A busy coffee shop with a regular stream of customers, a soft murmur of conversation, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee floating through the air. This is the stuff that small-town coffee shop fantasies are built of. And you’ve decided to realize your dream by creating a “coffee machines“ business. Perhaps you’re improving your cafe’s brewing equipment.
Thank you very much! There’s always room for a couple more espresso shots in the world
Let’s just pretend you’re looking for a commercial coffee machine for your business. As a savvy coffee shop owner, you understand the need of investing in high-quality hardware in order to increase income. And I’m here to assist you in making that decision.
I know you’ve done your research about what your requirements are, budgeted for the equipment and overheads, and you just want an overview of the best commercial espresso machines available in the market. So let’s get started.
In 2022, the Best Commercial Espresso Machines
You’ll be bombarded with hundreds of possibilities if you look for business espresso machines without first determining your budget and requirements. It’s all a touch daunting at times.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the greatest commercial machines accessible in 2022:
There are numerous commercial machines from which to pick. The type of espresso machine you purchase is determined by the needs of your café as well as your own preferences. So, to assist you in making this crucial selection, here’s a look at each of the machines listed above:
1. La Marzocco Strada AV – Best Overall
Specifications
- Brew boiler size: 1.3 L per group
- Steam boiler size: 8.2 L
- Groups: 2 or 3
- Operation: Auto Volumetric
Among commercial espresso machines, the La Marzocco Strada is a legend. It was the first to include comments from baristas and industry professionals into its design, and it has since evolved to match the needs of that audience.
There are four versions to choose from, each with a different level of barista control. The Auto Volumetric is the most automatic, making it ideal for high-volume settings that require consistency.
The Strada, like most La Marzoccos, has saturated groups rather than the more usual E61 groups. Although more expensive, the saturated group provides superior temperature stability and consequently more consistent shots. Each group has its own boiler with temperature control via a PID controller, which is ideal for pulling shots with varied roasts on the same machine.
The groups are well-lit, which improves the barista’s ergonomics and visibility. Professional baristas frequently compliment this minor feature.
The new Performance Touch steam wand, a creative design that combines the greatest attributes of performance and no-burn steam wands, is also available on the Strata. You get ideal dry steam AND a cool-to-the-touch wand because it has a steel inner wall rather than a plastic one.
2. Victoria Arduino Black Eagle 3-Group – Best For Busy Coffee Shops
Specifications
- Brew boiler size: 0.7 L per group
- Steam boiler size: 18 L
- Groups: 2 or 3
- Operation: Auto Gravimetric
If your coffee shop’s queue snakes out the door every morning, investing in an espresso machine that can manage the volume can pay off in pleased customers and happy baristas. The Victoria Arduino Black Eagle is unbeatable in this regard.
It has scales incorporated right into the drip tray for programmable gravimetric dosing. This is the most accurate method of determining the length of a shot. This, along with a gentle pre-infusion technique that lessens the need for tamping, results in exceptional consistency from shot to shot.
All of the programming, including dosage, boiler temperatures, steam pressure, and hot water temperature, is accessible via a TFT panel above each group. It also gives the barista constant real-time feedback.
The magnificent Black Eagle now has a lower profile in terms of design, making it easier to communicate with consumers. More ergonomic levers and improved insulation have been added to the steam wands. The back plate has a mirror finish, allowing you to view images from underneath without having to bend over.
The most recent model is also greener, in keeping with current trends. To prevent energy loss, the interior has been better insulated, and the premium materials utilized, such as steel, copper, and aluminum, are all recyclable.
3. Synesso MVP Hydra 2-Group – Best For Mid-Sized Cafes
Specifications
- Brew boiler size: 1.9 L per group
- Steam boiler size: 7.7 L
- Groups: 1, 2 or 3
- Operation: Manual, Manual Program, or Volumetric Program
Synesso espresso machines are made by hand in Seattle, a city known for its speciality coffee and espresso machine innovation. The MVP Hydra is a fantastic fit for your mid-sized cafe and a showcase of that innovation.
The Hydra is the most recent addition to the highly successful MVP line, which is rightly titled. MVP stands for Manual or Volumetric Program in this case, but Most Valuable Player would suffice.
Synesso machines are known for their programmability, and the Hydra takes that a step further. You can programme six brew modes per group, as well as the temperature of the boilers and hot water tap, and each group contains a digital shot timer, just like the MVP.
The ability to fine-tune your recipe by altering pressure is new to this model. Each group functions as its own espresso machine, complete with its own pump and motor, as well as a bypass mechanism that allows you to control the flow rate at each stage of the shot. In your search for the perfect espresso, you end up with nearly infinite variables to experiment with!
Handles, rather than knobs, are used on the no-burn steam wands, which is always a good ergonomic choice in a high-volume environment.
4. La Marzocco Linea Mini – Best For Small Cafes
Specifications
- Brew boiler size: 0.6 L
- Steam boiler size: 3.5 L
- Groups: 1
- Operation: Semi-automatic Paddle
Since its release, the Linea Mini, which is based on the legendary Linea, has been a big seller for La Marzocco. This is owing in part to its stylish style, which differs from the typical “chrome box” prosumer look. It also manages to straddle the boundary between commercial and personal use, appealing to both small enterprises and frequent home users.
The Linea Mini features a beautiful, straightforward user interface, even though it lacks the programmability of the larger commercial variants. A manual brew paddle gives the impression of control, but it’s only an on-off switch with the pre-infusion set in. This is beneficial to workflow consistency and efficiency.
If you want greater control, the GS3 from La Marzocco is the next level up.
The steaming power of the Linea Mini sets it apart from other home machines, making it an excellent alternative for commercial use. The brew boiler on this twin boiler machine is modest, at only 0.6 liters, but the 3.5 liter steam boiler takes up the excess space. In seconds, you can make latte art-worthy macrofoam.
La Marzocco generally prefers saturated groups to the more common E61, however the Linea Mini has an integrated group. This breakthrough provides the same thermal stability as the saturated group in a significantly smaller package. The temperature is controlled by a stepping wheel, which feels clumsy in comparison to a digital display.
5. Slayer Steam LP 2-Group – Best For Third Wave Cafes
Specifications
- Brew boiler size: 1.7 L per group
- Steam boiler size: 7.4 L
- Groups: 2 or 3
- Operation: Manual or Volumetric
A third-wave coffee shop is essentially the anti-Starbucks, a place where you may sample specialised coffee beans that have been brewed to highlight their distinct characteristics. If that’s the type of cafe you intend to open, Slayer is a name you should be familiar with.
Slayer’s unique flow profiling technology was the first to make waves. Beans can be ground finer and flavour extraction increased by utilising a needle valve for an ultra slow pre-infusion. That technology is combined with an equally interesting milk steaming invention in the Slayer Steam.
Slayer created a vaporizer that sits between the steam boiler and the steam wand, producing hotter, dryer steam. Plant-based milk frothers, in particular, will notice the difference. Electronic solenoid valves, which are more sensitive, efficient, and durable than mechanical valves, are also used in the steam wands.
The Steam’s LP edition ideally balances manual control and programmability. You dial in a shot once, then save the programme to be able to repeat it identically throughout the day.
Slayer machines are known for their exquisite aesthetics. Yes, quality takes precedence over appearances, but it’s even better when the two go hand in hand. Their sleek machines maintain a low profile, which is especially crucial in third wave cafes, where customers are more engaged with their coffee.
What Is The Best Commercial Espresso Machine For Your Coffee Shop?
Commercial espresso machines exist for one and only one reason: to meet the demands of a café. Even the tiniest ones are important. As a result, they differ significantly from household espresso machines. They’re made to make consistently good coffee throughout the day, no matter how busy the store is.
Not all espresso machines, however, are created equal. And, much like choosing the proper name for your coffee shop, which one you wind up buying might have a significant impact on your business. That is why you should not make a hasty decision.
I recommend doing some research on how espresso machines function to help you make an informed decision. Then you may compare them to the four key parameters given below to determine which commercial espresso machine is best for your company.