The 7 Best Coffee Makers For Iced Lattes
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
De'Longhi EC155 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
The De’Longhi EC155 is not 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.
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.
Value
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.
Functionality
Its integrated grinder, PID water temperature control, and programmable settings are just a few of this machine’s great features. We deducted half a star because the frother is unnecessary for making iced lattes.
The Earls Overall Rating
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. It also received rave reviews from the majority of consumers online.
PROs
CONs
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.
Value
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.
Functionality
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 Earls Overall Rating
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.
PROs
CONs
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.
Value
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.
Functionality
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.
The Earls Overall Rating
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. It also received rave reviews from the majority of consumers online.
PROs
CONs
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.
Value
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.
Functionality
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.
The Earls Overall Rating
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.
PROs
CONs
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.
Value
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.
Functionality
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 Earls Overall Rating
The Cuisinart EM-200 comes equipped with a 15-bar pump. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can create some rather watery shots if the grind is too coarse. With diligence, however, you can achieve a well-rounded flavor and a texture that’s just smooth enough.
PROs
CONs
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.
Value
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.
Functionality
The low price of the Mueller Nespresso compatible almost guarantees a short list of features. The same holds true of its espresso-only functioning. 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 Earls Overall Rating
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.
PROs
CONs
De'Longhi EC155 Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
The De’Longhi EC155 is not 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.
Value
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.
Functionality
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.
The Earls Overall Rating
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.
PROs
CONs
Parting Shots
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.