Finding the perfect latte coffee machine

I'm writing this post to help you find the right coffee machine for your morning latte. My goal is to help guide you in the right direction.

Sadly, as with Unicorns and pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, you'll never find a latte machine. Fret not, I know what you're looking for. It has been called many different things: a steam wand, an espresso machine, or an espresso maker.

You might not believe it, but there is no real latte machine

Machines like to be labeled in a certain way, but the label is wrong. Cappuccino machines for example are actually just coffee makers that make cappuccinos. You'll see lots of coffee makers being labeled as “Cappuccino Machine”, but this is just brands focusing on the most popular drinks as a marketing tactic.

What is a latte?

A latte is equal parts espresso and milk or milk alternative that has been heated, frothed, and textured.

A long coffee drink is the same—only with a different ratio of espresso to milk and different texture (from foamy to frothy).

In order to make a latte, you need an espresso machine that produces steamed milk.

I heard you're looking for an espresso machine?

Yes, although it's not always so easy. There are many different types of espresso machines and it seems like you're looking for a Latte-specific machine.

I'll explain more in the next sentence. You need an espresso machine with a way to heat and texturize milk, but most have these features. There are some models that don't have them, but they're rare. The difference between the different machine models vary by both type of machine and specific model, so I won't go into detail here, but each has their own perks.

When it comes to espresso machines, there are two main options: bean-to-cup coffee machines and traditional espresso machines. Traditional espresso machines have portafilters (filter handles) and typically come with a built-in or external grinder for dosing the filter basket. Tamping the coffee is also required before inserting the portafilter into the group to manually pull the shot, followed by manual steaming of milk in a jug and pouring it into the espresso to make your latte, or whatever type of espresso-based drink you're making. Given that you're reading this post about latte machines, I'm guessing that you're interested in latte