Best Automatic Espresso Machines with Milk Frother
One-touch milk is the reason most people buy an automatic espresso machine, and it’s also where they differ most. I used 26 machines with built-in frothers as my everyday coffee maker for four weeks each, making hundreds of lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites. For most people, I recommend the KitchenAid KF8: more than 40 drinks, six profiles, a plant-milk setting and two full milk drinks in one go, from one of the quietest machines I’ve tested.
Michael Reynolds
Buying Guide
26 models · 5 picks
4 weeks per machine
I choose products independently, based on hands-on testing. We may earn a commission through links on this page; your price stays the same. Affiliate policy
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In this guide
The short answer
- Best overall: the KitchenAid KF8. Two milk drinks at once, a plant-milk setting, six profiles and over 40 drinks.
- Best espresso and foam balance: the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus. Dense espresso and a thermal milk carafe with adjustable foam.
- Best slim machine: the Gaggia Magenta Prestige. A carafe that pours milk or coffee first, under 9 inches wide.
- Easiest to clean: the Philips 3200. A two-part LatteGo jug with no tubes that rinses in seconds.
- Easiest to learn: the Jura E8. 17 one-touch drinks, clear controls and dense, silky foam.
Our picks at a glance
KitchenAid KF8
Two full milk drinks in one go, a plant-milk setting, six profiles and more than 40 drinks, very quietly.
De'Longhi Dinamica Plus
Dense, chocolatey espresso and a thermal milk carafe with adjustable foam density.
Gaggia Magenta Prestige
A one-touch carafe that knows which drinks need milk first, in a body under 9 inches wide.
Philips 3200 Series
A two-part LatteGo jug with no tubes that rinses clean in about ten seconds.
Jura E8
17 one-touch drinks, clear controls, automatic cleaning prompts and dense, silky foam.
Prices change often. Click through to see the current price on Amazon.
Compare the best automatic espresso machines with milk frother
Scores come from my four weeks with each machine. Specifications come from manufacturer documentation and my own measurements. "Not listed" means I couldn’t confirm the figure.
| 5 models compared | Best overall | Best balance | Slimmest | Easiest clean | Easiest to learn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My test scores | |||||
| Overall score | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| Milk drinks | 8.9 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Espresso | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| Ease of use | 9.0 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.9 |
| Cleaning | 8.2 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Milk system | |||||
| Design | Milk container, tube | Thermal carafe | Carafe | LatteGo jug, no tubes | Tube to container |
| Two milk drinks at once | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Adjustable foam | ✓ | ✓ | Not listed | ✕ | ✓ |
| Plant-milk setting | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Milk temperature, measured | ~62°C | ~63°C | ~61°C | ~55°C | ~50°C |
| Features | |||||
| One-touch drinks | 40+ | 16 | 12 | 5 | 17 |
| Profiles | 6 | 3 | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Water tank | 2.5 L | 1.8 L | 1.8 L | 1.8 L | 1.9 L |
| Best for | Families who want every milk drink, for everyone, at once. | People who want strong espresso under their milk. | Small kitchens that want one-touch milk drinks. | Anyone who hates cleaning milk systems. | First-time owners who want simple, reliable milk drinks. |
My test scores at a glance
Every machine was scored on milk drinks, espresso, ease of use and cleaning. For this guide, I weighted milk drinks most heavily, because that’s why you’d buy one.
The KF8 and Dinamica Plus tied for the best milk at 8.9. The KF8 is my top pick because it makes two milk drinks at once, handles plant milk best and is far quieter.
Espresso still matters in a milk machine. In blind tastings, my household consistently preferred lattes from the machines with stronger shots, even when the foam was similar.
Editorial scores from four weeks of daily use per machine.
| Best in each category | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Milk drinks | KitchenAid KF8 and De’Longhi Dinamica Plus (tie) | 8.9 |
| Espresso under milk | De’Longhi Dinamica Plus | 8.8 |
| Ease of use | KitchenAid KF8 | 9.0 |
| Cleaning | Philips 3200 | 8.5 |
| Plant milk | KitchenAid KF8 | Plant-milk setting |
Our tip: Buy for the milk drink you make most, because foam quality varies far more than espresso between machines.
How I tested
I’m a former line cook with an SCA certificate in barista skills, and I’ve tested kitchen appliances for HouseholdMe since 2018. For this guide, I used 26 automatic machines with milk frothers as my everyday coffee maker for four weeks each.
I measured every milk drink’s temperature with a probe thermometer, judged foam texture and stability, tested whole, 2%, skim and barista oat milk, and timed every cleaning step. I counted refills and checked my notes against manufacturer manuals.
For the milk tests, I bought the same brands of whole, 2%, skim and barista oat milk every week and always used them straight from the fridge, so the machines were compared on equal terms.
How automatic milk frothers work
Every machine in this guide froths milk at one touch. But there are three very different designs, and they decide how your foam tastes and how long cleaning takes.
Carafes
A milk carafe✕Milk carafea jug that clips onto the machine. Milk is drawn up, frothed with steam and air, and poured into the cup at one touch. clips onto the front. Steam pulls milk up, mixes in air and pours foam straight into your cup; the carafe stores in the fridge between drinks.
Carafes made some of the best foam I tested. They need a rinse cycle after each drink and a full wash each day.
Tube to a container
Some machines draw milk through a thin tube from a glass, carton or container. Foam is often the finest microfoam✕Microfoammilk foam with bubbles so small you can’t see them. It feels silky, pours smoothly and blends into the espresso. of all, and the machine rinses the tube automatically.
The tube and frothing head still need a daily clean, and the tubes need replacing every few months.
Tubeless jugs
Philips’ LatteGo froths milk in a small chamber at the front of a two-part jug. There are no tubes, so it rinses clean in seconds.
The foam has slightly bigger bubbles. It’s creamy for cappuccinos and a little airy for flat whites.
| Carafe | Tube to container | Tubeless jug | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam texture | Fine and creamy | Finest | Creamy, slightly airy |
| Cleaning after each drink | Rinse cycle | Automatic rinse | 10-second rinse |
| Daily cleaning | Full wash | Head and tube clean | Rinse or dishwasher |
| Store milk in it | Yes | Depends on container | No |
| Example | Dinamica Plus, Magenta Prestige | KitchenAid KF8, Jura E8 | Philips 3200 |
Editorial scores from four weeks of daily use.
Why milk drinks matter so much
Lattes and cappuccinos are among the most popular coffee drinks in the US. A 2026 specialty coffee report found lattes led weekly espresso-based drinking at 21%, ahead of straight espresso at 20% and cappuccinos at 17%.
That’s why the milk system deserves more of your attention than any other feature.
The KF8 makes two full milk drinks in one cycle.
Who should buy an automatic machine with a frother?
Anyone who drinks lattes, cappuccinos or flat whites most days and doesn’t want to learn steaming. If you only drink milk drinks at weekends, a machine with a simple steam wand saves daily cleaning.
Our picks in depth
1. KitchenAid KF8
The KitchenAid KF8 is the most complete milk machine I’ve tested. It makes more than 40 drinks, stores six profiles, offers a plant-milk setting✕Plant-milk settinga milk program tuned for oat, almond or soy drinks, which foam differently from dairy. It changes steam and air so plant milks don’t turn watery or overheat. and makes two full milk drinks in one go.
It’s also one of the quietest bean-to-cup machines I’ve used. It asks for a big counter and regular milk cleaning in return.
Two milk drinks at once
Most machines make two black coffees at once but only one milk drink. The KF8 makes two cappuccinos or two lattes side by side, which cut my weekend breakfast routine in half.
Milk or coffee first
You can choose whether milk or coffee goes into the cup first. Milk first gave me a layered latte macchiato; coffee first gave a proper flat white.
Plant milk that actually foams
The plant-milk setting adjusts steam and air for oat, almond and soy drinks. Barista oat milk foamed almost as well as whole milk, and even a regular almond drink held a decent foam.
Foam quality
Foam was dense, silky and hot, scoring 8.9. Flat whites had glossy microfoam✕Microfoammilk foam with bubbles so small you can’t see them. It feels silky, pours smoothly and blends into the espresso.; cappuccinos held a tall cap for several minutes.
The KF8 makes two full milk drinks in one cycle.
Six profiles and a quiet grinder
Six profiles covered my whole family plus a guest. The grinder was one of the quietest I’ve measured.
Espresso
Under all that milk, the KF8’s espresso held up well, scoring 8.6. A short pre-infusion✕Pre-infusiona short soak of the coffee puck with low-pressure water before full pressure arrives. It helps water flow evenly through the coffee. soaked the coffee first, and shots stayed consistent across a busy week.
Who it suits best
The KF8 suits busy households where several people drink milk drinks every day, including someone on plant milk.
What to know before you buy
It’s large, so measure your counter. The milk system needs cleaning daily.
For the best one-touch milk drinks for a family, the KF8 is my pick.
- Two milk drinks in one cycle
- Plant-milk setting
- Six profiles
- Very quiet
- Large footprint
- Daily milk cleaning
- Big outlay
- Families who drink milk drinks
- Oat and plant milk users
- Weekend brunch hosts
- Small kitchens
- Black coffee drinkers
- Tight budgets
Choose this if you want the best one-touch milk drinks for several people, including plant milk. Read my full KitchenAid KF8 review.
2. De'Longhi Dinamica Plus
The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus matched the KF8 for milk, scoring 8.9, and made stronger espresso underneath. Its thermal LatteCrema carafe keeps milk cold on the counter and makes dense, glossy foam.
It adds three profiles and a clear touchscreen in a slim body. The app is slow, and the carafe needs daily cleaning.
Strong espresso under the milk
A latte is only as good as the espresso in it. The Dinamica Plus’s shot, after grinding two steps finer, was the richest of my picks, so lattes still tasted of coffee.
Adjustable foam
You can choose foam density per drink. Light foam made silky flat whites; full foam made a classic cappuccino.
Our tip: Store the carafe in the fridge between drinks, and it keeps milk cold for longer on slow mornings.
The thermal carafe
The double-walled carafe kept milk cold on the counter during a long breakfast. Drinks came out at about 63°C, hot but not scalded.
The thermal carafe keeps milk cold on the counter.
Getting the most from it
Grind two steps finer than the factory setting and raise the dose✕Dosethe weight of ground coffee used for one brew. A classic double shot uses roughly 14 to 18 grams. to the strongest aroma for milk drinks. Those two changes made my lattes taste far more of coffee.
Who it suits best
The Dinamica Plus suits flat white and cappuccino drinkers who want strong espresso and silky milk.
What to know before you buy
The carafe needs a Clean cycle after each drink and a daily wash. It makes one milk drink at a time.
For the best balance of espresso and milk, the Dinamica Plus is excellent.
- Joint-best milk
- Richest espresso of my picks
- Adjustable foam
- Thermal carafe
- Daily carafe cleaning
- Slow app
- One milk drink at a time
- Flat white lovers
- Strong coffee fans
- Two or three users
- Big families making many drinks at once
- People who hate carafes
- Plant-milk-only homes
Choose this if you want strong espresso and silky milk in one slim machine. Read my full De'Longhi Dinamica Plus review.
3. Gaggia Magenta Prestige
The Gaggia Magenta Prestige puts a one-touch milk carafe in a body under 9 inches wide. Its carafe knows which drinks need milk first and which need espresso first.
It made full, sweet espresso and smooth cappuccinos at a single tap. The carafe asks for daily attention.
Milk in the right order
For a latte macchiato, milk goes in first for layers. For a flat white, espresso goes first and milk follows, which tasted smoother.
Foam
Foam was creamy and stable, scoring 8.4. Cappuccinos held their cap well.
Our tip: Use the double-shot flat white for big mugs, so the coffee stays strong under the milk.
Espresso
The espresso was full and sweet, scoring 8.5, with more body than most slim machines.
The Magenta Prestige is under 9 inches wide.
Daily routine
After the last milk drink, I ran the carafe rinse and put it in the fridge. Once a day, it came apart for a wash, which took about two minutes.
Who it suits best
The Magenta Prestige suits small kitchens and couples who drink cappuccinos and flat whites.
What to know before you buy
There are no profiles, and the carafe needs a daily wash. It makes one milk drink at a time.
For one-touch milk drinks in a small space, the Magenta Prestige is my pick.
- Under 9 inches wide
- Smart milk order
- Full, sweet espresso
- 12 drinks
- No profiles
- Daily carafe wash
- One milk drink at a time
- Small kitchens
- Couples
- Flat white drinkers
- Big families
- Plant-milk-only homes
- People who want a touchscreen
Choose this if you want one-touch milk drinks from a very slim machine. Read my full Gaggia Magenta Prestige review.
4. Philips 3200 Series
The Philips 3200 has the easiest milk system to clean of any machine I’ve tested. Its two-part LatteGo jug has no tubes and rinses clean in about ten seconds.
Its espresso is mild and the milk runs a little cool. If cleaning is what you dread, nothing beats it.
Ten-second cleaning
Pull the jug apart and rinse it under the tap, or put it in the dishwasher. In four weeks, I never had to scrub it.
Foam
Foam was plentiful and creamy, with slightly bigger bubbles than a carafe. It scored 7.8.
Espresso and temperature
The espresso is mild, from a dose of about 8 grams. Milk came out around 55°C, which is fine to drink straight away but cooler than some expect.
LatteGo’s two parts rinse in seconds.
Making it taste stronger
Use the strongest aroma setting and grind one step finer on the conical burr grinder✕Conical burr grindertwo cone-shaped grinding rings, one inside the other, that crush beans to an even size. Even grounds extract evenly, so the cup tastes less bitter and less sour.. In a cappuccino, that made the 3200’s coffee noticeably more present.
Who it suits best
The 3200 suits anyone who drinks cappuccinos and hates cleaning.
What to know before you buy
There are no profiles, and the milk is a little cool. Espresso lovers should look higher up.
For the easiest one-touch milk, the Philips 3200 is the one.
- Easiest milk cleaning I’ve tested
- No tubes
- Dishwasher-safe jug
- Simple controls
- Mild espresso
- Milk a little cool
- No profiles
- People who hate cleaning
- Cappuccino drinkers
- First-time owners
- Espresso lovers
- Families who want profiles
- Anyone who likes very hot milk
Choose this if you want one-touch milk drinks with almost no cleaning. Read my full Philips 3200 Series review.
5. Jura E8
The Jura E8 is the easiest milk machine to learn. It covers 17 drinks from ristretto to latte macchiato, tracks its own filter and cleaning, and makes dense, silky foam.
Its milk and hot water come out cooler than I’d like, at about 50°C. The brew unit is sealed inside.
Dense, silky foam
Milk is drawn through a tube from a glass or carton, and the foam was fine and silky. Texture was excellent; temperature was the weak point.
Our tip: Warm your cup with hot water before a milk drink on the E8, because the milk runs cool.
Easy controls
The display and buttons are clear, and the machine tells you exactly when to clean, change the filter or empty the tray.
Automatic milk rinse
After each milk drink, the E8 prompts a rinse of the milk system. Once a day, I ran the milk cleaning program with a tablet.
The E8’s controls are among the clearest I’ve used.
Drinks I made most
The latte macchiato was the E8’s best milk drink, with clean layers in a tall glass. Cappuccinos were good, and the flat white was pleasant if a little cool.
Who it suits best
The E8 suits first-time owners who want reliable milk drinks and clear guidance.
What to know before you buy
Milk runs cool, and the sealed brew unit is cleaned with tablets rather than rinsed. Hot drink lovers should consider the KF8 or Dinamica Plus.
For the simplest route to good milk drinks, the Jura E8 is reliable.
- 17 one-touch drinks
- Silky foam texture
- Clear controls
- Tracks filter and cleaning
- Milk runs cool
- Sealed brew unit
- No profiles
- First-time owners
- People who want clear guidance
- Latte macchiato fans
- Very hot milk lovers
- Tinkerers
- Big families
Choose this if you want the simplest, most guided milk machine. Read my full Jura E8 review.
My test data: temperature, texture and milk types
Milk is where automatic machines differ most, so I measured it carefully. These are the numbers from four weeks with each pick.
Milk temperature
Milk tastes sweetest between about 55 and 65°C. Below that, a latte tastes lukewarm; above 70°C, milk starts to taste cooked.
Milk temperature measured in the cup, right after pouring.
Foam by milk type
I tested every pick with four milks. Whole milk foamed best everywhere; barista oat milk was the best non-dairy option.
| Machine | Whole milk | 2% milk | Barista oat | Regular almond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KitchenAid KF8 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 6.8 |
| De’Longhi Dinamica Plus | 8.9 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 5.6 |
| Gaggia Magenta Prestige | 8.4 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 5.3 |
| Philips 3200 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 5.1 |
| Jura E8 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 5.4 |
Foam stability
I timed how long a cappuccino’s foam cap held before collapsing by half. Finer bubbles last longer.
My measurements with whole milk.
Daily milk cleaning
My estimate of hands-on daily milk cleaning.
Our tip: Use fresh, cold milk straight from the fridge, because warm milk foams poorly on every machine.
The KF8 handled barista oat milk almost as well as dairy.
Plant milk on automatic machines
More people drink oat, almond or soy milk than ever, and they foam differently from dairy. This is what I learned.
Why plant milks are harder
Dairy milk’s proteins trap air and make stable foam. Many plant drinks have less protein, so foam collapses fast or turns watery.
Barista versions add a little fat and stabilizer, which makes a huge difference. In my tests, barista oat milk scored up to two points higher than regular almond drink.
| Plant milk | Foam quality | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Barista oat | Very good | Lattes and flat whites |
| Barista soy | Good | Cappuccinos |
| Regular oat | Fair | Lattes |
| Regular almond | Poor | Not recommended for foam |
| Coconut drink | Poor to fair | Iced drinks |
Our tip: Buy barista versions of plant milk for an automatic frother, because regular versions rarely hold a foam.
The plant-milk setting
The KitchenAid KF8’s plant-milk setting changes steam and air for non-dairy drinks. It noticeably reduced the watery, bubbly texture I got from plant milk on the other machines.
Cleaning with plant milk
Plant milks leave less residue than dairy, but they still need the same cleaning routine. Some barista oat milks with added oils can build up faster in tubes.
Which one is right for you?
4 quick questionsAnswer four questions, and I’ll point you to the machine with a milk frother that fits how you drink coffee.
Or find your morning below
Two milk drinks at once and a plant-milk setting.
Dense espresso and silky, adjustable foam.
One-touch milk under 9 inches wide.
LatteGo has no tubes to clean.
Clear controls and cleaning prompts.
Six profiles and two drinks per cycle.
What to look for in an automatic machine with a milk frother
These are the milk features that changed my daily routine, in the order I’d check them.
Milk system design
| You want | Look for | My pick |
|---|---|---|
| The finest foam for several people | Container and tube, two at once | KitchenAid KF8 |
| Strong espresso and silky foam | Thermal carafe | De’Longhi Dinamica Plus |
| One-touch milk in a small kitchen | Slim carafe | Gaggia Magenta Prestige |
| The least cleaning | Tubeless jug | Philips 3200 |
| Simple, guided routine | Tube with cleaning prompts | Jura E8 |
Adjustable foam
Being able to choose foam density lets you make both a silky flat white and a tall cappuccino. The KF8, Dinamica Plus and E8 let you adjust it.
Milk temperature
If you like hot drinks, check the milk temperature. In my tests, it ranged from about 50°C to 63°C.
Our tip: If your machine’s milk runs cool, preheat your cup with hot water, because a cold mug steals several degrees.
Two drinks at once
For families, making two milk drinks at once is a big time saver. The KF8 was the only pick that does it.
Plant milk
If you use oat or almond milk, look for a plant-milk setting or test barista versions. The KF8 handled plant milk best.
Espresso strength
A latte is mostly milk, so a weak espresso disappears. The Dinamica Plus and KF8 made the strongest coffee under milk.
Capacity for milk drinks
Milk drinks use less water per cup than long coffees, but a busy household still empties a tank quickly. The KF8’s 2.5-liter tank was the most generous of my picks.
What extra money buys you
This is what spending more added to milk drinks in my tests.
| Feature | Entry level | Mid-range | Premium | Does it change the drink? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk system | Jug or simple wand | Carafe | Container and tube, two at once | Yes |
| Foam control | None | A few levels | Fine control, plant setting | Yes |
| Espresso under milk | Mild | Good | Strong | Yes |
| Profiles | None | 2–3 | 4–6 | No, but handy |
| Drinks | A few | Around 15 | 40 or more | No |
Up to the mid-range, extra money buys noticeably better foam and stronger espresso. Beyond that, it mostly buys capacity and convenience, like two drinks at once and more profiles.
Automatic frother vs a steam wand
Some buyers weigh a one-touch frother against a machine with a manual steam wand. This is how they compared.
| Automatic frother | Manual steam wand | |
|---|---|---|
| Skill needed | None | Practice |
| Foam quality | Good to excellent | Best, with skill |
| Time per latte | About a minute | Two to three minutes |
| Consistency | Same every time | Depends on you |
| Cleaning | Rinse cycles and daily wash | Wipe and purge |
| Latte art | No | Yes, with practice |
For busy households, an automatic frother wins easily. If you enjoy the craft or want latte art, my guide to the best espresso machines with a built-in grinder covers machines with great steam wands.
How to get café-quality foam at home
Even the best machine makes poor foam with the wrong milk or a dirty frother. These habits made the biggest difference in my testing.
- Use cold, fresh milk
Milk straight from the fridge foams far better than milk that has warmed on the counter.
- Choose whole or barista milk
Fat and protein make stable foam. Whole milk and barista oat milk were best on every machine.
- Keep the frother spotless
Even a thin film of dried milk makes foam bubbly and thin.
- Match foam to the drink
Light foam for flat whites, medium for lattes, full for cappuccinos.
- Preheat your cup
A warm cup keeps a milk drink hot for longer.
What changed foam quality most across my test machines.
Our tip: Never refroth milk left in a carafe or jug from earlier, because reheated milk foams poorly and tastes flat.
Milk drinks explained: what each one should be
Automatic machines name their milk drinks differently, and the results vary. This is what each classic drink should be, and how I judged it.
| Drink | Espresso | Milk | Foam | What I looked for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cappuccino | Single or double | A little | A thick cap | Tall foam that holds |
| Flat white | Double | A little more | A thin, silky layer | Glossy microfoam, strong coffee |
| Latte | Single or double | Lots | A thin layer | Smooth, sweet, not milky-weak |
| Latte macchiato | Single, added last | Lots | A layer on top | Clean layers in a glass |
| Cortado | Double | Equal parts | Very little | Strong and smooth |
The flat white is the hardest drink for an automatic machine. It needs strong espresso and very fine, silky foam, which is why the Dinamica Plus and KF8 stood out.
My scores for a flat white made with whole milk.
Our tip: Order your favorite drink at a café you love, then compare it with each machine’s version, because names alone don’t tell you much.
Keeping the milk system clean
Dried milk is the number one cause of bad foam and bad smells. These habits kept every machine’s milk system working perfectly.
- Rinse after every milk drink
Run the rinse or Clean cycle straight away, while the milk is still wet.
- Wash parts daily
Take apart carafes, jugs and frothing heads and wash them in warm, soapy water.
- Run the milk cleaning program weekly
Use the machine’s milk cleaner to clear fat and protein from tubes and spouts.
- Replace tubes on schedule
Silicone milk tubes harden and crack over time. Replace them every few months.
- Store milk cold
Keep carafes in the fridge between drinks, and never leave milk out for hours.
| Consumable | Which picks | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Milk system cleaner | All five | Weekly |
| Replacement milk tube | KF8, E8 | Every 3 months |
| Water filter | All five | Every 2 months |
| Coffee cleaning tablets | All five | When prompted |
Our tip: Set a phone reminder for the weekly milk clean, because it’s the step people forget most.
Common mistakes to avoid
These caught me out at least once across 26 machines.
| Mistake | What happens | Better habit |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving milk in the system | Sour smell, blocked spouts | Rinse straight after |
| Using warm milk | Thin, bubbly foam | Use milk straight from the fridge |
| Regular almond drink | Watery foam | Use barista plant milks |
| Skipping the weekly clean | Foam slowly gets worse | Run the milk cleaner weekly |
| Ignoring tube replacement | Cracks and poor suction | Replace every few months |
| Cold cups | Lukewarm lattes | Preheat your cup |
Other machines with milk frothers I tested
All of these make good milk drinks. Each was beaten by a pick that does the same job better, or suits more homes.
For more options, see my guide to the best super-automatic espresso machines, or my Philips and De’Longhi brand guides.
If you’re torn between the KF8 and the Miele CM 6360, the Miele made slightly silkier foam with dairy milk, while the KF8 handled plant milk better and offered more drinks. Both make two milk drinks at once.
The silkiest foam I’ve tested and two milk drinks at once. A great alternative to the KF8.
Hot and cold carafes for cold foam on iced drinks.
LatteGo with 20 drinks and profiles. The easy-clean pick for families.
A four-level carafe and a real steam wand.
Sweet Foam and smooth milk for proper lattes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best automatic espresso machine with a milk frother?
For most people, the KitchenAid KF8. It makes two milk drinks at once, has a plant-milk setting and six profiles.
Which milk frother system is easiest to clean?
Philips’ LatteGo, a two-part jug with no tubes. It rinses clean in about ten seconds.
Which machine makes the best foam?
The KitchenAid KF8 and De’Longhi Dinamica Plus tied at 8.9. The Miele CM 6360 made the silkiest foam I’ve tested.
Can automatic frothers make cold foam?
Some can, like the De’Longhi Eletta Explore. None of my five picks has a dedicated cold foam mode.
Do automatic milk frothers work with oat milk?
Yes, especially barista versions. The KitchenAid KF8’s plant-milk setting gave the best plant-milk foam.
What temperature should milk be?
About 55 to 65°C. Below that tastes lukewarm; above 70°C starts to taste cooked.
Can I store milk in the carafe?
Yes, carafes like the De’Longhi’s can go in the fridge. LatteGo jugs should be emptied after each use.
How often should I clean the milk system?
Rinse after every drink, wash parts daily and run a milk cleaning program weekly.
Which machine makes two milk drinks at once?
The KitchenAid KF8 among my picks. The Miele CM 6360 also does it.
Is a carafe better than a steam wand?
For convenience, yes. A steam wand makes the best foam with practice, but a carafe is consistent at one touch.
Why is my milk foam bubbly?
Usually warm milk, a dirty frother or regular plant milk. Use cold milk and clean the system daily.
Which milk frother system lasts longest?
Tubeless jugs have the fewest wearing parts. Tube systems need new tubes every few months but last for years otherwise.
For most people, the best automatic espresso machine with a milk frother is the KitchenAid KF8. It makes two milk drinks at once, handles plant milk best and keeps six profiles.
Choose the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus for strong espresso under silky milk, the Gaggia Magenta Prestige for a slim kitchen, the Philips 3200 for the least cleaning, or the Jura E8 for the simplest routine.
Whichever you choose, use cold, fresh milk, rinse after every drink and run the milk cleaner weekly.
Kitchen & coffee tester
Michael spent six years as a line cook in restaurants in Chicago and New York, and he has tested kitchen appliances for HouseholdMe since 2018, from air fryers to coffee makers. He holds an SCA certificate in barista skills and used 26 machines as his everyday coffee maker, 4 weeks each, for this guide.
- Four weeks of hands-on testing of each of 26 automatic machines with milk frothers by HouseholdMe
- HouseholdMe reviews of the KitchenAid KF8, De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, Gaggia Magenta Prestige, Philips 3200 and Jura E8
- Manufacturer specifications and owner documentation
- Specialty coffee consumption report, 2026
- Milk steaming temperature guidance from specialty coffee training
- Buying guide published, based on hands-on testing of 26 machines with milk frothers.