* Best coffee machine: Home espresso, cappuccino, latte makers reviews

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By Spacey Gracey

Image courtesy of Photos8.com
Image courtesy of Photos8.com

Thinking of buying a home espresso, cappuccino, and/or latte maker? You may find this guide helpful.

If you drink a lot of espresso, cappuccino, or latte coffee, you may be thinking about getting a home espresso maker. Models for home use range from $40 to $2000, and while you may know what a fantastic espresso tastes like, its not so easy choosing an espresso maker that will help you make it.

Espresso makers with milk frother - to buy these online just click on the picture - you'll go straight to Amazon

De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
An excellent value all-rounder, and a great place to start if you have not owned an espresso maker before. Delivers 15-bar pressure, has built-in milk frother, has a 4 cup capacity, and can use E.S.E. pods, or ground coffee.
Amazon Price: $94.95
List Price: $140.00
Nespresso C100-US-AERO Essenza Automatic Single-Serve Espresso Machine with Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother, Titanium
Single-serve automatic espresso machine with Aeroccino one-touch milk frother. For use with Nespresso coffee-filled capsules. Has a 19-bar pump, ThermoBlock heating system, automatic and programmable coffee quantity, electronic temperature regulation,removable 41-ounce water tank, and capsule-collection container. Comes with 12 capsules included.
Amazon Price: $197.00
List Price: $299.00
Cuisinart EM-100 1000-Watt 15-Bar Espresso Maker, Stainless Steel
Espresso maker with 15 bars of pressure. Uses ground espresso or pods.It has a 53-ounce removable reservoir, porta-filter holder, cup-warming plate, steam nozzle, frothing cup, removable drip tray, and tamping tool included. 3-year limited warranty
Amazon Price: $126.79
List Price: $325.00
Nespresso D120-US-BK-NE CitiZ Automatic Single-Serve Espresso Maker and Milk Frother, Limousine Black
Single-serve automatic espresso maker for use with coffee-filled capsules. The built-in 'Aeroccino' creates milk-based coffee drinks at the touch of a button. It boasts a 19-bar pump, energy-saving mode, 1-liter removable water tank,used-capsule container, removable drip tray and folding cup support. It is compatible with Nespresso pods only.
Amazon Price: $270.00
List Price: $349.00

Firstly, you need a pressure driven espresso machine - not steam. A steam machine may scorch the coffee and you'll end up with a horrible bitter, burnt taste to you espresso, cappuccino or latte.

Secondly, you want a good level of pressure. That golden froth on your espresso is the crema, and its what gives your drink its full, rich, smooth flavour. The more pressure your machine delivers, the more crema it produces, the better your drink will taste. You can buy a low pressure espresso maker for around $40, but you may as well spend the extra and have a low-end high-pressure machine for $20 more.

Thirdly, you want an espresso machine that compliments your kitchen, and is beautiful to look at. If you are considering buying an espresso machine, then chances are you are wanting to make espresso, cappuccinos or lattes, at least once every day. You will want to leave your espresso machine on your countertop so its right where you want it, when you want it. It needs to look good.

Fourthly, think about whether you want an espresso maker that uses pods of coffee, ground coffee. Some espresso makers only accept their own brand of pods, others accept generic E.S.E. pods, some accept ground coffee, and some very clever espresso makers can use ground coffee and E.S.E. pods. Points to consider when deciding are:

  • The pods are much cleaner to operate, easier to clean, and since the coffee has been tightly sealed in individual portions it is as fresh as you can get.
  • But you have almost limitless choice with the coffee grounds, and they are available in almost every grocery store.

And finally, you will need a milk frother. A milk frother will heat and froth the milk for you so you can make espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. You can buy these separately, but for a frequent coffee drinker it makes much more sense to buy a machine with the milk-frother built-in.

I have spent hours reading about espresso machine features and product reviews, so you don't have to. On this page I have listed the best espresso makers I have found. All these machines are pressure driven, and deliver a high-level of pressure to give you great tasting espresso and espresso-based drinks. They are also all available to buy online and be delivered straight to your door. Please read the descriptions to see which has the best features to suit you.

Espresso maker with milk frother - to buy these online just click on the picture - you'll go straight to Amazon

Mr. Coffee ECMP50 Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, Black
Another great value espresso maker, delivers 15 bar pressure, and has built-in milk frother. Uses ground coffee.
Amazon Price: $72.99
List Price: $99.99
Gaggia 12300 Baby Class Manual Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
Stainless-steel espresso machine with 15-bar pump and push-button controls. It has a 60-ounce removable reservoir, can make 2 cups simultaneously, and a steamer for frothing milk. Includes single-shot, double-shot, and E.S.E. filter basket, coffee tamper, and coffee scoop - which translated means you can use pods or ground coffee. Measures 10-2/5 by 9-3/5 by 15-2/3 inches
Amazon Price: $448.55
List Price: $599.00
DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker, Stainless
Espresso machine with stainless-steel boiler and 15 bars of pump pressure. The dual-function filter holder accommodates Sempre Crema Filter and ESE Filter, so you can use ground coffee or pods. Self-priming system, 2 thermostats for brewing and steaming, adjustable frother, 44-ounce water tank, cup warmer, and removable drip tray ensures quick clean-up. 1-year limited warranty.
Amazon Price: $135.00
List Price: $350.00
Breville BES820XL Die-Cast 15-Bar Programmable Espresso Machine
This is a very stylish espresso maker. This stainless-steel programmable espresso machine has a 15-bar Triple-Prime pump, thermoblock heating system, electronic temperature control, pressure gauge, push-button volume settings, steam wand for frothing milk and cup warmer. It includes 1- and 2-cup dual-wall stainless-steel filters, pod filter, tamping tool, and pitcher. It can use ground coffee and espresso (E.S.E.) pods. 1-year limited warranty.
Amazon Price: $599.00
List Price: $599.99

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