A cappuccino is a pick-me-up and a work of art rolled into one. Entire Instagram accounts have been dedicated to coffeehouse art, showcasing the skills of the baristas as they create designs in the froth that would put some artists to shame. But here’s a little secret: You can do the same thing at home. The art might take a bit of practice, but there’s no reason you can’t make a coffeehouse-style cappuccino in your own kitchen.
More Coffee Guides
- Coffee vs. espresso vs. cold brew
- How to make cold brew coffee at home
- Best coffee makers
- How to clean a Keurig
There are a lot of options for cappuccino makers, but we narrowed down the options to the top four and evaluated them based on price, ease of use, and versatility. You want to strike a balance between an easy-to-use machine and one that won’t break your budget. These are our picks for the best cappuccino makers.
Best for beginners: EspressoWorks 7-Piece All-in-One Machine
The EspressoWorks AIO is a great option for beginners due to the breadth of what it can do. It’s not limited solely to cappuccinos. You can make nearly any coffee drink you can imagine thanks to the detachable milk frother. The machine also comes with a lot of other accessories, including a bean grinder, frothing cup, two porcelain mugs, measuring spoon, and filter baskets.
The EspressoWorks AIO is ready to brew in just 45 seconds and holds up to 1.25 liters of water at any given time. It can brew two cups at a time thanks to its two separate filter baskets, and the drinks can be of differing strengths. One filter basket is a double-shot, while the other is a single-shot. The machine comes apart for easy cleaning and refilling. If you’re looking for a low-risk way to try out making your own cappuccino, EspressoWorks is a great place to start.
Best for K-Cup users: K-Cafe Special Edition
If you love Keurig but still want to make cappuccinos at home, the K-Cafe Special Edition is the machine for you. Not only does it make normal coffee, but it can also make cappuccinos and lattes with ease. The K-Cafe Special Edition comes with a built-in, dishwasher-safe frother to make your milk nice and foamy before you pour it into the cup.
There are four cup sizes: 6 ounces, 8 ounces, 10 ounces, and 12 ounces. When you consider the 60-ounce water reservoir, that is a lot of coffee you can make before you have to refill the tank. Of all the cappuccino makers Digital Trends examined, the K-Cafe Special Edition is the best value for people that prefer K-Cups to loose grounds, although it is compatible with the reusable K-Filter if you have ground coffee you want to use.
Best for tight budgets: Bella Personal Espresso Maker
The Bella Personal Espresso Maker is a no-frills machine that gets the job done, but lacks a lot of the bells and whistles you might find on other machines. It comes with a glass decanter and detachable filter basket. The frothing steam wand will heat up the milk and whip it into a cappuccino-worthy froth in no time.
If you’re thinking, “Wait. This is an espresso maker, not a cappuccino maker,” remember that espresso is a third the recipe for a cappuccino, with the other two-thirds being equal parts milk and foam. At around $45, the Bella Personal Espresso Maker is a great way to get access to cappuccinos in your own home, even on a budget.
Best for professionals: Breville BES870XL Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is a high-end cappuccino maker that will give you the ability to make gourmet cappuccino in your own home, but it has a price tag to match. At more than $500, the Breville Barista Express might strain your wallet, but will satisfy your palate. With a 15-bar pump and a 1,600-watt heating system, your cappuccino will be piping hot when it’s made.
The Breville Barista Express also has a built-in grinder and hopper for the coffee beans. You can control how fine of a grind you want. The machine uses a digital thermometer to measure the temperature of your cappuccino so that you don’t make a particular type of bean too hot (or not hot enough.) The flavor of coffee can be finicky and is heavily based on nailing the right temperature, but the Breville takes the guesswork out of the equation.
Best combination cappuccino/coffee machine: DeLonghi BC0430
The DeLonghi BC0430 combines all the best features of a cappuccino and coffeemaker into a single, all-in-one machine. It steams milk, can make both espresso and coffee at the same time, and you can adjust the strength of your coffee with the touch of a button. It also looks like a professional piece of equipment, so you can wow guests with both its appearance and the taste of your brew.
The DeLonghi is a bit large but smaller than having both a cappuccino and coffeemaker side by side. It combines all the functionality into one, and it’s hard to go wrong with a price around $250. Even if you are new to making cappuccino, the DeLonghi BC0430 is a great machine to learn with.
Best for simple, straightforward espresso: Hamilton Beach Espresso and Cappucino Maker
When you aren’t in the mood for specialty art and you just want a straightforward espresso, the Hamilton Beach Espresso & Cappucino Maker is the best option out there. This no-frills machine provides you with a frothing wand and two settings: steam and brew. It’s easy to maneuver the filter basket back into place — just pull it down.
The Hamilton Beach Espresso and Cappucino maker puts out a respectable amount of cream. If you like your coffee a bit stronger than normal but you don’t have time to make a fancy cappuccino each and every morning, this machine will give you what you need.
