Espresso machine for cappuccino and milk drinks: which one suits you?
Sunday morning, the kitchen is still quiet. The steam wand hisses softly, then there is only a gentle hum, and the milk in the jug begins to gleam like wet paint. You pour it into the espresso, a white circle grows, and with one last stroke a heart appears. Your cappuccino is a little luxury you treat yourself to every day, and the machine for it may be beautiful: gleaming stainless steel, matte black or your favourite colour. Whether it is your first espresso machine or an upgrade, the nicest question to start with is: how do you like to drink your coffee best?
In short: For cappuccino, flat white and latte art, we recommend an espresso machine that makes espresso and milk foam at the same time: a dual boiler, in which each boiler holds its own temperature, or a heat exchanger, the classic for cappuccino households. A single boiler is lovely for anyone who mainly enjoys straight espresso. To go with it, a stainless steel milk jug, a good grinder and chocolatey-nutty beans that carry the milk. That is how we advise at Coffee Coaching Club.
Dual boiler: espresso and milk at the same moment
Friends at the table, two cappuccinos, a flat white, a straight espresso: in a dual boiler, every task has its own boiler. The brew boiler holds the temperature for your espresso, the steam boiler delivers powerful steam for silky milk foam, both at the same time. You set the brew temperature independently of the steam, and in our experience you can taste temperature differences from just half a degree. Dual boilers are built by La Marzocco, Arkel, Lelit and Profitec, for example, and you will find all models among the dual boiler espresso machines.
Heat exchanger: the classic for cappuccino households
In a heat exchanger machine, a tube runs through the large steam boiler: the heat exchanger. In it, the fresh water heats up on its way to the group, so you brew your espresso and froth the milk at the same time. The heat exchanger is the classic for cappuccino households: uncomplicated and at home in many kitchens for years. Heat exchangers come from Rocket, ECM and Profitec, for example, and you will find all models among the heat exchanger espresso machines.
Single boiler: lovely for straight espresso
A single boiler has one boiler for brew water and steam. It is lovely for anyone who likes their espresso best straight, and for a mindful sequence: first the espresso, then the milk. If you always drink your espresso black, you will even find machines built entirely for espresso. Single boilers come from Lelit, Profitec and ECM, for example, and you will find all models among the single-boiler espresso machines. Our deep dive on heating systems shows how the three heating systems work.
The brew group: where your espresso gets its character
In the group, your espresso gets its character, and you can taste it under the milk too. Our experience: saturated groups deliver the most balanced interplay of aroma and body, for example at La Marzocco and Arkel. Hybrid groups show more aroma and bring some body with them, for example at WPM and Ligre. The E61 is known for its full body, with the aromas stepping a little into the background. Which character you like is a matter of taste, more in saturated group vs. E61.
Steam and milk: how the foam turns silky
Powerful, dry steam makes the milk silky. First the tip sits just below the surface and, with a soft hiss, draws a little air into the fridge-cold milk. Then it moves a little deeper, the jug tilts slightly, a whirlpool rolls the bubbles fine, and all you hear is a gentle hum. When the jug is warm and still comfortable to hold, the milk is usually between 55 and 65 degrees, where it tastes sweetest. Tap it briefly, swirl until the surface gleams, and pour.
Whole milk gives a creamy, round texture, skimmed milk more volume and a drier foam, and barista versions of oat and soy drinks froth beautifully too. Our milk foam simulator shows you how air, temperature and steam power work together, and you will find tips on milk and foam in our help section.
The milk jug: your brush for latte art
A stainless steel jug with a fine spout is your brush. For one cappuccino, around 350 millilitres is right; for two cups at once, more like 600 millilitres, filled to where the spout begins. A pointed spout draws fine lines, as in a rosetta, a rounded one paints soft hearts and tulips. You will find jugs among the milk jugs, from Normcore and MHW-3BOMBER, for example, and beautiful cups from Loveramics, for example. We are the exclusive importer of Normcore and Loveramics in Switzerland.
Latte art: from heart to rosetta
First you pour from a little height, and the milk dives under the crema. When the cup is half to three-quarters full, you lower the spout almost to the surface, and the white stays on top. Holding steady and pulling through gives a heart, pausing and stacking gives a tulip, wiggling gently and pulling back a rosetta. In the latte art trainer, you play through height, speed and foam, and you will find ratio and recipe under cappuccino and flat white. Would you rather learn with someone by your side? Our barista courses are private: on your own, as a pair or with your team, in German or English.
Grinder and beans for your cappuccino
If you make several cappuccinos every day, take a look at grind by weight. Grind by weight is absolute convenience and consistency. The grinder grinds to the gram by itself. Single dose is a ritual. Because nothing stays in the grinder, you switch from bean to bean. You will find grinders for both approaches under grind by weight and single dose, more in coffee grinder for beginners.
Chocolatey-nutty coffees with plenty of body carry the milk wonderfully. We roast our house coffees ourselves in Zurich: Cozy Chocolate tastes of cocoa and dark chocolate, Nutty Delight of hazelnut, and Chestnut Delight brings a warm chestnut note to the cappuccino. More in coffee beans for espresso machines.
At a glance
| Type or tool | What makes it lovely | Right for you if |
|---|---|---|
| Dual boiler | espresso and milk foam at the same time, each boiler with its own temperature | you often make cappuccino for several people |
| Heat exchanger | brews and froths at the same time, the classic for cappuccino households | you love milk drinks every day and like things uncomplicated |
| Single boiler | one boiler, a mindful sequence: first the espresso, then the milk | you mainly enjoy straight espresso |
| Milk jug | around 350 ml for one cup, 600 ml for two | you make cappuccino, flat white and latte art |
| Grind by weight | absolute convenience and consistency | you make several cappuccinos every day |
| Chocolatey-nutty beans | plenty of body that carries the milk | you want your cappuccino to taste sweet and round |
A machine for many years
You buy an espresso machine for many years, which is why the nicest way to begin is straight away with your dream machine. So that it runs like on the first day, our own service workshop takes care of servicing and repairs. For your first machine, espresso machine for beginners helps; for the next step, upgrading your espresso machine; design espresso machines shows colours and looks, and espresso accessories for beginners the accessories.
If you buy a new machine and a new grinder together, we add up to CHF 150 in shop credit* with the bundle bonus. Our machine advisor shows you machines that suit you, and Jackson, our AI advisor, answers your questions around the clock.
You can also find us in person
In Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich Oerlikon at Hagenholzstrasse 50b, many machines are set up and in operation, and in the café they make coffee for our guests all day long. Drop by for a cappuccino and see the machines live. If you would like to experience several machines and grinders side by side, there is the espresso machine and grinder comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Which espresso machine is good for cappuccino?
A machine that makes espresso and milk foam at the same time, so a dual boiler or a heat exchanger. In a dual boiler, each boiler holds its own temperature; the heat exchanger is the classic for cappuccino households. If you mainly drink straight espresso, a single boiler is lovely.
Dual boiler or heat exchanger: which suits me?
Both brew and froth at the same time. In a dual boiler, you set the brew temperature independently of the steam, lovely if you like to play with your beans. The heat exchanger heats the brew water via a heat exchanger in the steam boiler and is uncomplicated in everyday use.
Can I make cappuccino with a single boiler?
Yes. You make the espresso first and then froth the milk, a mindful sequence step by step. A single boiler suits anyone who mainly enjoys straight espresso especially well.
Which milk temperature is ideal for cappuccino?
Between 55 and 65 degrees. There the milk tastes warm and slightly sweet, and the foam stays smooth. At the start, a thermometer helps; soon you will feel it with your hand on the jug.
Which milk jug do I need for latte art?
A stainless steel jug with a fine spout, around 350 millilitres for one cappuccino, more like 600 millilitres for two cups. A pointed spout draws fine lines, a rounded one paints soft hearts and tulips.
Which coffee beans suit milk drinks?
Chocolatey-nutty coffees with plenty of body. Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight and Chestnut Delight from our roastery in Zurich carry the milk wonderfully.
How much espresso and milk go into a cappuccino?
One espresso and silky milk foam, around three to five times as much milk as espresso, depending on the cup. We brew espresso by weight, usually from 14.5 to 17 grams of ground coffee, with less than twice as much espresso in the cup.
* Bundle bonus: when you buy a new espresso machine and a new coffee grinder in one order paid by advance payment; amount depending on the purchase value; valid for 60 days. You will find all the conditions on the bundle bonus page.
Written by Yalcin Akpinar, qualified food chemist and coffee roaster at Coffee Coaching Club. Updated: October 2026.
