In the world of espresso machines, the zenith of convenience and technology can be found in superautomatics. These unique machines take all steps of drink-building, from grinding fresh beans to frothing milk, and perform them at the simple touch of a button.
Most of the leading espresso machine manufacturers in the world have produced excellent iterations of superautomatics, including La Cimbali. The S20 and S30 are two quality superautomatic espresso machines made by La Cimbali.
But which one is a better fit for you? We’ll answer that question and more in this La Cimbali S20 vs S30 comparison. Here is exactly what we’ll cover:
- Features that both espresso machines have.
- What the differences are between the S20 and S30.
- Information regarding the prices of the machines.
- Our recommendation on how to choose between them.
Let’s get started…
Quick Summary
The La Cimbali S30 could easily be described as the S20’s successor. It makes a few noteworthy improvements to an already-advanced machine, such as a powerful dual-boiler system and an increased output capacity. This would be a great espresso machine for large coffee shops, restaurants, offices, and even convenience stores that want an easy-to-learn machine for everyone.
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La Cimbali S20
As the earlier model in La Cimbali’s S line, the S20 lacks the aforementioned upgrades added to the S30. However, it’s still a highly convenient machine that anyone will be able to use regardless of experience level. With its touchscreen controls and high output levels, it would also work well in large businesses that need a beginner-friendly espresso machine.
Similarities
Superautomatic Machine Type
The first and most fundamental similarity between these two machines is the fact that they’re superautomatic to begin with. In the event you’re unfamiliar with espresso machine types, we’ll discuss what it means for a machine to be a superautomatic.
On a traditional espresso machine, whether it’s semiautomatic or automatic, baristas must grind the beans, brew the shots, and froth the milk themselves. The key difference between these types is that an automatic espresso machine will time the brew cycle and end it for you, while a semiautomatic machine will not.
Superautomatic espresso machines take care of these aspects for you. Since they have a grinder built in, they will grind your beans for you. They will also brew the espresso and foam your milk for you.
They are, by far, the easiest type of machine to use. Regardless of your skill level, anyone can produce consistently quality drinks on them. This is why they’re a great option for businesses that have a high rate of turnover.
Touchscreen Operation
Superautomatic espresso machines are generally the peak of espresso technology. The S20 and S30 are no exception to this, boasting modern touchscreen controls.
Most people have experience using a touchscreen. The presence of a touchscreen on the S20 and S30 is part of what makes the machines so effortless to learn; employees and even customers can simply swipe and tap at the screen to build drinks.
Read Also: La Cimbali S30 Review
Companion App
Both the S20 and S30 are compatible with La Cimbali’s companion app, Cup4You. Simply connect the machines via Wi-Fi to the app, and you’ll be able to operate them from a distance.
What exactly can you do with the app? As it turns out, there is a lot that you can do, including ordering drinks and saving your own customized recipes.
This makes it a wonderfully convenient option for office settings. Employees can have the app on their phone to tweak and save their own favorite drinks, which they can then order from their desks.
Number of Hoppers
If you look at the top of either the S20 or S30, you’ll find that they both have dual hoppers. As the component that feeds fresh coffee beans into your grinder, the number and size of the hoppers are important characteristics.
Because there are two hoppers, you have options. You can put the same type of coffee in both hoppers so there’s more of it on hand, or you can have two different types of blends available like regular and decaf.
As a bonus, the machines also have a built-in powder container on top for drinks like hot chocolate.
Hopper Capacity
As we mentioned above, the number of hoppers isn’t the only thing that’s important about a machine’s hopper setup. Hopper capacity is also vital.
Larger hoppers mean fewer refills. If you don’t want to have to deal with frequently adding more coffee beans to your machine, then you’ll want to ensure that you have a greater hopper capacity.
In this case, the S20 and S30 both have extremely generously sized hoppers. Each hopper can hold around 2.6 pounds of coffee beans.
Normally, we’d say a single hopper with a 2.6-pound capacity is sizable, even in situations where the grinder may be running often, such as in a coffee shop. Having two hoppers of this size means refills will be even fewer and farther between.
Related Article: La Cimbali Junior vs Rocket
Direct-Connect Plumbing
The S20 and S30 have a direct-connect plumbing design. Either machine will have to be connected to a water line to function.
Their water line connectivity is a huge part of what makes them so convenient. In many home espresso machines, a pour-over configuration is used that requires owners to add more water to them by hand periodically. Because the S20 and S30 are plumbed-in, they will refill themselves automatically.
No needing to worry about your machines running dry and damaging themselves. Additionally, you won’t need to train employees on how to add water to their tanks.
Cool-Touch Steam Wands
Usually, you need to exercise some caution when using an espresso machine. Many of their components, including their steam wands, become hot enough to burn your skin. The problem with steam wands getting hot is that there’s no way around touching them – they need to be cleaned and manipulated in order to foam milk at the right angle.
Fortunately, the steam wands on the S20 and S30 have been coated with an insulating material. If you need to give the wand a quick clean or position it better for a milk pitcher, you can handle it without worrying about getting burnt.
Dimensions
Size matters when it comes to superautomatic espresso machines. Boiler size, hopper size, and drink menu size are just the tip of the iceberg.
There’s also a more obvious measurement to consider: the overall size of the espresso machine itself. In this aspect, the S20 and S30 are identical.
Both machines measure 14.5 inches long, 24.4 inches deep, and 30 inches tall. Neither one will fit beneath the standard cabinet height, but they’re still not as space-consuming as some other superautomatic options on the market today.
Differences
Output Capacity
Although these machines are more similar than different, there are still a handful of differences between them. Perhaps one of the most drastic ones is the number of drinks either one can make in a day.
The S30 has a significantly larger output volume than the S20. Capable of crafting up to 300 drinks a day, its output is 50% greater than the S20’s.
Both could potentially be used in larger establishments. However, the S30’s increased speed makes it a slightly better fit for high-volume locations.
Further Reading: Best Touch Screen Commercial Espresso Machines
Number of Boilers
We’ve called boilers the heart of the espresso machine before, and we stand by that statement. The size of your machine’s boiler will limit how long your machine can steam and brew for, as well as other boiler design elements.
One important factor is how many boilers a machine has. In this comparison, the S30 has a dual boiler design while the S20 only has a single boiler.
So why does the S30 have an extra boiler? Put simply, the machine has a boiler dedicated to brewing coffee and espresso and another one for steaming milk. This allows it to effortlessly perform both functions at the same time, crafting drinks even faster.
La Cimbali S30 Perfect Grinding System
With the perfect grinding system, the La Cimbali S30 truly is the pinnacle of innovation. To understand how amazing it is, think about all the work that goes into operating an espresso grinder.
Baristas must find the perfect fineness setting for each blend of coffee. This requires frequent adjustments, even after said perfect setting is found due to a gradual natural shifting that occurs in the grinder’s burrs.
The S30 takes care of this for you. It’s designed to sense any environmental changes or wear and tear, then make adjustments accordingly. This means you get perfectly ground espresso and coffee each time with no effort on your part.
Pricing Considerations
At Majesty Coffee, we carefully price all the machines in our store so that they are the most affordable they can be. We believe that good coffee should be accessible to all.
We have the La Cimbali S30 in our store for $23,300. We do not currently have the S20, however, so you will need to check with other online sellers to see if they have it in stock.
Which Machine is Right for You?
Now, let’s answer the most important question in this post: which machine is right for you? Given that there are only a few differences between them, deciding which one is a better fit for your business is straightforward.
With its increased output capacity and dual boiler system, the S30 is clearly the more powerful machine. It would be a wise choice for businesses with an extremely high volume of espresso orders.
Furthermore, its perfect grinding system makes grinding fresh coffee beans a breeze. Inexperienced baristas and employees who don’t work solely with coffee will love how they’re able to effortlessly produce high-quality drinks on it as a result.
For those who don’t need a machine with a much higher volume of output, the S20 will be more than sufficient. It still offers you the ease of use of a superautomatic machine – it can just prepare 200 drinks per day as opposed to 300.
If you want more information on the La Cimbali S30, click on the link below:
You can also reach out to our team at 888-978-5224. We would be happy to help you pick out the perfect superautomatic espresso machine for your home or business.
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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.
