The Best Iced Coffee Espresso Machines in 2024: Get the Best of Both Worlds

I love a rich, bold espresso to start my day on most mornings, but there are times when I just need a refreshing iced coffee, especially during the hot summer months. The great thing is, you can actually make iced espresso drinks with any espresso machine. However, there are some iced coffee espresso machines out there that are specifically designed to handle both espresso and regular iced coffee brewing, giving you the best of both worlds in one convenient package.

In this guide, I’ll review my favorite iced coffee espresso machines that can easily make delicious espresso for mixed coffee drinks but also provide high-quality iced coffee at the push of a button.

The Best Iced Coffee Espresso Machines

1. Delonghi Dinamica — Best Overall
2. Phillips 3200 Espresso Machine — Easiest to Use
3. Ninja CFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista System — Most Affordable

1. Delonghi Dinamica - Best Overall

The Delonghi Dinamica is my pick for the best iced coffee espresso machine overall. This super-automatic machine is packed with features that make it easy to brew all your favorite espresso-based and iced coffee drinks with minimal effort.

One of the standout features of the Dinamica is its built-in conical burr grinder. While I generally recommend getting a standalone burr grinder for the best coffee quality, the grinder in the Dinamica is actually pretty decent. It grinds beans fresh for each cup, ensuring maximum flavor and aroma.

The grind settings are highly adjustable, so you can dial in the perfect grind for your preferred brew method, whether that’s espresso or regular drip coffee.

In terms of drink customization, the Dinamica really shines. It has a large 3.5” color display with intuitive touch controls that let you easily adjust the volume, strength, and temperature of your drinks. You can program your own custom drink settings and save them for quick access later. The machine also has pre-programmed settings for all the classic espresso drinks like cappuccino, latte, and americano.

Where the Dinamica really sets itself apart is its dedicated iced coffee function. Rather than just having a strength setting that you can use to brew extra-strong coffee for iced drinks, the machine has a specific iced coffee mode that brews a concentrated shot of coffee directly over ice. This ensures your iced coffee is always perfectly balanced and doesn’t get watered down as the ice melts.

The only potential downside of the Dinamica is that, like most super-automatic espresso machines, the built-in grinder isn’t going to produce coffee quite as consistent and high-quality as a standalone burr grinder. But for most casual coffee drinkers who aren’t coffee purists, the grinder should be more than sufficient. I honestly don’t find it to be terrible…and that’s the first time I’ve ever said that about a built-in grinder on a super-automatic espresso machine. High praise.

Overall, the Delonghi Dinamica is an incredibly versatile and user-friendly espresso machine that delivers excellent results for both espresso and iced coffee. If you want a one-stop-shop that can handle all your coffee needs, this is the machine for you.

2. Philips 3200 Espresso Machine - Easiest to Use

If you’re looking for an iced coffee espresso machine that’s incredibly easy to use, the Philips 3200 is a great option. This super-automatic machine has a streamlined design and intuitive controls that make it a breeze to operate, even for complete beginners.

Unlike the Delonghi Dinamica, the Philips 3200 doesn’t have a built-in grinder. But I actually prefer that, as standalone burr grinders tend to produce better, more consistent results than the built-in ones in super-automatic machines. The Philips has a bean hopper where you can add your favorite whole bean coffee, and the machine will automatically grind and dose the perfect amount for each brew.

The drink customization options on the Philips 3200 are also fairly straightforward. The LED display has simple buttons for selecting from the four pre-programmed drink options: espresso, coffee, Americano, and milk-based drinks like cappuccino and latte. You can adjust the volume, strength, and temperature of each drink, but the controls are very intuitive and easy to navigate.

When it comes to iced coffee, the Philips 3200 doesn’t have a dedicated iced coffee function like the Delonghi Dinamica. However, you can simply adjust the brew strength to the highest setting to brew a concentrated shot of coffee that will stand up well to being poured over ice. It may not be quite as seamless as the Dinamica’s iced coffee mode, but it gets the job done.

Another nice feature of the Philips 3200 is its built-in milk frothing system. The machine comes with a manual milk frother that you can use to create perfect microfoam for cappuccinos and lattes. This is a step up from having to purchase a separate milk frother.

Overall, the Philips 3200 is a great choice if you want an iced coffee espresso machine that’s incredibly user-friendly and easy to operate. It may not have as many bells and whistles as some other models, but it delivers excellent espresso and iced coffee with minimal fuss.

3. Ninja CFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista System - Most Affordable

If you’re on a budget but still want an espresso machine that can handle iced coffee, the Ninja CFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista System is a great affordable option. While it may not brew the absolute best espresso, it’s a solid performer that can make pretty decent drinks, and it has some handy features for iced coffee preparation.

The machine has dedicated portafilters for espresso as well as a separate side for brewing full pots of coffee. This makes it a great all-in-one solution if you want the convenience of both espresso and regular coffee in one compact appliance.

In terms of iced coffee, the Ninja has a few tricks up its sleeve. It has a specialized “Over Ice” brew setting that brews a concentrated shot of coffee directly onto ice. This helps prevent the coffee from getting watered down as the ice melts. The machine also comes with a tumbler designed specifically for making iced coffee, which helps keep your drink chilled long after brewing—perfect for taking iced coffee on the go.

The downside of the Ninja is that the espresso it produces isn’t quite up to the standards of a true high-end espresso machine. The pressure and temperature just isn’t quite as consistent or powerful as what you’d get from a more expensive model. But for the casual espresso drinker who just wants a quick shot in the morning, it should get the job done.

Another limitation is that the Ninja doesn’t have a built-in grinder, so you’ll need to use pre-ground coffee or invest in a high-quality coffee grinder. Pre-ground coffee isn’t ideal for maximum freshness and flavor, and buying a standalone grinder will add to the cost.

Overall, the Ninja CFN601 is a great budget-friendly option if you want an iced coffee espresso machine that can handle both espresso and regular coffee brewing. It may not produce the absolute best espresso, but it’s a very capable and convenient all-in-one coffee maker.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Iced Coffee Espresso Machine

When it comes to choosing an iced coffee espresso machine, there are a few key factors you’ll want to consider to ensure you get the best machine for your needs and preferences. In this buyer’s guide, I’ll walk you through the most important features to look for.

Coffee Quality

The first and most important factor to consider is the quality of coffee the machine can produce. After all, the whole point of getting an iced coffee espresso machine is to be able to enjoy great-tasting coffee, whether you’re drinking it hot or over ice.

For espresso, you’ll want to look for machines that can brew at the proper pressure and temperature to extract the most flavor and richness from the coffee grounds. Features like a PID controller, adjustable brew settings, a high-quality water pump, and a quality portafilter can all contribute to better espresso quality.

For iced coffee, you’ll want to make sure the machine can brew a strong, concentrated shot of coffee that won’t get watered down when poured over ice. Dedicated iced coffee functions or the ability to adjust brew strength are key.

The quality of the milk frothing system is also important if you plan on making milk-based espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. A machine with a high-performance steam wand will allow you to create velvety microfoam for mixed coffee beverages.

Iced Coffee Functionality

While most espresso machines can technically be used to make iced coffee, the best iced coffee espresso machines will have specific features and settings designed to optimize the iced coffee brewing process.

Many machines will simply have a “strength” setting that allows you to brew a more concentrated shot of coffee to stand up to dilution from the ice. However, this doesn’t always produce the best results. The best iced coffee espresso machines will have a dedicated iced coffee mode that brews a super-concentrated shot directly over ice that’s not designed for hot coffee.

This ensures the coffee doesn’t get watered down and maintains the perfect balance of flavors. It also helps avoid the need to brew extra-strong coffee and then let it cool, which can lead to bitterness and overextraction.

Look for machines that advertise an iced coffee function or settings specifically designed for iced coffee brewing.

Milk Frother

If you plan on making milk-based espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, you’ll want to look for a machine with a high-quality milk frother. This will allow you to create velvety, microfoam-rich milk that perfectly complements the espresso on the days you’re not in the mood for iced coffee.

Many espresso machines come with built-in steam wands for frothing milk, but the quality can vary widely. More expensive machines tend to have better, more powerful steam wands that can produce cafe-quality microfoam, while budget machines usually don’t provide great results.

Keep in mind that milk frothing is less important if you’re primarily interested in just making straight espresso or iced coffee. But if you want the full range of espresso drink options, a good milk frother is a must-have feature.

Built-In Grinder

Another important feature to consider is the built-in grinder. Grinding your coffee beans fresh right before brewing is crucial for maximizing flavor and aroma.

Many super-automatic espresso machines come with built-in conical burr grinders, which are generally considered superior to blade grinders. The quality of the grinder can have a big impact on the consistency and quality of the espresso. In general, built-in grinders aren’t great, but for most people, high-end ones can be good enough and will save you a bunch of money on a standalone grinder.

If you’re a true coffee aficionado, you may want to opt for a machine without a built-in grinder and instead use a separate high-end burr grinder. If you already have a good grinder that can handle both espresso and regular drip coffee grind sizes, I suggest you save some money and buy a machine that doesn’t have a built-in grinder.

Wrapping Up: The Best Iced Coffee Espresso Machines and How to Choose One

My top picks for the best iced coffee espresso machines are the Delonghi Dinamica, which has a built-in grinder, a dedicated iced coffee function, and highly customizable drink settings. It’s the most versatile option for both espresso and iced coffee.

The Philips 3200 is also a great option, especially for those looking for a streamlined, user-friendly super-automatic with simple controls and pre-programmed drink options. It lacks a dedicated iced coffee mode but is great for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between an iced coffee espresso machine and a regular espresso machine?

The key difference is that an iced coffee espresso machine is specifically designed to brew coffee that is optimized for being served over ice. This usually involves features like a dedicated “iced coffee” brewing mode that produces a super-concentrated shot to prevent dilution, as well as the ability to brew directly into a special iced coffee tumbler or cup. Regular espresso machines can technically be used to make iced coffee, but they lack these specialized iced coffee functions and the results may not be as balanced and flavorful when poured over ice.

Do I need a built-in grinder on my iced coffee espresso machine?

While a built-in conical burr grinder is a great convenience feature, it’s not an absolute necessity. Many high-quality standalone burr grinders can actually produce better, more consistent results than the built-in grinders found in super-automatic espresso machines. That said, if you don’t want the extra step of grinding your beans separately, a machine with a decent built-in grinder can still make excellent espresso and iced coffee. Just be aware that the grinder quality may not be quite as good as a dedicated standalone unit.

What’s the difference between an iced coffee setting and just brewing extra-strong coffee?

The key difference is that a dedicated iced coffee setting on an espresso machine is designed to brew a super-concentrated shot of coffee that is specifically intended to be poured directly over ice. This helps prevent the coffee from getting watered down as the ice melts. In contrast, just brewing extra-strong coffee without this specialized iced coffee function can result in a watered-down, flavorless drink once the ice melts. The iced coffee setting ensures the proper balance of flavors is maintained even when served cold.