Best espresso machines with automatic milk texturing

In its favour

• Barista Assist uses a built-in scale, auto presets and recommendations to balance each coffee.
• An assisted tamper and single, double and Luxe baskets are in the starter kit.
• The automated froth wand steams and whisks at once, with four presets including Cold Froth.

Good to know

• At 17 kg and over 33 cm wide it takes up a lot of worktop.
• The listing does not state the heat-up time.

In its favour

• Grinding, dosing, tamping and milk texturing are all automated.
• Auto Queue lines up steaming or brewing so it starts by itself.
• A 58 mm stainless portafilter holds a 22 g dose, with a 480 ml jug and knock box included.

Good to know

• It is one of the most expensive machines in this guide.
• At 45.5 cm wide and 50.8 cm high it needs a lot of space.

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.

In its favour

• Hands-free milk texturing makes silky microfoam.
• Fourteen presets include flat white, latte, cappuccino and cold brew.
• The 30-setting hardened steel conical grinder doses on demand.

Good to know

• The listing does not detail the milk temperature or texture settings.
• It costs much more than the Bambino Plus.

In its favour

• Auto LatteArt froths milk at 60, 65 or 70°C with three texture profiles.
• Three infusion temperature profiles from 92 to 96°C are listed.
• A stainless steel portafilter takes up to 20 g of coffee.

Good to know

• Single wall baskets are less forgiving of uneven grinding than double wall ones.
• There is no grinder, so you need ground coffee or a separate grinder.

In its favour

• Choose automatic frothing to a set temperature and texture, or switch to manual.
• Cold Brew is made in under 5 minutes with cold extraction, according to De'Longhi.
• A 350 ml milk jug and single and double filters are included.

Good to know

• The listing does not state the number of grind settings.
• The number of milk temperature steps is not given.

In its favour

• A dedicated boiler powers the self-cleaning automatic steam wand.
• Extraction and steaming can happen at the same time.
• The grinder automatically grinds, doses and tamps 22 g.

Good to know

• It is the most expensive machine in this guide.
• Milk settings are not detailed in the listing.

In its favour

• Barista Assist auto-calibrates grind recommendations and monitors brewing.
• The hands-free steam wand makes microfoam with dairy or plant milk.
• It switches between espresso and filter coffee.

Good to know

• The 1.3 L water tank needs regular refilling.
• The number of grind settings is not stated.