. 

As such, the requisite for beverages like cappuccinos and lattes, espresso is a coffee concentrate.

To pull a perfect pour, you need a good espresso machine that produces and maintains 6 to ten bars of pressure.

The machine should also hold up the same pressure after it’s turned on or off many times throughout its life. Having the best coffee brewer ensures you enjoy barista-level hot beverages from your kitchen.

Also, if you want a short, intense espresso or even creamy, milk-based coffee you can save time and even money, by getting the best espresso maker for your daily caffeine fix.