Best Commercial Espresso Machines

If you are starting a cafe or are looking for a commercial grade heavy duty coffee maker for use at home, we may have something in this article for you.

>> Also read: Best Espresso Machine under $1,000

Do also check out our tips below on how to choose the Best Commercial Espresso Machine that can fit your needs. We also gave our recommendation in the conclusion segment. Let’s go!

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1) Rancilio CLASSE 7 E2 COM Fuly-Automatic Espresso Machine 

The Rancilio Classe 7 E2 COM is a traditional espresso machine with 2 groups and 2 steam wands, allowing you to prepare two drinks simultaneously. It’s remarkably compact compared to many other traditional espresso machines and contains two shockproof bumpers either side to protect it from knocks. This makes it an ideal machine for a small busy cafe or restaurant kitchen. The automatic washing feature will save you having to manually clean it. Meanwhile, it also has a smart power management system that could help to save you energy.

>> Also read: Best Espresso Machines under $200

It has a capacity of 5 litres, which is fairly low for a 2 group commercial machine. If you’re likely to expect constant coffee orders throughout the day, you could find yourself constantly refilling it, but in most other settings it’s likely to be perfectly suitable.

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2) La Pavoni Bar-Star 2V-R  Espresso Machine

The first thing you’ll notice about the The La Pavoni Bar-Star 2V-R is its race-car red appearance. It certainly looks cool, but what’s it like to operate? Well, firstly it has 2 groups and a whopping 14 litre tank, so you can keep serving coffees uninterrupted without needing to refill. It’s got a myriad of handy features such as programmable dosing and a unique water softener (useful if you’re in a hard water area). At the same time, it isn’t complicated to use and includes a simple button interface. 

>> Also read: Best Coffee Beans for Cappuccino

It may be a little too heavy-duty and flashy for some establishments. However, if you want to attract serious coffee-drinkers, it’s a good choice.

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3) Nuova Simonelli Appia II Espresso Machine

The Nuova Simonelli Appia II is another heavy-duty traditional espresso machine. It’s got 2 groups and an 11 litre tank that you can directly plumb into the mains, allowing you to keep up with high demands of coffee orders without worrying about refilling. At the same time, it’s a very user-friendly machine – it’s got an easy button interface that any barista can easily get to grips with. 

>> Also read: Most Expensive Espresso Machines

If you don’t receive high orders of coffee and don’t attract serious coffee drinks, you may not have a need for a machine like this. It has to be plumbed-in, so it’s also not suitable for food trucks and pop-up coffee bars.. 

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4) Breville BES990BSS Oracle Touch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

The Breville Oracle Touch is another bean-to-cup machine that helps to automate the grinding process for you. It comes with a hi-tech touchpad and all manner of personalisation features (such as coffee strength, milk texture and temperature). Like traditional machines, it’s still got a manual steam wand for latte art experimentation.

>> Related: Breville Oracle Espresso Machine Review

While its 2.5 litre tank is slightly bigger than many other 1 group bean-to-cup machines, this is still not a model that you’ll want to buy for a busy coffee bar as you’ll constantly be refilling the tank. However, for other catering establishments it’s likely to be perfect.

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5) Jura 15145 Automatic Coffee Machine WE8

Looking for a decent self-service machine for an office, hotel or other commercial setting? The Jura WE8 strips away the fancy barista features such as a manual grinder and manual steam wand, instead producing coffees with the touch of a button. It does this while still allowing you to customise the temperature of the water and the milk. 

>> Also read: Best Jura Coffee Machines (Review & Buying Guide)

This is definitely not a machine for a serious coffee bar – it’s only got a 3 litre water tank and you can’t fully personalise grinds or practice latte art. However, it is a high quality bean-to-cup option with more programmable features than your average self-service coffee machine.

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6) Bezzera Magica PID E61 Espresso Machine

The Bezzera Magica PID E61 is a traditional 1 group espresso machine with a classic retro appearance. Its manual lever allows you to control exactly how much coffee you want in each cup. A manual steam wand is positioned on the other side. The machine weighs only 25 kilos, making it a portable option.

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It has a 4 litre tank, which is fairly large for a 1 group machine. It’s suitable for pleasing serious coffee drinkers, however it’s not ideal for keeping up with fast and regular coffee orders. 

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7) Gaggia RI8427/11 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine

Consisting of a simple two button interface, this 1 group espresso machine is a great option if you don’t want lots of fancy features. At the same time, you can still create coffee the traditional manual way, grinding the beans to your liking and manually frothing milk. Weighing only 4.8 kilos, it’s also incredibly light. If you’re looking for a portable coffee machine to take to different locations, it could be a good solution.

>> Also read: Best Super Automatic Espresso Machines

It only has a 1 litre tank and 1 group, so don’t expect to be churning out coffees at a fast pace. If you’re looking for a hi-tech model with lots of automated features, it may also disappoint.

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8) Ascaso Steel PID Programmable Espresso Machine 

This is another compact traditional espresso machine that’s incredibly light and suitable if you need a portable machine. The machine’s cool white appearance makes it a great showpiece. At the same time, it’s not all looks – it features PID temperature control and lots of programmable features, while sporting an energy-saving Thermoblock. In other words, it’s ideal if you want something hi-tech but energy-efficient.

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It only has 1 group and 1.4 litre tank, so it’s not ideal if you’re taking constant coffee orders.

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9) Rancilio Silvia M V6 and Rocky Bar Combo

This traditional espresso machine comes with a separate grinder unit and coffee water unit, so that you can conveniently grind and pour from one location. It only weighs 8kg, so it’s another very light option (it’s pretty much a portable all-in-one coffee station). Despite its small size, it’s made from heavy duty parts, so you can still make a professional cup of coffee.

>> Related: Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine Review

It only has 1 group and a tiny tank. Expect to refill it very regularly.

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Choosing the right commercial espresso machine

When assessing which of the above is right for you, it’s important to ask yourself what you want out of a coffee machine. Below are some of the questions that will help you to find the right model for your needs.

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(a) How many cups will you be making per day?

If you’re likely to only be making a few cups per day and are unlikely to be dealing with queues of coffee orders, you should be able to get away with a 1 group machine and a tank with a small capacity.

>> Also read: Best Single Serve Coffee Maker

However, if you’re likely to be making lots of cups of coffee in quick succession, you’ll probably want a 2 cup machine and a larger tank. You won’t have to refill the water as often and you’ll be able to prepare two drinks simultaneously. 

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(b) Traditional or bean-to-cup?

Traditional espresso machines require you to manually grind the beans. While this is more work for the coffee server, it does allow more customisation when it comes to shots and bean size, which is likely to appease more serious coffee drinks. Most traditional coffee bars have these types of machines.

>> Also read: Best Manual Hand Coffee Grinder

Bean-to-cup machines have in-built grinders – they do all the coffee grinding for you. The benefit of this is that servers don’t have to be trained in how to grind beans. The drawback is that it allows less personalisation when it comes to the grind. 

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(c) Steam wand or no steam wand?

Almost all traditional espresso machines will come with a steam wand, allowing you to practice latte art. Some of the bean to cup machines mentioned above also have this feature.

> Also read: Best Espresso Coffee Beans

Other bean-to-cup machines have in-built automatic steam wands. These machines are so simple that you can allow customers to serve themselves. They’re also great options in offices, allowing staff to serve themselves. You can’t practice latte art with these machines, so they’re generally not suitable for ‘serious’ coffee establishments.

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(d) Fixed or portable?

Some coffee machines are much larger and heavier. They’re typically designed to be kept in a fixed location. Some heavy-duty options can even be plumbed in. If your coffee machine is staying in one place, these machines are a good option.

>> Related: Best Low Acid Coffee (Beans & Powder)

Smaller and lighter coffee machines may allow a degree of portability.If you’re looking for a machine to use in a food truck, to use at a stall or at different events, these machines are a good option.

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Conclusion

The perfect commercial espresso machine is likely to depend a lot on your individual needs. The location you plan to use it and the types of coffee drinker you plan to serve can make a big impact.

>> Also read: How to make Cold Brew at home? 

That said, if we were to choose the perfect all-round machine, it would probably be the Bezzera Magica PID E61. This machine has a traditional manual mechanism allowing you to customise each grind and create latte art. It’s light enough that you can take it to different locations. At the same time, it’s got a 4 litre tank, which is fairly large for a 1 group machine – so you’ll be able to handle fairly busy orders without refilling too much.

Runners up include the La Pavoni Bar Star 2V-R. It is a snazzy serious coffee machine that is ideal if you want to handle busy orders, while also packing lots of fun features..