Best Commercial Espresso Machines: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Why a Commercial Espresso Machine?

Commercial espresso machines have many advantages over cheaper espresso machine options.

Larger volume — Compared to a home espresso machine, a commercial espresso machine is designed to prepare as many cups as possible, which is a must for any business.

Espresso quality — Not surprisingly, a commercial espresso machine’s high price translates into quality. It’ll make amazing espresso that your customers will definitely enjoy.

Productivity/Capacity — The productivity of your commercial espresso machine depends on how many groups it has. We’ll discuss these in a bit.

Longevity — Commercial espresso machines can operate for up to 15 years, and over that time they’ll definitely pay for your initial investment. Of course, longevity depends on how carefully you handle the machine.

How Should I Choose a Commercial Espresso Machine?

Before choosing a commercial espresso machine, you should pay attention to the following factors:

Type

Semi-automatic

Semi-automatic espresso machines are the most popular type for home use and tend to be the most affordable option.

Semi-automatic machines use an automated system to supply water to groups. The barista controls grinding, tamping, and extraction time.

Automatic

These are very similar to semi-automatic machines, but they stop the water supply on their own. This ensures that the volume of each espresso is consistent, and it means you don’t have to stand by the machine during the entire brewing process to prevent overflow. Automatic espresso machines are often used in coffee shops.

Super-automatic

Super-automatic commercial espresso machines prepare the coffee with no help from a barista, from grinding the coffee beans to tamping the coffee to frothing the milk. All you have to do is add beans and water and press a button.

Lever

This type of espresso machine uses a piston driven by manual pressure. When lifted, the piston draws water from the reservoir into a small chamber and then pushes the water into the ground coffee filter. Typically, these machines have low productivity, but they make a great classic espresso.

Productivity/Capacity (Brew Groups)

The capacity of commercial espresso machines varies, and you should choose based on the size of your business. With any espresso machine, productivity is measured in how many cups can be brewed at a time. Therefore, the larger your cafe, the larger the capacity you will need.

Machines with a single brew group are suitable for bars and restaurants with minimal volume requirements. Machines with two brew groups are most popular in specialty coffee shops. Machines with three brew groups are great for places like airports and busy coffee shops. Machines with four groups are rare and can be found in very busy locations.

Size

A large espresso machine is not a requirement for all businesses that serve coffee. Smaller machines are especially useful for small restaurants or restaurants for which coffee is not the main part of their business.

The Best Commercial Espresso Machine

Therefore, it’s hard to choose only the best espresso machine for small business from the market. Everyone has different reasons for buying commercial espresso machine. To help make your choice easier, we have organized the best products by value for money. Here are the MyFriendsCoffee’s top 8 best commercial espresso machines in 2021:

1. Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group Espresso Machine

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/Nuova-Simonelli-Volumetric-Espresso-MAPPIA5VOL02ND001/dp/B06XH6CYF1/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hF4hUzVkL.jpg” prod_name=”Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group Espresso Machine”]

If you are looking for the best espresso machine for catering, then check out the Nuova Simonelli Appia 2.

We’ve noticed that this espresso machine is much more compact than other commercial coffee machines, making it ideal for small cafes and coffee shops, offices, and even those who don’t mind spending a lot of money on a home espresso machine.

The Nuova Simonelli Appia is the best commercial espresso machine for business owners looking for a traditional-style machine that offers excellent coffee drinks.

Despite the fact that the Nuova is quite small in size, this coffee machine has all the functions that are found in every great espresso machine. You’ll love its automatic backwash, raised group heads, easy-to-clean drip tray, ergonomic portafilters, and two steam wands.

And with a hot water dispenser, the Nuova Simonelli Appia II becomes more versatile, which means you can also serve hot teas and delicious hot chocolate on top of your favorite espresso drinks.

Also, this espresso machine comes with a second automatic steam wand that will allow the user to prepare thick, velvety coffee drinks.

2. Breville BES870XL the Barista Express

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Breville, as a great coffee maker, does not disappoint its customers with its Breville Barista Express.

This best commercial espresso machine for small coffee shops is semi-automatic and comes with a built-in cone grinder to help you grind and prepare the perfect shot.

For its fairly low price, the Breville Barista Express is packed with amazing features and functionality.

Having a built-in grinder not only gives you a complete coffee machine, but also saves you money because you don’t need to buy a separate grinder. Plus, this semi-automatic espresso machine is equipped with a grinder dispenser to help you select the right amount of freshly ground coffee. This means you’ll get a great drink every time.

Thanks to its precise digital temperature control (PID) technology, which detects and stabilizes temperature fluctuations during extraction, the Breville BES870XL Barista Express maintains the water temperature at about 200°F.

The handheld steamer infuser allows you to prepare microfoam, making it easy to create latte art while enhancing the flavor of your espresso.

Additionally, this commercial espresso machine with a grinder has the ability to control the size of the grind, which is essential to getting a great coffee. There are 16 grind sizes to choose from, and the grinder is simple and intuitive to operate.

However, the Barista Express is a semi-automatic machine, so you’ll have to manually grind and dose the coffee and steam the milk. So it’s best used in businesses that don’t have rushes of customers throughout the day.

3. La Pavoni PC-16 Professional Espresso Machine

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The Professional espresso machine from La Pavoni has a chrome base, pressure gauge, and triple coating to maintain beauty and elegance.

When the lever is lifted, the piston within the group rises, allowing pressurized water to pour coffee into the filter holder. The lever is then lowered, pushing water through the coffee into the espresso cup.

This espresso machine has a water level gauge located on the side of the machine and is capable of making 16 2oz espressos before you have to refill the water.

The boiler is made of brass and is chrome-plated on the outside. It’s food-safe nickel-plated on the inside. The water will be heated and ready to brew in about six minutes. Water temperature is effectively controlled by a pressure regulator for quick and accurate response.

The stainless steel food-grade heating element is manufactured to resist corrosion and ensure a long service life.

To the left of the machine is a sight glass that allows you to see the water level in the boiler. La Pavoni PC-16 comes with a commercial-style steam wand so you can make lattes, cappuccinos, and more for your customers.

There is a thermal fuse that will shut off the boiler if for any reason it overheats. The fuse shuts down the boiler at 225°F and is easy to reset. This valve is located on the right side of the boiler. It is designed to open and release pressure from the boiler.

La Pavoni recommends replacing the gaskets every three to five years depending on how long the boiler is left on. The boiler must always be switched off when not in use.

4. Saeco Incanto Carafe Super Automatic Espresso Machine

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The Saeco Incanto Carafe is a super-automatic espresso machine that allows even beginners to brew the perfect cup.

All its components are high-quality, and the machine itself is equipped with an integrated grinder and water filtration system.

This easy-to-use espresso machine, complete with built-in coffee grinder, lets you brew shots and make coffee like a pro.

The Saeco Incanto Carafe is equipped with a wide range of functions that allow precise control of coffee quality. Its robust, stainless steel construction shows us that it is built to last, but its modern look also goes well with other appliances in your business.

The built-in ceramic grinder runs quietly and ensures an even grind. It has five grind settings so you can grind the beans to match the type of beverage you are making.

The machine’s water tank can hold up to 54 ounces of water, which can produce up to fifteen cups of coffee.

The steam wand lets you froth both animal and plant milks for your favorite espresso-based drinks, including macchiatos, cappuccinos, lattes, and more.

Additionally, this machine is programmable. In addition to adjusting brew strength and grind size, you can adjust the temperature of the water and extraction time, and use the automatic shutdown function. It’s a very convenient machine for use in any business.

5. Breville Oracle Touch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BES990BSSUSC-Automatic-Espresso-Machine/dp/B073TYYM91/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81PQsV0aCcL.jpg” prod_name=”Breville Oracle Touch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine”]

Breville’s Oracle Touch strikes a balance between convenience and quality with its exceptionally simple controls and consumer-inspired fundamentals.

True to its name, the Touch has a bright, 4-inch touchscreen that lets you navigate controls and menus, change settings, and program and save drinks.

Breville does a great job of handling daily use while providing a premium experience.

It’s one of the best commercial espresso machines and has brewing and steam boilers that provide fast heating times and PID controlled temperature stability.

The touchscreen is bright, responsive, and much better than the screens on other machines.

The Oracle steam wand, with a temperature sensor and automatic aeration, is still one of the best and most economical features in the espresso machine. It controls steam temperature and introduces an adjustable amount of air to create the perfect steamed milk foam every time.

The Oracle Touch has a classic 58mm brew head and also has a built-in solenoid valve for backwash.

The machine also provides additional flexibility with programmable shot times set that can be set by volume or time or be manually controlled.

6. Nuova Simonelli Musica Stainless Steel Espresso Machine

[img_block amz_url=”https://www.amazon.com/Nuova-Simonelli-Version-Espresso-MMUSICALUX01/dp/B005NICZ66/?tag=hdcurbnbn-20″ img_url=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61rtaNTvGKL.jpg” prod_name=”Nuova Simonelli Musica Stainless Steel Pour Over Espresso Machine”]

Constructed from NSF approved commercial-grade components, this machine will fit into a small café as easily as it fits on a kitchen countertop. Regardless of where you decide to put it, the Musica is an exquisitely crafted machine with great looks.

The front, back, and side panels of the machine are made of mirrored stainless steel, and the frame rests on legs, which conveniently raises it above your work surface.

The Musica 3-liter water tank can be accessed from the top of the machine, behind the cup warmer tray.

The Musica is also equipped with a front gauge to monitor boiler pressure, and you can access and adjust the pressure statistics behind the drip tray.

The brew temperature stability is facilitated by the E61-style head group, which is heated by a thermosyphon system, as well as by the copper boiler and the water supply.

The Musica boiler has a capacity of 2.5 liters and is equipped with a heat exchanger that allows you to brew and steam at the same time, which is especially useful in commercial spaces.

For drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes, the Musica has a 4-hole steam wand equipped with a no-burn sleeve for safe adjustment.

Instead of a traditional handle, the steam valve is operated by a two-position switch, allowing it to be instantly opened and closed for more precise control.

Each machine is equipped with 58mm portafilters with single and double spouts, filter baskets with one or two holes, and a backwash disc.

7. Nuova Simonelli Appia Volumetric 3 Group Espresso Machine Mappia5Vol03Nd001

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Designed to impress both baristas and customers, the Nuova Simonelli Appia Volumetric 3 Group Espresso Machine produces first-class espresso and an unforgettable experience.

The stainless steel machine features easy-to-use technology for baristas, allowing them to craft the perfect cup every time.

There are three distinct groups, each with its own set of controls, to help speed up beverage preparation during peak hours, while two steam wands provide more mobility for the barista during use.

To add versatility and convenience, this machine offers both volumetric and manual dispensing, allowing baristas to choose the perfect option for their specialty drinks.

The soft infusion system helps reduce barista errors to create the perfect cup of coffee. And in order to provide customers with the highest-quality espresso coffee, this machine is equipped with a convenient two-stroke steam system.

8. Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II Digital 4 Group Espresso Machine

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This best commercial espresso machine is undoubtedly packed with many breathtaking features, digital controls among them.

Baristas all over the world love this machine because it’s designed to serve customers the best drinks.

Under any conditions and under any workload, this machine will give you the most accurate temperature control.

Its work surface is evenly lit and its back is perfectly tilted, so you can always see the espresso as it comes out of the portafilter.

The steam wand also comes with LED lighting, so even the milk in the jug is lit.

You can adjust the temperature and height for each group separately to suit different beverages.

Also, the Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II Digital 4 Group Espresso Machine includes is a system that is responsible for controlling pre-infusion, which is very important for sequential shots of espresso.

FAQ

How do commercial espresso machines work?

First, the water is boiled, after which it begins to drip onto the coffee grounds. As it passes through the coffee grounds, it absorbs the oils and other elements contained in the coffee grounds. The brewed coffee is usually passed through a filter to prevent the grounds from making it into the espresso shot.

How long does a commercial espresso machine last?

The service life of your espresso machine is directly related to the quality of its service. If you take proper care of your machine, clean and descale it regularly, and use high-quality beans, then it can last up to 15 years.

Why are commercial espresso machines so expensive?

The answer is very simple: Their high price is justified by the fact that they are built to withstand heavy loads in large coffee shops or other enterprises. Even the most expensive home espresso machine cannot match the simplest commercial-grade machine.