Best Cappuccino Cups

You’ve tried drinking a cappuccino from just any cup, and you know that’s not the way to go.

When you tried to mix in the milk foam, the results were far from desirable because the cup was the wrong shape. Or perhaps the cup was too big, and your milk foam didn’t reach the top. Maybe the cup materials didn’t keep your cappuccino drink warm.

You know how important it is to use the best cup for the tastiest cappuccino. So what are the best cappuccino cups?

If you’re in a hurry, here are my top 3 picks; otherwise, let’s answer a basic question first:

What Is A Cappuccino Cup?

A cappuccino cup is a cup…well, to drink a cappuccino out of. Obviously. But why should you care about a cup specifically made for cappuccinos?

Can’t you just serve your cappuccino in any big mug? A tall drinking glass? Your beer stein?

Ahhhhh, my friend. This is where the art of cappuccino cups comes in.

Think about it for a minute. What do you love about a cappuccino?

• The fine microfoam heaped on top. 
• The warmth of the beverage. 
• The beautiful colors, where the creamy tone of the milk mixes ever so slightly with the dark brown of the espresso. 
• The aromas! The sweetness of the milk and a chocolatey hint from the espresso.

If you put a cappuccino in a big oversized mug, you won’t see all that foam. You also won’t see the colors. You’ll just see your mug.

With a tall water glass, you’ll see the colors but lose the heat right away. And with a beer mug, you won’t get any of the visual benefits of a lovely cappuccino.

We’ll talk more about each of those considerations in a moment. But for a second, think about this.

You’ve paid some good money for an espresso machine. You searched out the best coffee to buy. You bought a fantastic grinder. You know that to get a really good cup of coffee, you need that equipment.

Why skip the vital step of where you’ll serve that really good coffee?

If you’re a home barista and you make cappuccinos, you’ll want to equip yourself with the best cappuccino cups. So what should you keep in mind before buying?

5 Cappuccino Cup Considerations

Assuming you’ve got a decent cappuccino maker or you’re a whizz at making one with an espresso maker, you’re probably going to want to consider these factors when purchasing cappuccino cups:

Going Italian Or Not

What’s the difference between Italian cappuccino cups and American ones? One of the big differences is size.

Traditional Italian cappuccino cups are smaller than in the United States. 

According to the National Espresso Institute, the Istituto Nazionale Espresso Italiano, a true Italian espresso, has 25 ml of espresso and 100 ml of steam-foamed milk.

Therefore, by Italian standards, the best cappuccino cups should have a 150-160 ml capacity. That’s 5 to 5.5 ounces. No more.

Seriously.

Now keep in mind, that’s according to the Italians. If you’re not Italian, you may look at those tiny cappuccino cups and ask, “Where’s the coffee?”

But whether or not you’re Italian, it’s worth listening to them. And not just because they created espressos.

There’s a reason why the cappuccino cups are so small. The ratio of one shot of espresso to 100 ml of foamed milk is the perfect combination to get a creamy drink that still tastes like coffee. 

A larger cappuccino that’s made with more milk simply won’t taste enough like coffee. 

Size

You’ll see that the cappuccino cups in this list come in a wide range of cup sizes. You’ll see cups as small as 5 ounces all the way to 10.5 ounces.

To choose the cappuccino cups for your needs, think about your preferences. How big of a cappuccino do you want?

Do you want to follow the Italian tradition? Then you could choose smaller cappuccino cups.

Do you want to mega-size your cappuccino and drink it according to typical American tastes? Consider getting a cappuccino mug or larger capacity cappuccino cups.

Remember that a cappuccino made by an exacting barista will have a beautiful dome-shaped topping of milk foam. 

The perfect form contributes to the beauty of a cappuccino. That dome shape should be evident at a glance. 

But a cup that’s too large will hide it.

Shape

The shape of cappuccino cups is also important.

The espresso and milk foam, though prepared separately, are combined in the cup. As the milk foam is incorporated into the espresso, a combination of brown and beige is created.

Try to get that in a big mug. Or a tall glass. Nope. Impossible.

Why? Because of the shape of the cup. 

When you incorporate the milk into the coffee, there must be an adequate movement of the liquids. 

You don’t want the espresso getting caught in the awkward corners of a flat-bottomed mug or beer stein. Instead, you want the liquid to flow.

Most cappuccino cups have an elliptical-shaped bottom that lets the liquid flow. The milk foam will slide into the espresso and mix in a delightful way.

Another aspect of shape is the top of the cup. It needs to be wide enough to show off the exquisitely steamed microfoam that’s delightfully painted with espresso.

It also needs to be wide enough that you can drink the contents without your nose getting in the way.

The rim of cappuccino cups should be thick enough to feel pleasant when you take a sip, but not so thick it interferes with the appearance of the cup.

Material

Let’s go back to the Italian standard to talk about materials. An Italian cappuccino will generally be served in a white porcelain cup.

The white color helps emphasize the deep brown rim of the espresso lurking below. The color of the cup is purely aesthetic, so you can feel free to choose the color that you love.

What materials are the best? When you consider what material your cup should be made of, consider heat retention. Heat retention is a critical point when you’re serving a drink with a larger volume.

After all, a shot of espresso is meant to be downed in just a few sips. So heat retention is not an issue.

A cappuccino, however, should be lingered over. And you don’t want a cool drink when you get to the end. That’s why regular drinking glasses just aren’t going to cut it. You need something that will keep the heat in.

Porcelain is a fine material for heat retention, though glass is better. Take that a step further and get a cup with thicker walls. 

And for maximum heat retention, double-walled cappuccino glasses keep the heat in and also make it possible to see the layered colors of the cappuccino.

Do You Need That Saucer?

What’s a cappuccino without a bit of cookie or a tiny piece of chocolate on the side? A saucer is the space to hold that little bit of sweetness. 

Many people feel that cups and saucers should always come together in a set.

Even if you’re a purist and don’t mix your cappuccino with any food items, you still might want a place to put that spoon after you stir your drink or to catch spills from the cup.

The best cappuccino cups may or may not come with a saucer. Choose according to your needs.

Best Cappuccino Cups 2024 For A Home Barista

Here’s our lineup of the best cappuccino cups for home use in 2024:

1. DeeCoo Cappuccino Glass Mugs

These beautiful cappuccino mugs are unique and practical. They’ll keep your cappuccino warm, and they’re large enough for a generous drink – without being too large.

What I Like About It

One of the biggest concerns about cappuccino cups for home use is the size. 

These 8.5-ounce glass cappuccino cups come in somewhere between small and large and can please everyone. At a 3 inch height, they fit under most espresso makers.

The double-wall borosilicate coffee mug keeps the heat from reaching the outer wall, so you can touch the cup and not get burned. 

The clear material also showcases the colors of your cappuccino creation.

The curved interior lets the home barista show off their talents. The wide opening allows for a good show of milk foam. And the handles are large to fit just about any size hand.

What I Don’t Like About It

Although they’re scratch-resistant, it’s best to keep double-walled cups out of the dishwasher. Water can creep in between the walls and leave a film of condensation.

Also, glass cappuccino cups are less durable and can break easily.

2. Sweese Porcelain Cappuccino Cups

The Sweese cups are an inexpensive set of cappuccino cups and saucers that gives you the feel of being at a coffee shop, even when you’re sipping your cappuccino at home.

What I Like About It

These 8-ounce porcelain cups are for the household that needs a sturdy cappuccino cup. They’re easy to clean and stack nicely to save you space in your home kitchen.

They provide a good amount of heat retention, have a pleasant smooth enamel finish, and are a good size for a generous cappuccino (without getting too big).

If saucers are a necessary accessory, this cappuccino set is for you because it comes with matching saucers.

These classic porcelain cups come in white to show off the cappuccino colors. However, if you prefer to have cups that match your kitchen accents, they also come in red, turquoise, navy, and teal.

If you’ve got a hectic kitchen and coffee cups don’t last too long, these are the best value for your money, and it won’t be painful for your wallet when you need to replace them.

What I Don’t Like About It

Sure, the design is classic. But in my opinion, these cups are a bit clunky, like a typical diner-type of coffee cup.

You may choose not to use the rather low-quality metal stand that comes with the set.

3. Dobbet Coffee Cups

The small Dobbet porcelain cappuccino cups are a cozy, design-conscious way to enjoy your daily coffee.

What I Like About It

Although it’s not your classic Italian cappuccino cup, I love the art deco look of these ceramic cups. This coffee cup will get you compliments and will also blend in with almost any kitchen décor.

The double-wall build helps insulate your cups and keep coffee warm for longer. That also means a handle isn’t needed to protect your hands from hot coffee.

The look is elegant and minimalist. The cup fits in your hand well, giving it a luxurious feel and comforting touch.

These coffee cups have a 6-ounce capacity, which is good for a small cappuccino (or a flat white).

Choose from black cups or white cups with a black geometric design. An elegant gift box and great customer service top off the experience.

What I Don’t Like About It

At just 3.35 inches high, these cappuccino cups are smaller than some people want.

Although they’re dishwasher safe, you might want to hand wash these coffee cups to prolong their life. And they’re not suitable for use in the microwave, in case that’s an issue for you.

As I mentioned, there’s no saucer. That’s not a big deal for me since I don’t use saucers. But you may feel a cappuccino cup isn’t really a cup if it doesn’t have a saucer.

4. Coffeezone Barista Coffee Cup

This simple, elegant cappuccino cup and saucer set might be just what home baristas need to complement their setup.

What I Like About It

These cappuccino cups and saucers provide a variety of choices that others just don’t have. You can choose from a wide range of sizes and colors.

Whether you’re looking for a classic 5-ounce white bone China cappuccino cup or a large 10.5-ounce deep orange beauty to decorate your counter, you’ll find it with Coffeezone.

If you’re searching for an unusual color in coffee cups and saucers, you may find it here.  

They come in sky blue, lemon yellow, deep orange, intense red, and more. Some colors come in a glossy or a matte finish, and all of them come with matching saucers.

The rounded interior design of the coffee cup makes it ideal for pouring a cappuccino. Bone china provides adequate heat retention. 

The handle is large enough to accommodate most fingers. The cups come with saucers if having cappuccino cups and saucers is a necessity for you.

What I Don’t Like About It

These cappuccino cups and saucers are among the most expensive on the list, but it might be worth it to have the classic cappuccino cup you want in just the color you want.

When purchasing, notice that the capacity of the larger cups is about 1.5 ounces less than the size. So if you want a 7-ounce coffee cup, you’ll be fine with the medium one that’s sold as an 8.5-ounce cup.

5. DeLonghi Cappuccino Glasses

The elegant tulip design of these DeLonghi cappuccino cups is unbeatable.

What I Like About It

These 6.8-ounce cappuccino cups have an elegance that you won’t find in most glass cappuccino cups. The curved interior makes pouring your cappuccino a breeze. 

The curved exterior of these cups means they fit snugly in your hand. 

You won’t have to worry about heat retention since these borosilicate glass cappuccino cups do keep your coffee warm. 

The double-wall glass doesn’t heat up the outside of the glass; no handle is necessary. 

And those transparent glass walls let the cappuccino colors shine through.

The design is not just beautiful, but it’s also practical – the flared rim is easy to sip coffee from.

And, not surprisingly, these 4-inch high cups fit in DeLonghi brand espresso makers. For other brands of espresso machines, check size requirements before buying. 

What I Don’t Like About It

As with all cups that have a double wall, you have to be careful when washing. Water can sneak in between the double walls and get trapped. 

Also, elegance comes at a cost – these thin-walled coffee cups are easy to break.

6. Stone & Mill Cappuccino Mugs

This Stone & Mill is a unique mug that will appeal to coffee lovers who long for large cappuccinos.

What I Like About It

This tall, mug-shaped cappuccino cup looks a bit like a beer stein. With an almost 10-ounce capacity, the clear glass cup shows off the creamy coffee within.

These cappuccino mugs are made out of double-walled borosilicate glass, so the outer glass doesn’t get hot while it maintains the coffee temperature.

Double walled cappuccino glasses and mugs don’t come with saucers. 

Also, you don’t have to worry about a hot coffee cup damaging your furniture because the outer wall doesn’t heat up. 

This cappuccino mug is more sturdy than most glass cups, and it’s even microwave-safe. It also comes in an adorable gift box in case you want to delight a coffee lover with a gift.

What I Don’t Like About It

Since these mugs are tall (over 4 inches), they will not fit in all coffee makers. Check to see if they’ll fit in your coffee machine before buying.

All glass mugs will be more fragile, so handle them with care. Also, you might want to hand wash these mugs so that water doesn’t get trapped between the walls.

7. Coffeezone Marble Coffee Cups

If your idea of a perfect coffee cup is one that has a striking design, this gold-flecked cappuccino cup set is for you.

What I Like About It

Get ready for the most incredibly elegant design you’ve seen in coffee cups. These coffee cups boast a gold marble pattern on either a black or white background.

Lovers of large cappuccinos will appreciate that these ceramic cappuccino cups hold a generous 10.5 ounce (300 ml). 

The curved interior and wide opening are good for preparing a cappuccino with plenty of foam on top. The large handle is suitable for large hands. And the cups come in sets with matching saucers.

What I Don’t Like About It

Obviously, this cup is about as far from a classic Italian cappuccino cup as you can get. However, if in your book elegance trumps tradition, you’ll want these coffee cups.

It’s best to hand wash these cappuccino cups and saucers to preserve the gold overlay and to protect the wood saucer.

The Final Verdict

Choosing the right cappuccino cups comes down to determining the size, shape, and materials right for you and your home brewing needs. But, of course, budget is also a factor.

My top pick are the DeeCoo cups. These balance the fact you can see through them while being price friendly too.

For the serious home barista that wants a classic Italian design, the best cappuccino cups are the Coffeezone Barista Coffee Cup. They provide the size, shape, color, and materials for a traditional Italian cappuccino experience.

The Delonghi Cappuccino cups will fit the bill if you’re looking for double-wall cappuccino glasses that are elegant, provide good heat retention, go with any décor, and will show off the colors of your cappuccino.

And if you’re looking for cups that break every rule when it comes to cappuccino cups, try the Coffeezone Marble Coffee Cups and bask in the positive comments you’ll receive.