8 Best Macchiato Machines: How To Make Espresso & Milk Blend?

What is a macchiato machine? How does it work? Is it the same as an espresso machine? How to choose the best one?

We found and gathered answers to all these questions, and many more, to ensure that you can find all the information you need in one place. So let us get started!

The Rundown

What Exactly Is A Macchiato Machine?

Any good espresso machine that comes equipped with an additional frother works perfectly for brewing macchiato.

Different Types You Can Find

As is the case with all categories, macchiato brewers also come in 4 different types you can choose from based on your brewing expertise:

• automatic models are the simplest machines as they usually only have a simple control dial you can switch from brewing to the frothing system.
• fully automatic models come with pre-programmed settings but still provide some adjustable features such as brewing size, strength, etc.
• semi-automatic models are the hardest to master as they don’t have any pre-programmed settings but rather offer complete control over all the brewing parameters they use.
• super-automatic models are the easiest to use as you only need to choose desired brewing program. The machine does everything from grinding and brewing coffee to frothing the milk.

Are They Made For Home Or Professional Use?

The great thing worth knowing is that your choices are not at all limited. You can find machines that are suitable for home use as well as in professional coffee shops and restaurants. If you are in the need of a latter, make sure that it is:

• durable and that it offers exceptional quality (look for stainless steel)
• meets the power requirements (must be higher than 1000 Watts)
• provides efficient performance (meaning it can meet the high requirements)

Consider These Features

Although you might already have your heart set on one machine particularly, there are some things you should think about before you purchase it:

Compact Size

First things first, you don’t want a machine that will slip off your countertops when you try to lock the portafilter into its place. For instance, a 14.48 x 15 x 17.5-inch model is both secure and stable enough and will remain in its position while a somewhat smaller 12.99 x 5.9 x 12.99- inch unit might need to be held by a free hand while you insert the portafilter.

High-Quality Design

Quality is something you want for your brewer wheter you are buying it for home or professional use. The difference is that if you opt for the former, a safe, plastic model can provide you with a great performance as long as the parts that come in contact with the brew are stainless steel. However, the latter needs to be made out of stainless steel, aluminum, or copper to ensure that it can withstand the high demands.

Automation Level

We explained the different automation levels and what each of them entails above. So, if you are a beginner, your best choice is a super-automatic model. On the other hand, if you know what you are doing, you can largely benefit from a semi-automatic model.

Coffee Bean Grinder

There is really no need to say that your coffee grounds need to be at their freshest state to ensure that you get a flavorful brew. Models with a coffee bean grinder will allow you to do just that as they grind beans right before the brewing process begins.

Tamper/Tamping Station

If you opt for a model with a smart tamping station, there is really little left for you to worry about as the machine applies the needed pressure. You can get the same results using a manual tamper only you will need some time to get the hang of its performance.

Temperature Control

Every type of coffee has its precise temperature range at which it should be brewed. For espresso, this is between 160 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The same goes for the frothing system which for the perfect macchiato needs to be around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature control system ensures you can adjust these parameters if they get out of range.

Extraction Pressure

While a 9 bar extraction pressure is generally considered optimal for pulling an espresso shot, it will not provide you with barista-like results. To achieve them, you need a bit more powerful 15 to 20 bar brewer.

Pressure Gauge

Now, this is not a necessity, especially if your machine does not provide pressure control. However, it does come in handy as it allows you to observe to which point the extraction pressure rises during the brewing process.

Frothing Performance

When it comes to brewing the perfect macchiato, apart from the brewing results, the machine’s frothing performance is the next most important thing. In general, you can choose between models with a manual frothing wand and an automatic frothing system. The former provides a higher control level, but the latter is a better option if you are not that experienced with creating a perfect froth.

Steam Control

Steam control allows you to choose how much steam is released during the frothing cycle. This is a great function as it mainly defines wheter you will get a silky smooth milk crema or a thick cappuccino froth.

User-Friendly Features

There are versatile user-friendly features you can look for when deciding which model is the best option for you, some of which are:

• simple, front-mounted control panel
• a coffee grinder and an additional bypass doser
• a transparent and removable water reservoir
• heat-resistant frothing handle
• an ergonomically designed portafilter
• top-mounted cup warming tray
• a removable bottom drip tray

User-friendly functions you can look out for are:

• control buttons with light indicators
• overheat protection system
• automatic energy-efficient shut-off program
• timers and whistle signals

Cleaning Requirements

To be sure that you don’t end up with a brewer you will need to clean for more than an hour, choose one that comes with removable dishwasher-safe parts. Some models even have self-cleaning cycles that take care of the brewing and the frothing mechanism so you are only left with cleaning the machine’s exterior.

8 Best Macchiato Machines

Each of the listed models deserves its place in the “best 8” category. While the first one is a semi-automatic model and provides you with versatile programmable functions, the third one is fully automatic and offers multiple pre-programmed settings you can choose from.

De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine

With its semi-automatic performance, this 19 bar machine is a great choice for experienced brewers. It comes equipped with a powerful grinder that provides multiple adjustments from coarse to fine settings. Its smart tamping station ensures that the perfect amount of pressure is applied onto the grounds for a perfect espresso shot.

Another thing worth mentioning is that both its brewing and the frothing system come with independent heating systems. This means that you get to brew and froth simultaneously. Its separate hot water spout allows you to quickly make an americano, hot tea, or even hot chocolate.

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Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker

As opposed to the previous model, this one is the perfect fit for home use and for beginners. This is due to its fewer and much simpler controls. You still get to customize the shot size to your likings, choose the froth thickness, and adjust the size of the latte you want to brew.

Since its milk frothing system is fully automatic, the machine dispenses the perfect amount of froth straight into your cup. It also features a self-cleaning cycle that will keep your macchiato tasting perfect and ensures that you don’t have to worry about cleaning the brewing system manually.

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Philips Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

This cappuccino and latte espresso machine offers a simple, front-mounted control panel. It features pre-programmed settings for espresso, coffee, americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and hot water. It also provides shot size and brew strength settings you can customize for every brew you make. With its powerful grinder and a bypass doser, you can make the freshest brew with every use.

Note that it comes with an AquaClean water filter. Apart from ensuring that your brew is made using the freshest water, it also keeps the machine from suffering scale damages. Its removable parts are dishwasher-safe so you have to put in the minimum effort into cleaning the brewing system.

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Breville Barista Espresso Machine

The amazing thing about this espresso and macchiato brewer is that it comes with dose control grinding technology. This means that its built-in grinder freshly grinds your coffee beans before every brew and delivers the perfect amount of fine coffee grounds straight into the portafilter.

To start the brewing process, it uses a powerful pre-infusion process to slowly saturate the grounds inside the filter basket. After that, highly pressurized water is pushed through the puck at an optimal temperature level to ensure that your brew is always perfectly extracted.

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DeLonghi 15 Bar Espresso Machine

This is another model that works perfectly for domestic use. It does not come with many programmable features but does offer a simple control dial you can easily switch from the brewing to the frothing system. It provides a powerful 15 bar extraction pressure that ensures amazing performance brew after brew.

Although its water reservoir is located in the back of the machine, you can easily access it by lifting its top lid up. It is completely removable from the machine and can easily be refilled under the tap. The water level is visible from the front of the machine to ensure you know when a refill is required.

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Gevi 15 Bar Espresso Machine

This small machine provides a quick and efficient 25-second heat-up. Combined with a powerful 15 bar extraction pressure, it ensures amazing brewing results in less than a single minute. Its NTC precision temperature control ensures consistent and stable brewing temperature and keeps the machine from overheating.

Its bottom drip tray is completely removable from the unit to ensure that you can fit taller cappuccino cups under the coffee spout. On the other hand, its top works as a cup warming tray. By warming your cups you can ensure that the brew remains at its optimal drinking temperature for a much longer time.

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Chefman 6-in-1 Espresso Machine

With its pre-programmed settings, you can use this home machine for a single and double espresso, cappuccino, and latte. Its control panel is touch-sensitive and allows you to make the desired adjustments within a few seconds. It also offers a convenient internal cleaning function that maintains the brewing system and keeps it ready for the next use.

While its water reservoir provides a capacity of up to 1,8 liters, its milk carafe offers a capacity of up to 500 milliliters. Both are completely removable from the machine to ensure that you can easily clean them and refill them when needed. If you have any leftover milk inside the carafe, you can store it away in the refrigerator for the next use.

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Jura S8 Espresso Machine

Its large touch screen display with versatile settings makes this expensive machine very easy to use. You can always count on the top-quality performance due to its fast and efficient AromaG3 grinder, the powerful pulse extraction process, and intelligent water system that offers a Clearyl smart water filter.

Its frother offers two different position options. When positioned vertically, it creates a perfectly textured milk foam. However, when positioned horizontally, it only heats the milk to the perfect temperature so you can easily brew versatile on-trend specialties.

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Macchiatos, Cappuccinos & Lattes – Differences Explained

The main difference between macchiatos, cappuccinos, and lattes is in how much milk is combined into an espresso shot:

• a macchiato is made by combining an espresso shot with a dollop of hot milk
• a cappuccino is made by combining an espresso shot, hot steamed milk, and a thick layer of milk froth
• a latte is made by combining an espresso shot, a lot of steamed milk, and a thin layer of milk froth

What Are The Ingredients Of A Macchiato?

The classic macchiato consists of an espresso and milk. However, there is a lot of additions you can use to make macchiato taste better or different. Some of the most popular are vanilla, cinnamon and caramel.

What Machine Makes A Caramel Macchiato?

To make a caramel macchiato, you need the same machine as for classic macchiato. Firstly make a cup of macchiato and then just add the
caramel sauce on top.

How To Make A Perfect Macchiato?

There are only 3 simple steps you need to complete to make the most perfect macchiato:

1. Brew an espresso shot using your espresso machine. You need fine ground coffee.
2. Steam milk using a frothing wand up to 160°. Keep the frother’s tip just below the milk’s surface to create froth with perfect consistency.
3. Pour the steamed milk into the brewed espresso and spoon a thin layer of froth atop.

If you are having trouble achieving the desired results, you can check out the video below as it provides you with great brewing information from a professional barista:

Do I Need An Espresso Machine To Make A Macchiato?

An electric espresso machine is not neccessary to make macchiato. You can use also stovetop espresso maker which means moka pot. After you brew an espresso using a moka pot, then make a milk crema using a milk frother. An another option is to use shaker and a microwave. Pour milk into the shaker, close it and shake. Then pour the crema into a cup and place it into a microwave. When volume of milk rises to the top, stop the microwave. Then just add the prepared espresso to creamy milk and macchiato is ready.