

The best machines produced a hot, smooth cup of espresso that had nice depth and wasn't too bitter or acidic with crema that was smooth without any noticeable air bubbles.Īn espresso machine is an investment - especially if you want one with all the bells and whistles. Our favorite machines are easy to set up, simple to use without a user manual, quick to heat up and reasonably fast to brew.

Where applicable, we use the machine's preset options to make cappuccinos and lattes to compare the milk ratio of each and to assess the quality of the frothing. If the machine includes a milk frother, we test it with both skim and oat milk. We also rate the flavor and smoothness of each drink. To find the top performers, we test the timing and temperature of multiple espressos made in a row and note the quality of the crema. And in our most recent test, we rounded up well over 20 espresso machines in the Lab, brewing more than 60 cups of espresso. To find the best home espresso machine, we have tested over 35 espresso machines in the last few decades. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we evaluate each espresso maker for ease of use, brew time, consistency, taste, temperature and noise level. Take note that GE recommends to not use dark roast coffee beans in the machine because they tend to be oily, which can adhere to the machine's components and potentially damage the machine. You can also remove the milk frothing wand for easy cleaning and the entire exterior is easy to wipe down without extra knobs or buttons. We also appreciate that the frothing pitcher has measurement markings which is not common. In our tests, milk heated quickly and foamed nicely. The milk frother tilts to the side so you can froth easily into the included pitcher and operates with a steam button that responds relatively quickly. The water reservoir and hopper are hidden for a sleeker look. In our tests, this machine produced a really beautiful espresso that was silky with a golden brown crema. "My cup" is automatically set to ristretto, but you can change it to your favorite coffee drink in the SmartHQ app. The top of this model has a sleek touchscreen control panel with the following settings: espresso, americano, my cup or hot water. This smart espresso maker connects with the SmartHQ app to help you customize the temperature and grind dosage for your desired strength. Compared to other semi-automatic espresso makers on the market, this machine doesn't take up too much space on your countertop. The Café Affetto is a sleek, design-forward and compact model with Wi-Fi connectivity. On top of assessing how well they made espresso, we also looked for attributes like built-in milk frothers and coffee bean grinders for added convenience. We tested super-automatic, automatic, semi-automatic and capsule machines, picks from popular brands and best-selling machines. In our most recent test, we included well over 20 espresso machines, brewing more than 60 cups of espresso in total.

Cappuccino maker portable#
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has tested all types of coffee makers for decades including pour-over coffee makers, single-cup brewers, French presses, drip coffee makers, portable coffee makers for camping and cold brew coffee makers, just to name a few. There are also combo coffee and espresso machines that allow you to pull an espresso shot or brew a pot of drip coffee depending on your mood.

Super-automatic espresso makers will grind your coffee beans, pack the grounds and make your cup with just the push of a button, while semi-automatic models will require you to learn to fill a hopper (known as a portafilter) with grounds and tamp them evenly. You'll also be able to perfect your latte art and whip up a mean cappuccino. A home espresso maker will not only let you pull a delicious shot of espresso with good "crema" (the creamy, light-colored foam that forms on top of a freshly made espresso).
Cappuccino maker upgrade#
The best espresso machines will help upgrade your coffee bar and make you the barista of your home kitchen. Our top picks remain the same, with new additions from Capresso, Breville and Cafe. We updated this article in March 2023 to ensure all products were in stock and reflect current pricing.
