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Best Coffee Machines for Caffe Latte

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Best Latte Coffee Makers

Rich, dark, perfectly-pulled espresso. Just the right amount of smooth, creamy foam. An exquisitely-crafted Caffe latte makes you slow down and appreciate how beautiful life can be. 

What if you could sip your go-to coffeehouse order in your favorite mug? 

Or even better — enjoy it in the best mug and from your cozy corner of the living room couch?

That’s right. No more lines, no putting on “real” pants (leggings count as pants in our world, too!), no traffic to tangle with. And, you’ll likely save a bunch of money in the long run.

Enhance your mornings by bringing home the best coffee machine and learning to make Caffe lattes in your own kitchen. Use these thoughtful reviews of the leading coffee makers available as a buying guide before you decide on which to make counter space for!

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Keurig has become a household name. Their machines have changed office spaces and home kitchens in recent years. The convenience of a single-brewer can’t be disputed.

Now with the K-Cafe, you can enjoy single-brewer speed and ease-of-use for your Caffe lattes too! Brew a shot of coffee with any K-cup then top it with freshly-frothed milk of your choice. You can even make your lattes dairy-free by opting for almond, oat, or soy milk! 

This coffee maker has everything you love about the original Keurig models. Like simple button controls, strong brew feature, and different cup size options (6, 8, 10, and 12-ounces). The removable water tank means you can brew directly into your travel mug in the morning before you head out. 

The brewer automatically shuts off after two hours, so even if you forgot to switch off your machine before work — Keurig has your back! The large water reservoir can hold up to 60-ounces at a time, meaning you can brew ~10 cups before refilling. 

Pick up a my K-cup if you’d prefer to grind your own coffee beans before indulging in your morning latte.

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If you’re a true hands-on person, you’ll absolutely love using your new Breville Barista Express. Cafe quality microfoam and a built-in grinder take your homebrewing from ordinary to extraordinary.

The digital temperature control (PID) ensures your water is heated to precisely the right temperature before it hits your espresso. Resulting in optimal extraction and exquisite flavor.

Grind your whole bean coffee of choice fresh — and directly into the portafilter — for each individual Caffee latte. Single or double shots are easy with the adjustable grind amount and manual override options. 

Since the steam wand allows you to hand-texture the milk, the world of latte art is now open before you. Indulge your inner creativity, boost your boldness, swing for the fences, etc. (You must forgive us, we’ve had three cups of coffee already today. But the enthusiasm for this machine is real.)

Further, did you know making your own coffee at home can be healthier for you?

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If you’re looking for a more affordable Caffe latte option — this one’s for you! No-fuss, no-frills, and it fits just about anywhere thanks to its compact design. You could even travel with it, no more uninspiring hotel coffee thank you very much.

Enjoy velvety-smooth espresso and have your foam your way with the Sowtech machine. Though this coffee maker is tiny, it boasts 3.5 bar pressure capable of making one to four cups of espresso at a time.

The glass carafe lets you keep an eye on the action during extraction. (That rhymes!) Also included is a scoop plus tamper. You just need to add water and some fresh grounds to get going!

Besides being a space-saver, this little brewer has a removable drip-catcher for quick, easy clean-ups. To make tidying things even smoother, the frothing nozzle and steam tube are removable as well.

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Mr. Coffee’s semi-automatic espresso maker will streamline your morning routine.

One-touch control panel for drink selections plus an automatic milk frother mean you could be sipping on a Caffe latte before your eyes are even fully opened! (Though the rich espresso and foamy milk will probably perk them right up.)

The water tank and milk reservoir are both removable for easy filling and cleaning. The 15-bar pump system delivers smooth espresso shots every time. Let this coffee machine bless your countertop and your life by bringing one home today. And — bonus — the price tag isn’t too steep either.

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Note: Do not put the water reservoir in your dishwasher.

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The Ninja Specialty coffee maker offers options. We like that. Brew a single cup of java all the way up to a full carafe with many size options in between.

Not only does it do regular coffee, but you can also even brew directly over ice for summertime indulgence. 

You can brew super-rich coffee concentrate for on-the-go (or to stay!) Caffe lattes — no pods required. With a fold-away frother, this stainless steel machine will look striking on any countertop.

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Another budget-friendly option for our review list, the Yabano espresso machine is suitable for small kitchen spaces. Easy to store or take on the go, too.

You can brew up to four cups of coffee at a time, then top with a creamy, rich foam. This is a good choice if you don’t want to spend a lot of money or time making that first cup of the morning.

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Automatic capsule coffee maker, the Nescafe Dolce Gusto will provide you a single cup of coffee at lightning speed.

Fits most budgets, easy-to-use interface, and you can’t beat how very stylish and compact this little guy is!

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Very straightforward and affordable, Mr. Coffee’s Cafe Steam Automatic espresso maker is a bargain if we’ve ever seen one. 

Learn how to whip up Caffe lattes in no time with this easy-to-use coffee machine. Both the water reservoir and drip catcher are removable for simple maintenance and care.

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If perfectly-extracted espresso shots are your scene, this is your beast. Bring home a Barsetto espresso machine with double temperature control and 15-bar pump pressure. 

Extra-large water tank means you can make a round of Caffe lattes for all your guests before refilling. The hot steam wand can also be used for hot chocolate, water, or tea.

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Some of us need more coffee than others. Like at a single go. For us, Mr. Coffee offers up to 20-ounces of espresso at a time! Woohoo!

The powerful milk frother will take your Caffe lattes and cappuccinos to the next level. You won’t regret this budget-friendly purchase when you’re wired next Monday morning!

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This sleek little coffee maker from Lavazza boasts a start-up time of only 28 seconds. Meaning you yourself can be ready to roll even quicker in the mornings with that first hot cup of coffee in your hands.

The visual alerts will show you when the water tank is running low and when the capsule drawer is full. Adjustable drip tray means you can accommodate larger mugs — very important!

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How To Make The Perfect Latte

Follow these simple steps to craft your perfect Caffe Latte:

  1. Pick your coffee. 
    • Espresso seems the obvious choice, but that refers more to the grind than a flavor. 
    • You can use any dark roast for traditional flavor.
    • If you have a medium roast you totally love, go ahead and try it out!
  2. Learn how to use your steam wand.
    • If your espresso machine came with a DVD or instruction manual, check that out first.
    • Choosing high-fat milk will yield the best results.
    • For dairy-free, oat milk will be the closest swap.
    • Place the tip of the wand just below the surface of your milk to create microfoam.
    • Make sure the milk reaches a temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit!
  3. Bring in sugar or syrups if you want.
    • Add the sweetener to the espresso first.
    • Then top with your steamed milk.

Enjoy total milky espresso bliss.

Latte Art 101

Here are the three steps to follow when pouring for latte art:

  1. Fill Up.
    • With espresso already in your cup, start pouring ~4-5 inches above it.
    • Stop when just over half full.
  2. Drawing.
    • The fun part! 
    • Lower the pitcher closer to the cup.
    • Work from the farthest side of the mug to the closest.
    • Wiggle it, just a little bit!
  3. Final Cut.
    • Right at the end of your wiggle design.
    • Lift pitcher back up a few inches.
    • Pour the remainder of foam right down the middle.
    • Go slowly!

Practice, practice, practice.

Basic Guide To Common Espresso Drinks

Let’s break it down:

  • Latte– This is the milkiest of espresso drinks with a ratio of 1-2 ounces of coffee to 8-15 ounces of steamed milk. You can increase the espresso if you prefer a stronger brew of course! Hot Caffe lattes have a thin layer of foam on top. They can be iced or flavored.

  • Breve– The same as a Caffe latte, but with half & half in lieu of milk. Ultra decadent!

  • Cappuccino– These are internationally popular. Much like a less milky latte, a cappuccino takes 1-2 ounces of espresso and mixes it with 4-5 ounces of frothed milk. The big difference lies in the foam. While lattes have very little microfoam, a cappuccino is often up to 1/3rd foam. You can sometimes specify when ordering a cappuccino that you want it “wet” (less foam, milkier) or “dry” (more foam, less milky).

  • Macchiato– Depending on where you order this style of espresso + milk, you may end up with a caramel-flavored beverage or just a smaller version of a latte! Traditionally, the macchiato is an espresso shot with a dollop of microfoam. That’s it!

  • Cortado– The small one. A cortado is only 4-5 ounces of espresso and lightly-steamed milk (meaning it only reaches a temperature of 115-125 degrees F). It’s meant to be drunk quickly rather than sipped slowly.

And now you know all the espresso plus milk basics!

Latte Vs Cappuccino

As we outlined above in our espresso/milk beverage breakdown, Caffe lattes and cappuccinos are the two most popular cafe drinks.

Sometimes Caffe lattes are referred to as “wet” cappuccinos. The ingredients of both are the same, but the ratios vary to make quite a striking difference in flavors. 

Cappuccinos break neatly down into thirds. 1 part espresso, 1 part milk, 1 part foam.

Caffe lattes don’t follow that pattern. They can be anywhere from 2-ounces of espresso and 3-ounces of milk to the volumes we mentioned previously (yeah up to 15-ounces of milk!). They typically have a small dollop of foam on top, but nowhere near as much as a cappuccino.

How to Choose the Best Espresso Machine

Like any other home purchase, it’s crucial you consider your personal needs before buying.

  1. How many Caffe lattes do you want to make a day? 
  2. How important is “real” espresso? (For instance, a 3.5 bar maker will produce espresso-like coffee not authentic.)
  3. How much do you want to spend?
  4. How much space do you have available?
  5. How confident are you in barista skills/how hands-on do you actually want to be?

If you can answer all those, you’re ready to shop!

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