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Buying guide

Best espresso machines for latte art

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Sage Oracle Touch: steam boiler, brews and steams at once

    A dedicated boiler powers the steam wand, so extraction and steaming happen at the same time.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Sage Bambino Plus: auto wand, 3 s ThermoJet heat-up

    ThermoJet heating reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Sage Barista Express Impress: manual wand, temp jug

    Intelligent dosing adjusts the dose and assisted tamping gives consistent pressure.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Latte art needs microfoam: milk with tiny, even bubbles and a glossy, wet-paint texture that pours in lines rather than blobs. You only get that from a proper steam wand with steady steam, which is why most bean-to-cup milk carafes are not suited to it. Machines differ in how the steam is made, whether by a separate boiler, a thermoblock or a fast ThermoJet, and in whether the wand is manual or automatic. Automatic wands texture milk to a set temperature for you, while manual wands give more control once you have practised. This guide compares seven espresso machines by steam wand, heating, milk jug and water tank, using only what each listing states. If you want consistent results with little practice, start with an automatic wand. If you want to learn the craft, a manual wand is the better teacher.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · Sage

Sage Oracle Touch: steam boiler, brews and steams at once

The Oracle Touch grinds, doses and tamps 22 g for you, and its self-cleaning steam wand runs from a dedicated boiler so it can brew and steam at once. For hands-off café drinks at home.

In its favour

  • A dedicated boiler powers the steam wand, so extraction and steaming happen at the same time.
  • Sage states the wand produces microfoam that is the perfect canvas for latte art.
  • The touch screen offers espresso, long black, latte, flat white and cappuccino.

Good to know

  • It is the most expensive machine in this guide.
  • At 20.3 kg on the listing it is heavy and needs a sturdy worktop.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Sage Oracle Touch, Bean to Cup Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

No. 2 · Sage

Sage Bambino Plus: auto wand, 3 s ThermoJet heat-up

A compact Sage with ThermoJet heating in 3 seconds, PID control and an automatic steam wand. It suits beginners who already have a grinder or buy fresh ground coffee.

In its favour

  • ThermoJet heating reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds.
  • The automatic steam wand lets you set milk temperature and texture.
  • At 19.5 cm wide it fits almost any worktop, and auto purge resets the temperature after steaming.

Good to know

  • There is no grinder, so you need pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder.
  • Tamping is manual and no assist is listed.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Sage Bambino Plus Compact Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

No. 3 · Sage

Sage Barista Express Impress: manual wand, temp jug

The Impress system sets the dose and assists tamping, so beginners get repeatable pucks from day one. A machine you will not outgrow quickly.

In its favour

  • Intelligent dosing adjusts the dose and assisted tamping gives consistent pressure.
  • A 25-setting conical burr grinder is built in.
  • PID temperature control and pre-infusion help even extraction.

Good to know

  • Milk texturing is manual, which takes some practice.
  • The listing does not mention double wall baskets for beginners.
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Listing title: Sage Barista Express Impress, Bean to Cup Machine, Brushed Stainless S...

No. 4 · Dualit

Dualit Espressivo Pro: dual boiler, 2.8 L tank

A dual boiler machine with an integrated 40-setting burr grinder, steam wand, 2.8 L tank and a warming plate. Suits people who make several milk drinks in a row.

In its favour

  • Dual boilers are listed, so brewing and steaming have their own heat sources.
  • The 2.8 L removable tank is the joint largest in this guide.
  • The burr grinder has 40 settings and removes for cleaning, with a cup warming plate on top.

Good to know

  • The listing does not describe the steam wand's power or holes.
  • A milk jug is not listed among the included parts.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dualit Espressivo Pro Coffee Machine - Dual Boiler - Integrated Coffee...

No. 5 · De'Longhi

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch: Auto LatteArt

La Specialista Touch offers LatteArt technology with a choice of manual or automatic milk frothing, a grinder with sensors and cold brew. For people who want both modes in one machine.

In its favour

  • Auto LatteArt froths milk to a chosen temperature and texture, or you can switch to manual.
  • A 350 ml milk jug, single and double filters and a brush are included.
  • Sensor grinding technology aims for a consistent dose and grind.

Good to know

  • The 1.7 L tank is smaller than the Sage Barista Express's 2 L.
  • The listing does not state the steam heating type or boiler size.
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Listing title: De'Longhi La Specialista Touch - Espresso Machine 10 Preset Drinks Met...

No. 6 · Sage

Sage Barista Express: powerful manual steam wand

The original Barista Express with a 16-setting conical burr grinder, 93°C brew water, low pressure pre-infusion and a powerful manual steam wand. A proven learner's machine.

In its favour

  • Sage says the powerful steam wand makes silky microfoam ready for pouring latte art.
  • A milk jug and hot water outlet are included, the listing states.
  • The 16-setting grinder doses straight into the portafilter, with a 2 L tank.

Good to know

  • Manual tamping and milk texturing take practice.
  • Heating type and steam power are not stated on this listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Sage Barista Express, Bean to Cup Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel

No. 7 · Breville

Breville Barista Max: dry steam for microfoam

A grinder espresso machine with a full size cool touch frother that makes dry steam for microfoam, a 460 ml jug and 2.8 L tank. A simpler, lower-cost learning machine.

In its favour

  • Breville says the frother's dry steam creates velvety microfoam for lattes and flat whites.
  • A 460 ml milk jug and 58 mm tamper are included.
  • The 30-setting conical burr grinder and 2.8 L tank are built in.

Good to know

  • The listing does not state the boiler or heater type behind the steam wand.
  • At 1,100 W it is the lowest powered machine in this guide.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Breville Barista Max Espresso Machine | Latte & Cappuccino Coffee Make...

More buying guides: Milk and frothers

Bean and Crema chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.