With so many different kinds of espresso machines available out there, it’s become very difficult to know which one is best for making the perfect iced latte. Fortunately, this post tackles this problem directly, with detailed reviews of the 7 best coffee makers for iced lattes
A cup of hot coffee or an espresso are both great ways to start out the day. They’re also just fine for the 2:30 energy burst that so many of us need to finish the afternoon at something close to full speed. But other coffee lovers want something a little different. Delicious and refreshing, an iced latte is the drink of choice for picky aficionados and beginners alike. The question is: how do you make them at home?
The answer is simple. All you need is espresso, ice, milk, and one of the 7 best coffee makers for iced lattes that we review below
Iced Lattes: An Overview
Coffee doesn’t have to be complicated, but there are a few key points to keep in mind as you read through our list:
- An iced latte is made of espresso and milk and poured over ice
- Espresso is cut to a much finer grain than regular coffee
- A standard coffee maker uses a simple drip process to make coffee
- An espresso machine uses high amounts of pressure to push water rapidly through the grounds
As you can see, you don’t need a machine with a frother to make a fantastic iced latte. That’s why we toyed with the idea of restricting our list to espresso-only machines before deciding to be more inclusive. While our focus here is on iced lattes, most people want an espresso machine that can make the whole spectrum of specialized coffee drinks.
Comparison Chart
Detailed Reviews of the Best Coffee Machines for Making Iced Lattes
Breville Barista Express
Breville’s Barista Express tops our list for a number of reasons. First, it delivers a perfect shot of espresso in a matter of minutes. It also has an elegant stainless steel design that won’t take up to much space on your counter. Perhaps just as importantly, The Barista Express offers the programmable doses and water temperature control that picky coffee lovers need to craft the perfect iced latte every time they turn on the machine.
Product Highlights
The Barista Express is a beautiful machine that makes a fantastic shot of espresso. Additionally, when compared to the entire spectrum of espresso machines, the price is more reasonable that it seems at first glance.
The Good
Its integrated grinder, PID water temperature control, and programmable settings are just a few of this machine’s great features. This machine extracts the perfect balance out of the Nespresso coffee capsules and brews an espresso shot that combines nuanced flavors with a satisfyingly delicate texture.
The Bad
It received rave reviews from the majority of consumers online, but we deducted half a star because the frother is unnecessary for making iced lattes. Moreover, its high price makes it out of reach for other consumers.
PROs
- Brews a rich, creamy espresso that is noticeably better than that produced by much more expensive machines.
- Comes equipped with a built-in grinder
- PID Adjustable water temperature
- Controls shot size automatically
- Programmable settings that maintain a consistent water level during each brew cycle
- A high capacity (67 oz) water tank
CONs
- Relatively high price of the Barista Express puts it just out of reach for some consumers
- Requires more effort than super-automatic espresso machines
- Sometimes leaves leftover coffee grounds in the drip tray, creating a great deal of coffee sludge very quickly
- A narrow range of grinding capabilities, despite the presence of the integrated grinder
Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine, RI9380
This stainless-steel beauty placed a close second to Breville’s Barista Express in the fight for iced latte supremacy. And although it fell just a little short, there’s a lot to like about Gaggia’s Classic Pro Espresso Machine. Despite the difficulties it can present beginners, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best coffee machines for iced lattes.
Product Highlights
Priced at about $450, the Gaggia Pro Espresso Machine comes with great expectations. Fortunately, it meets these expectations and then some. Based on quality alone, this product would easily receive a perfect rating, but its high cost brings it down a half star.
The Good
With its commercial-grade steam wand and a 58 mm portafilter, this machine is capable of brewing cafe quality espresso drinks. Additionally, the three-way solenoid valve gets rid of the leftover steam and water that can make subsequent pulls taste burnt. Unfortunately, the fact that it doesn’t come with a grinder is almost a deal breaker for people whose counters are already crowded.
The Bad
This is a machine that does not disappoint when it comes to brewing a consistently magnificent shot of espresso. The same holds true of the espresso’s texture. From body to crema, The Gaggia Pro Espresso Machine produces a shot that’s perfectly balanced every time out. But, it does not come with a grinder.
PROs
- Commercial-grade power and durability in a relatively small size
- Simple settings for highly customized shots
- Made by an old Italian that’s known for its high-quality coffee machines
- Advanced solenoid valve to prevent burnt coffee
- Minimal controls for simple operation
CONs
- Does not come equipped with a grinder
- Requires vigilant care to stay in top working order
- The housing of the unit has potentially hazardous stainless-steel edges
- Semi-automatic operation can make it difficult for beginners to use
De’Longhi Nespresso Citiz Espresso Machine with Optional Aeroccino Milk Frother
Reasonably priced and capable of delivering a great shot of espresso, The De’Longhi Citiz Espresso maker is an ideal choice for many coffee lovers. The machine’s exclusive use of Nespresso capsules can sometimes be frustrating to the aficionado, but their convenience and easy cleanup offset these frustrations for the average user.
Product Highlights
Coming in at cost of under $200 and able to create a delicious espresso, The De’Longhi Citriz offers considerable value. However, the durability concerns of some reviewers force us to take away one star.
The Good
The De’Longhi Citriz makes a delicious espresso, but features are definitely not its strong suit. The automatic shut off and optional milk frother are nice options, but this is a product that emphasizes function over flash. This machine extracts the perfect balance out of the Nespresso coffee capsules and brews an espresso shot that combines nuanced flavors with a satisfyingly delicate texture.
The Bad
It received rave reviews from the majority of consumers online. But it can have mechanical problems on other occasions, like excessive vibration and noise.
PROs
- Optional Aeroccino Milk Frother
- Creates coffeehouse style espresso from Nespresso Capsules
- Rapid heating system heats water to perfect temperature in under 30 seconds
- Versatile enough to create the entire spectrum of single-serve coffee drinks
- Attractive, compact design
CONs
- Milk frother can sometimes behave erratically
- Durability concerns
- Less flexibility with the exclusive usage of Nespresso Capsules
- Occasional mechanical problems such as excessive vibration and noise
The ROK Manual EspressoGC
First, the ROK EspressoGC is a completely manual machine. Nothing is automatic – you have complete control over aspect of the espresso brewing process. Depending on what kind of espresso experience you want, this can be a good or a very annoying thing. But with practice, patience, and a high-quality grinder, this traditional machine can help you make an iced latte like none you’ve ever tasted before.
Product Highlights
If you accept the premise of a manual espresso maker, the ROK EspressoGC is actually a fantastic value. It costs significantly less than most manual models and does what it’s designed to do perfectly.
The Good
The five star flavor and texture rating comes with a huge caveat: You won’t get a decent shot of espresso from this machine until you know what you’re doing. However, once you get the hang of it, there’s no better way to craft delicious espresso than through manual operation.
The Bad
It goes without saying that this is a no-frills kind of machine. If you’re looking for features, then you’re probably not interested in a manual espresso maker in the first place. It is difficult to make several espresso shots in a short period of time.
PROs
- Completely manual operation (a con for some)
- No electricity required
- Lightweight and compact in size
- Allows for large amounts of experimentation
- High pressure brewing through a piston gasket
CONs
- Steep learning curve involved
- Time consuming
- Requires a high-quality grinder
- Requires patience and willingness to ruin a bit of espresso
- Difficult to make several espresso shots in a short amount of time
Cuisinart’s EM-200 Espresso Maker
The Cuisinart EM-200 is a good product that has a few significant flaws. These flaws are largely offset by the product’s low price, but experienced espresso drinkers should look elsewhere. All in all, however, this Cuisinart entry remains the best machine in its price range.
Product Highlights
The EM-200 delivers a decent shot of espresso at a low price. There are are durability concerns – especially with the steam wand – but these are somewhat offset by a decent warranty.
The Good
With both manual and programmable settings, the EM-200 offers both versatility and convenience. The large reservoir is definitely a plus, as is the cup-warming plate it comes with. The Cuisinart EM-200 comes equipped with a 15-bar pump. With diligence, you can achieve a well-rounded flavor and a texture that’s just smooth enough.
The Bad
While its 15-bar pump isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can create some rather watery shots if the grind is too coarse. Some machines, however, have durability issues, and its steam performance can be erratic.
PROs
- 64 Oz. Removable Water Reservoir
- Manual and automatic brew settings
- Low Price
- Great tasting espresso with thick crema
- Comes with 3-year warranty
CONs
- Durability issues with some machines
- The performance of the steam can be erratic
- Weighs over 25 pounds
- Can become extremely hot while turned on
- Heats up rather slowly
The Mueller Nespresso Capsule Compatible Espresso Machine
We include the Mueller Nespresso Compatible Espresso Machine on our list because it’s an affordable way to brew a decent shot of espresso. However, experienced espresso drinkers might want to look elsewhere due to its lack of pressure and espresso-only functionality.
Product Highlights
Again, this is an inexpensive machine that makes a fair shot of espresso. However, it has enough limitations in terms of features and performance to make it less of a value for experienced espresso drinkers.
The Good
The low price of the Mueller Nespresso only guarantees a short list of features. This is a good starter espresso maker, but it’s simply not intended to be the feature-rich machine that many consumers are after.
The Bad
Though some reviewers have complained about frequent Nespresso capsule fails, they do offer the subtle flavors and firm texture that espresso lovers desire. The Mueller Nespresso Compatible coffee machine received a 3. 5 star rating that was largely based on consumer satisfaction. There has been reported reviews on how it is a challenge to load the capsules.
PROs
- Makes an exceptional shot of espresso despite its bargain price
- Compact size saves on counter space
- Large water reservoir for its size
- Easy operation makes it ideal for beginners
- Rapid heating system makes for a quick shot
CONs
- Some reviewers have reported difficulties when loading the capsules
- Nespresso capsules tend to produce a thin layer of crema
- Few complains on inconsistent performance
- Noisier than more expensive machines
De’Longhi EC155 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
The De’Longhi EC155 may not be a great machine, but it does produce a drinkable shot of espresso at a very low price. It’s probably best suited for beginners and people who prefer specialty drinks like iced lattes, mochas, etc.
Product Highlights
The EC155 is inexpensive and easy to use. It also makes a decent iced latte. Taken together, these qualities make it a machine worth having.
The Good
This is an attractive but no-frills machine. Beyond a removable water tank, this De’Longhi model runs short on advanced features. It brews espresso and it foams milk fairly well, but that’s about it. This machine is also great for beginners. Its compact size makes it a good choice for small spaces.
The Bad
This is not really the machine to use if you’re fond of drinking straight espresso. However, drinks with milk and extra flavoring come out just fine. Along with the decent reviews it received online, we’ve given the EC155 a well-deserved 3.5 star rating. But its low pressure pump can result to poor-tasting espresso, and a clogged machine.
PROs
- Affordable
- Great for beginners
- Compact size makes it a good choice for small spaces
- Makes excellent espresso drinks when they’re paired with steamed or cold milk
CONs
- Makes average tasting espresso
- Inconsistent water temperature control
- Erratic performance, especially with lighter beans
- Low pressure pump can lead to poor tasting espresso and a clogged machine
Conclusion
Imagine yourself and your loved ones sitting by a lake and savoring the beauty of nature while enjoying a cup of rich, flavorful coffee. Those little pleasures in life can bring us good and lasting memories. We bring you our list of the best open fire camping coffee pots because you deserve the best outdoor experience. So, grab those backpacks and get that perfect camping coffee pot and go on an adventure!
It is also interesting to know that folks in South East Asia use a coffee sock to brew their coffee, and it can also make your Ice Latte as well! Find out more about coffee makers.