Do you own a small business, cafe or restaurant and are looking for the best commercial espresso machine?

You're in the right place!

Our Top Picks (Updated November 26th 2024)

Don't have time to read? Skip right to our top picks for commercial espresso machine options below. We rigorously test each espresso machine and rely on real customer feedback to ensure we recommend only the best.

1. Appia Life Compact
2. Victoria Arduino E1 Prima
3. La Spaziale S2 EK 2 Group
4. Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Wave Digit
5. Nuova Simonelli Prontobar Touch
6. Franke A1000 Flex
7. Eversys Cameo
8. Rocket Boxer 2 group
best commercial espresso machine for small business

For any coffee shop regardless of size, the espresso machine is going to be a star player.

It often sits on the counter where your customers can see it as they walk in, and the right espresso machine can guarantee your customers are satisfied with their orders time after time.

If you’re a small operation, it’s crucial that you choose the right commercial espresso machine for your cafe.

That’s why we’ve written an article all about everything you need to know about buying a the best commercial espresso machine for a small business. As a bonus, we’ve even compiled a list of our choices for the top 8 machines.

Top Commercial Espresso Machines for Cafes and Small Businesses

Now that you’ve thought about your business needs and learned about different machine types, you’re ready for the best part: 

Choosing your espresso machine.

To make things easier, we’ve curated a list of what we feel are the top 8 best commercial espresso machines for small coffee shops below. There are many other options available, but the list offers a wide range of machines that will meet different needs.

Nuova Simonelli Appia Life Compact - Best Commercial Espresso Machine for the Money

nuova simonelli appia life compact commercial espresso machine

The Nuova Simonelli Appia Life Compact is a high-performance espresso machine designed for large companies, coffee shop chains, and any establishment in need of an efficient, reliable coffee-making solution. Built with stainless steel and ABS materials, the Appia Life Compact boasts durability while maintaining a modern and elegant appearance.

This espresso machine is ideal for small businesses due to its compact design, allowing it to fit in areas with limited space while maintaining high performance and consistent coffee quality. The brewing process is enhanced by the SIS system and Easycream technology, ensuring a consistent result and quick, automatic milk frothing for creamy cappuccinos. Capable of preparing up to 250 cappuccinos daily (in the 2 group version), the Appia Life Compact is designed for high productivity.

Energy efficiency is another key feature of the Appia Life Compact. With DRYTEX THERMICAL technology insulation, energy consumption is reduced by 13% compared to the Appia II, making it an environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice for businesses. The machine's efficient thermal system and the improved optimization of mechanical components also contribute to a 20% reduction in environmental impact.

Ergonomics plays a significant role in the design of the Appia Life Compact, providing comfort and efficiency to baristas during their day-to-day operations. The machine's user-friendly layout streamlines the brewing process and helps increase service speed. Maintenance has also been made more efficient in this model.

The Nuova Simonelli Appia LIFE Compact Espresso Machine offers advanced features, such as a volumetric control system that provides consistent coffee dosage and an optional raised group head to accommodate taller cups. With a total boiler capacity of 7.5 liters and a maximum power of 2900 watts, the Appia Life Compact is the perfect choice for businesses seeking a powerful, efficient, and reliable espresso machine – all in a compact design.

Franke A1000 Flex

franke a1000 flex superautomatic commercial coffee machine

The Franke A1000 Flex combines the best of both worlds with espresso-based beverages and freshly-brewed coffee in one machine. Ideal for mass production, this machine is designed to impress coffee lovers everywhere with its exceptional and customizable features.

A key aspect that sets the A1000 Flex apart is the variety it offers in terms of beverage types with its multiple hoppers, grinders, and powder dosing system. It has three bean hoppers for espresso, house blend coffee, and single-origin coffee, and a separate powder hopper for chocolate. The Franke A1000 Flex Superautomatic Coffee Machine enables endless hot and cold combinations for perfect drinks every time.

Integrated features such as the FoamMaster™ milk system allow for perfectly foamed or steamed milk, creating delights for every coffee lover. The Franke A1000 Flex also utilizes patented iQFlow™ technology, which ensures superior coffee extraction and improves every beverage's taste.

The optional Flavor Station provides the ability to include up to six different flavors, adding another level of customization for users. The 10.4-inch intuitive and configurable touch screen display features video and audio capabilities to enhance the user experience.

Easy maintenance is ensured with the CleanMaster™ automatic milk cleaning system that prompts users to activate the cleaning process. One of the machine's standout features is its automatic height-adjusting dispensing outlet, offering convenience in serving beverages of various sizes.

As a bonus, the A1000 Flex is compatible with various payment methods, including Mastercard, Visa cards, Apple Pay, and NFC. This machine also offers a cup warmer with four heatable trays for added luxury.

In a nutshell, the Franke A1000 Flex Superautomatic Coffee Machine is the ideal choice for a commercial espresso and coffee machine, boasting both beverage variety and customization. Its wide range of features and capabilities are sure to satisfy even the most discerning coffee enthusiasts.

Nuova Simonelli Prontobar Touch

nuova simonelli prontobar touch superautomatic commercial espresso machine

The Nuova Simonelli Prontobar Touch is an outstanding commercial espresso machine with a focus on an ergonomic design, ease of use, and reliability. It is ideal for use in demanding restaurants, coffee shops, and medium-sized offices. This super-automatic machine provides high-quality beverages at the simple press of a button.

Featuring a slim yet powerful design, the Prontobar Touch maximizes performance without occupying too much space. It has been designed with simplicity in mind for a fast-paced environment. The large color touch screen allows anyone to operate the machine at its full potential without difficulty.

When it comes to durability, the Prontobar Touch excels with its intelligent design, making even the most complex maintenance tasks as quick as possible. It comprises a plethora of features, settings, and high-performance parts that make it both reliable and efficient. The introduction of the new pump on this espresso machine not only delivers quiet operation during beverage preparation but also optimizes the texture of the crema, ensuring perfect espresso with every shot.

This machine is packed with smart functions to assist baristas in delivering high-quality coffee. The digital touch display is user-friendly, allowing easy programming of doses, brewing temperatures, steam temperature, and group temperature. It also features an automatic washing program that saves time and energy, especially at the end of a busy workday.

Machine options include a 1-step setup that adds milk automatically for milk-based beverages, or a 2-step setup that requires manual milk steaming. A water softener is mandatory for all users that don't meet the required water specifications - this ensures that your investment stays protected by the 2-year manufacturer warranty.

The Nuova Simonelli Prontobar Touch Super Automatic Machine is an excellent choice for commercial establishments that require a top-of-the-line product with sleek design, user-friendly features, and guaranteed performance. With this machine in your business, you can trust that your customers will always enjoy their perfect cup of coffee.

Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Wave Digit

nouva simonelli aurelia wave digit commercial espresso machine

The Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Wave is a high-quality commercial espresso machine that offers advanced features and a sophisticated design. It is perfect for high-quality coffee shops, medium to high volume locations, demanding professionals, barista competitors, and specialty coffee shops.

One of its remarkable features is the soft infusion system, which helps in developing consistent and impeccable flavors in each espresso shot while preventing uneven tamping from interrupting the extraction process. This ensures that human errors won't affect the quality of your espresso.

The Aurelia Wave is designed with a powerful boiler system, making it efficient in frothing milk and maintaining temperature stability. The T3 technology offers superior thermal stability, allowing baristas to independently set the temperature for each group head and control the primary and coffee group boilers for high accuracy and consistent results.

This espresso machine has volumetric dosing buttons, which are convenient for baristas of all skill levels. These programmable buttons allow you to pull a shot by merely pressing a button, resulting in consistent shot-to-shot quality. Additionally, the Pulse Jet technology gives baristas the ability to start and stop the flow of coffee at customizable intervals, leading to different flavor profiles from the same coffee type.

The Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Wave is designed to be user-friendly with its high-resolution touchscreen display that allows for easy navigation and control of various functions. The remote control interface, the first in professional espresso machines, lets you access extraction profiles, cleaning cycles, and other functions while displaying statistics by hour, day, week, and month.

Optional Smart Water Technology can further enhance the performance of the Aurelia Wave by detecting basic water parameters and notifying the barista if any quality changes occur, making the machine more robust and lowering maintenance costs in the long run.

In summary, the Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Wave brings together advanced features, innovative technology, and user-friendly controls, making it a top choice for any professional setting looking for an exceptional espresso machine. Its soft infusion system, T3 technology, and Pulse Jet technology, combined with its sleek design and ergonomic elements, ensure that you'll be able to consistently and efficiently serve exceptional coffee to your customers.

La Spaziale S2 EK 2 Group

La Spaziale S2 EK 2 Group Volumetric Espresso Machine S2-2G-AV

The La Spaziale S2 EK 2 Group Volumetric Espresso Machine is a superb choice for commercial settings. Designed with both advanced technology and simplicity in mind, it offers practical utility with easy maintenance and access to all components. As a result, this espresso machine is highly efficient, with little need for after-sale service.

This two-group machine has a built-in pump and an electric heating system. The impressive 10-liter heat exchanger boiler provides a generous capacity for hot water, making it perfect for busy coffee shops or restaurants. With its large boiler, production efficiency is highly increased, ensuring that customers always receive the highest quality espresso.

One of the key features of the La Spaziale S2 EK 2 Group is its volumetric proportioned dose setting, which delivers consistent and precise espresso shots every time. Additionally, the machine comes with dual stainless steel steam wands and a hot water outlet, which serve as excellent tools for baristas when crafting diverse coffee beverages.

The espresso machine also includes a pressure gauge for both boiler and pump pressure control. This feature ensures proper temperature and pressure for optimal espresso extraction. Plus, the electric cup warmer keeps cups at the perfect temperature, further improving the quality of the drinks served.

Equipped with a stainless steel body, the La Spaziale S2 EK 2 Group is not only durable but also visually appealing. Its UL, ETL, and NSF approvals ensure that the machine meets the highest safety and quality standards.

Moreover, the machine features a double gauge, which allows monitoring of both boiler pressure and pump pressure, as well as a plumbed drain tray for convenient usage. The multi-function keypad comes with four programmable buttons and a manual button offering extra versatility.

In summary, the La Spaziale S2 EK 2 Group Volumetric Espresso Machine is an excellent investment for any commercial establishment in need of a high-quality, efficient, and user-friendly espresso machine.

Eversys Cameo

Eversys Cameo Superautomatic Espresso Machine commercial

The Eversys Cameo Superautomatic Espresso Machine is an excellent choice for medium to high-volume commercial settings, offering user-friendly operation and consistent brewing performance. This machine is available with a variety of options, such as the Classic or the Super Traditional design, depending on your venue's aesthetic preferences.

One of the key features of the Eversys Cameo is its versatile milk system. The C2 model comes equipped with the Ever Foam steam wand, allowing baristas to create beautiful latte art and focus on the creative side of their role. With up to six customizable milk steam settings, you can achieve the perfect milk foam for any beverage. For more advanced needs, the C2m model offers three different milk programs: 1 Step, 1.5 Step, and 2 Step, catering to various degrees of automation and control.

The Eversys Cameo Superautomatic Espresso Machine is also designed with efficiency in mind, capable of producing 175 espressos per hour with a 23-second extraction time, as well as 170 hot water products per hour. The machine's dual ceramic burr grinders ensure precision grinding for consistent quality across all beverage types.

For enhanced user experience, the Eversys Cameo comes with a touch screen interface, along with USB, SD-Card, Ethernet, and CCI/CSI/API connections. The machine's large bean hoppers, each with a capacity of 1.2 kg, keep operation running smoothly, and the coffee cup height of 165 mm accommodates a range of cup sizes.

In all, the Eversys Cameo Superautomatic Espresso Machine offers a user-friendly, efficient, and versatile solution for commercial espresso needs, combining high-quality brewing with customizable milk foam options and a variety of design options to suit any venue.

Victoria Arduino E1 Prima

Victoria Arduino E1 Prima Single Group Espresso Machine

The Victoria Arduino E1 Prima Single Group Espresso Machine is an excellent addition to any commercial space, roastery, or a coffee lover's home. We're impressed by the customization options and digital display offered by this espresso machine. Not only does it look great, but it also provides top-notch performance.

One feature we particularly appreciate is the programmable dosing and settings, allowing for a consistent and seamless espresso-making experience. Furthermore, the automatic functions make it easy to use the machine, even for beginners. The E1 Prima offers both tank or direct connection options, giving users the flexibility to choose their preferred water source.

The cool touch steam wand and auto purge function are great additions to this machine, ensuring safe and efficient operation. It also comes with an economizer, boiler insulation, and stainless steel portafilter, enhancing its durability and performance.

Prima's dimensions (16.9"W x 20"D x 14.9"H) make it a space-saving option in any coffee corner, while still having a 3.75" group height to accommodate various cup sizes. With 2800 Watts power and a 15 Amp draw, this espresso machine is suitable for outlets with a NEMA 5-15 receptacle, making it compatible with most locations.

In addition to its performance features, the Victoria Arduino E1 Prima Single Group Espresso Machine comes in three beautiful color options: Matte White, Matte Black, and Shiny Silver, giving users the ability to match their machine with their establishment's aesthetic. The installation of a water softener is mandatory for users who don't meet the required water specifications, as these machines come without any water filtration or installation.

Bring versatile and high-quality espresso experiences to your environment with the Victoria Arduino E1 Prima Single Group Espresso Machine. It won't disappoint with its blend of performance, functionality, and aesthetically pleasing design.

Rocket Boxer 2 Group

Commercial Rocket Boxer 2 Group Espresso Machine Volumetric RC032A5A51 (Standard Height)

The Rocket Boxer 2 Group Espresso Machine is an excellent choice for medium to large coffee shops and cafes operating on a budget. Its ability to handle high volume demands makes it an ideal choice for busy businesses. The machine is equipped with a 13.2-liter copper heat exchange boiler, allowing it to quickly power through drink orders during peak hours. Volumetric dosing buttons ensure fast usage and consistent espresso quality.

Restaurants seeking a charming and efficient espresso machine will also appreciate the Rocket Boxer 2 Group. Its sleek minimalist exterior and stainless steel construction make it an attractive addition to any establishment. Employees who may be new to operating espresso machines will find its programmed delivery of espresso shots and cool-touch steam wands easy to use.

The Rocket Boxer 2 Group is also ideal for offices looking for an easygoing and straightforward espresso machine. It requires minimal training to create cafe-style espresso and steamed milk, allowing employees to make their favorite coffee drinks right in the office. The machine's thermosiphon system ensures temperature stability, resulting in consistent, delicious espresso shots.

Some key features of the Rocket Boxer 2 Group include:

  • 13.2-liter copper heat exchange boiler, providing ample power for high-volume brewing and steaming needs.
  • Stainless steel body, giving the machine durability and style.
  • Programmable volumetric dosing, allowing for easy and consistent espresso extraction.
  • Optional adjustable drip tray height, accommodating tall cups for cafes serving different sizes of coffee drinks.
  • Cool-touch steam wands, ensuring safe and comfortable operation for employees.

The Rocket Boxer 2 Group Volumetric Espresso Machine is the perfect blend of power, reliability, and style, making it a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts and business owners alike. With user-friendly features and simple maintenance procedures, the Rocket Boxer 2 Group offers everything a business could desire in an espresso machine.

 

COMMON ESPRESSO MACHINE TYPES AND HOW THEY DIFFER

Before you begin your decision-making process, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the common types of espresso machines.

Having an idea of the differences between the types will help you make a choice that’s best for you.

You’ll see the following espresso machine types most often:

  • Automatic or Volumetric Espresso Machines
  • Semiautomatic Espresso Machines
  • Automatic Espresso Machines with Manual Dosing Options
  • Pour-over and Direct-Connect Machines

Let’s start with a quick guide on these types of machines and how they work.

AUTOMATIC OR VOLUMETRIC ESPRESSO MACHINES

If your shop has a higher level of traffic or you’re concerned about providing a certain quality standard drink after drink regardless of the barista, then you might be more interested in an automatic espresso machine. 

Automatic espresso machines dose the water in espresso shots themselves, ending the extraction cycle when the correct volume of water has been used. 

What generally happens is they come with single or double shot buttons, so all your baristas need to do is press a button while the machine pulls the shot. 

This equates to an unchanging level of quality in your drinks, no matter how new to the world of drink making the user is. It has the added benefit of being simpler to train new staff on, if turnover is something you’re concerned about.

 

automatic espresso machine - tip for small business

 

The downside to an automatic espresso machine is that customization is more limited as a result of the automation.

Here’s an overview of the advantages:

  • User-friendly for all experience levels
  • Unwavering quality
  • Frees employees to attend to other matters while shots are pulled
  • Can be faster than other machine types

Here are the disadvantages: 

  • Limited customization for those customers that like specialty orders
  • Usually pricier than semiautomatic machines

Ultimately, an automatic espresso machine can eliminate the variations in quality you might otherwise see in baristas of differing levels. If you’ve ever been to a coffee shop where the excellence of your drink depended on who was behind the counter, then you realize how important automation can be.

In addition, they are also easier to learn.

At the same time, the level of customization that some prosumers desire isn’t as easy to achieve with automatic espresso machines. If allowing a machine to control part of the process isn’t desirable to you, then you may not find this a good choice.

Many coffee shops feel that the user-friendliness and consistency of automatic espresso machines outweigh the disadvantages.


SEMI AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINES

For shops that aim for a boutique aesthetic or have seasoned baristas, a semi-automatic espresso machine might be more your speed.

These machines are especially popular with experts because they give more control to the person using them, which allows the best baristas to really excel.

With a semiautomatic espresso machine, baristas can choose when to begin and when to end the brew cycle for each shot. This can be accomplished through the use of lever groups or buttons.

There are machines that are even less automatic and rely entirely on baristas to apply the correct water pressure by pulling levers (these are called manual espresso machines), but they are rarely used in shops today and will not be covered in this article.

tip for using semi automatic espresso machine

That being said, if you’re interested in the manual lever style, there are some models of semiautomatic espresso machines that incorporate those elements, too.

Here are the advantages a semiautomatic espresso machine can bring to small shops:

  • More barista control over each shot
  • Opportunity for beginners to learn a new skillset and grow
  • Will make competent baristas really shine

Here are the disadvantages to a semiautomatic espresso machine:

  • Can be slower to use than an automatic machine
  • Quality can vary between drinks based on the skill of the user
  • More difficult for beginners to learn

Semiautomatic machines are a terrific option for higher end shops that find themselves making a lot of niche drinks or customizing orders for customers. They also grant baristas more control and a sense of pride upon mastering their use.

The downside is that you may need to provide more training. Newer baristas will need time to craft drinks on the same level as veterans. 

AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINES WITH MANUAL DOSING OPTIONS

If you found yourself torn between the ease of use in automatic espresso machines and the customization that comes from semiautomatic ones, then you’ll be happy to learn that there are machines that blend both types together.

These machines are basically automatic machines that come with semiautomatic options. 

They are typically controlled by the use of a button, though, so if you’re interested in levers, you may want to look at semiautomatic machines more closely.

With automatic espresso machines that have manual dosing, you still get programmable options to ensure uniformity, but you also get the choice of not using the pre-programmed options so that you can customize orders spontaneously as customers want.

Here are the advantages to this kind of machine: 

  • Option to use consistent programmed dosing 
  • Suitable for any level of skill
  • Ability to customize espresso shots on the fly

Here is the main disadvantage:

  • Can be more expensive

These machines can be a solid compromise if you’re interested in both automated and manual aspects. 

If budget is also important to you, however, one thing to keep in mind is that they can also be more expensive, as they are still automatic machines.

You’ll find that when a machine has multiple dosing options, it will also generally come with more advanced features that can contribute to a steeper price.

POUR-OVER AND DIRECT-CONNECT MACHINES

Any espresso machine, whether it’s semiautomatic or automatic, can be either pour-over or direct-connect.

A pour-over machine means that the water reservoir will need to be manually refilled by users when it’s depleted. 

tip for businesses on using pour over machine

The benefit to this is that pour-over machines don’t need to be connected to a water line, and can therefore be placed anywhere. The downside is that you’ll need to take time out of your day to refill the reservoir when it runs dry, and use your own water softener or filter.

The other option is direct-connect machines, which are thought to be ideal for coffee shops.

A direct-connect machine is hooked up to a water line, which automatically replenishes the reservoir throughout the day so you don’t have to. 

The benefit is obvious: you’ll never need to drop whatever you’re doing to refill the reservoir, so you can focus on other aspects of your business.

DEFINE YOUR BUSINESS AND WHAT IT NEEDS

With a better understanding of the options you’ll commonly see in espresso machines, the next step is to evaluate your business.

It’s critical that you make a choice that will benefit you most, and in order to do so, you should think about the following questions:

  • What is your budget?
  • How experienced are your employees?
  • Do you have a certain image to maintain?
  • How many espresso drinks to you make (daily, weekly, or monthly)? 
  • Do specific machine certifications matter to you? 

WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?

Whenever we make big decisions professionally or personally, one thing that usually ranks high on the list of considerations is just how much something will cost.

Similarly, what you can afford is a subject to be thought about when you purchase an espresso machine. 

The good news is this:

There are espresso machines that can fit into any kind of budget. 

In fact, you might be surprised to find that there are many budget-friendly espresso machines that come with the features you need.

If you have a greater budget, on the other hand, more options will be available to you. In that kind of situation, you may want to lower budget on your list of priorities and look more at your other criteria first.

In the end, you don’t want to select a machine that can’t meet your demands simply because it wasn’t as much of an expenditure. The right machine, even if more expensive initially, can actually save you money down the road.

The bottom line is, while there may not be much you can do if a machine is beyond your limit, if your budget allows for it, consider machines with the features you need before considering price.

In the end, it’s up to you to determine what your small business needs, and price should be considered in light of your other needs, too.

HOW EXPERIENCED ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES?

Some espresso machines are easier to use than others.

Because of this, you’ll want to think about how comfortable you or your baristas will be using different kinds of machines. 

barista training and the right machine tip

You’ll want to think about these things when evaluating a machine in light of employee skill:

  • Machine type (Automatic or Semiautomatic)
  • Pour-Over or Direct-Connect options
  • Additional features

Are you a high-end shop with seasoned employees? Then a semiautomatic espresso machine may be a good fit.

Do you often have to hire new employees or are you concerned about consistency? If that’s the case, then you’ll find an automatic espresso machine more to your liking. 

If your employees are inexperienced or have many other tasks they need to focus on, then having to stop and refill the reservoir in a pour-over machine may be too much of a hassle. 

At the same time, if espresso sales aren’t a large portion of your business, then you may find that a pour-over machine isn’t too inconvenient on a day-to-day basis, especially considering how they are relatively inexpensive compared to direct-connect models.

Additional features and extras are something else you’ll want to pay attention to. 

These features can add a high-end fancier quality to your drinks, which may be important to you if you’re running a boutique coffee shop. Examples of these features include things such as programmable pre-infusion or built-in timers.

However, not all shops need access to these features and may find them unnecessary. 

For instance, if you’re a small family-owned shop focusing on common comforting drinks like lattes or mochas, you may find these advanced features impractical.

At the end of the day, you need to think about what sort of features you’ll realistically use often to compose a clearer picture of the best commercial espresso machine for you.

DO YOU HAVE A CERTAIN IMAGE TO MAINTAIN?

Image can be very important, especially for shops cultivating a particular atmosphere.

In that case, it isn’t at all frivolous to contemplate how a machine will look on your counter.

Actually, there are many manufacturers who factor style into their designs, as well as functionality. 

tip on how your espresso machine should look

Victoria Arduino, for example, is an Italian manufacturer that creates espresso machines that are both beautiful to behold and efficient.

Nuova Simonelli is a company that designs artistic-looking espresso machines you would be proud to display before customers.

Even if you don’t think appearance is as important, imagine how it may look from a customer’s perspective. 

An impressive-looking espresso machine will amaze customers and promote the mood of your shop.

HOW MANY ESPRESSO DRINKS DO YOU MAKE?

The amount of espresso sales you make is also a factor to think about.

Not just on a daily level, either – you’ll want to step back and think about how much you sell in a week or a month. Perhaps even longer. 

On a day-to-day basis, the volume of espresso drinks you sell can vary, but as you step back, a more general trend may emerge.

If that trend is typically higher, then you’ll want to look at a machine that can make more drinks quickly.

These are the factors that affect how many drinks a machine can make:

  • Type of Boiler
  • Number of Groups

Different types of boilers can accommodate different functions. The three main types of boilers machines usually come equipped with are single, heat exchange, and dual boilers.

The boiler in a machine is what helps keep temperature consistent and make steam. 

If your machine has only one boiler, then, it will be slower, because it can only either brew or steam – not do both at the same time. 

Heat exchange and double boilers are more typically used in businesses because they can steam and brew simultaneously.

Heat exchange boilers are single boilers that have been modified to accommodate simultaneous steaming and brewing. It has a tube inside it that directs brewing temperature water to the group heads, while steaming temperature water is kept in the rest of the boiler.

Like their name implies, dual boilers have two separate boilers for steaming and brewing. 

Single boiler systems tend to be best suited for at-home use due to their slowness.

Between heat exchange and dual boiler systems, you may be wondering which one is better for a small coffee shop.

The answer is this:

It can really vary based on your shop’s needs. 

A larger capacity heat exchange boiler will beat a dual boiler system for speed if the dual boiler system uses two much smaller boilers. Heat exchange boilers also tend to be cheaper.

Generally, the bigger the boiler is, the more powerful the espresso machine is, which means you can make more drinks. 

The number of groups is another factor to think about as far as drink volume goes.

More groups means more shots of espresso can be made at once, which means more drinks can be prepared at the same time. 

For a lot of small coffee shops, a single-group espresso machine may be sufficient. If you find you have a high level of espresso sales, however, you may need two groups.

DO SPECIFIC MACHINE CERTIFICATIONS MATTER TO YOU?

Espresso machines can be certified by different agencies for different qualities.

These certifications can vary based on where you’re located, but there are some certifications that are nationally available. Certifications can let health inspectors know that your machines meet code requirements.

A certification from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) can label a machine that meets their standards. This label will indicate to health inspectors that the standards of a trusted organization have been met.

Underwriter Laboratories (UL) offers another certification that you might see. 

There are many other certifications from other organizations that are available, as well.

While you may not necessarily need all these certifications, they do offer you peace of mind in guaranteeing a machine meets a standard and will function well in a business setting. It also means that the machine will pass examinations for sanitation and safety officially. 

Want help right away? Book a call below with one of our espresso experts!

Tony Barlow

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Tony Barlow, with over a decade of experience in the coffee industry, is the go-to technical sales expert at Majesty Coffee. He's passionate about helping businesses find the right espresso equipment for their needs.